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What to do in Porto when it rains: 20 cosy ideas
Ever landed in Porto, ready to explore, only to be met with pouring rain?
Portugal is a pretty sunny country, even in winter. But the further north you travel, the rainier it gets! Porto is the largest city in northern Portugal, and you can expect some rain here and there between autumn and spring.
We travel to Porto regularly (at least once a year and in all seasons), and boy, have we encountered some rainy days in Porto. But as we are tourists in the city as well, we didn’t want to sit in the hotel room all day waiting for the showers to pass.
So instead of hiding in our hotel room, we started looking for as many rainy day activities in Porto as possible. We came up with tons of ideas, and we still enjoy the city, even when the weather is miserable!
Are you unlucky on a rainy day? Then this guide will help you have an incredible time in Porto on a rainy day. From wine tastings in cosy cellars to stunning indoor markets and pastel de nata baking workshops, Porto doesn’t disappoint.
Quick rainy day Porto plans
Half-day rainy Porto itinerary
Start at São Bento Station to see the azulejo tiles, then head to Clérigos Church or the bookstore Livraria Lello if you already have a ticket booked. From there, warm up with lunch at Mercado do Bolhão or somewhere nearby before visiting the Chapel of Souls on Rua de Santa Catarina.
Full-day rainy Porto itinerary
Start with Bolsa Palace and the Church of Saint Francis, which are close to each other and make a great rainy morning in the historic centre. Then have lunch near Ribeira or cross over to Vila Nova de Gaia for the afternoon for a Port wine tasting or a few hours at WOW Porto.
Rainy day Porto itinerary for couples
Start with Livraria Lello or Clérigos Church, then slow things down with coffee, hot chocolate, or lunch at Time Out Porto. In the afternoon, cross to Vila Nova de Gaia for a Port wine tasting or visit WOW Porto, then end the day with a Fado show or a relaxed dinner.
Rainy day Porto itinerary with kids
For younger kids, start with SEA LIFE Porto and then keep the rest of the day easy with lunch somewhere indoors. If your children are 4 years or older we can highly recommend a tile painting workshop. Yup, you can make your own souvenirs!
For older kids, we’d choose a pastel de nata baking class, or The Chocolate Story at WOW Porto, so the day feels fun instead of just like hiding from the rain.
Not sure where to go in Portugal?
Take the free Portugal travel quiz and find the destination that best matches your travel style. You’ll get your result plus practical tips to help you start planning your trip.
What to do in Porto on a rainy day?
We travel to Porto at least once a year and in all seasons. Usually, it’s lovely and sunny, but sometimes the weather is far from perfect. Don’t be alarmed if the weather forecast looks dreary for your stay.
Porto is an amazing city with plenty of things to do! Over the years, we’ve collected some great ideas for indoor activities and things to do in Porto in the rain! So here are 20 suggestions!
1. Bolsa Palace
In the heart of the old town of Porto, you’ll find the Stock Exchange Palace. Palacio da Bolsa is still in operation, as the Commercial Association is located here. The good news? You can book a guided tour through Palacio da Bolsa and visit all the rooms in this incredible building!
The highlight is the famous Arab hall, which is richly decorated. Palacio da Bolsa is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city and a must-see in any weather condition! The tours sell out quickly, so booking your time slot is highly recommended.
Our pick: Visit Bolsa Palace and the Church of Saint Francis together, as they’re right next to each other and make one of the easiest rainy morning plans in Porto. Afterwards, you can enjoy lunch near Ribeira.
2. Church of Saint Francis
Right behind the Bolsa Palace, you can visit the Church of Saint Francis. Igreja de São Francisco do Porto contains a museum and a church.
The Church of the Convent of São Francisco has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, and there is a lot to see! When we were in Porto with the rain, we spent a couple of hours seeing the whole complex.
It’s often called the Golden Church, and the Baroque carvings and gold decorations quickly reveal why. Afterwards, you can see the small museum and the catacomb cemetery. Between 1749 and 1866, all the Order’s benefactors were buried here.
Our pick: This is one of the best rainy day stops near Ribeira because there’s more to see than just the church. Between the gold-covered interior, museum, and catacombs, it feels like a proper activity rather than a quick escape from the rain.
3. Mercado Bom Sucesso
Rainy days are perfect for eating, and Mercado Bom Sucesso is one of our favourite indoor food stops in Porto. There are several restaurants with tasty options for everyone, so it’s an easy place to take a break without committing to one sit-down restaurant.
Our pick: Mercado Bom Sucesso works best as a lunch stop, especially if you’re also visiting Casa da Música. It’s not a full rainy day activity, but it’s a great place to warm up, eat well, and wait out a shower.
