What to do in Porto When it Rains: 19+ Amazing Indoor Activities
You are visiting gorgeous Porto, Portugal, but the weather gods are not on your side and it is… ugh… raining (AHHH!!!).
Don’t WORRY!! There is so much to do in Porto that if it rained for more than one day on your trip you would be just fine. I created this Porto rainy day itinerary to help you figure out what to do in Porto when it rains!
Porto sees the most amount of rain in the fall, winter & spring. Don’t freak out though, this does not mean it’s always raining.
The rain averages about 10 days per month in these seasons. If you are travelling to Porto in summer, you are most likely not going to be seeing much rain (lucky you).
Do not let the rain dissuade you from stepping out into the city. I am here to help you plan a great rainy day in Porto.
Keep reading to plan!
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Important Resources for your Rainy Day in Porto
Below you will find information regarding museums & Porto monuments. I recommend getting the Porto Card, as it provides discounts for these sites.
There are two options for the Porto Card;
What to Do in Porto When it Rains
Porto Indoor Activities Located on a Map
Tour Porto’s Historical Monuments
Prices are in USD or Euros and updated end of August 2024.
Sé do Porto (Porto Cathedral)
This Roman Catholic monument is one of Portugal’s most GORGEOUS and oldest. It is an important part of Porto’s history and city.
Don’t skip out on visiting this gorgeous monument / Cathedral. The square surrounding the cathedral also boasts beautiful views of the city.
Hours: Daily from 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Tickets: Free entry into the Cathedral, if you would like to visit the Cloister it is 3 Euros.
Porto Card: 35% discount with the Porto Card (for the Cloister)
Bolsa Palace
Bolsa Palace (The Stock Exchange Palace), is 100% worth the visit when you’re touring Porto in the rain.
It is one of the most beautiful indoor activities Porto has to offer, making for a great Porto Instagram photo op.
Hours: Daily from 9 AM – 6:30 PM
Tickets: Tickets cost 12 Euros per person, purchase here on their website!
Porto Card: 25% off with Porto Card!
Clérigos Tower
Clérigos Tower is a must on any Porto itinerary.
Clérigos Tower is one of the most famous monuments of Porto that can be seen from almost anywhere due to its height.
The bell tower, which has 240 steps, is connected to the Clérigos church and has been around since the 1700’s. It is centrally located and close by to other tourist hotspots (ie. the next stop, Livraria Lello).
Hours: Daily from 9 AM – 7 PM
Tickets: $9, skip the line tickets here!
Porto Card: 50% discount with the Porto Card
Check out this cool Spiritus Multimedia show at Clerigos Church!
Livraria Lello
The most beautiful bookstore in the world. This is not an exaggeration, it is definitely a gorgeous place.
This is one of the top things to do in Porto when it rains OR when the sun is shining, so it will be busy.
Livraria Lello is major tourist attraction now, but is still a bookstore.
J.K. Rowling based the staircases of Hogwarts after the staircase in this beautiful store.
Tickets are cheap and I would recommend visiting this place at least once in your life. However, be aware there will be MANY people here.
Hours: Daily from 9:30 AM – 7 PM
Tickets: 8 Euros, I recommend purchasing ahead of time on their website.
Porto Card: No discount with the Porto Card
If you are trying to figure out how to put the above indoor activities in Porto into a day, visit this one day in Porto itinerary.
Casa Da Música
This concert hall in the Boavista region of Porto is truly a sight to see! It is architecturally pleasing and very unique & modern.
Take a tour or try to see a concert if they are having one that day. I personally did not visit inside this monument, just on the outside, but for those interested in music, or the orchestra, try to check this place out!
Casa da Música is a great indoor option for what to do on a rainy day in Porto.
Hours: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM Daily
Tickets: Check their website for tickets and concert schedules.
Porto Card: 50% OFF with Porto Card
Visit one of Porto’s Museums
Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis (National Museum of Soares dos Reis)
Want to visit the oldest and most famous museum in Porto? Here it is.
This museum has a vast collection of Portuguese art, as well as a large amount by Antonio Soares dos Reis, who the museum is subsequently named after.
Hours: 10 AM – 5:30 PM Tuesday – Sunday, Monday closed
Tickets: 8 Euros
Porto Card: 50% discount with the Porto Card
World of Discoveries
This exhibit in Porto teaches you about Portugal’s explorers and their stories. This museum offers information in multiple languages. This is a great place for children, as the museum is more interactive and presented in fun ways.
Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM Tuesday – Friday, 10 AM – 7 PM Saturday & Sunday, closed Monday
Tickets: Purchase them online here for 16 Euros
Porto Card: 35% off with the Porto Card
FC Porto: Museum & Stadium Tour
Calling all sports and soccer fans!! Take a stadium tour and visit the FC Porto Museum located in Dragão Stadium.
