# São João in Porto: what to do between sessions in Porto

Source: https://eventweekends.com/seasonal/sao-joao-porto/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 23 to 24 June 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Ribeira and the whole city, Porto, Portugal, about 2 km from the centre
- **Free time:** The main event takes a day or an evening; plan the other days around day trips.
- **Best base:** Ribeira and Aliados: Old town by the river.
- **Getting there:** Porto airport (OPO) is 11 km north; metro line E runs to Trindade in 30 minutes.
- **Weather:** In June, Porto averages highs of about 22°C and lows of 15°C, with roughly 32 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 15 h 09 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Douro Valley wine day trip; Port wine cellar tour; Six bridges river cruise

## Know before you go

- Fireworks over the Douro at midnight; people tap each other with plastic hammers.

## Weather and what to pack

In June, Porto averages highs of about 22°C and lows of 15°C, with roughly 32 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 15 h 09 min of daylight.
- Comfortable shoes for crowds, and keep valuables in a front pocket.

## Airport to venue

Porto airport (OPO) is 11 km north; metro line E runs to Trindade in 30 minutes. Uber costs about 15 euros.

Metro runs all night; walk in the centre.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** Bolhão and Batalha. Central, cheaper and on the metro.
- **mid:** Ribeira and Aliados. Old town by the river.
- **luxury:** Vila Nova de Gaia. Hotels among the port lodges facing the city.
- Hotels we would book: Gallery Hostel (budget), Hotel Carris Porto Ribeira (mid), The Yeatman (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### The main day (Wednesday 23 June)

Build the day around the event itself. Arrive early for the best spots.
- Free: Livraria Lello outside (entry is paid).
- Eat: Café Santiago, The reference francesinha

### The day before or after

Use the second day for the city and a half-day tour.
- Half-day: Port wine cellar tour. Tasting in Gaia's lodges.
- Eat: Mercado do Bolhão, Restored market

### Day trip

A full day out of the city.
- Full day: Braga and Guimarães day trip. Bom Jesus stairway and the birthplace of Portugal.

### Evenings

After dark.
- Evening: Fado evening. Fado and port in the Ribeira.

## Tours worth booking

- [Douro Valley wine day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Douro%20Valley%20tour%20from%20Porto&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-sao-joao-porto): Quintas, a river cruise and lunch.
- [Port wine cellar tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Port%20wine%20cellar%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-sao-joao-porto): Tasting in Gaia's lodges.
- [Six bridges river cruise](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Porto%20six%20bridges%20cruise&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-sao-joao-porto): Fifty minutes on a rabelo boat.
- [Food walking tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Porto%20food%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-sao-joao-porto): Francesinha, bifanas and pastries.
- [Fado evening](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Porto%20fado&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-sao-joao-porto): Fado and port in the Ribeira.
- [Braga and Guimarães day trip](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Braga%20Guimaraes%20day%20trip&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-sao-joao-porto): Bom Jesus stairway and the birthplace of Portugal.

## Where to eat

- Café Santiago: The reference francesinha
- Mercado do Bolhão: Restored market
- Casa Guedes: Roast pork sandwiches
- Majestic Café: Belle Époque café
- Cantinho do Avillez: Modern Portuguese

## With kids

- World of Discoveries.
- Sea Life Porto.
- Beaches at Foz and Matosinhos.

## Rainy-day backups

- Serralves museum.
- Palácio da Bolsa.

## Getting around

- Metro and the historic tram line 1 to Foz. Estádio do Dragão has its own metro stop.
- Uber and Bolt are cheap in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve.
- CP Alfa Pendular trains connect Lisbon, Porto and Faro.

## Questions people ask

### When is São João in Porto 2027?

The next edition is 23 to 24 June 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during São João in Porto?

In June, Porto averages highs of about 22°C and lows of 15°C, with roughly 32 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 15 h 09 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Ribeira and the whole city?

Porto airport (OPO) is 11 km north; metro line E runs to Trindade in 30 minutes. Uber costs about 15 euros. Metro runs all night; walk in the centre.

### Where should I stay for São João in Porto?

For most visitors the best base is Ribeira and Aliados: Old town by the river.

### What else can we do around São João in Porto?

Good short outings in Porto include Port wine cellar tour, Six bridges river cruise, Food walking tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near São João in Porto?

Family-friendly picks: Six bridges river cruise. World of Discoveries.

### How far is Ribeira and the whole city from Porto centre?

About 2 km in a straight line. Metro runs all night; walk in the centre.

More in Porto: https://eventweekends.com/city/porto/