4. Casa da Música
Near the Bom Sucesso market, you will find Casa da Música, the music hall in Porto. Rem Koolhaas designed the modern building, which was completed in 2005. The top-floor restaurant offers incredible dishes, and some fun events might happen when you’re in Porto!
Our pick: Check the event schedule before you go. Casa da Música is more worthwhile if you can time your visit with a concert, guided tour, or meal at the restaurant rather than just stopping by to see the building.
5. Porto Cathedral
Porto Cathedral is a gorgeous place to visit, and with clear weather, the views are great, too! We visited the cathedral in a downpour and had to run inside and start the tour through the historic building. Sé do Porto also has a stunning Gothic-style cloister with white and blue tiles.
The terrace is outdoors, and we definitely got wet taking these pictures, but you can stay indoors and view the Treasure Room. Then, you can start exploring the chapels inside Porto’s Cathedral.
Book your tickets online so you don’t have to stand in the rain!
Don’t leave just yet, as you can see the Bishop’s Palace next door. The staircase is one of the highlights of this beautiful building, and there are many rooms to visit. The Cathedral of Porto is open daily from 9 AM until 6.30 PM.
6. WOW Porto
One of the most fun things to do in Porto when it rains is visit WOW Porto in Vila Nova de Gaia! There are plenty of indoor activities, including six museums.
They are The Wine Experience, Pink Palace, The Chocolate Story, Planet Cork, Art of Drinking WOW Museum, and Porto Region Across the Ages. You can easily spend a whole day here!
We visited the Pink Palace and The Wine Experience, both of which included a wine tasting. At the Wine Experience, you dive into Portugal’s wine history and learn how wine is made. The tasting is the last part of the experience.
At the Pink Palace, you taste wines throughout the experience, and there are a lot of fun activities along the way, including a pink ball pool!
Best value! Get tickets for all the museums!
Our pick: If we had to choose one rainy day activity in Porto that could fill several hours, it would be WOW Porto. For adults, we’d choose The Wine Experience. For families, we’d choose The Chocolate Story. For a fun couples’ activity, Pink Palace is the most playful option.
7. Port wine tasting and wine tour
Speaking of wine, Vila Nova de Gaia is also THE place to enjoy a Port wine tasting! Numerous wine cellars are on this side of the river, such as Cockburn’s, Caves Ferreira, Caves Cálem, Taylor’s, and Graham’s Port Lodge.
You learn more about Port wine during the wine tour, including a wine tasting.
These are our favourites:
The Douro Valley is where these incredible wines come from, and Port wine was shipped down the Douro River to the Port cellars. You can still see the traditional boats in the river and even book a boat ride on one of them!
Visiting the wine cellars to try the Port wine is the perfect way to spend a rainy day in Porto! And when the sun appears, enjoy a boat tour along the six bridges in Porto!
Our pick: A Port wine cellar tour is our favourite rainy day activity in Porto for adults. It feels connected to the city, keeps you indoors, and gives you a reason to cross over to Vila Nova de Gaia even when the weather is miserable.
Tip: book a day tour of the Douro Valley when the weather is good!
8. Livraria Lello
One of the most famous sights when visiting Porto is the bookstore Livraria Lello. We would not save this for a sudden downpour unless you already have a ticket, because the unsheltered queue makes it frustrating in heavy rain.
Many people think there is a link to Harry Potter, but this has not been proven. You can find many Harry Potter books, though, and many others.
TIP: You need to reserve a time slot to see the bookshop. The queue outside is not sheltered. Once inside, you’ll be dry again!
The highlight of Livraria Lello is the wooden staircase in the centre of this beautiful building. Many people have their photo taken on the stairs, but remember to see the rest of the store!
The Neo-Gothic façade with Art Nouveau elements is already stunning, and the stained-glass ceiling is richly decorated. There are also many hidden gems in the bookshop. Can you find them?
9. Clérigos Church
Igreja dos Clérigos was built in the 18th century, and it was the first church in Portugal to have an oval floor plan.
Clérigos Church is perfect when it rains in Porto, and there are even light shows at night sometimes!
Besides Clérigos Church, you can also climb the Clérigos Tower. You might not have the best view from the top in bad weather, so maybe visit the tower on a clear day.
10. São Bento Station
When you arrive in this beautiful city by train, you might have already seen the stunning São Bento Station! It’s richly decorated with blue-and-white azulejo tiles that tell the stories of Portugal. In rainy weather, you can take a look inside and admire the tiles.
This is best as a quick 15-minute rain break, not a full rainy-day activity. We’d pair it with lunch nearby or use it as a beautiful indoor stop between other sights.
There are also some places to eat and drink, such as the fantastic tapas restaurant Tapabento São Bento. Time Out Market Porto is right next door!
