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Porto is a fascinating port city that encapsulates everything travelers like: good wine, outstanding architecture, beautiful museums, and sunny beaches.
Although it’s often buzzing with activities, the city is also very calm and friendly.
Yet tourists who come to Porto for the first time may wonder how safe the city is during the day, and what happens at night. To answer quickly, Porto is pretty safe. Of course, as with any destination, there are a few nuances. Let’s explore them today.
General Safety in Porto
The whole country of Portugal is generally safe — one of the safest countries in the world. Porto’s index is around 67, and that counts as a high score. When you travel there for the first time, you will see police patrolling the streets all day and night long, especially in crowded areas. There’s barely any crime, with violence uncommon. Tourist or local, you will feel safe walking around the city even when the sun sets.
During the night, Porto is extremely friendly and serene. The river is reflecting the soft street lighting, and bars are breaking the silence with gentle melodies and chatter. Yet, you should always be aware of your surroundings and stay sober enough to avoid pickpocketing.
Areas to Avoid or Visit with Caution
Porto has a couple of areas that should be approached with caution. Stepping foot there doesn’t mean you will instantly get into an incident, but it’s best to stick to routes recommended to tourists for midnight strolls.
Miradouro da Vitória is gorgeous during the day, but you might find it a little spooky at night, as groups of locals gather there.
São Bento Station and the Cathedral areas could be empty (specially during Winter) but that's not always a good thing, as empty spaces possibly pose bigger dangers when you encounter persons with malicious intent.
Do not go to the following Porto's neighborhoods:
- Bairro do Aleixo
- Cerco do Porto
- Bairro de São João de Deus
The above have a bad reputation, and travelers rarely set foot there, so you shouldn't either.
Areas Tourists are Recommended to Visit
Similar to any other city around the world, tourists are recommended to walk around busy, well-lit areas, where both travelers and locals gather for a night out. There, you can be confident you won’t get in any trouble. If something does happen, there will be people to help you.
In Porto, these locations are Ribeira and Gaia, which are perfect for a romantic dinner, drinks during the night, or a stroll along the river. In case you want more action, go to Baixa and Avenida dos Aliados in the center of the city with bright lights, police, and a ton of visitors around. For a quiet atmosphere, visit Boavista and Foz do Douro.
Digital Safety
Not many tourists think about their safety online when they travel. Yet, it’s just as important: connecting to the wrong Wi-Fi network can result in you being robbed, too!
As a traveler, you will surely use free hotspots as soon as you land. Airports, coffee shops, and hotels seem perfect for a quick message, checking your bank account balance, and saving your airplane tickets. But hackers can easily infiltrate the network, steal your data, or even trace your keyboard to see your login details.
The good news is, you can avoid all of these scenarios with a bit of precaution. Tools like a virtual private network (VPN) can protect your connection, no matter where you are and what Wi-Fi you use. A VPN encrypts your traffic, and hackers can’t see what you are sending, typing, or receiving through the network. So, all of your information stays completely safe.
Tips to Enjoy Porto Without Incidents
Porto is a safe city, but you should always stay aware of your surroundings when you are traveling alone.
For example, if it’s late and you need to get back to the hotel, it’s recommended to order ride-sharing or taxi services. They work very well and are affordable there, and it’s safer than walking. In case you do want to walk, choose main streets with bright lighting, and try to walk within groups.
You should generally try not to get drunk when hanging out alone or with people you don’t know well. Additionally, try not to wear or take flashy, expensive items with you, such as designer accessories, cameras, watches, and so on. Keep your bag and phone next to you at all times; never leave them at the table or bar.
Porto Safety Recap
Porto is a pretty safe city, but all tourists should stay aware of simple tips and tricks to avoid incidents:
- Don’t visit Miradouro da Vitória, São Bento Station, and the Cathedral areas during the night;
- Avoid Bairro do Aleixo, Cerco do Porto, and Bairro de São João de Deus;
- If you’re going to use a VPN, do so with special offers like NordVPN deals to protect your connection more cheaply;
- Order a taxi when getting back to your hotel late at night;
- Keep your bag and phone in hand;
- Don’t drink a lot of alcohol around people you don’t know.
