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If you are looking for a way to save money while visiting Porto, Portugal, consider getting a Porto Card.
This card allows free admission or discounts to many of the city’s best attractions, wineries, restaurants, and transportation.
Built on the hillsides of the Douro River, Porto is famous for its Port wines, charming riverfront, and UNESCO Heritage Historical Center.
Its port wine tastings, inviting cafes, and unique gastronomy offer much for culinary explorers to enjoy.
The tourism board of Porto invited us to discover and taste Porto with their 3-day Porto Card. With the card in hand, we were ready to walk, eat and drink our way through our 72 hours in Porto.
If you are curious about getting discounts and free admission to many Porto attractions, this Porto Card review has all the information you need.
Table of Contents
What Is A Porto Card?
The Porto Card is an official city pass that offers benefits and discounts for over 170 attractions and cultural sites in Porto and the region.
Among others, you have access to:
- Free entry to 9 museums
- Free access to public transport (only for the Porto Card with transport included, tramways not included)
- 10% to 50% discounts to 21 other museums and monuments
- 10% to 40% discounts on Port wine cellars, wineries and wine tasting
- 10% to 15% discounts on local restaurants
- 10% to 15% discounts in various Portuguese, traditional gourmet shops and wine stores
- 10% to 25% discounts on tours and cruises
- Complimentary booket and Porto map
We were pleasantly surprised to discover the many benefits of the Porto Card beyond the traditional cultural attractions.
The discounts for wineries, gourmet stores and restaurants, made 72 hours in Porto a delicious experience.
RELATED: 12 Of The Best Things To Do in Porto for Food Lovers
Types of Porto Cards
There are two types of Porto Cards available. There is a Porto Card Walker and a Porto Card with Transport. Both cards are available in 1, 2, 3, or 4 consecutive day options.
The costs for the respective Porto cards vary based on length of time and whether you choose the Walker or Transport option.
The Porto Card Walker is less expensive and prices range from €6 to €15. The Porto Card with Transport costs more and prices range from €13 to €33.
The transport option gives you the Porto’s public transport, Andante card, and includes free and unlimited access to the metro and city buses.
Each Porto Card is valid for one person only and is not transferable. Children under the age of 4 years old do not need to get a Porto Card.
The card’s validity starts from the date written on the back of the card or when you pick it up at the tourism office.
With our 3 day Walking Porto Card we chose to focus on the culinary experiences in this very walkable city.
History of Porto and the Wines With The Porto Card
Porto has been at the center of wine commerce since the 18th century, creating the first demarcated wine region in the world.
To better understand the history of Port and experience Port wine tastings, here are a few amazing places worth visiting with your Porto Card.
Instituto Do Vinho or Wine Institute
Start at the Instituto do Vinho which has a small museum with a detailed exhibition about how Port wines are made. This is a great way to start your discovery of Port wines including Douro Valley wines.
After seeing the exhibit, taste unique Port wines. The Porto Card gives you a 25% discount on wine tastings and anything you purchase in the store.
Address: Rua de Ferreira Borges 27, Porto.
Hours: Open Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM – 12 PM and 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM.
Porto Card discount: 25% off on any Port Tasting (between €2 and €6 per tasting)
Palácio Da Bolsa Y Sala De Provas Vinhos De Portugal
After the visit to the formal Instituto do Vinho, head to the Palácio da Bolsa, one of the most visited monuments in northern Portugal.
The historic Palácio da Bolsa serves multiple functions: it’s a museum, restaurant, tasting room and is also used for wine auctions.
Don’t miss the Arab Room, one of the highlights on the visit. Built with Moorish decor of the 19th century, you’ll enjoy the beautifully stained glass and intricate designs. This room was used as a reception hall by the Nobles of the time. Today, this magnificent room is used for official events and dignitaries visiting the city of Porto.
At the end of your visit, taste the wines from the Douro Valley at the Sala de Provas Vinhos de Portugal. The Porto Card offers you a 25% discount on any wine tasting.
Address: Rua de Ferreira Borges, Porto, Portugal
Hours: Everyday from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm, except from November to March 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 5:30pm. Guided tours duration: 45 mins
Porto Card discount: 50% off on the €10 entrance fees (approx. $11)
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Palácio da Bolsa can only be visited on a guided tour. It is a national monument with stunning architecture. We highly recommend visiting this historic building and learning about the origins of Port wines and its rich history.
Top Porto Food Stops with A Porto Card
To taste the local flavors, the Porto card offers the opportunity to save so much money on a selection of restaurants.
While there are several options to choose from, the following are popular spots to taste regional specialties when visiting Porto.
