Porto-North-Portugal.com
The best independent guide to Porto
Porto-North-Portugal.com
The best independent guide to Porto
Porto on a wet day: Activities and sights for a day of rain in Porto
Porto is a surprisingly wet city, and outside of the summer months (June-September), it is highly likely that you will experience some rain during your visit to the city. Fortunately, Porto is a major city and has many indoor sights and activities, which are ideal for days of poor weather.
Porto experiences two distinct types of rainfall: heavy downpours driven by Atlantic winds, and gentle, persistent drizzle. During the lighter rain, do not rush to change your plans, but instead buy an umbrella, and continue with your sightseeing.
When faced with heavy or persistent rainfall, this guide will help you discover Porto's best indoor attractions and activities, ensuring your day remains memorable regardless of the weather.
The best activities for a wet day
Below you'll find Porto's finest indoor attractions, along with links to further details. We've also included an interactive map at the end of this section to help you plan your day.
Palácio da Bolsa
Porto's former stock exchange stands as one of the city's most splendid architectural treasures. This 19th-century neoclassical masterpiece reflects the immense wealth of Porto's golden age, with its crowning jewel being the stunning Arab Room. Here, intricate Moorish-inspired decorations and detailed wood carvings shimmer with gold leaf, creating an atmosphere of opulence. Visits to the Palácio da Bolsa are via 30 minutes guided tours (€12) though be aware that spots tend to fill quickly on rainy days. palaciodabolsa.com
Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis
Housed in the magnificent 18th-century Carrancas Palace, this institution stands as Portugal's oldest public museum. Once a royal residence, the beautifully restored palace now showcases an impressive collection of Portuguese art against a backdrop of grand historic architecture. Despite being Porto's finest museum, it remains refreshingly uncrowded, offering visitors a peaceful retreat from the city's bustling tourist sites. mnsr.museusemonumentospt.pt/
Porto cellar tours wine tasting
Port wine tasting and cellar tours make for the perfect rainy day activity in Porto. With over 15 cellars open to visitors, there's ample opportunity to end your day as a Port connoisseur!
The historic Port lodges line the south banks of the Douro River in Vila Nova de Gaia and include renowned names such as Graham's, Taylor's, Sandeman, Ferreira, Cálem, Cockburn's, Churchill's, Ramos Pinto, Offley and Croft.
Most Port houses offer a guided cellar tour that provides fascinating insights into the Port-making process and culminates in a tasting session. However, these tours tend to fill up quickly on rainy days, so advance booking is recommended. For a comprehensive guide to Port tasting, please see our detailed guide here.
Livraria Lello
Possibly the most famous and most stunning bookshop in the world, made famous with its connections to the Harry Potter (both where J. K. Rowling penned her original drafts and inspiration for Hogwarts staircase). It is beautiful but the hordes of tourists will detract from its beauty. Expect it to be even busier on a wet day, and tickets have to be booked well in advance. www.livrarialello.pt/
Mercado do Bolhão
This beautifully restored 19th-century covered market is a joy to explore on a wet day. The market bustles with traditional vendors selling everything from fresh produce, and fresh-cut flowers to artisanal gifts.
Estádio do Dragão tour
The dragon stadium is the proud home of FC Porto, and the tour takes visitors through over 120 years of club history using cutting-edge interactive exhibits along with visiting the Trophy Room, the players' dressing rooms and Players' tunnel. For any football fan this is an excellent activity, and full details and tickets here.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus
If this is your first visit to Porto, the Hop-on Hop-off Bus offers an excellent way to explore the city while staying dry and comfortable. The buses are thoughtfully designed for Porto's weather, with partially enclosed upper decks, and they conveniently stop at most of the major indoor attractions mentioned in this guide. Click here for Hop-on hop off bus details and tickets
Centro Português de Fotografia
An underrated and free museum with an extensive collection of cameras and history of Portuguese photography. The museum is housed in a 18th-century prison, lending an intriguing historical backdrop to its photographic collections.
Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art
A leading venue for modern and contemporary art, Serralves offers experiences that tend to either captivate or perplex visitors. While the museum itself houses excellent exhibitions, the full charm of Serralves lies in combining the gallery visit with a stroll through its stunning gardens and a tour of the elegant Art Deco mansion. For this reason, it's best to save this cultural gem for a dry day when you can fully appreciate the entire complex. www.serralves.pt
World of Wine (WOW)
A dynamic cultural complex that has breathed new life into historic warehouses, WOW (World of Wine) stands as a vibrant celebration of Porto's wine, culture, and culinary heritage. The expansive site houses several engaging attractions, including the immersive Wine Experience, the fascinating Planet Cork exhibition, The Chocolate Story, the Instagram-worthy Pink Palace, the innovative Porto Fashion Museum, and the historical journey through Porto Region Across the Ages. Located in Vila Nova de Gaia, WOW perfectly complements a day of Port cellar tours in the area. www.wow.pt
Pastel de Nata Pastry-Making Workshop
Master the art of crafting Portugal's beloved custard tarts (pastéis de nata) in an engaging hands-on workshop. You'll discover the secrets to creating both the delicate flaky pastry and the silky smooth custard filling that make these treats so delicious. This immersive culinary experience is particularly enjoyable on a rainy day, and it's an especially fun activity for groups looking to share a memorable Portuguese experience together. Full details here.
Escape Rooms
Porto offers a diverse collection of escape rooms, challenging teams to solve their mysteries within a 60-minute countdown. These venues feature a range of themed puzzles and scenarios, with Exit Games' "Dark Cube" standing out as a uniquely thrilling experience - an escape room played entirely in complete darkness. Perfect for rainy day entertainment, these escape rooms work well for both group outings and couples seeking an adventurous activity together.
Occultus - occultusroomescape.pt/
ExitGames - portoexitgames.com
Last Game - www.escape4real.com/
Tile-Painting Workshop
Immerse yourself in Portuguese cultural heritage by learning the art of tile painting, a craft that has adorned the country's buildings for centuries. Under expert guidance, you'll create your own hand-painted tile masterpiece, learning traditional techniques and patterns. This engaging workshop offers both a creative escape on a rainy day and a meaningful souvenir to take home. Full detail here.
Igreja de São Francisco
A sombre Gothic church from the 14th century whose austere exterior conceals one of Portugal's most opulent Baroque interiors. Inside, is an astonishing display of craftsmanship where over 400kg of gold leaf adorns elaborate woodcarvings.
Cooking Class and market tour
Experience authentic Portuguese cuisine hands-on as a local chef guides you through Bolhão Market's vibrant stalls before teaching you to create traditional dishes in an intimate cooking class. Full detail here
Porto Cathedral (Sé)
The imposing 12th-century fortress-cathedral offers extensive indoor treasures to explore, from its stunning Gothic cloisters adorned with blue and white azulejo tiles to its serene Baroque silver altarpiece and ancient sacristy.
Bom Sucesso Market
A modern food hall housed in a striking 1950s modernist building, where local vendors serve everything from traditional Portuguese dishes to international cuisine, perfect for a casual lunch or dinner. www.mercadobomsucesso.pt
Visit Porto’s Historic Cafés
Step back in time at Porto's elegant historic cafés, where the Art Nouveau splendor of Café Majestic dazzles with ornate mirrors and carved wood, while the marble-clad Confeitaria do Bolhão charms with its belle époque atmosphere. These grand establishments offer the perfect refuge for a leisurely afternoon coffee and pastel de nata while watching the rain fall outside.
Ride the historic trams
Porto's charming vintage trams offer a nostalgic journey through the city's rain-washed streets. The most scenic is the Line 1 (Infante to Passeio Alegre) which follows the Douro River to the Foz district. Along this route beautifully restored 1920s carriages operate, featuring polished wood interiors and brass fittings transport visitors to a by-gone era.
São Bento Railway Station
Porto's magnificent São Bento Railway Station is both a bustling transport hub and an architectural masterpiece. The grand entrance hall is adorned with over 20,000 intricate azulejo tiles depicting Portuguese history and rural life. Created by artist Jorge Colaço between 1905-1916, these stunning blue and white masterpieces cover the walls with dramatic historical scenes, including the Battle of Valdevez and the Conquest of Ceuta.
Map of sights for a wet day in Porto
The interactive map below shows the location the sights detailed in this guide. Note zoom in or out to fully see them.
Legend: 1) Palácio da Bolsa 2) Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis 3) Graham's 4) Taylor's 5) Sandeman 6) Ferreira 7) Cálem 8) Livraria Lello 9) Mercado do Bolhão 10) Estádio do Dragão 11) Centro Português de Fotografia 12) Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art 13) World of Wine (WOW) 14) Igreja de São Francisco 15) Porto Cathedral (Sé) 16) Bom Sucesso Market 17) Café Majestic 18) Confeitaria do Bolhão 19) São Bento Railway Station
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