How to plan a group trip to Porto

In recent years, Porto has become a much sought after destination for vacationers all over the world. Large groups are…

Sara Riobom
24 de July de 2019

In recent years, Porto has become a much sought after destination for vacationers all over the world. Large groups are visiting and wish to engage with the best the city has to offer, so here is a list of what to do on a group trip to Porto.

How to get from the Airport of Porto to the city centre

transfers airport group trip porto

First things first: you have arrived at the Airport of Porto and need to get to the city. What now?

My first recommendation is to take the subway to Porto, but you might want to do a little research on that first – you can take a look at our guide on how to use the metro of Porto.

My personal favourite for groups is an airport transfer. You can easily book transport and be picked up at the airport and be dropped off wherever you want without the hassle of tickets and schedules.

If your group is up to 4 people you can book a private transfer from 20€ / group with great baggage allowance and a no-worry policy!

You can get similar service for 9,99€ / person with a shared transfer. You can book a shared transfer and be picked up by a private driver at your flight gate.

Where to stay: accommodation for large groups in Porto

© Cocorico Luxury Guest House

Once transportation is set, the next thing you should plan for your group trip to Porto is accommodation.

There are many places to stay in the city and very varied according to your personal preferences and needs.

It can definitely be a hassle (not going to lie!) to get places to stay for everyone when travelling with a big group of people.

But not to worry!

Like the diligent blog we are (hm, hm) we have written a whole section about the topic with many suggestions from the best neighborhoods to stay in Porto to best apartments to the best options for families. There’s something for everyone on that section of our website!

Moreover, you should check the best places in Porto for groups.

If you are traveling with kids, find out about the best hotels in Porto for families.

Where to eat: Best restaurants in Porto for large groups

restaurants for group trip porto
If you are doing a group trip to Porto, one of the paramount things is food. You can’t come to the city and not have a good sample of what Portuguese cuisine has to offer.

I have made a list in the past of the best restaurants for large groups in the city and I write about some great places there!

You can stop at the historical and quite traditional Abadia, the rustic and friendly Adega do Carregal, a trendy buffet restaurant with some great vegetarian options called Da Terra, and perhaps Brasão Coliseu, the most popular restaurant in Porto to try the legendary francesinha.

These restaurants are very used to accommodate large groups and you can send them an email requesting for group menus. Usually they are available for groups <10 people and they are cheaper than choosing à la carte.

Things to do on a group trip to Porto

Listen to a Fado show

fado calem port wine cellars
© Fado In Porto

Whether you like music or not, coming on a group trip to Porto and not seeing a Fado show just won’t do.

While Fado originated in Lisbon, it has spread throughout the country and the traditional Fado house is now a fixture of Porto.

You can watch a Fado show at one of these houses and I recommend Casa da Guitarra. It has a great atmosphere and even better musicians and singers!

You can buy the ticket for a Fado show at Casa da Guitarra and you get a complimentary Port Wine glass to help set the mood.

A very unique way to listen to Fado is at a Port Wine Cellar. One of the places that organize shows is Calém Cellars. You can buy the ticket to see a Fado show at a Port Wine Cellar and get both a visit with a tour guide and a wine tasting for just 23€ / person.

Visit a Port wine lodge

cockburns port wine cellars
© cockburns_port

Visiting a Port wine lodge is one of the most popular things to do in a group trip to Porto. There are a lot of lodges that offer visits and wine tastings and so there’s a lot to choose from!

I recommend Graham’s, a sophisticated and elegant choice for those who wish to avoid crowds as it is on the top of the hills (and hence, not easily accessible). Cockburn’s is a highly prestigious and unique choice and the tasting room is very spacious.

If you want an in depth look at the possibilities, head on to our of the best Port wine lodges and take your pick!

Ride a bike in Foz

riding bike foz group trip porto
Ⓒ Visit Porto

A great activity to do on a group trip to Porto is a bike stroll through Foz.

The wonderful stretch of riverside is perfect for a bike ride because of its stunning view of the river and the city.

If you are thinking of trying this activity out, there are some wonderful bike rental places in the city but you can also rent a bike online if you prefer.

You can rent a bike for your ride for a whole day in Foz for 13€.

Join a private tour in Porto

portoalities best private tours porto
© Portoalities. One of the funniest group tours we ever did in Porto!

The best way to get to know the city is by letting yourself be guided by a local with all their inside knowledge and tips!

Not to feather our own nest but we provide private tours of Porto and the Portoalities team would be delighted to show you around.

Our tours are exclusive and tailored to your preferences and expectations and ideal if you are thinking of going on a group trip to Porto.

You can read the reviews of our tours on our TripAdvisor and then simply send an email to sara@portoalities.com telling me when you are coming to Porto and how many people are travelling with you. It will be our pleasure to guide you!

Ride the Gaia Cable Car

© MyRestaurant

If you want to experience the city from the heights but want something tamer or have small kids who can’t do the climb, the Gaia cable car is a great option.

Because it is in the Gaia side of the river, the view over Porto is unencumbered and absolutely stunning!

On your trip you will also be able to see the Douro river as it flows to the sea and the Port wine cellars’ rooftops below in Gaia.

The journey is about 3 minutes for a 600 meter distance and every cabin is takes a maximum of 8 passengers.

You can buy a one way trip for 6€ / adult and 3€ / child (5-12) for a roundabout trip the rates are 9€ / adult and 4,5€ / child.

If your group had 2 adults and 2 children, you can buy a roundabout family ticket for 22,5€ (you save 4,5€).

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