RELATED: Top 10 Authentic Foods You Want to Delight in Porto
Mercearia Mosaico de Sabores
This traditional grocery store has over 500 craft products that showcase the best of Portugal. In addition to local cheeses, sausages, wines, olive oil and cod, it’s also a great place to pick up gifts for your friends back home.
You can also sample petiscos, Portuguese small bites served with local wines and beers.
Address: Mercearia Mosaico de Sabores, Praça Guilherme Gomes Fernandes ,67, Porto
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm; Sunday, 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Porto Card discount: 15% off any purchase
Chez Lapin
With its beautiful terrace on the Ribeira right next to the Douro River, this French named restaurant serves local Portuguese food.
You’ll find local specialties like bacalhau a lagareiro (cod with potatoes), sardines, octopus and beef medallions cooked with port wine.
Request a waterfront table and enjoy amazing port wines while taking in the magnificent views. If you plan to have dinner, book a reservation in advance.
Address: Chez Lapin, Rua Canastreios 40-42, Porto
Hours: Open Daily 12:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Porto Card discount: 10% off cash payment or 5% off credit card payment
DOP by Rui Paula
If you are looking for a high end restaurant serving modern Portuguese cuisine, look no further than DOP, by Michelin Starred Chef, Rui Paula.
Located in the historic Palace of Arts building, expect to find a contemporary twist on traditional Portuguese dishes with an emphasis on fish and seafood.
While we didn’t eat at DOP, we recommend taking advantage of their “executive” lunch menu, where you can get three courses for €20.
This offer is available only on weekdays and reservations are highly recommended.
Address: DOP, Largo São Domingos 18, 4050-292, Porto
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm – 11:00 pm, Closed on Sunday, open for dinner only on Monday
Porto Card discount: 10% off only for lunch
Visit the Port Lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia With The Porto Card
Porto is synonymous with Port wines, and learning about the wines and visiting the port lodges is a must do.
The Porto card offers discounts to several Port lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia, which is right across the Douro River from Porto city.
Following are three Port lodges to visit in Porto. The Porto Card offers access to more Port cellars but unfortunately we didn’t have the time to visit others.
Real Companhia Velha – Oldest Port House
Founded by the King of Portugal and the Prime Minister Marques de Pombal in 1756, this historic port house is worth visiting.
It’s a little off the beaten path, but the intimate tours and tastings makes it worth the visit.
With the Porto Card, your tour and tasting is free. Take advantage, save time and visit this historic port wine cellar.
Address: Real Campanhia Velha, 4431-952, R. Azevedo Magalhães 314, Vila Nova de Gaia
Hours: Tours offered Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Porto Card discount: Free tour and tasting with your Porto Card
Cálem – Easily Accessible Port House
You’ll not miss the huge Cálem sign as you make your way across the Douro River. This popular port house offers organized tours for up to 40 people at a time and in different languages.
Despite the massive operation, Cálem has a wonderful small and interactive museum that shows each step of the Port wine making process.
With the Porto Card you get a 20% off discount on certain tours and products. Take your time at the museum and enjoy the port tastings at the end.
Address: Cálem, Av. Diogo Leite 344, Vila Nova de Gaia
Hours: Tours offered daily: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Porto Card discount: 20% off discount from November to March on select visits and products
Espaço Porto Cruz – Interactive Port Experience
For great views overlooking the Douro River, and a sampling of different Port wines paired with cheese or charcuterie, relax at Espaco Porto Cruz.
This multimedia center offers a variety of ways to experience Port wines and the region.
Find a wonderful combination of art and interactive presentations that introduce you to the region. A 360-virtual reality tour of the Douro Valley should not be missed.
The Porto Card gets you 2 for 1 Port based cocktails, which are very popular in Portugal.
Address: Espaço Porto Cruz, Largo Miguel Bombarda 23, Vila Nova de Gaia
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 pm – 11:30 pm, Sunday, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm, Closed on Monday
Porto Card discount: 2 for 1 cocktails
What Else Does the Porto Card Include?
With the Porto Card, we hit a few cultural sites including Casa do Infante Museu, which was used as a custom and mint house.
It is also said to be the birthplace of Prince Henry the Navigator. He’s most famous for his role in building the Portuguese Empire in the 15th century.
While there are other museums with free access, most cultural sites offer 10% to 50% discount with the Porto Card.
In Portugal, you cannot miss the famous Fado or Portuguese music. During your 72 hours in Porto, take in Fado show with Porto card discounts at several venues including Casa Da Guitarra.
Great for music lovers, this music store sells guitars including handmade traditional Portuguese guitars.
