I have already written about the best neighborhoods to stay in Porto but if you are looking for a place to stay away from the noise and traffic from Downtown Porto but with great access to the city centre, then here’s a list of the best hotels in Matosinhos.
Why Stay in Matosinhos?
Matosinhos is an old fishing village that went through a brutal renovation in the last decade, becoming a rich city much loved by the expat community, as it combines modern buildings, spectacular restaurants and is near the Matosinhos beach.
It is also the city where the Port of Leixões is located, where the largest cruise ships in the world arrive. So if you are arriving in Porto on a cruise that arrives on Port of Leixões, the best place to stay in Porto is indeed in Matosinhos.
On the other hand, there are several direct forms of transport to the city of Porto, namely the Porto metro and several buses.
What is the catch?
Matosinhos is located around 8 km away from Porto and it takes around 45 / 50 minutes by subway or 30 minutes by car to reach from Porto. Moreover, there is not a direct subway connection from the airport of Porto to Matosinhos city centre, which is annoying (especially taking into account that the airport is closer to Matosinhos than it is to Porto… it makes no sense!).
In that regard, I would recommend you to stay in Matosinhos if you have friends in the area, if you plan to stay all your time at the beach anyway, or if you need a few days of quiet on your own. In any case, I recommend it if you DON’T need / want to go to Porto’s city centre every day.
These are the best hotels in Matosinhos:
Harbour Inn Design Townhouse
The Harbor Inn Design Townhouse is, in my opinion, the most beautiful hotel on this list of the best hotels in Matosinhos. Most of the rooms were built in attics and therefore have skylights in the ceiling that provide plenty of natural light. They may not be the most suitable for giant people (my boyfriend is 1.90m and would definitely complain about the ceiling height in most of the rooms!), but the rooms are indeed beautiful and equipped with air conditioning, TV, washing machine coffee and hairdryer, as well as being soundproof and having very comfortable beds.
Sara and Paula are very attentive, give great recommendations and create a personalized experience (for example, they changed the breakfast time at my request).
Furthermore, the Harbor Inn Design Townhouse has a wonderful location, right next to Matosinhos beach and lots of cool fish and seafood restaurants.
How to get there: the subway station Matosinhos Sul is a 5 minutes walking distance.
Sea Porto Hotel
The Sea Porto Hotel is one of the best hotels in Matosinhos due to its versatility. Indeed, it has several types of rooms that make it suitable for traveling as a couple or as a family, or for business trips.
It has a sober, modern and “clean” decor, with details and references to historical points in Matosinhos. The rooms are very clean and comfortable, with everything needed, such as air conditioning, electric kettle, mini bar and TV.
The breakfast is fantastic (good wide range of fresh fruit daily, gluten free options and nicely cooked eggs and bacon).
The location is top – 3 minutes walk from Senhor de Matosinhos station, with lots of restaurants in the area and just 15 minutes walk from the beach.
How to get there: the subway station Senhor de Matosinhos is a 3 minutes walking distance.
Four Points by Sheraton
The Four Points offers everything that Sheraton hotels have made us accustomed to: spacious rooms with modern decor in warm tones, fully equipped with a microwave (very useful!), mini bar, safe, TV and coffee machine. Guests also have access to a small gym (although the best option is to run by the sea) and a cool bar. In addition, it also has a front desk open 24/7, which provides airport transfers and room service at any time of the day. There is also free parking available – however, the entrance is quite steep and you need to be very careful when entering the park.
Something else that makes the Four Points by Sheraton one of the best hotels in Matosinhos is its very cool location: just 3 minutes away from a subway station, two supermarkets, countless restaurants and the beach of Matosinhos.
How to get there: the subway station Matosinhos Sul is a 3 minutes walking distance.
Ocean Porto Beach House
The Ocean Porto Beach House is drop-dead gorgeous, there is no other way to say it. It has beautiful, super trendy decor – the turquoise blue tiles in the bathrooms are great. The rooms are very friendly, suitable for young couples and families with children, and you can also enjoy a garden and a small swimming pool with a jacuzzi outside. There are also bicycles, surfboards and wetsuits available for guests to rent.
