Though I am a little biased, I think we can all agree that Porto is a wonderful place. You can find beauty in every little nook and cranny of the city and history seeps through the cracks of Invicta’s walls.
Built upon its banks, the crowning jewel of the city is undoubtedly the Douro river and the famous river cruises in Porto. This is probably the reason why Ribeira, the picturesque neighborhood by the Douro river, is most visitors’ favorite neighborhood to stay in Porto.
Therefore, on this article we will talk about:
No time to read a long article? Here’s the summary
- Most beautiful hotels in Ribeira: Descobertas Boutique Hotel and Gran Cruz House
- Best boutique hotels: 1872 River House and Exmo. Hotel
- Hotel with the best garden: Manor House Porto
- Best apartments in Ribeira: Oporto Home – River Front and Porto River
- Best guest houses in Ribeira: InPatio Guest House and Mo House
Is Ribeira the right neighorbood for you to stay in Porto?
Like most things in life the answer is… it depends 🙂 Ribeira is a very charming neighborhood with a strategic location. In it are located some of the most important monuments in Porto such as the St. Francis church and the Stock Exchange Palace, but it is also walking distance from Luiz I bridge and, more importantly, the famous Port wine lodges. It is a flat area, unlike the rest of the city.
However, it is VERY touristy (it is always crowded) and it is impossible to park there (an important factor to consider if you are renting a car in Porto). At night it is fairly silent though, because most tourists go to bed way before we do, and Ribeira is not a party area like Cedofeita.
I believe this already gives you such useful criteria to decide if Ribeira is the right neighborhood for you to stay in Porto, so let’s move on to…
The best hotels in Ribeira
Descobertas Boutique Hotel
Descobertas Boutique Hotel has a lot of character, which is one of the reasons why I consider it one of the best boutique hotels in Porto. Its discrete entrance hides a modern hotel where each floor is dedicated to a place that Portugal found during the Discoveries.
The bedrooms are not huge but the bathrooms are amazing, covered in marble, with a lot of space and light. The common areas are also very cozy, as you can see on the pictures, and the breakfast is definitely one of the highlights of Descobertas Boutique Hotel.
Pestana Vintage Porto
Are you looking for a place that has everything? Then Pestana Vintage Porto is for you.
It is a five star hotel with comfortable and spacious rooms, great decor, a spa and a wellness centre, restaurant, bar and a great view.
The Douro River is definitely the main attraction and it comes in through the windows of the Pestana Vintage Porto – it is the most perfect good morning the city has to offer.
If you are wondering where to stay in Porto, Pestana Vintage is truly one of the cleverest choices because it is one of the best hotels in Ribeira. Don’t forget to try out their stellar breakfast and to visit RIB – Beef and Wine restaurant with their famous juicy steak dishes.
Eurostars Porto Douro
Eurostars Porto Douro is another great choice for the best hotels in Ribeira. With a great view of the Luiz I bridge and obviously the Douro river, this hotel is in a gorgeous building that emerges from the stone inclines on the margins of the river.
Its subdued color scheme and accommodating furniture is perfect if you are looking for a peaceful environment for your vacation. It is perfect for families with kids because the rooms are quite spacious.
Manor House Porto
If you want a truly privileged view of the Luiz I bridge, then Manor House Porto was made for you.
The house is in an old stone building close to the superior deck of the bridge and its garden is in the perfect place to sunbathe and people watch.
The garden has some gorgeous fruit trees – the oranges are magnificent! – perfect for some shade in the summer months.
The stone house and beautiful garden create a rustic atmosphere that is not easily found in the city. It’s a little piece of slow living in the fast paced Invicta. If you are wondering where to stay in Porto, look no further! This is the place for you.
InPatio Guest House
InPatio Guest House is a place that stands out in Porto. Its unique room design, inspired by Porto’s traditional construction and adornment materials, provides an authentic experience for the guests. Each room has its own character, making every stay a new experience.
But what really sets it apart is the personalized assistance. The staff at InPatio Guest House are happy to provide any assistance guests may need during their stay, such as airport transfer, ticket or restaurant booking, car or bicycle rental, and more.
All in all, InPatio Guest House offers a unique blend of design and service that sets it apart.
Mo House – Hotels in Ribeira
Mo House is one of the favorites amongst our readers. I can’t exactly pinpoint why, but I think it is its classic design and spaciousness that draw so many people to it.
The abundance of white in the walls and textile furniture make the place very appealing and clean, and the perfect accommodation to wind down and recover from a day of exploring Porto.