Learn about the history and victories of the Portuguese Primeira Liga football team.
Hours: 10 AM – 7 PM Tuesday – Sunday, 2:30 PM – 7 PM (Monday)
Tickets: Purchase here for ~$19 USD, Children under 4 years old = FREE
Porto Card: 10% discount with Porto Card
Tram Museum
Want to learn about the history of trams in Portugal? Look no further, this museum has all of the information on trams you could only dream of!
Fun fact, if you purchase a ticket into the Tram Museum you also have free entry to ride on a tram in Porto.
Hours: 10 AM – 1 PM, 2 PM – 6 PM Tuesday – Sunday, 2 PM – 6 PM on Monday
Tickets & Porto Card: 8 Euros (Adult ticket)
Porto Card: 50% discount with the Porto Card
Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves (Modern Art Museum)
Modern art collection, minimalist contemporary art museum. This museum is gorgeous inside (obviously), but also has stunning grounds and landscaping.
I realize I am sending you here on a rainy day, but hey, you can still admire it.
Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM (Monday – Friday), 10 AM – 7 PM (Saturday & Sunday)
Tickets: Purchase tickets here.
Porto Card: 20% discount with the Porto Card
Military Museum Porto
This museum hosts a collection dedicated to the history of the Portuguese Army. It is a small museum in Porto.
Hours: 10 AM – 12:30 PM, 2 PM – 5 PM on Tuesday – Sunday (Closed on Monday)
Tickets: Check for tickets here!
Porto Card: 50% off with the Porto Card
SEA LIFE Centre Porto Aquarium
Taking kids to Porto and need something to entertain them? Look no further, SEA LIFE Porto is a great place to take the whole family for a great display of marine life! They even have penguins!!
Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM (Monday – Friday), 10 AM – 7 PM (Saturday & Sunday)
Tickets: Book your tickets in advance here for $20
Porto Card: 30% off with the Porto Card
Port Wine Museum: Museu Do Vinho Do Porto
Port Wine is Porto and Porto is Port Wine. Visit this museum dedicated to the history of all that is Port Wine.
This museum will show how wine is made, how it was shipped through the Douro and much more!
Hours: 10 AM – 5:30 PM (Tuesday – Sunday), Closed Monday
Tickets: Check out their website.
Porto Card: FREE with the Porto Card
Port Wine Tasting & Porto Winery Tours
Cálem Cellar Tours
Cálem Cellars offers a few tasting tours. Their tastings come with food pairings, cheese, and / or fado shows. Fado is Portuguese music from the 1800s.
As I previously mentioned, port wine is Porto and Porto is port wine.
If you have at least 3 days in Porto, I recommend spending half a day visiting the wine cellars. Any trip to Porto would be incomplete without port wine tastings and tours of Porto’s amazing wineries.
Visit here, if you’re looking for an honest review of Calem Port Wine tours.
Burmester Cellar
Burmester Cellar offers a tour with tasting and pairing options.
This is one of the cheaper tours (for $22), but is very highly rated! However, the tour lasts only 1 hour, compared to the longer tours.
Graham’s Port Lodge
Graham’s Port Lodge offers a tour of their winery and three tastings. This tour costs $55.
Cockburn’s Cellar
This 1.5 hour tour and tasting offered by Cockburn’s Cellar provides wine and chocolates.
I mean, can it get better? This is the largest Port cellar.
Take a Food Tour or Cooking Class
Pastel de Nata Cooking Class
Take a pastel de nata cooking class on this tour using grandma’s classic recipe. A cooking or baking class is the PERFECT way to get to know a new country and a great option for what to do in when it rains in Porto.
This tour is highly rated and includes all of the ingredients you need, non-alcoholic beverages and of course.. pastel de nata!
Buy this tour here before it sells out on your rainy Porto day!
Private Food & Drink Tour
This private food & drink tour will help kick off your rainy Porto evening. It is 2.5 hours in length and provides 3 drinks & 3 local foods to try.
They also offer nightlife recommendations to send you on your way for the rest of your evening.
There are vegetarian options available. This tour does have some walking involved, so bring your umbrella!
Other Resources for your Porto Trip
I recommend continuing your Portugal trip after Porto with 4 days in Lisbon!
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Final Thoughts on your Rainy Day in Porto
Porto is by far my favourite European city. I may be biased, as we had our destination wedding just outside of here, but it is truly one of the most special places.
I hope this list on what to do in Porto when it rains is helpful! Porto is beautiful no matter what the weather. Don’t let the weather get you down!