Guided walking tours and a sightseeing bus are also available at a discounted price.
One famous stop is at the Livraria Lello, one of the oldest bookstores in Portugal. Besides being one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, it is also where J.K Rowling got inspiration for the Harry Potter series.
If you are a beer enthusiast, you might want to visit the Casa da Cerveja where a 50% off discount is offered on the visit including tastings.
Additional visits and tastings to other wine cellars are also offered at a discount. You can also get discounts for visits to wineries in the Douro Valley.
Keep in mind that the discounts are more significant if you are visiting Porto during the off peak season typically between November and March.
So should you get a Porto Card for your upcoming trip? This Porto card review with pros and cons will help you make an informed decision.
Porto Card Pros
- It can be used at many different kinds of venues including museums, wineries and restaurants, tours and more.
- If you are staying away from the city center and using public transportation for more than one day, the Porto card with transport tickets is the way to go. It’s a better deal than purchasing the Andante card separately.
- You may discover some places to visit that were not on your radar.
- You will save more money with the card if you visit Porto in the off-peak season.
Porto Card Cons
- You should be sure you will use the card enough to make it worthwhile. If you are only in Porto for one day, you may not have enough time to take advantage of the savings.
- If you will not be visiting many of the museums and historical sites, the cost of the card may not add up to enough savings.
Final Verdict: Is the Porto Card Worth It?
The Porto Card is relatively inexpensive and can be used at many kinds of venues including museums, wineries and restaurants, tours and more.
In general, if you are planning to visit several of the museums and historical sites that offer free entries with the card, you will likely save money.
If you combine free visits to the museums with discounted prices at stores, restaurants and wineries, it can be advantageous and you will definitely save a few euros.
From our Porto Card review and all our winery visits, we saved about €16.
The bottom line is you need to do your research. To make the most of the card, we recommend planning your itinerary in advance. Check to see if all the places you want to visit are included in the Porto Card.
That said, 72 hours in Porto with the Porto Card offers plenty of opportunities to taste the best of Porto.
Save on local transport, indulge in Port wines, try local specialties, and learn about the history and culture of this charming city.
Wondering where to buy a Porto Card? You can purchase individual tickets at the tourism office or buy online with the link below.
Where to Stay in Porto
There are many accomodation options in Porto available at different price points. To make the most of your Porto Card during your Porto stay, we recommend the following options below.
You’ll be able to access most activities available with the Porto Card, though the Porto card with transport will give your legs a break.
Budget Friendly
The House of Sandeman – Hostel & Suites
Mid Range
Luxury
RELATED: For more options, see our full review of the Best Places to Stay in Porto For Food Lovers
More Local Food Experiences and Recipes
7 of the Best Porto Food Tours You Want To Try – Review
5 Of The Best Wineries in Douro Valley Portugal You Should Visit
7 of the Best Lisbon Food Tours You Want To Try – Review [Updated 2022]
12 of the Most Authentic Portuguese Desserts and Where to Enjoy Them
How to Have Amazing Catalan Food in Costa Brava
5 Authentic Costa Brava Restaurants To Enjoy Amazing Catalan Food
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Disclosure: Our Porto Cards were provided by the Porto Northern Portugal Tourism Board. The opinions expressed in this article are always our own. Full bellies and happy taste buds too.
Claire is a culinary explorer who travels the world in search of the best local foods. She is always looking for her next culinary adventure to bring you the best bites while exploring new places.
I don’t drink much at all, but I would try out their wines. I also like that you get to learn more about the area. The pass sounds great. I would love to take a boat ride.
The Porto Card certainly sounds like an epic deal! Thanks for bringing it up because I’d definitely pick one up if/when I’m Porto. Very convenient too and with the 25% off wine tasting discount, is something I wouldn’t pass up!
You are right Adonis, you don’t want to miss out on the convenience of the Porto card. Do you have plans to visit Porto soon?
I love passes like the Porto Card in a new town. Great innovation having a card for walkers and one that includes transportation. It would be great to check out all the spots they highlight one day.
You are right, Elaine, the Porto Card offers so many benefits. It is a good deal no matter your length of stay in Porto. Thanks for stopping by.
I am not a drinker, but I think I could still use the Porto Card very well, with the restaurants and the cultural places. Portugal is on my list of places to visit, so I will keep Porto in mind if I’m ever fortunate enough to get there. I seriously love the door in the Arab House. It’s just beautiful.
Yes, there is more than discounts for drinks with the Porto card. You still have huge savings at a number of restaurants and cultural sites. It is a good deal worth considering when your travels take you to Porto. Thanks for stopping by.
