Portugal : Safety by CityPorto is Portugal’s second-largest city and the capital of the Northern region.
In the middle of coastal Portugal from Porto to Lisbon and further to the south, the landscapes are calmer, and you can meet the extremes – resort towns, which are deserted in the off-season.
Living in Porto is very good but it also depends on your location.
Near the coast the cost of living is high but you get amazing beach or river vibe.
Typically they’re warm people, usually nice to each other and pretty decent in English if you can’t speak Portuguese.
There is a lot of culture, scenery, and tourism to keep you entertained and motivated about living there.
Warnings & Dangers in Porto
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
Overall, Porto is mostly safe to travel to. Its crime rates are low as in other major European cities, and pickpockets are the biggest concern you'll have to deal with while on a holiday there. Have your wits with you and be vigilant at all times.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Transportation and taxi services are very reliable and safe in Porto. Watch out for pickpockets in public transportation and avoid entering empty metro carriages.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
There is a high risk of encountering a pickpocket since this is a top tourist destination. You should be extremely careful when it comes to your valuables, keep them safe in your accommodation or at least don't carry them all in one place. Be especially vigilant on public transportation.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
There are no serious threats when it comes to natural disasters in Porto. Occasional floods have been a recurring natural disaster in the last century, followed by earthquakes, but those are unlikely to happen.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
When it comes to mugging, it is not common, though there is a certain degree of risk when it comes to this issue. You should avoid empty, deserted or poorly lit streets, and in such an occasion, hand over your possessions immediately and never resist.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Although there haven't been any terrorist attacks in Porto's recent history, they shouldn't be ruled out, so be aware of your surroundings at all times.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
As in any tourist destination, and especially a top tourist destination such as Porto, there is a heightened risk of getting scammed. Check every change twice, negotiate everything beforehand and never give your money before you receive the service you're paying for.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Porto is, in general, very safe for women traveling solo. Apart from a few precaution rules you should apply to minimize your chances of something going wrong, if you avoid poorly lit and deserted streets and follow your common sense, your trip should go smoothly.
So... How Safe Is Porto Really?
Porto is very safe to visit, and though it’s not without its dangers, some basic precaution rules might save your trip.
Violent crime rates are pretty low, including conflicts, gang-related crime, or drug issues, and all violent crime is generally related to particular neighborhoods.
In Porto, there is a general lack of drunken people stumbling around the streets after a boozing party in the city.
As everywhere, there are some areas in Porto that are best avoided at night.
Such is Bairro Pinheiro Torres – which ha become the “newest” drug infected problem neighborhood of Porto.
In 2008 there were some homicides there due to drug trafficking.
You want to stay out of this area.
Also, bear in mind that Portugal is not a pickpockets-free country and that they tend to roam around the city and tourist-frequented areas.
Be careful with your valuables and keep them in a safe place.
The most usual places where they operate are crowded train stations, airports, and shopping areas.
If you’re using the subway, make sure you sit next to someone and avoid empty carriages.
Pickpockets trying to steal any type of purse, luggage, or shopping bag is a serious issue, and there is even a voice message reminding people of this in most metro and train stations.
How Does Porto Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Porto | 58 |
| Lisbon | 81 |
| Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | 61 |
| Niagara Falls (Canada) | 87 |
| Calgary (Canada) | 82 |
| Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 60 |
| Vancouver (Canada) | 82 |
| Cordoba (Argentina) | 61 |
Useful Information
Visas
For many countries, visas are not required for any stays shorter than 90 days. Any longer than that, you might have to obtain a visa. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your planned date of return. If you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local Portuguese embassy for further information.
Currency
Europe is the official currency in Porto. ATMs are widely available and credit cards accepted in most establishments throughout the city.
Weather
Porto has a mild, oceanic climate and is colder than Lisbon and the Algarve. The average temperature in winter is about 14ºC and in summer it's around 25ºC.
Airports
Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport is an international airport near Porto. It is located 11 km, northwest of the Clérigos Tower in the center of Porto.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Porto, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
Porto Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 14 |
| Low °C | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 6 |
| High °F | 57 | 57 | 61 | 64 | 68 | 73 | 77 | 77 | 75 | 70 | 63 | 57 |
| Low °F | 41 | 43 | 45 | 46 | 52 | 55 | 59 | 59 | 57 | 54 | 46 | 43 |
Portugal - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Lisbon | 81 |
| Porto | 58 |
The good with the bad?
Porto is a beautiful city but you have to really know what you are in for. Yes, there is crime and gang issues but what city in Portugal doesn’t have these issues? I am comfortable enough and know the area enough to feel safe when staying here. I have gone several times.
Love Lisbon
You cannot fail to fall for this most lovely of European capitals. Great weather, wonderful hosts, beautiful food and first class sights. You will feel very safe . The city is yours to enjoy.
Not dangerous
While Porto, especially the inner city, is full of graffiti and old dilapidated buildings that are falling apart, I did not feel unsafe for the most part. The most “threatening” thing I saw my whole time there was a group of youths at the top of Jardim do Morro that looked like they did not have anything better to do with their time than stare down passing strangers, as if they were playing King of the Hill. I think you are more likely to encounter one of the various street artist playing beautiful music than you are to get robbed. Not the prettiest of cities unless you are into crumbling, old urban architecture, but I think it’s relatively safe.
As a Portuguese guy that has been living for the last 20 years in Porto, I must say that compared to other major european cities, such as Paris, London, Rome or even Lisbon, it is a pretty much safe city, even at night. As for the most of big european cities, I advise tourists to be carefull while traveling in public transports or crowded strets because there a lot of pickpocktes, but besides that, there are no major dangers, violent crime here is extremelly rare. At night, even if you are a solo female, it is safe to hang around or go to some clubs and bars at Baixa, as police is generally present at night to prevent crimes and maintain order. Although Porto is a very safe city, especially for tourists, I would recommend you to avoid two places: Bairro do Aleixo and Bairro da Pasteleira, as they are two problematic neighborhoods due to drug traficking and addicts. If by any chance you want to go somewhere in town, like Foz, and you need pass by one of these neighborhoods, take a bus, like the 200 or 204, because even though its pretty rare to see people being robed over there, better not take the risk and travel safelly. Being this said, i think that 57 is too much low for Porto, especially compared to Lisbon, that is a much less secure place and has a crime rating much higher. I hope you enjoy our amazing town and create good memories over here 🙂