Experience in Porto, Portugal by Marcelo

What is it like to live in Porto? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

It is surely one of the most amazing places to live your Erasmus experience. The winter sometimes may be a bit boring because of the bad weather does not allow students to go out but the summer and hot weather will make the streets full of people and the nights delightful. If you want to go for a beer you will find streets full of people drinking and having a talk. If you want to party, you are able to find several clubs in downtown's suburbs. If you would rather prefer to take a walk, "Ribeira" and "Cais de Gaia" provide you an enjoyable moment with your friends. Porto has a rich culture as you will notice as soon as you get there.

Source

What is the student lifestyle like in Porto?

Downtown is the spot that gathers all students, mainly on Mondays and Thursdays. People get up late, but they come back home very late too.

After-dinner (7:30pm - 9:30pm) we are used to go out, generally to pubs.

If you want to party, you should expect to wait sometime in the queue to go into some clubs. Each club has its typical kind of music. You can easily find some which will satisfy you.

We spend majority of the time at the university, mainly due to "Praxis". Praxis and the students' uniform (Harry Potter) are directly correlated and we often do it: mainly during the month of September (beginning of the semester to "welcome" the freshmen) and May (Queima das Fitas).

If you are lucky to arrive Porto in the spring/summer semester, you will also enjoy from "Queima das Fitas" events and Summer festivals across whole Portugal.

How much does it cost to live in Porto?

Normally prices are between 200 and 250 euros, all bills included. Prices in general are low in Porto. You can find cheap restaurants and pubs. Public transports may be one of the things that is expensive (never less than 18 euros per month, with student discount).

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Porto? Is there any advice you can give?

It is not that hard. Erasmus activity in Porto has been sharply increasing and the City has been getting used to it so you can find several ads online about accommodation, in English. If you have any trouble, just ask for help. Surely someone will help you.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Some of the traditional dishes from Porto should not be a regular meal, but you can find very good and cheap meals around the city. "Francesinha" is mandatory as well as "Tripas à moda do Porto". It is traditional food from Porto, full of meat and with special sauce prepared with Porto wine.

Bacalhau (typical fish from Norway and Iceland) is one of the most famous fish in Portugal and, for that reason, we have several different dishes using Bacalhau (codfish). It may be expensive, but it is worth to be experienced.

"Francesinha"

Source

What places would you recommend visiting in Porto?

The downtown is rich in culture:

• Go to Ribeira (north riverside of Douro River) to have a meal or a drink right next to river.
• Go to Cais de Gaia (south riverside of Douro River) and enjoy the Porto Wine from Cellars and the delightful landscape that Porto can offer you.
• Try a boat trip and meet the six bridges that connect Gaia and Porto.
• Go to Casa da Música (House of Music) if you appreciate symphonic and jazz music.

Source

• Go to Jardins do Palácio de Cristal (Crystal's Palace Gardens) and to Parque da Cidade (City's Park) and enjoy the beauty and peace from those places.
• Go to Livraria Lello (Lello's Bookstore). After seeing such place and watching students' uniforms, you will understand where Harry Potter's roots come from.

Source

• Go to Foz do Douro for a walk or to ride your bike. You will be amazed with the contrast between Foz and Porto downtown.
• Go to Matosinhos and enjoy the sun, beach and waves. Take a chance to learn how to surf.

Is it good to eat out in Porto? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

In the Downtown you can find some spots (close to Reitoria da Universidade do Porto) where you can find night clubs, pubs and "students' restaurants" and where you can have cheaper meals than at competitors (around 5 euros).

Is the nightlife good in Porto? Where is good to go?

Night clubs are concentrated in the historical area surrounding "Reitoria da Universidade do Porto". The main drinking spots are located in this same spot or, if you prefer to sit next to the river, "Ribeira" is always an option on Mondays and Weekends.

The club will depend on the genre of music you prefer.

What advice would you give future students heading to Porto?

• Don't lose any opportunity to go out and be with your colleagues.
• Enjoy the beach every time weather allows it. Go for some surf classes.
• Don't miss what ESN team can offer you.
• Travel. Check the north of Portugal, Coimbra and Lisbon essentially. You will see that the north and south are architecturally very different.
• Ask your buddies to visit their hometowns or to go on a trip with them.

---

Photo gallery