Porto is an amazing place for a family holiday, with incredible things to see and do for the entire family. If you’ve been wondering where to stay in Porto for families, then this post is for you. We’ll take you through the best areas to stay, as well as our favourite places to stay for a family trip, including the best hotels and apartments.
CONTENTS
- Best Areas To Stay
- Things To Consider When Choosing A Hotel For A Family Holiday
- The Best Places To Stay In Porto For Families
The Best Areas To Stay In Porto For Families
The best areas to stay in Porto for families are Ribeira and Baixa. These are the most central neighbourhoods in Porto, making it easier to get around Porto by foot and saving you time.
Ribeira is located along the Douro River, with picturesque streets and historic buildings.
Baixa is located next to Ribeira, is perhaps the most central location in Porto city centre, and is home to some of the major attractions and delicious restaurants. If you stay here, many things will be within walking distance. It’s home to Avenida dos Aliados, Bolhão market, the beautiful São Bento train station and the stunning bookstore, Livraria Lello.
Neighbouring areas such as Vila Nova de Gaia, Marquês (where we stayed), Cedofeita, Miragaia and Bonfim are also great options. However, we would recommend staying as close to Ribiera and Baixa within these neighbourhoods to still remain as central as possible.
If you’re looking for a predominantly beach holiday, you could also consider staying in Foz. However, this is quite far from Porto city center, so it’s probably best for a second visit to Porto, or if you are happy seeing less in Porto and prioritising the beach.
Choosing A Hotel For A Family Holiday
There are a few important things we love to consider when choosing the best places to stay for a family holiday:
- Location
- Choosing between apartments vs. hotels for your stay
- Affordability/value for money for your needs and wants
- Are extra beds or cots available or are there family rooms
- Facilities (e.g. kitchen, washing machine, swimming pool, onsite dining options)
- Services (e.g. room service, breakfast included, kids club)
- Well-reviewed (we usually aim for 8.5 or above on Booking.com. But sometimes you do need to read the reviews to understand a little more, e.g. does its poor WIFI bring down the review score but you’re travelling with your own WIFI anyway? etc.)
The location of where you stay will directly impact your time in Porto by how easy it is to get around, and how much time is spent getting to the main attractions and areas. We have already gone through the best neighbourhoods to stay in Porto for families above, and we definitely think choosing one of these areas or very nearby will make your holiday a little more stress-free, with easy access to major sights and areas. This is advice we followed even before we had our daughter, but travelling with a toddler only makes this more important to us.
Other things we like to think about include the facilities at the hotel or apartment. We love staying with our toddler in apartments for longer stays, but for shorter stays, we love the feeling of staying in a hotel and making the most of the services and facilities.
There are pros and cons to both.
Apartment Vs. Hotels
In an apartment, you might have a washing machine, more space, a living room, a kitchen and bedrooms. All super handy things to have on your family vacation.
But if you’re going on a shorter trip, you probably won’t be spending much time in your accommodation. And let’s be honest, if you can make do with room service, onsite dining and eating out, not having to cook and clean can really give you a nice break on your holiday too. Not to mention making the most of facilities like a swimming pool.
We have stayed with our toddler in both apartments (big and small) and hotels and loved both. Our daughter loved the novelty of a hotel, inspected everything, and loved exploring all the different areas and meeting other people in the common areas. She got the biggest kick out of having room service. And for us, it really felt like a break and something special.
Ultimately, it’s a personal choice and will differ based on where you are going, how long for, how old your kids are and what is important for all of you.
The Best Places To Stay In Porto For Families
Below we will go through all of our favourite places to stay in Porto, including Luxury hotels, 4-star and mid-range hotels, family-friendly boutique hotels and apartments.
Please note: All prices listed below are per night during low season and were accurate at the time of this post.
Luxury Hotels For Families In Porto
A lot of people think you shouldn’t bother staying in a luxury hotel with kids. We disagree (although we can only speak from experience of travelling with a baby and now a toddler). Obviously, the value for money needs to be there for your personal needs, but if you’re interested in staying in a luxury hotel with kids, it can be a fantastic experience.
