Whoever you go with, and whatever the time of year, Porto is a fantastic place to spend a few days and discover a city that will surprise you.
The Portuguese culture, its gastronomy, its neighbourhoods and how dynamic and lively the city is, together with its architecture, will reveal a real treasure that also hides many little gems hidden in its narrow streets.
If you want to make the most of your visit to Porto with your group of friends, family, couples or work colleagues, take a look at our list and leave nothing behind, Porto is waiting for you.
Group activities in Porto
Activities to do with friends, friends trip and stag or hen party in Porto
Those trips just because, because any excuse is a good excuse and because you need to spend time with friends and you can live new experiences. Otherwise, what are you going to talk about when you get together? You need to create new stories to tell and Porto gives you that on a plate.
And there is no doubt that the best stories start with a tour of the best bars and clubs in Oporto. The night is your ally, so head to the Galerias de Paris area to check out the city’s fantastic nightlife.
Depending on the time of year you visit Porto, you can enjoy big events in the city such as St. John’s Day, San Joao, or rather the night, or you can celebrate New Year’s Eve in Porto. The good atmosphere never leaves the city.
Family activities to do in Porto
There are as many types of families as you can imagine, and there is a place for all of them in Oporto. It doesn’t matter if you are dad, mum and the little one, it doesn’t matter if you are mum, mum, the little ones and grandpa, it doesn’t matter. There is a Porto for everyone and here we are going to tell you about it and explain it to you.
With the little ones in mind, let’s go on an adventure in Oporto. First, we have to see the city from above, and for that the Gaia Cable Car is perfect. Seeing Porto and the Douro from above is fantastic, but why do we have to see it from above? Because we are going to defend the city from invaders’ attacks.
With this promise, children will surely be encouraged to discover more of the city, and we are not only talking about the main monuments and places of Oporto, but also about seeing the medieval side of the city by going up the Walls of Oporto.
We have already seen Porto as a family by air, land and… water? Of course we have. Discover the city, and the Douro or Douro in Portuguese, on one of its many cruises, where the little ones will have a great time discovering the city’s six bridges.
Things to do with a large family in Porto
If you have more than three children or are unable to travel without your brothers, sisters and grandparents, then you are closer to a large family or even an indoor football team than the classic concept of a family. Don’t worry, the more the merrier.
We continue in the open air and go to the Crystal Palace Gardens, one of the most beautiful places in Oporto. Here the whole family has room to run, play and do a thousand activities both together and separately. Fantastic views of the Douro, bridges, swings, many playgrounds and peacocks running around the park are its main attractions.
We are going to visit a museum, but don’t let your spirits drop, because this museum is going to please each and every member of the family; World of discoveries. In this interactive museum, or mini amusement park, you will learn about life on board the Portuguese galleons; from models to attractions, but everything is designed for the little ones, so don’t expect anything too crazy. In one hour, all seen.
Things to do as a couple in Porto
Before starting a family, before going crazy with large families, you have to start at the beginning, with two people. Whether it’s a romantic getaway in Oporto or a long weekend break, the city of Oporto is made for couples.
In addition to a tour of the most romantic restaurants and cafés, such as Café Majestic, which hides the undefeated city, as it is known, there is one activity that you must do, whether you are a fan of reading or not. You can’t miss the chance to visit the Livreria Lelo, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful in the world.
It’s a must-see for Harry Potter fans, as it bears a certain resemblance to the Flourish & Blotts bookshop from the iconic work. Due to its large number of visitors, around five thousand a day, you have to wait in line and the entrance fee to the bookshop is five euros, although this money is discounted if you make a purchase.
Group activities to do in Porto if you love music
Yes, you should have a section for yourselves. Because you are many and, within your group, there are also many profiles; from small bands that come to Oporto to do a gig, you’ll see how you’ll be a hit, to groups that come to see a single concert of their favourite band.
Of course, the first activity we recommend is to take the pulse of the music here. Not only by listening to bands of musical styles you like, but also by immersing yourself in the local culture with a good night of Fado.
If you visit Porto in summer, which we highly recommend, you’ll be able to enjoy some of the best music festivals in the summer. But not only in the city, but also in the country, as no good festival leaves behind the opportunity to go to Oporto.
Students group activities to do in Porto
Students, whatever your age and course, your circumstances and place of study, Porto awaits you with open arms, because its leisure offer fits perfectly with the activities you have in mind to do. But there is an even more special kind of people.
University students, that peculiar human genre of people with their own habits and behaviour patterns, visit Porto every day in search of excitement, good food and unforgettable days. From Erasmus students to national repeaters, every good university student should visit Porto for a number of reasons.
Let’s highlight the main ones, meeting the students. Firstly, Porto’s beaches are a real blast. So you might seriously reconsider bringing your transcript here. Porto’s nightlife is also well known, and you can’t leave the city without experiencing it and visiting places like Maus Habits.
Finally, a good group activity for students is definitely eating. Everyone enjoys eating, and there’s nothing like having dinner in Porto before going out to party to get to know the local gastronomy like no one else.
Things to do in Porto in a backpacker group
As good backpackers, you know how to explore the streets of a new city like no other, with that natural adventurous instinct. One activity you should do is to explore the most emblematic places in the city, such as the central Rua das Flores or the bohemian Rua Miguel Bombarda, a little further away but with a lot to offer and a strong artistic influence.
And if you’re a backpacker who enjoys walking and nature, you can’t miss the chance to do the Camino de Santiago from Porto. It’s one of those things you have to do at least once in your life.
Sports activities to do in groups in Porto
Sport is divided in two; those who watch it, and those who play it. And whether you’re one or the other, or even both, Porto has a lot to offer you and your sports-loving group.
A short trip to Porto’s football stadium, Do Dragao, is a must whether you like football or not, because the structure of the stadium is a work of engineering.
Porto has both beaches and mountains, so you can imagine all the activities you can do; from surfing lessons on the beaches, to excursions with adapted vehicles and canyoning. Nature at your feet to enjoy Porto to the full.
Activities to do as a group during Team Building days in Porto
And, of course, if you want to get together, there’s nothing better than going to Oporto with you and your work colleagues, where you’ll become close friends, or at least you’ll iron out your differences in a city with so much to do and see. There you will become close friends, or at least we assure you that you will iron out your differences, in a city with so much to do and see as Oporto.
If you’re looking for activities to do together that will bring you together as a team and increase the good vibes, let’s talk about wine tastings. And if there is something in Oporto, it’s wines. Port wines and its wineries are internationally renowned, and now you’re going to find out why.
As with other groups, there is nothing that brings you together more than a good after-dinner drink. Here, typical Portuguese dishes should be in abundance. Let the local gastronomy work its magic and unite you in the discovery of new flavours and recipes.