Before reading this article: have you already decided where to stay? If not, read my article about the Best neighborhoods to stay in Porto! There I give you plenty of recommendations of great hotels and apartments in Porto.

What is the São João festival?

Before we get into the actual tips and tricks to make the most of São João festival, let’s first briefly look at how this party came to be celebrated in Porto.São João festival originated has a pagan festivity back in the 14th century as a celebration and thanks to the sun god for a good harvest and abundance. It was later christianized as a celebration to São João by the Church, but many of the pagan customs persist even to this day, like the usage of wild leek, basil and the bonfires.All in all, in its many incarnations, this festival has been celebrated in Porto for about 700 years and it is truly part of the city’s identity.Enough history, on to the practical stuff! 😉

If you want to party all night, I suggest you stay at one of the best hostels in Porto or you can head over to my suggestions of where to stay in Porto to get acquainted with the best neighbourhoods.If you want to stay close to the action in the night of the São João festival, I suggest Hotel Vincci Porto, Eurostars Porto Douro, Porto de Rio and Vila Gale Porto Ribeira all of them really close to Douro river in Ribeira. In the Sé neighbourhood if you’re looking for apartments, I suggest Royal Suites Riverview and HM Ribeira São João Apartment. In case you prefer hostels, you can go for Bluesock Hostels Porto, Porto Republica Hostel & Suites, CATS Porto Hostel and Invicta Porto Guest House.

© The House of Sandeman

What to eat during São João festival in Porto?

São João festival in Porto is celebrated on June 23rd, and it usually begins with a dinner between friends/family, in a restaurant or on a barbecue at a friend’s place. It is a night that starts pretty early for Portuguese standards, at around 18h30 (if you are at a friend’s place) or a bit later on if you are going to a restaurant).The typical dishes of São João festival in Porto are grilled sardines, grilled peppers, caldo verde (the famous Portuguese green broth soup) and fresh tomato salad. The meat lovers usually go for grilled spare ribs, or for some beautiful bifanas (pork sandwiches).Everything served with red wine or with the local beer Super Bock (don’t you dare drinking Sagres, the local beer from Lisbon, on São João Festival in Porto!).

© Brankinha

After dinner, comes the fireworks at D. Luiz I bridge

Not surprisingly, the fireworks at D. Luís bridge is the high point of the night of São João festival in Porto. The banks of the Douro river get filled with thousands of people who watch a beautiful symphony of bright colors that draw shapes in the air, much to the delight of everyone.

© André Correia

© Pedro Sarmento

The fireworks just finished. What now?

Now it begins the most fun part of São João festival in Porto 🙂 Generally, after the fireworks on D. Luiz I bridge, the crowd walks from Ribeira to Foz (or even to Matosinhos beach, which is nearly 10km away!). Of course, no one gets to Matosinhos – sometimes not even to Foz, because there are a lot of distractions on the way:

• Improvised balls where you will be dragged to dance;
• Food corners where you can stop for a cold beer and some pork sandwiches;
• Complete strangers hitting you with plastic hammers and really smelly flowers called Alho Porro;
• Your own drunk friends.

I kid you not, we actually walk this distance, most often pretty drunk.

© Portugal Confidential

© Sapo Viagens

© Ricardo Ledo

Learn why we do all these crazy things on my Top 5 traditions of São João festival in Porto. It will help you to better understand such an important event! 🙂

What transport should I use during São João festival in Porto?

The only logical alternative during the night of São João festival in Porto, in terms of means of transport is the Metro do Porto. The company reinforces the service provided, extending the hours during all night and increasing the frequency of the carriages in the main access stations to the downtown of Porto such Trindade, Aliados and São Bento.

© Público

What to wear to the São João festival?

Since it’s a party, a lot of people have the temptation to dress in really nice and expensive outfits to go to São João festival in Porto. Being a seasoned attendee, I strongly advise against wearing really good clothes.Ladies and gents, wear comfortable shoes (you will probably walk a lot and heels will kill you!) and clothing too. Trust me, if you don’t spill beer on yourself, someone else will and you will surely end the night smelling like grilled meat and sardines (open barbecues everywhere!).Another piece of advice, there’s usually a drop in temperature at night in the city so, while there’s a lot of people and body warmth, it does get quite cold so have something warm with you.

On June 24th, it is time to enjoy one of the most beautiful traditions of São João festival in Porto: the annual Regata of Rabelo Boats in Douro river, that were used in ancient times to transport Port wine. The Regata begins around four o’clock and runs from Cabedelo to D. Luiz I bridge and you can watch it from the banks of the Douro river or even from Fontaínhas.

© BB Douro

While the main events of the São João festival in Porto is on June 23rd, the festivities actually last a whole month.From the first week of the month, there are preparations for Cascatas de São João, a contest to promote creativity and maintain tradition where the participants are asked to create scenes from the life of São João and the city.From June 13th, the winners can be seen in the temporary Bolhão Market – it is a wonderful opportunity to see more than 500 figures on display.

© Porto.pt