The abundance of facilities and services can make your holiday seamless, and add fun activities like swimming at the pool. The location of luxury hotels is usually very central or very beautiful with expansive grounds for kids to play in. If you’ve had a big day of exploring you can go home to room service. Breakfast is often included and fuels everyone up for a day of exploring before you even leave the hotel.
We think the most important thing here is choosing a kid-friendly luxury hotel. One of the best ways to check this is by reading reviews of families who stay there.
So here are our favourite picks for the best luxury hotels in Porto for families, based on location, reviews, room types, facilities and services.
The Best Places To Stay In Vila Nova de Gaia
The Rebello Hotel & Spa | $319 AUD | Check Prices
The Rebello Hotel & Spa is a member of Small Luxury Hotels Of The World. This stunning 5-star hotel has two-bedroom and three-bedroom suites with a kitchen, as well as studio and one-bedroom suites with a kitchen and a cot available on request.
There is also an indoor swimming pool, two onsite restaurants and room service.
The Lodge Porto Hotel | $324 AUD | Check Prices
Here you will find rooms with a cot available on request. They also have a junior suite with a cot or extra bed available, as well as a suite with a sofa bed and a cot or extra bed available.
They have a restaurant onsite, an outdoor swimming pool and room service.
The Yeatman | $506 AUD | Check Prices
Here they have rooms with a cot available upon request. There are also two restaurants onsite, two swimming pools and room service.
The Best Places To Stay In Miragaia
Torel Avantgarde | $254 AUD | Check Prices
A stunning design hotel, Torel Avantgarde has some rooms available with a cot or extra bed available upon request. They also have suites with one bedroom and a sofa bed, as well as a cot or extra bed available upon request.
There are two swimming pools, a restaurant onsite and room service.
The Best Places To Stay In Baixa
InterContinental Porto – Palacio das Cardosas | $304 AUD | Check Prices
InterContinental Porto is in a prime location. Here you can request a cot or extra bed in the rooms. They have an onsite restaurant and room service. It is important to note, however, that there is no swimming pool at this property.
Eurostars Aliados | $206 AUD | Check Prices
Eurostars Aliados has different family room types to suit your needs. They have some rooms with a cot available on request, an extra bed, and a junior suite with one bedroom, a sofa bed and a cot available on request.
It has a great location, right in the heart of Porto. Facilities and services include an indoor swimming pool, an onsite restaurant and room service.
Family-Friendly Boutique Hotels
Again, when you’re thinking of a family hotel, boutique hotels aren’t necessarily what comes to mind. Sometimes boutique hotels aren’t child-friendly, but sometimes they have great elements perfect for a family stay. Things like little gardens to play in and family rooms.
It’s important to check that a boutique hotel is not adult-only, read reviews of other families who have stayed there, and find out if it has those elements that make it a better choice for your family over other hotels. One thing I personally like to check is if there are too many little design elements around the room, like choke hazards or breakables, and avoid these when staying with a toddler.
So here are our favourite picks for the best boutique hotels in Porto for families, based on location, reviews, room types, facilities and services.
The Best Places To Stay In Baixa
Armazem Luxury Housing | $280 AUD | Check Prices
Once an iron warehouse, Armazem luxury housing is now a beautiful boutique hotel in the centre of Porto. Here they have rooms with a cot available on request and suites with a cot or extra bed available.
Room service is also available as well as breakfast onsite.
Oca Flores Hotel Boutique | $178 AUD | Check Prices
Oca Flores is located a short walk from São Bento train station. Here there are a range of rooms and apartments are available. The interior garden is also a nice space for families.
d’Alma Boutique Hotel | $148 AUD | Check Prices
d’Alma is a lovely recently opened boutique hotel. Rooms with an additional sofa bed and an extra bed or cot available on request. Breakfast is available onsite and some rooms have kitchenettes. There is no lift at this property.
Torel 1884 Suites & Apartments | $219 AUD | Check Prices
Torel 1884 is a beautifully designed boutique hotel. Here you can choose between rooms with a cot or extra bed available, suites with an additional sofa bed, as well as one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments with a cot or extra bed available.
There is a restaurant onsite and room service.