The breakfast is very good, the staff is very attentive and the Ocean Porto Beach House is 500 meters from Matosinhos beach.
How to get there: the subway station Matosinhos Sul is a 5 minutes walking distance.
MyStay Matosinhos Centro
MyStay Matosinhos Centro is a hotel with a very “homey” vibe, with spacious rooms decorated in warm colors (beige and red) that convey a feeling of immediate comfort. All rooms are equipped with a minibar and kettle, and some of them also have fully equipped kitchenettes, looking more like small apartments.
There is also a parking lot available, a small garden with beach chairs that is great for relaxing, soundproof rooms and an airport shuttle and continental breakfast (both upon request).
Its location is very central, in a very busy area, close to Câmara de Matosinhos and a wonderful pastry shop called Padaria Ribeiro, perfect for breakfast.
However, it is 15 minutes walking distant from the beach, so it is not the best hotel in Matosinhos for those who want to stay right next to the beach.
How to get there: the subway station Câmara de Matosinhos is a 5 minutes walking distance.
Eurostars Matosinhos
Eurostars is a 4-star hotel chain that recently opened another hotel right in front of Matosinhos beach.
Like all hotels in the chain, Eurostars Matosinhos has a modern and airy decor, with spacious common spaces, a huge Indoor swimming pool, spa, sauna and gym. In this aspect, it may be the best equipped hotel on this list of the best hotels in Matosinhos.
The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, mini bar, kettle and safe. It also has a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and a very varied breakfast, served in a beautiful room.
As I already mentioned, it is just 200 meters from the beach and numerous restaurants.
How to get there: the subway station Matosinhos Sul is a 3 minutes walking distance.
Brito Capelo 183
Brito Capelo 183 is an Art Deco house from 1937, entirely restored by renowned designers, making it the most stylish hotel on this list. It has four private suites, with all amenities and comforts – double bed, air conditioning, TV, wifi, minibar, hairdryer. The common areas include the living room, dining room, kitchen (particularly well equipped) and a very pleasant patio.
The only thing I didn’t like when I visited Brito Capelo 183 is that, perhaps because it is an older house, the rooms seemed to be somewhat small, even for couples.
The location is nice, on the Brito Capelo shopping street, very close to the metro and also to the Matosinhos Market, which I highly recommend you visit.
How to get there: the subway station Brito Capelo is a 3 minutes walking distance.
Casa RIETSCH
Casa RIETSCH is a renovated old house, with all amenities – including allergy-free rooms, a garden terrace at the back and family rooms, ideal for families with children. Some of the rooms even have a kitchenette equipped with a microwave, which is really useful.
On the other hand, this is one of the best hotels in Matosinhos for those who want help exploring the region, as Casa RIETSCH organizes a series of experiences such as surfing lessons (for beginners, medium and advanced), bicycle rental, sailing, yachting, recreational fishing and free walking tour to Matosinhos (for a minimum of 6 participants).
Matosinhos beach is just a 4-minute walk away.
How to get there: the subway station Matosinhos Sul is a 5 minutes walking distance.
O Valentim
Most people know Valentim as one of the most popular restaurants in the region. But, in addition, the restaurant also offers a very clean and spacious guesthouse, with sober and comfortable decor.
Furthermore, the property has a rooftop bar with a beautiful view of the sea, and quick access to one of the best restaurants in the area.
How to get there: the subway station Matosinhos Sul is a 5 minutes walking distance.
São Francisco Guesthouse
The São Francisco guesthouse is one of the best hotels in Matosinhos for families with children, as it has a variety of room types, including an apartment with 2 double beds, a living room with 2 sofa beds and a kitchen.
The space itself is beautiful, in one of the most beautiful houses in Matosinhos, with beautiful vaulted ceilings and a decor in which white tones and natural light predominate. It is located above a fantastic bakery, practically in front of Matosinhos beach. It is an accommodation that is really worth it.