11. Visit the museums
When you visit Porto, it’s also a great idea to check out the museums! The National Museum of Soares dos Reis is the oldest museum in Porto and is well worth a visit.
The famous museum contains many paintings and sculptures by António Soares dos Reis and others. It is located in the oldest palace in Portugal, Carrancas Palace.
If you like contemporary art, the Serralves Museum is worth visiting. Fundação de Serralves contains multiple buildings and sights, including Serralves Villa, the House of Cinema, and the Park. The Serralves Foundation also offers many activities and changing exhibitions.
12. See a Fado show
Have you heard Fado music before? Fado is often a melancholy Portuguese song about longing, heartbreak, the sea or the life of people experiencing poverty. It’s even a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and witnessing a Fado show will be an incredible experience.
Tip: Book a Fado show with a glass of Port wine or a dinner show with live music.
Our pick: A Fado show is best for the evening, especially after a rainy day of sightseeing. We’d book this when the forecast looks wet all day because it gives you something cosy to look forward to after dinner.
13. Enjoy an FC Porto stadium tour
Are you a football fan? A visit to the FC Porto stadium is perfect for a rainy day in Porto!! The Dragão stadium is located on the edge of the city, and you’ll learn more about the players and the UEFA Champions League titles the football club won.
The tour through the FC Porto stadium takes 1.5 to 2 hours and includes a visit to the FC Porto Museum.
Our pick: This is best for football fans or families with older kids. If no one in your group cares about football, we’d choose a food tour, workshop, or wine tasting instead.
14. Mercado do Bolhão
If you like markets, you should definitely visit Mercado do Bolhão. It’s an indoor market hall divided into two floors. The vendors sell flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables, and many local delicacies! Try olive oil, honey, herbs, cheese, and various cuts of meat, for example!
Our pick: Go around lunch or late morning so you can actually enjoy the food stalls instead of just walking through. It pairs really well with Chapel of Souls and Rua de Santa Catarina.
15. Chapel of Souls
A short walking distance from the market, you’ll find the Chapel of Souls. Capela das Almas de Santa Catarina is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, as it’s entirely covered with blue and white tiles! The scenes depict the lives of the saints, and you can look inside.
Our pick: This is a quick stop, not a full rainy day activity. We’d pair it with Mercado do Bolhão, Rua de Santa Catarina, or Majestic Café.
16. Shopping in Porto when it rains
Rua de Santa Catarina is one of the main shopping streets in Porto and a fun place to shop. You can also visit the small shopping centre Via Catarina on this street.
Remember to take a break and enjoy a hot chocolate or other hot drink with a snack at the beautiful and famous Majestic Café! There are many side streets, and some of the façades are stunning!
If you prefer to visit a mall, visit the Alameda Shopping Centre. There are over 100 shops on five floors, and you can find the most high-street brands at the mall.
NorteShopping is an even bigger mall with over 200 stores! There are also over 30 restaurants and eight movie theatres. It’s fun for the entire family, as your kids can play on the children’s playground! No need to be bored in Porto on rainy days!
17. Enjoy the food with Porto in the rain
Porto has some amazing restaurants, such as Chama and Brasão Aliados, and there are some signature dishes you should definitely try! One of the local dishes is the Francesinha. It’s like a steak sandwich with melted cheese and an egg on top. It’s served with a beer sauce and fries.
If you need help deciding what to eat, joining a food tour in Porto when it rains is a great idea. For example, try the famous pastel de nata, sardines, and cheese! Many food tours include a Port tasting, too. Afterwards, you will have a better idea of Portuguese cuisine!
18. A pastel de nata baking class
Do you have a sweet tooth? One of our favourite rainy day workshops in Porto is a pastel de nata baking class. It’s a great workshop on your trip, as you can still make the amazing custard tarts when you’re back home!
It’s a hands-on workshop where you learn more about the ingredients and the story behind the sweet treat!
If the forecast looks wet for your Porto trip, a pastel de nata baking class is a great activity to book ahead. It gives you something cosy, hands-on, and very Portuguese to look forward to, even if the weather isn’t cooperating.
19. A tile painting workshop
This is another fantastic hands-on experience for rainy days in Porto: a tile painting workshop! While sipping a glass of Port wine, you’ll learn how to paint your azulejo tile with a stencil. It’s a fun activity for the whole family and a great souvenir to bring home!
Our pick: A tile painting workshop is our favourite rainy day idea for creative travellers and families with older kids. It also gives you a souvenir that feels more personal than something bought in a shop. We have made a selection so you can choose easily!
20. SEA LIFE Porto
Are you travelling with kids? A visit to SEA LIFE Porto will probably be a favourite option in Porto with rain!
