Short answer: CATS Porto Hostel is the one we would book first for a party trip, for the rooftop and the daily pub crawl. The Passenger Hostel is the best all-rounder, inside São Bento station of all places, and Lost Inn Porto is the calmer pick that still runs crawls. Porto beds swing a lot by season, so compare them on Hostelz before you book.
Yes, we know Porto is famous for its wine. Forget about fermented grapes for a minute and let’s talk about the party scene, because this city will make you question whether sleep is real.
From sipping port to sipping shots, here are the best party hostels in Porto. This guide is an extension of our handwritten guide to the best hostels in Porto.
One thing to set expectations: Porto is not Lisbon and it isn’t Barcelona. The nights here start in the street with a €1 beer outside a bar on Galeria de Paris and end in a club at 6am. It’s cheaper, smaller and friendlier than the big party capitals, and honestly that’s the appeal.
🥳 The COOLEST Party Hostels? Our favorites are:
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. You can even filter specifically for Party hostels on Hostelz.com.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you want …
- to party!
- a social Hostel to actually meet people!
- a cool hostel with drinking games and such!
You can browse all 5 Star Hostels here, and every guide in the “Best Hostels in” series here.
Quick Introduction to Porto
Average price for a bed: On average, the price of a hostel in Porto is around 40€ per night. Prices always depend on the season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelz.com, which shows you what the same bed costs across the different booking sites.
Tourist tax: Porto charges a municipal tourist tax of €3 per person per night, year-round, capped at seven consecutive nights. That’s a maximum of €21 per person per stay. Under-13s don’t pay. It is collected at the hostel and it is not included in the rate you see when you book, so budget for it.
Check-In and Check-Out: The average check-in time is from 3pm, while the Check-Out time is before 11am. Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
Best Bar Areas in Porto:
- Ribeira District: The riverside strip, packed with bars looking out over the Douro. It’s where you start the evening with a drink and the sunset, and it’s also the most touristed and most expensive part of the night.
- Galeria de Paris: The actual centre of Porto nightlife. One street, bars and clubs down both sides, everyone drinking outside on the cobbles. This is where you’ll end up.
- Cais de Gaia: Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge to find the wine cellars turned bars. Sip Porto’s famous wine looking back at the city, which is the better view of the two banks.
What to Drink in Porto:
- Port Wine: When in Porto, it’s a must to savour the city’s namesake drink. Visit the cellars in Gaia for tastings and learn the difference between tawny, ruby and white.
- Super Bock: The beer of choice in Porto, and your companion for the night. Order a fino if you want a small draught one, which is how locals drink it.
- Ginjinha: Sweet cherry liqueur, served in a shot glass, sometimes in a chocolate cup. More of a Lisbon thing but it’s poured here too.
- Cocktails with a Twist: Plenty of bars put their own spin on the classics using local ingredients. Try the odd ones.
After a night out, you’ll want tasty and affordable food. Don’t miss our guide on cheap eats in Porto, and order a francesinha at least once. It is a sandwich covered in cheese and beer sauce and it exists specifically to fix your hangover.
🔥 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 63 Craziest Party Hostels in the World (with Map)
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The Coolest Party Hostels in Porto are …
Let’s jump right into the fun hostels in Porto for partying:
These are our favorite hostels in Porto to party. We put all these hostels on the map, including our own insider tips for bars, clubs, and popular night life areas in Porto (and more!).
Best Party Hostels in Porto Compared at a Glance
The whole guide in one table:
| Hostel | Best for | Vibe | Area | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CATS Porto Hostel | The full party trip | Colourful, loud, extremely social | Next to Porto Cathedral, by São Bento | Rooftop terrace, in-house bar and a daily pub crawl |
| Selina Porto | Working by day, out by night | Design-led, coworking crowd | Central, near Carlos Alberto Theatre | Outdoor bar, garden and pub crawls on Thu, Fri and Sat |
| The Passenger Hostel | Best all-rounder | Sociable without being relentless | Inside São Bento Train Station | A UNESCO building with a beer pong table in it |
| Lost Inn Porto | Sociable nights, actual sleep | Cosy, traditional building, friendly | Old town, opposite the Sé Cathedral | Free sangria every evening, plus optional pub crawls |
How to Pick the Right Porto Hostel
Four hostels, four fairly different trips:
- You’re here to party and nothing else: CATS Porto Hostel. Daily crawls, a rooftop and a bar downstairs mean you never have to plan a night.
- Solo travellers: The Passenger Hostel. Common areas that actually work, cheap drinks at the bar, and the easiest building in Porto to find your way back to at 4am.
- Couples: Lost Inn Porto has the calmest atmosphere of the four and sits in the prettiest part of the old town.