The Arab Room was a marvel, and my fave spot in all the monuments. Porto is such a stunning city. For those who want to see most of the attractions, the Card is definitely the best idea.
Could not agree more, Punita. The Arab Room is magnificent 🙂 Thank you for stopping by.
I did not even look into the Porto Card when I visited, sound like that was a mistake. Very low investment for all the discounts you get. The Arab Room at Palácio da Bolsa is incredible, I can’t believe Hollywood hasn’t used it as a prime filming location yet
You do get more than you think from the Porto Card, and with the low investment, it is certainly worth getting. Now you know for next time 🙂 Not sure about the rights to use the Arab Room. Regardless, it is quite stunning!
The Porto card sounds like a good deal, especially since it includes discounts on food, wine, and port. Plus the 50% discount at Casa de Cerveja! Bummer that the Port Wine Museum was closed when you visited.
We are often skeptical of city cards, but we were pleasantly surprised by all the benefits offered by the Porto card. It is certainly worth getting if your travels take you to Porto. Cheers.
I find the city pass cards in Portugal are probably the best for value in Europe. I have used the Lisbon card and the Porto card and the amount of attractions which comes with it is amazing, discount or free entry. With all the transport included, I find that Portugal defo offers the best value for money and most usage out of the cards compared to other cities in Euroland.
Great point, Danik. Completely agree with you. The Porto City card is a great deal and a worthy investment in Porto. Thanks for stopping by.
We often debate getting the tourist cards for cities we visit. We did not get one in Porto. So glad to hear that this worked for you. If we go back and want to see the museums, this looks like a great option. Funny that the trams are not included. But we did find the subway worked well to get around. Thanks for the reminder of why we need to go back to Porto.
We can say without a doubt that the Porto card is a great investment. Even though we didn’t have the one with the transportation option, we still got a lot of value from it. Something to keep in mind for your next trip to Porto. Cheers, Linda.
Hey – this seems like a great deal. Not only it allows some free entries but the discounts at these classy places does make a world of a difference. And the price of the card also, does not seem much. I like the various options in terms of the days and transport it gives. Thanks for sharing it with us
So glad you enjoyed the article Ami. The Porto Card does have a lot of benefits and worth considering for your travels to Porto, Portugal!
I know of Port wines and I have heard of city of Porto but never imagined the two were connected. Porto Card looks like it is worth the money with so many free and discounted things to do. 3 courses by Michelin Star chef at 20Euros is a steal. I have not been to Portugal yet but I guess Porto is worth a few days.
Oh yes, a few days in Porto is certainly worth it. The Porto Card offers a lot including the amazing Port wines. Hope you get to Portugal soon 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
It gives you discounts on wineries and wine tasting? No way, that’s actually fantastic. Sounds like a great investment (I don’t care as much about museums as I do about food and wine hehe).
Then this is the perfect card for you…lol. Hope you make it to Porto soon and experience all the delicious bites with the Porto Card. Cheers!
I had no idea Porto was Europe’s best destination to visit in 2017! That’s a good reason to make a plan right away 🙂
I love the idea of the Porto card too – one card that does it all! Also good to know that Portugal isn’t as expensive…
Thanks so much and glad you enjoyed learning new tidbits about Porto. It is certainly a city not to miss on your travels to Portugal. Thanks for stopping by!
The Porto card seems like such a great bargain. Something you don’t want to pass up at all. I’ve been reading a lot about Portugal lately and the more I read, the more I want to go. I really need a bigger bank account!
It’s no surprise you’ve been reading about Portugal, it is a magnificent country and worth exploring. You’ll be pleased to know Kathleen that Portugal is one of the lesser expensive destinations in Europe. It may not be as expensive as you think 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
The Porto card seems really useful if you want to visit lots of attractions and wineries in Porto. However, you need to plan everything ahead, thus you can check if you will save money in the end. Porto has been in my bucket list for so long, and I’ve heard that it’s even more charming than Lisbon. I can’t believe how budget friendly it is, as you may have a three course meal prepared by a Michelin Starred Chef for 20 euros only, as you mentioned above! Can’t wait to go there!
Whatever you’ve heard about Porto is true and probably better than you can imagine. We loved the region and especially the wine and food. We can only recommend that you get there as soon as possible. So glad you enjoyed the article! Cheers.
The Arab Room looks exquisite! Such inspired attention to detail. The Porto Card is a brilliant idea for enjoying fine fare at a sweet discount. Keeping in when if/when we visit. Those savings build up over time. Thanks for the rocking share Claire.