Malmerendas Boutique Lodging | $191 AUD | Check Prices
For a family vacation, the lovely small garden area at Malmerendas Boutique lodging is definitely appealing. Here they have a range of room types, some of which have additional sofa beds with a maximum capacity of 3 – 4 people, and some which have a cot or extra bed available on request.
Canto de Luz | $214 AUD | Check Prices
Canto de Luz has rooms that can be occupied by 2 – 4 people, suites that can accommodate up to 6 people with a full kitchen, garden villas and a villa with a private pool. Plenty of options to suit your family’s needs during your stay in Porto. They also have a delicious breakfast available onsite.
Cocorico Luxury House | $390 AUD | Check Prices
A uniquely designed hotel with rooms with a cot available on request, as well as two-bedroom suites.
The Best Places To Stay In Ribeira & Miragaia
Menina Colina Guesthouse | $165 AUD | Check Prices
A beautiful guesthouse with a garden and breakfast available. Some rooms have both a double bed and a single bed, with a cot available on request. There are also some apartments available with a kitchenette.
It is important to note that there is no lift and you may need to navigate stairs.
Porto River Infante | $219 AUD | Check Prices
A boutique hotel in Ribeira that has both rooms and apartments. Rooms have the option of a cot, whilst suites and apartments can have a cot or extra bed available on request. Breakfast is also available onsite.
Mo House | $157 AUD | Check Prices
Mo House is a great place for a family stay, offering both rooms and apartments. Many of the rooms have kitchenettes, as well as an additional sofa bed and capacity for 4 – 6 people.
Mid-Range & Four-Star Hotels For Families
4-star hotels are often a great option for family stays. They are comfortable, offer good value for money and have some great facilities and services. They quite often have family rooms or adjoining rooms available.
So here are our favourite picks for the best mid-range and 4-star hotels in Porto for families, based on location, reviews, room types, facilities and services.
The Best Places To Stay In Vila Nova de Gaia
Vincci Ponte de Ferro | $200 AUD | Check Prices
Caléway Hotel | $188 AUD | Check Prices
The Best Places To Stay In Baixa
Pousada do Porto – Rua das Flores | $236 AUD | Check Prices
BessaHotel Baixa | $171 AUD | Check Prices
Mercure Porto Centro Aliados | $165 AUD | Check Prices
Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina | $147 AUD | Check Prices
Catalonia Porto | $148 AUD | Check Prices
Axis Porto Club Aliados | $157 AUD | Check Prices
Hotel Moon & Sun | $142 AUD | Check Prices
Belomont52 Guesthouse | $149 AUD | Check Prices
Hotel Spot Family Suites | $133 AUD | Check Prices
Porto Apartments For Families
Staying in a family-friendly apartment in Porto is always going to be a great choice. Having access to more facilities like kitchens and washing machines can make your time in Porto easier, especially if it is a longer stay.
So here are our favourite picks for the best apartments in Porto for families, based on location, reviews and facilities.
The Best Places To Stay In Vila Nova de Gaia
Oh! Porto Apartments | $165 AUD | Check Prices
The Best Places To Stay In Baixa
Condes de Azevedo Palace Apartments | $213 AUD | Check Prices
S. Bento Residences | $229 AUD | Check Prices
Village Aparthotel By BOA | $174 AUD | Check Prices
RS Porto Historic Center | $184 AUD | Check Prices
B28 Apartments Porto | $255 AUD | Check Prices
Uma Formosa Apartments | $117 AUD | Check Prices
The Best Places To Stay In Ribeira
Porto River | $262 AUD | Check Prices
The Best Places To Stay In Foz
Vila Na Praia Foz Luxury Apartments | $305 AUD | Check Prices
We will continually update this post with any new places we love, to make sure we recommend the best Porto family accommodation.
Read More Of Our Porto Blog Posts:
Where To Stay In Porto: Our Favourite Areas & Hotels
20 Incredible Things To Do In Porto
Our Favourite Experiences of Port Tasting In Porto
Braga & Guimaraes Day Trip From Porto
Read More Of Our Portugal Blog Posts:
See all of our Portugal Travel Articles
What’s your pick of the best places to stay in Porto for families? Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below…
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