- Female solo travellers: The Passenger Hostel and Lost Inn Porto are the two with the steadiest, least chaotic feel at night.
- Digital nomads staying a while: Selina Porto, for the coworking space and the garden to sit in between calls.
- Groups: CATS Porto Hostel, purely because the rooftop gives you somewhere to be together before you go out.
- Cheapest bed on your dates: compare all four on Hostelz. Porto’s summer and São João rates are a different world from a wet Tuesday in February.
Hostelgeeks Tip: Almost every hostel in Porto runs or partners on a pub crawl, and they mostly go to the same handful of bars on Galeria de Paris. If your hostel’s crawl isn’t on the night you want, ask reception which other hostel is running one. They’ll tell you, and you can usually join.
The Best Party Hostels in Porto, In Detail
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | The Passenger Hostel |
| 🎒 for Backpacker: | Lost Inn Porto |
| 🙎♀️ Female Solo Traveler: | Selina Porto |
| 👯 For Groups: | CATS Porto Hostel |
| 👫 For Socializing: | CATS Porto Hostel |
| 👩❤️👨 Couple Hostel: | The Passenger Hostel |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Selina Porto |
1. CATS Porto Hostel
CATS Porto Hostel is the ultimate destination for party-loving travellers, and it doesn’t pretend otherwise.
Step inside and every room is decorated differently, all of them kitted out for a stay that will not be restful. Breakfast is served at the bar, which tells you something about the place. There’s a shared kitchen if you’d rather cook.
The rooftop terrace is the reason to book it. That’s where the evening starts, with a drink and the whole city below you, before anyone gets around to leaving.
It’s the most social hostel on this list. Join the daily pub crawl and you’ll have a group within an hour.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Facilities & Amenities:
- Rooftop area for relaxation and sunset views.
- Fully equipped kitchen and cozy reading lounge.
- In-house bar serving snacks and featuring Happy Hour.
- Various activities offered including Free Walking Tour, Pub Crawl, Wine Tours, and Surf Lessons.
Location: Hard to beat. Next to Porto Cathedral in a World Heritage protected area, 50 metres from São Bento metro station. The street itself is quiet, which matters when you get in at 5am, but the whole centre is walkable and the shops, bars, restaurants and supermarkets are right there.
Our favorite hostel in Porto for
- Social butterflies
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. Selina Porto
Selina Porto sits right in the middle of town and leans harder into the social calendar than most.
The pub crawls run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and take you round Porto’s busiest bars and clubs, all a short walk from the door. Free entry and drink deals are the point of joining one rather than going alone.
The hostel itself is a good hang. There’s a chic outdoor bar under canopies, and the homemade sangria is the sneaky kind that tastes like fruit juice right up until you try to stand.
It’s also the pick if your trip is half work. There’s an in-house restaurant, a coworking space, a garden, daily walking tours and cruises, and plenty of port to get through.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Facilities & Amenities:
- Outdoor bar
- Outdoor patio
- On-Site Restaurant
- Cozy Garden
- Coworking Space
Location: Centrally located in Porto, within walking distance of the main sights. Steps from the Carlos Alberto Theatre, a short walk to the Clérigos Church and Livraria Lello. Plenty of restaurants, bars and cafés right around it.
This hostel is great for:
- Digital Nomads
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. The Passenger Hostel
You sleep inside a train station. That is the fastest way to describe The Passenger Hostel, and it undersells it, because São Bento is a UNESCO heritage site and one of the most beautiful buildings in Portugal.
So yes, you play beer pong in a work of art. The common areas are good, the on-site bar keeps drinks at backpacker prices, and the fun doesn’t stop early.
But it isn’t only a party hostel, and that’s why it’s our all-rounder. You are standing on top of the best transport link in the city and a few minutes from everything worth seeing. If you only want to book one hostel in Porto and not think about it again, this is the one.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Facilities and Amenities:
- Multiple common areas for socializing.
- On-site bar serving backpacker budget-friendly drinks and offering a lounge area.
- Beer pong.
- Shared kitchen with dining options nearby.
- Green Key Awarded Hostel with a focus on eco-friendly solutions.
Location and Nearby Attractions: Inside São Bento Train Station, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Aliados Avenue, the Clérigos Tower, the Douro riverside and Galeria de Paris are all close, and Santa Catarina shopping street is under three minutes on foot.
A top choice for:
- Solo Travelers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
4. Lost Inn Porto
Lost Inn Porto is the one we’d send someone who wants company in the evening and a functioning morning.
It’s in the heart of the old town, directly opposite the Sé Cathedral, in a renovated building with stone walls, wooden ceilings and traditional Portuguese tiles on the façade. It looks the way people imagine Porto looks.
