Is Porto Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Porto is generally safe for solo female travelers. Like any city, certain areas might be more risky especially late at night but overall, locals are friendly and willing to help. Violent crime is rare, but be aware of petty crimes such as pickpocketing, especially in crowded areas and public transport. To bolster your safety, it is recommended to stay alert and maintain standard precautions. Use reputable transportation services and avoid unlit areas during hours of darkness.

Safety rating

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How safe is Porto?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Safe

Porto is generally very safe to explore at night. The city is well-lit and well-patrolled by local law enforcement, making it safe for solo female travelers. However, like any major city, it's important to remain vigilant, especially while walking alone. Stick to the main streets and avoid dimly lit or deserted areas. Public transportation is reliable and safe to use even at night. There have been very few cases of serious crimes reported in the city.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Porto, is generally safe, reliable, and convenient. This includes the metro, buses, trams, and trains that operate in the city. Incidences of crime on public transportation are low and the systems are well-maintained and well-used by locals. However, like any city, it's always prudent to stay alert and aware of your surroundings, particularly during off-peak times and at less busy stations.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

Porto as a whole, is a serene city with friendly locals. Street harassment is not a common factor here. Most locals are respectful, and while you might occasionally come across some unpleasant individuals, instances of street harassment are generally rare. It is advisable to stay vigilant, specially during night hours or in less crowded places.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

Porto is quite safe for visitors. Petty crime such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, or mobile phone theft can occur, especially in crowded tourist areas, on public transportation, or in restaurants and cafes. However, it's far less common compared to major European cities. Applying a common-sense approach such as keeping your belongings secure and staying vigilant of your surroundings, particularly in crowded places, is usually sufficient to ensure a safe trip.

Is Porto worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 32 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.2/5

Safety

4.2/5

Food

4.1/5

Budget-friendly

3.5/5

Solo travel

I loved Porto as my starting point; It was my first stop on a month long solo trip. It felt safe and was very laidback, but it had so much to do and very friendly people! The waiters at restaurants were very welcoming, even offered to show me around. Maybe it was just in the area I was in/time of year, but I didn’t see a lot of people my age. But enjoyed my time with the locals! Overall loved it!!!

Posted: October 12, 2024
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Solo travel

I feltsqfe, met very nice people. The city center is very busy during the day,more quiet at night. The food quality is great. I recommend this city to travel solo as a lady. The other side if the city is also beautiful.

Posted: September 19, 2024Experienced: August, 2024
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Alicia

Alicia

New Zealand

Solo travel

I always felt safe in Porto, both during the day and at night. I did a mountain tour on the outskirts of Porto and it was one of my highlight of my whole Europe trip, the views were incredible and learning about the locals and the history was an amazing experience. I think the best way to explore Porto is just to walk around and turn down as many streets as you can without using maps, then just use maps to find your way back. The metro is great and really cheap in Porto, just get a ticket from the machine at any stop and you can get 24 hour tickets for just a few euros. I stayed at Cats Hostel and it was amazing. I went there twice because I loved it so much. The staff were lovely, it’s cheap, the location is great and I made heaps of friends there.

Posted: August 24, 2024
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Couple travel

I felt very safe, experienced no problems. A lot to see, very nice architecture and historical buildings. Interesting culture and nice and friendly people. Food was of course amazing. I think it’s a must city.

Posted: August 3, 2024Experienced: August, 2021
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Rebeca

Rebeca

Brazil

Solo travel

Porto is a beautiful city, but only in the tourist parts. There are some dirtier streets and with some homeless people, which if you are not used to it, can be something that makes you uncomfortable. The part of the port itself is beautiful, many restaurants and beautiful and old alleys to walk around. The parks are wonderful, most are on stairs, so it’s always a big up and down. I stayed in a hostel very close to the bus station (approx 15€), which was great The city is not very big, you can do everything by walking. I recommend going on weekdays when it’s not so crowded. They were making a new subway line, so one of the main tourist attractions in the city was closed and under construction. I loved the experience, I would really like to visit again.

Posted: July 30, 2024
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Couple travel

Porto was a beautiful vibrant city with a lot of culture. Going around by metro and foot was fairly easy. I was lucky enough to have locals show me around. As a queer couple I felt quite safe with my partner. Food was not too expensive. I went to eat the famous the francesinha, and the place I went to offered a vegetarian option, which was a rare experience in Portugal over all.

Posted: July 30, 2024Experienced: July, 2024
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Diana

Diana

Czech Republic

Couple travel

I went twice. The food prices were average, actually lower than in Malta where I was living; the expensive restaurants were acceptable; I can say that paying in euros was a good price; it is a nice place to go in the summer and winter; you can walk, drink good wine, eat homemade food, and do activities depending on the season.

Posted: July 19, 2024
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Solo travel

Porto is a charming city with lots of culture to indulge in! The city itself is much smaller than Lisbon and there is a very friendly and welcoming vibe. Close to Porto is the Douro Valley and Gerês National Park for those who love wine (#1) or nature (#2)!

Posted: July 18, 2024
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Solo travel

Porto was a surprise for me. Super cheap transport, amazing people, the sea is super . I just love the city! It has so much to offer. The food and shopping is reasonable . I stayed with a couch surfing host who showed me around the city. I think it's a gem that is often overshadowed by Lisbon.

Posted: July 16, 2024Experienced: September, 2023
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Solo travel

I felt safe most of the time. The food is good, but not that vegan friendly thought. Downside: The service is not good, and most Portuguese are racists and xenophobic. There are many brazilians and they are super friendly, which made my experience better. I like Portuguese wine and food, so for me that was amazing overall.

Posted: July 1, 2024Experienced: June, 2024
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Is Porto safe for women?

Safety index

3.9 /5

Based on 13 local experiences

Crime index

1.5 /5

Based on 13 local experiences

I never had really bad experiences but I know they exist and it’s always good to keep an eye There are so sketchy people and some robbery but I’d say it’s mostly at night Try to always be aware and be with company

Posted: August 8, 2024
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Porto is safe during the day, but would not recommend to walk alone at night. I had a man following me a couple months ago, but he stopped after I screamed in Portuguese. Foreigners are usually the target to be robbed.

Posted: July 1, 2024
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Meet locals in Porto

Sofia

Sofia

About Me

I'm 28 years old, and I'm going through a period of finding myself and what I like and want in life. So I decided to take a break and go travel the world to meet new places and people.

Speaking

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Diana

Diana

About Me

Hi! Diana here, just finished living abroad for a year and now looking for new places to visit, new friends to make and try a lot more food!

Speaking

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Stay with locals in Porto

Ziyada

Ziyada

Porto

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hi! My name is Ziyada! I have been living in Porto for almost 2 years. I use couchsurfing and I have a lot of reviews there. I can show you my account. I use couchsurfing more, I prefer it. So you can write to my profile there.

Speaking

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Upcoming visitors to Porto

Sophie

Sophie

About Me

Hey!, My name is Sophie and I'm interested in backpacking, books, business and cycling

Speaking

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Gaja

Gaja

About Me

From Slovenia, living since 2017 in Switzerland. I live in Horgen with my fiancé and little dog lady. Up here to meet new people.

Speaking

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Safety in Portugal