Consider this my suggestion for those in desperate need of some quiet vacation time. 😉
Hotel Carris Porto Ribeira
Hotel Carris Porto Ribeira is a four star hotel set in a renovated historical building in a great location in Porto’s Ribeira. Besides having a beautiful early 20th century façade, Carris’ interior design is to die for.
Indeed, the majority of the common spaces still have the original walls of the building exposed. This creates a sort of medieval effect to the rooms because they are these incredible slabs of rock beautifully complimented with some almost surrealist furniture.
The rooms are spacious and comfortable, though not as interesting as the shared spaces. There are many options to choose from: they have double and triple rooms, various suites and some great rooms with balconies turned to the Douro river.
Waking up to a view like that is the perfect beginning of a day of exploration.
Exmo. Hotel
Another four star and another one of the best hotels in Ribeira. Though Exmo. Hotel has smaller rooms than Hotel Carris, it is my unwavering choice between the two. Its coziness and astonishingly brilliant decor is just my style.
Another similarity with Carris is the old stone walls that serve as foundations for the Exmo. Hotel. In some places you almost feel like you are in an old monastery or castle with some hidden passage that will lead to another time!
There is also an industrial vibe to the decorations. The furniture has black metal accents and the rooms are styled in whites, browns and popping oranges.
Porto River
A great thing about all the entries on this list of the best hotels in Ribeira is their location.
Due to its status as one of Unesco’s World Heritage Sites, Ribeira is not only a great place to find preserved historical buildings, but also a great place to stay in Porto.
Porto River is one of those amazing options because it converges old and new so well. A perfect place for couples and smaller families and groups of friends, this Aparthotel is just plain cool.
It is decorated simply but very modernly, and it’s very cozy. The wood pieces give it a natural but subdued touch and you will find a typical Portuguese decoration in every room.
Oporto Home – River Front
As the name implies, these apartments are right in front of the river – you can’t get much closer than this unless you sleep on a boat IN the river! 😉
With a simplistic décor and very spacious rooms, Oporto Home – River Front is one of the best hotels in Ribeira. The big ceiling-to-floor windows open to a view of the Douro River and the Gaia bank on the other side. The sun comes in from dawn to dusk, and just imagine the delight of watching the sunrise and the sunset though those windows with a rich Port wine glass and a multitude of memories to share.
1872 River House
I have to say that 1872 River House is straight out of a fantasy for me. Like many of the hotels in Ribeira, this guesthouse is in a renovated historical building and you would think this makes it ordinary – but it is far from that.
Not only is it RIGHT in front of the river, but it is a stunning pink manor house. The walls are entirely in stone and it is almost as if you are staying in a really cozy castle. It also draws inspiration from churches and their stained glass windows. There are some incredible hallways with blue, gold and white stained glass panels that are crazy beautiful in the sunlight.
Gran Cruz House
If you are thinking you have heard that name before, you are probably right. Gran Cruz is actually a Port wine variety from Porto Cruz. The brand opened the Gran Cruz House to give those visiting Porto the ultimate Port wine experience. So, if you are a wine lover coming to Porto in search of the perfect experience, this is my suggestion for you.
The house is beautifully decorated, in a refined but homey way. The bedrooms are not huge but they are quite comfortable. I have to mention something that fascinates me about the rooms: there are seven in total and all of them have portraits of the Woman in Black, the brand’s symbol. Each was created by a different artist, and evokes a very Portuguese feeling in a very colorful way.
It’s a great place to enjoy your time in Porto and besides being one of the best hotels in Ribeira, Gran Cruz House also boasts a wonderful in house restaurant called Casario.
Icon Duplo Ribeira
Icon Duplo Ribeira is a standout in this neighborhood. I particularly like the rooms: each one is unique, with its own decor that’s both modern and inviting, and with a definite masculine touch that I personally like. But what really sets it apart is the dining experience. The breakfast they serve each morning is exceptional, and the fact that they cater to allergies and intolerances is a thoughtful touch. All in all, Icon Duplo offers a unique blend of location, design, and dining that sets it apart.
The Editory House Ribeira Porto Hotel
The Editory House Ribeira Porto Hotel is not everybody’s cup of tea, but I personally like its jovial, funky decoration 🙂 Moreover, and despite being quite small, the bedrooms have very comfortable beds, which is not always a given when you book a random hotel.
Moreover, you will be welcome at The Editory House Ribeira Porto Hotel by some of the friendliest staff in town – in fact, I always have a great time when I pick up clients (for our douro valley tours) at this hotel 🙂
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