The social side is real without being relentless. There’s free-flowing sangria every evening, which does most of the introductions, and a rotating set of activities.
Be clear about what it is: not a wild party hostel on its own. If you want the big night, join their pub crawl, which will take you somewhere that is.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Facilities & Amenities:
- Shared lounge and terrace.
- Shared kitchen for guest use.
- Regular activities including free sangria and organized events.
Location: Well placed for Ribeira Square, the Palácio da Bolsa and the Ferreira Borges Market. Walking distance to São Bento metro and train station and the Clérigos Tower.
One of the best hostels for:
- Backpackers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Fun Tips for Party Hostels in Porto
As you have come to realize, staying at a party hostel is a little different than staying at a regular hostel. Here are some tips to make your stay go a little smoother, and how to be prepared:
How to identify a party Hostel? 4 Simple indicators:
- Is there an age limit? 18+ and an upper age-limit are indicators
- Do they offer Pub Crawls and Drinking Games in the hostel?
- Check for party pictures
- Filter the Reviews on Hostelz.com for keywords like "Party", "nightlife" or "social"
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Things to Bring & Pack
There are a few things backpackers should be sure to bring when staying at a party hostel specifically. These items include earplugs (for early mornings and loud roomates), a padlock (lock up your valuables BEFORE going out), headache medicine (always usefful!), and condoms.
Especially for the bigger European cities where pickpocketing is common we recommend wearing trousers with zippers. This limits the chances of stealing from your pockets.
Read: 23 best items to pack for staying in a hostel
Be Sociable
One of the best things about a hostel is being able to meet new people from every corner of the world. Be sure to talk to people and mingle. Travelling solo is great and life-changing, yet enjoying it with new friends can be even better. Locals especially, can show you hidden secret and some of the best spots in the city.
Read: 18 Rules for Hostels and how to build life-time friendships in Hostels
When to Visit Porto
If you only take one thing from this section: São João, the night of 23 June into the 24th. The whole city goes outside, everyone hits each other on the head with squeaky plastic hammers, there are grilled sardines and bonfires and fireworks over the Douro at midnight, and it does not stop until breakfast. It is one of the great street parties in Europe and most travellers have never heard of it.
Otherwise, May to September gives you warm evenings and drinking outside, with July and August the busiest and priciest. Late spring and September are the sweet spot: still warm, fewer people, cheaper beds.
Winter in Porto is wet. Properly wet, more rain than London. The clubs don’t care, the beds are cheap, and the wine cellars are indoors anyway.
How Many Days Do You Need in Porto?
Three nights. That’s a day for the old town and Ribeira, a day for the Gaia wine cellars, and two proper nights out.
Four if you want a day trip up the Douro Valley, which is worth doing and does not mix well with a hangover. Two nights works but you’ll be choosing between the port cellars and the sleep.
Getting There and Around Porto
Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport has its own metro station. Line E, the violet one, runs straight from the airport to Trindade in about half an hour and needs a Z4 ticket, and from Trindade you’re one stop or a short walk from most of the hostels here. It’s the cheapest and easiest arrival of any city on our party lists.
In town you’ll mostly walk. Porto is compact and everything in this guide is within twenty minutes on foot of São Bento. The catch is the hills, which are steeper than they look on a map and much steeper on the way home.
The metro runs until around 1am, so for the walk back from Gaia or a late club, Uber and Bolt both work here and are cheap by European standards. The Gaia funicular next to the bridge saves you the worst climb, but it stops in the evening.
Is Porto Safe?
Very. Porto is one of the safer cities in Europe and walking back through the old town at night is normal, including alone.
Two things worth knowing. Pickpockets work Ribeira, São Bento and the crowded bars, so keep your phone where you can feel it. And you will be offered drugs on the street around Galeria de Paris and the riverside, repeatedly. What’s being sold is almost always fake, the whole thing is a scam rather than a real transaction, and the answer is a firm no without breaking stride.
Otherwise: the cobbles are lethal in the rain, and the hills plus port wine is a combination that has ended more Porto nights than any bouncer.
What about the cheapest hostels in Porto?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Porto.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Porto
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the freshest hostel discounts directly in your inbox. We even have special discount codes we only share in the newsletter.
It is completely free to join!
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Porto best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Our Favorite Hostels in Porto put on a map + sights
Let us have a look at the handmade map we have created for you. As promised, we list all party hostels and best hostels in Porto, as well as sights and our travel tips below.
Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map. It’s just easier. We thought this map would help you with planning your trip, too.
Any questions about hostels in Porto? 🤔
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Ask all your questions and connect with like-minded wanderers 🔥
Our Insider Tips
As mentioned in the beginning, this guide is an extension of our article “Best hostels in Porto.”