More than 3,000 sea creatures live here, and the Porto aquarium had the first underwater tunnel in the country. Discover the marine life from up close and join the daily feeding demonstrations.
Our pick: SEA LIFE Porto is best for families with younger kids or when the rain is too heavy for city-centre sightseeing. Book tickets ahead if you’re visiting on a weekend or school holiday, so you don’t have to wait around in the rain.
👉 Reserve your tickets to skip the queue!
How to get around in Porto in the rain
When it’s dry, Porto is a very walkable city! And in between the rain, you should venture out when possible. Wear good shoes as the pavements might get slippery! There are moments when it rains too hard, but you can easily travel between indoor activities.
The cheapest way is to use public transport in Porto. Uber and Bolt are relatively cheap taxi services in Porto and an easy way to get around. When we were in Porto in December, it rained heavily, and we mainly took taxis to get between the sights.
Cosy hotels in Porto for a rainy day
When you visit Portugal, you hope for the best weather. Unfortunately, it sometimes rains cats and dogs, especially in the winter. Booking a cosy, comfortable hotel for rainy days is the best way to stay dry and warm.
You can find your accommodation on the map below, and we have also outlined three excellent accommodations in the city for your upcoming trip.
📍 Budget-friendly and cosy: We love staying at the Poets Inn when we travel on a budget. It has some private rooms with private bathrooms, and if you’re lucky, you can have an amazing view of Porto City! It’s also centrally located near all major sights.
📍Comfortable with stunning views: When we visited Porto in December, we stayed at Domum 3. The accommodation (pictured below) is a short walk from Ribeira and Porto Cathedral, and the apartment has 2 bedrooms. The city views over the Ponte Luís I bridge are amazing, even in the rain! There is a fully equipped kitchen and a comfortable living room.
📍Treat yourself to a luxury stay: Nothing beats visiting the spa after a day of sightseeing! Porto has many incredible spa hotels, such as Torel Avantgarde! The rooms look super cosy, and the views are incredible! On a sunny day, you can enjoy the outdoor pool, but the indoor pool is perfect on a rainy day in Porto. You can also book a massage or treatment at the spa! Or book a room with a hot tub and a view!
Not sure where to go in Portugal?
Take the free Portugal travel quiz and find the destination that best matches your travel style. You’ll get your result plus practical tips to help you start planning your trip.
Frequently asked questions
Is Porto nice in the rain?
A rainy day in Porto is no problem, as the city has many indoor sights and activities. Enjoy a museum in Porto, book a food tour or Port wine-tasting experience, or learn a new skill during a local workshop. You can easily travel by taxi when it rains or use the Porto Card for free public transport.
Is Porto a wet city?
Porto is one of the wettest cities in southern Europe, especially in winter. The weather can be unpredictable, so it’s best to check the forecast before your trip. The summer tends to be dry, with many warm days.
What are the wettest months in Porto?
The winter months are the wettest in Porto. It rains most in February, October, and December. Luckily, there are plenty of things to do in Porto even in the rain.
Final thoughts on visiting Porto in the rain
Porto is one of our favourite cities in Portugal, and a rainy day definitely doesn’t ruin it. You just need to plan the day a little differently.
Instead of trying to walk between every viewpoint and outdoor attraction, choose one main indoor activity, then add a few nearby stops around it. For a first rainy day in Porto, we’d pick Bolsa Palace and the Church of Saint Francis in the morning, then cross to Vila Nova de Gaia for a Port wine tasting or spend the afternoon at WOW Porto.
If you’re visiting with kids, choose SEA LIFE Porto, The Chocolate Story, or a hands-on workshop. If you’re travelling as a couple, book a wine tasting, Fado show, or pastel de nata class and turn the rainy weather into part of the experience.
The biggest thing we’ve learned from visiting Porto in all seasons is that you don’t need perfect weather to enjoy the city. Bring good shoes, keep your plans flexible, and have at least one indoor activity booked for the wettest part of the day.
That way, even if the forecast looks miserable, your Porto trip won’t be.
Other Porto must-see attractions:
- 25 best sights in Porto for your itinerary
- Discover the beautiful Palácio da Bolsa
- Best Porto boat tours, including the 6 Bridges Cruise
- Miradouros Porto: 8x fantastic viewpoints with the best panoramic views
- Livraria Lello bookstore, the most beautiful bookstore in the world!
- Clérigos Tower tickets, opening times and things to see
- The must-see Porto Cathedral and the beautiful Bishop’s Palace
- 20 ideas for what to do in Porto when it rains
- Discover the beautiful golden São Francisco Church
- Book an amazing Port Wine tasting in Porto
- Visit the Wine Experience Museum at the WOW District
- Love rosé wine? Visit the Pink Palace at WOW!
- Beautiful contemporary art at the Serralves Museum
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