Ryan
Cheers, Ryan!! Indeed those discounts do add up over time and you also get introduced to new places. The Arab room is magnificent, a site worth seeing 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
It can be tricky to know whether or not discount cards are worth their price. I like your advice to look over where you want to visit in advance to see if it is worth it. We have had both good and bad experiences with discount cards, but one of them saved us so much money it paid for every other one we have ever gotten. I like that the Porto card let’s you save on so many different types of places, most discount cards are just for one type of place.
You are right Chris, you really do have to weigh all options when considering a discount card. One advantage of the Porto Card is the variety of experiences offered. So, depending on how much time you have and what kind of experience you are looking for, it is worth considering. Besides, it’s not very expensive for the benefits offered. Cheers.
I didn’t know that the Porto card existed. We were there last time and we just did all the port wine tasting. We enjoyed the views of porto and they had good cheap wine. Definitely a place I would go back to.
You are right and we totally agree with you, Porto is a place to go back to, over and over again 🙂 For your next trip, keep the Porto Card in mind. You’ll more than likely discover new places to explore. Thanks, Karla.
We’re planning a visit to Porto soon so knowing what discounts you can get with the 72-hour Porto Card is really useful. Espaço Porto Cruz sounds good and we love the sound of the Port sampling with the cheese and charcuterie pairing.
That’s awesome to hear that you have an upcoming trip to Porto. Do consider the Porto Card and Espaço Porto Cruz should not be missed. Amazing views too!
After falling in love with Lisbon I’m amped in getting back to explore more of Portugal. I love that the Porto card gets you discounts on wine and food in addition to attractions and transportation. The prices are very reasonable too.
The Porto Card does offer many advantages and certainly worth considering if you visit the region. We fell in love with Lisbon too and are looking forward to our next trip. Glad you enjoyed the article. Thanks for stopping by Brianna!
You’ve won me over! I’m totally buying the pronto card when I go to Portugal. I also loved the oyster card in London. It was so worth it, but looks like one can get so much more with the pronto card
The Porto Card is indeed a great investment with so many options. Highly recommend it when you get to visit Porto. Thanks for stopping by.
The Porto Card sounds like an amazing deal!! I love how you get discounts beverage discounts with it – not just museum discounts! Sounds like you could easily spend days exploring the local cuisine. Yum!
The discounts for the Porto Card are quite amazing. It’s nice having so many options to choose from. And yes, you could spend days, if not weeks, just exploring the local cuisine 🙂
Sounds like buying a Porto Card while visiting is worth it. I’ve never been to Porto and no ideas what to see there, but with several free entrances to museum, etc., I will take it.
I love a good discount card especially one with so many features! Thanks for this awesome tip Im always on the look out for blogs that share these discounted passes!
When I actually saw the prices of the Porto Card I couldn’t believe it. Seems like there’s so much and like you said, not just the standard museum stuff. I haven’t been to Portugal yet, but it’s been on my list!
It’s actually quite amazing how much the Porto Card offers. Definitively do get one when you go to Portugal. Lisbon, the capital, also has one called the Lisbon card. Thanks for stopping by.
The Porto Card seems like a good deal. I was in Porto two years ago and loved it! But I would certainly like a discount on their amazing wines. I had dinner at DOP and it was amazing! I’d go back for a meal any time.
That’s great that you ate at DOP. We didn’t get to it this time, but we hope to on our next trip. The Porto Card can be advantageous. Something to consider for your next trip 🙂 Thanks, Stella.
Oh I had no idea there was a Porto card. Definitely something I’ll consider when I visit later on in the year. I’m not much of a wine drinker unfortunately but the rest looks great!
Perfect timing since you are traveling to Porto later on this year. We recommend the Porto Card and there is much more than the port wines 🙂 Let us know if you have any questions as you prepare for your trip. Cheers.
Oh wow! The Porto Cardsounds fabulous. I would love to spend all day (or week) sampling Porto wine!!!
That’s great to hear. With the Porto Card and all the port lodges, you’ll be in good hands 🙂 Cheers.
I think it’s so great when a city offers these kind of passes! I used one in Vienna, I love them. Would certainly love to see where Jk Rowling got her Harry Potter inspiration from!
You are right, city cards do offer so much and the discounts can be worth it. Seeing where JK Rowling got her inspiration is great. You must visit Porto, on your next trip to Portugal 🙂 Cheers.
Oh wow! What a great guide. I would def consider using the Porto card now, especially after all these pictures of wineries and the cheese. I would be one happy camper for my 72 hours!
Awesome to hear Amy. The Porto Card offers a lot, it’s hard to choose from all the activities. Regardless, 72 hours is plenty to get you going with the flavors of Porto. Thanks for stopping by.