Here are more of our best tips for Porto:
Nightlife Events and Activities:
- Pub Crawls: Join one for an instant party crew. They’ll walk you round the best bars and make sure you’re never without a drink or a dance.
- Concerts and Live Music: Porto’s music scene is alive and kicking. Check local listings for rock, electronic, or fado, the traditional Portuguese genre. Hard Club by the Ferreira Borges Market is the reliable one for gigs.
- Boat Parties: Take the party to the Douro. A few companies run boat parties, so you can dance while the city lights go past.
Cheap drinks and happy hours:
- Piolho Terrace: Grab a seat on the terrace of this iconic student hangout near the university. Cheap drinks, everyone from first-years to pensioners, and the natural first stop of the night.
- Base Porto: An outdoor bar in a garden of olive trees under the Clérigos Tower. Sunset drinks here are the single best pre-party in the city, and it does turn into a full-blown thing on warm nights.
- Galeria de Paris: Not a bar, a street. Most places along it do cheap beers early and everyone drinks outside on the cobbles, which is the actual Porto happy hour.
One more: the Majestic Café on Santa Catarina is genuinely beautiful and worth seeing, but it’s a historic café with historic prices. Go for a coffee and the room, not for a cheap night.
FAQ
More questions left? No worries, we are here for you.
What is the best party hostel in Porto?
CATS Porto Hostel is our first pick, for the rooftop terrace, the in-house bar and a pub crawl that runs daily. The Passenger Hostel is the best all-rounder if you want social nights and a bit more sleep.
How much does a hostel in Porto cost?
Around 40€ per night on average, with big swings by season and day of the week. Compare your dates on Hostelz, since the same bed is often priced differently across booking sites.
Is there a tourist tax in Porto?
Yes. Porto charges €3 per person per night year-round, capped at seven consecutive nights, so a maximum of €21 per person. It's paid at the accommodation and isn't included in your booking price.
What is the best area to stay in Porto for nightlife?
Around São Bento and the Baixa, which puts you within a ten-minute walk of Galeria de Paris, Ribeira and the bridge over to Gaia. Every hostel in this guide is in that zone.
Are hostels in Porto safe?
Yes. Porto is one of Europe's safer cities and hostels here have lockers and 24-hour or near-24-hour reception. Pickpocketing in crowded areas is the main risk, not anything worse.
What is the best hostel in Porto for solo travellers?
The Passenger Hostel, for its common areas and cheap bar, both of which make it easy to fall into a group. CATS Porto Hostel is the pick if you'd rather that group formed on a rooftop.
Which Porto hostel is best for female solo travellers?
The Passenger Hostel and Lost Inn Porto have the calmest late-night atmosphere of the four while still being social. Check current dorm options when you book, since female-only availability varies.
Where is the nightlife in Porto?
Galeria de Paris and the surrounding streets are the centre of it, with Ribeira for early drinks by the river and Cais de Gaia across the bridge for wine bars with a view.
What time does nightlife start in Porto?
Late. Bars fill from about 9pm, clubs don't get going until 1am, and plenty run to 6am. Most people drink outside on the street first, which is legal here and very cheap.
How many days do you need in Porto?
Three nights covers the old town, the Gaia wine cellars and two nights out. Add a fourth for a Douro Valley day trip.
How do I get from Porto airport to the city?
Take metro line E (violet) from the airport straight to Trindade in the centre, which takes around 30 minutes and needs a Z4 ticket. It runs from early morning until about 1am.
Do Porto hostels run pub crawls?
Most do, several every night. They mostly visit the same bars around Galeria de Paris, and joining one usually gets you free entry and drink deals that beat paying your own way.
Planning your Porto adventure? Don’t miss our complete Backpacking Porto Travel Guide.
More guides
Alright, that’s your answer to where to stay in Lisbon for nightlife and partying.
Here are more hostel guides to check out in Portugal:
- best hostels in Portugal – with a map and secret tips
- best hostels in Lisbon
- best hostels in Lagos
- best hostels in Porto
- best hostels in Faro
- best hostels in Ponta Delgada
- best hostels In Peniche
- best hostels in Albufeira
- best hostels in Madeira
- best hostels in Azores
- best hostels in the Algarve
Party Hostels in Portugal:
Surf Hostels in Portugal:
- best surf hostels in Portugal
- Surf Camps in Portugal for All Levels
- best surf hostels in the Algarve
- best surf hostels in Ericeira
- best surf hostels in Lisbon
Things to do in Portugal:
You can find all our new and updated articles for Best Hostels in here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect hostel packing list and more.
Over to you
Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!
Your question will help us to improve this Porto guide.
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.
Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks
