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 safe to travel?

4.2 /5

Based on 30 experiences

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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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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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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Almendra

Almendra

Australia

Solo travel

Yes I did feel safe to walk around I didn’t get any intinerary It did help me the fact I met some local when I went out my first day to have food and he offered me to show me an around at first I was a bit esepctic to the fact of going around with a strange but we went to public places so was fine

Posted: June 15, 2024
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Alina

Alina

Belgium

Solo travel

I felt very safe in Porto. I used public transportation to travel around, though mostly I visited everything by foot. For a day I rented a bike aswell, and explored around. People were very friendly, relaxed and happy. It felt like nothing in the world bothers them and they are happy with what they have. I stayed at a hostel in a 4 bed female dormitory also at the centre. Everything was much cheaper compared to what I spent in Belgium. I had a great time and it's one of ge favorite place I have been so far.

Posted: May 29, 2024Experienced: August, 2022
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Solo travel

I stayed at Lost Inn Hostel which is super close to the cathedral. That street at night did feel a bit unsafe but I found a group of girls in my hostel that I hung out with that were so sweet and we always walked together at night. During the day the sun is shining and there’s so much to see! My hostel offered a free walking tour which helped me figure out what else I wanted to see and explore. I do suggest finding a free walking tour because that helped me understand the culture so much more! Plus a lot of the tour guides will share food suggestions for inexpensive restaurants! Lots of hills so wear good shoes but there’s some inexpensive places to thrift, buy jewelry, and eat you just have to be willing to look around! Overall I did feel safe and would go back in a heartbeat

Posted: May 29, 2024
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Api

Api

Switzerland

Solo travel

In my opinion Porto is the safest city in Portugal. Smaller than Lisbon but less people and less tourist. And still a lot of stuff to do. There‘s even a good night life and people care for the individual. It has more laid back vibe than Lisbon and alone at night as a female you‘ll feel safe. Somehow stick to busy streets at night and don‘t walk in narrow and empty streets at night. Also the local speak very well english as almost everywhere in english. Porto is definitely a good starting point if you‘re new to solo travel!

Posted: May 22, 2024
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Solo travel

I was on a strict budget so didn't eat out at all, I also found in Porto the locals strongly dislike tourists to the extent I felt awkward... I was scammed multiple times and I felt like I had a target on my back the whole time. It is filled with tourists but this didn't make me feel safe just made me feel like a fish in a barrel.. I won't be going back alone

Posted: May 16, 2024Experienced: March, 2024
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Group travel

Porto is one of the best cities I’ve ever visited. Very safe atmosphere and in general very laid back locals, perhaps because of the ocean. As an architect there was so much to see and explore, especially if you’re a Siza admirer. As a women it felt pretty safe and felt like there were a lot of women in the surroundings. definitely recommended.

Posted: May 8, 2024
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Is Porto safe for women?

Safety rating

3.9 /5

Based on 13 experiences

Crime rates rating

1.5 /5

Based on 13 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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Is Porto safe right now?

Before your visit to Porto, it's essential to check travel advisories for Portugal, including your home country's official travel advisory. These advisories can provide up-to-date information on safety, health, and any specific considerations for travelers.
🇺🇸

United States Travel AdvisoryTake normal security precautions

The United States government advises to exercise normal precautions in Portugal. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: July 26, 2023
🇨🇦

Canada's Travel AdvisoryTake normal security precautions

The Canadian Government advises taking normal security precautions in Portugal. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: August 30, 2024
🇦🇺

Australia's Travel AdvisoryTake normal security precautions

Exercise normal safety precautions in Portugal. Check the full travel advisory.
Last updated: March 27, 2024

Is Porto worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 30 experiences

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
Things to do: 3/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 3/5
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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
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Meet locals in Porto

Meet local women in Porto who are open to meet up for a coffee or a drink, show you around, give local advice or practice a language with.
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!

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Joana

Joana

About Me

Hi, I'm Joana and I'm interested in art, books, camping, cinema, dancing, digital nomad, live music, languages, solo travel, fashion, history, photography, culture, education and writing

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Stay with locals in Porto

Stay with local women in Porto who offer free accommodation as part of cultural exchange. Hospitality exchange is a great way to meet new people, learn more about new cultures and experience destinations like a local.
Diane

Diane

Porto

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hi, there! I'm Diane, currently living in Porto, Portugal! I love to run, paint, travel, photography and just enjoy the beauty of life!

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Upcoming visitors to Porto

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Fiona

Fiona

About Me

Hello! I'm based in NY and am taking a gap year to travel the world. I love meeting new people and exploring different cultures

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Dominika

Dominika

About Me

My name is Dominika. I am a digital nomad, currently living in Spain in Moncofa. I speak slovak, Czech, English and Spanish.

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Safety in Portugal