Porto ratings & opinions
How our students rated their experience in Porto
What our students said about Porto
A very recommendable city. The only thing is that I would no longer travel there in November, as I arrived at school with wet shoes almost every day, despite an umbrella. It simply rained too often. Excursions to other cities, such as Braga or Coimbra, are highly recommended.
Netherlands
Porto is a multi-faceted, culturally very interesting, lively and invigorating city, but at the moment with countless noisy construction sites that hinder traffic. The metro works well, but some bus lines are extremely unreliable. Good food can be found in many places.
Germany
I like the mixture of old buildings and new attractions. It wasn't so crowded in winter. In summer it is perhaps a little too touristy. It's a shame that so many small shops and restaurants away from the pedestrianised area have been closed and abandoned.
Germany
Porto is beautiful city, the center is small enough to be visited by feet and public transports takes you anywhere. Many typical foods, and a lot of history to be discovered. Amazing view points and enough activities for different taste.
France
It's not the city I would like to live in. But for a stay of two or more weeks, Porto is very exciting and has a lot to offer. It's great fun to discover and experience the very different neighbourhoods.
Germany
Porto seems to me a pleasant and easy city to walk around in spite of its slopes and the pavement of some of its streets. The distances are not big. Good food. Recommended city.
Spain
It’s really difficult not to fall in love with the city. There are so many interesting things to see and do, and it’s a perfect base for daily trips to other cities nearby.
Poland
You have to "conquer" Porto. It is not as nice and warm as Lisbon right from the beginning. But the more you know the place the more interesting and gratifying it becomes.
Germany
One of the best, it is now my favourite city in Europe and I've been to many. The friendliness of people, the relaxed atmosphere and the food are exceptional.
A very beautiful town, with a pleasant population, very good traditional restaurants and perfect for shopping. Many monuments and museums ....
Portugal
Beautiful city, but I think very touristy. Whether the citizens of Porto are living in Porto would be an important question for me.
Germany
Aesthetically very beautiful city, the locals not very friendly but overall I had a good time; I recommend the surfing courses.
Italy
A bit crowded at the "places to be", even in winter. But there are enough cafés, restaurants and bars off the beaten track.
Germany
Too many tourists! It's difficult to practice Portuguese when everyone speaks to you in English, Spanish, or French...
Canada
Porto is a beautiful city that you should definitely see. It is very diverse and at the same time pleasantly small.
Germany
Clean and feels safe and not too expensive. Nice to be by the sea and there are lots of parks, museums etc.
England UK
O Porto is a great place to start learning about Portugal and a great base for a language course :)
Germany
Interesting and varied. But very noisy because of the new metro and many construction sites.
Germany
Porto is a great place, small enough to be easily manageable, but has a lot to see and do.
Switzerland
Good bars and discos, but also beautiful nature with many parks, rivers and the sea.
Germany
What school directors said about Porto
Porto is a warm city where everyone easily feels at home. People are welcoming, food is great and the wine is extensively known throughout the world. It’s still an affordable city.
"A UNESCO-recognised "city of world heritage" and three times recently voted “Best European Destination” (2012, 2014, 2017) Porto is the perfect setting for a language course. It is full of historical monuments and places of interest ranging from the 12th century cathedral to the ultra modern museum of contemporary art - the most visited museum in Portugal. Yet its true glory lies in the incidental details: the old fashioned street cafés, the markets, the bookshops and restaurants tucked away down side streets, the simple pleasures of a tram journey along the river front or of whiling away the afternoon at a beach side café. Porto is a marvellous city to explore."
Most recent student reviews of language schools in Porto
Very participative classes and it seems to me that I have improved to start from zero. Interesting Oporto tour.
The school's teachers are pleasant and attentive.
11 March 2024
Course: Standard Portuguese Course - 1 week
Student age: 53 years
Very dynamic and intense teaching in small groups.
11 March 2024
Course: Standard Portuguese Course - 1 week
Student age: 49 years
Thank you to Angela and Vanessa who are excellent teachers and always available, the lessons are very well organised, learning the language is easy but of course you have to work after the lessons and above all learn by heart, especially irregular verbs....but this applies to all languages, it's a must. Private lessons are important to develop listening and speaking skills and to work on weak points. The school is close to Sao Bento station.
29 January 2024
Course: Standard Portuguese Course - 2 weeks
Student age: 64 years
The lessons were very effective with lots of information about the Portuguese language and also about the culture and life in Portugal. It was a very pleasant learning atmosphere. Ângela also talked a lot about herself, so that the lessons were always lively and never boring. Questions could be asked at any time and were always answered very well.
15 January 2024
Course: Standard Portuguese Course - 1 week
Student age: 54 years
Vanessa who has been teaching us in the group classes is an excellent teacher and attentive to the students, adapting the classes depending on questions.
I have now tried studying for two weeks at another language school in Porto, where the teachers were also really good. However, the emphasis there on grammar was too heavy. There is more emphasis on conversation at Oficina and the amount of grammar less, which is much better.
22 November 2023
Course: Extensive Portuguese Course - 1 week
Student age: 38 years
Information about Porto
Key Facts about Porto
- Price index excluding rent: 56* (44% cheaper than New York)
- Price index including rent: 39* (61% cheaper than New York)
- Price index food only:45* (55% cheaper than New York)
- Big Mac price (Portugal average):
0.00 € (7% cheaper than in USA)
- Residential voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Weather in Porto
Events in Porto
24 May 2024 - 31 May 2024Originally a university tradition this event now includes the entire city and is the second biggest event of the year. Coinciding with the week just before students prepare for final exams, the academic-style folk traditions include fado, a procession, concerts, and dances.
24 June 2024The people of Porto have been celebrating the feast of St. John for over 600 years. On the eve of the feast day the city comes alive with parties, bonfires (and folk jumping over them), concerts, dancing in the streets and setting free thousands of candle lantern balloons.
09 August 2024 - 17 August 2024Step back in time in this medieval fair held every year in Santa Maria de Feira, just 30 kms south of Porto. One of the largest medieval reenactments in Europe, in an absolutely perfect setting.
What to do in Porto
Arrival airport
Public transportation to city center:
Every 5 minutes, 30 minutes.
Main stops: Aeroporto Porto, Trindade
Taxi: 12 minutes drive to city center of Porto
Q&A - Questions and answers about Porto
- I am interested in booking private lessons only and I have limited availability. Do you offer private lessons in the afternoon?“Yes, inlingua Porto offers lessons in the afternoon. Let us know which schedule would work best for you and we can provide you with more information.”Ana Carolina Dos Santos, LanguageCourse.Net - Apr 11, 2024Is transportation from the host family to school provided?“The transportation fee is not included in the price and it will have to be paid by the student.”Ana Carolina Dos Santos, LanguageCourse.Net - Dec 19, 2022Didn't find what you are looking for?Interested in a specific type of course? See our reviews of Portuguese courses & camps for teenager and children in Porto or other 13 different Portuguese course types in Porto.Interested in language travel to other cities? Have a look at Portuguese language schools in other cities in Portugal such as Faro, Lisbon or see our list of all schools in Portugal. You may also want to consult options outside Portugal for learning Portuguese.