Let’s be honest. When we travel, we usually hope for sunshine.
We want to wake up, look outside and see blue skies waiting for us. We want to walk around, take photographs, sit outside for lunch and enjoy the city without checking the weather every few hours.
But sometimes it rains.
And if you’ve come to Porto and opened your curtains to a grey, wet morning, you might be wondering what you’re supposed to do with your day.
The good news is that you don’t have to stay in your hotel or apartment and wait for the rain to stop. Porto has plenty to see and do indoors the city is still very doable with an umbrella or a poncho. You just need to change the way you approach the day a little.
So, if you’ve found yourself in Porto with rain in the forecast, here are some ideas for making the most of it.
Spiritus at Clérigos Church
Spiritus is a 30-minute immersive show inside Porto’s famous Clérigos Church, bringing together light, music, projections and poetry by Fernando Pessoa, one of Portugal’s most celebrated writers. You don’t need to know his work to enjoy it; as the church’s Baroque interior changes around you, the combination of words, sound and imagery creates something very different from a traditional visit to a historic church.
Schedule:
Monday to Saturday 18:00 | 18:45 | 19:30 | 20:15 | 21:00 | 21:45
Sunday 18:00 | 18:45 | 19:30
Duration: 30 minutes
Ticket price: €12
Children up to 10 years old: Free
Good to know:
This is a timed experience, so it’s best to book your session in advance, particularly during busy periods.
Purchase your ticket here (2026) https://www.spiritusporto.com/en/bilhetes
Sandeman Port Wine Cellars
A rainy afternoon is a good time to cross the Douro into Vila Nova de Gaia and discover one of the things Porto is best known for: Port wine. At the Sandeman cellars, you can step inside the historic ageing rooms, learn how Port is made and, of course, taste it for yourself. There are several different visits available, so you can choose between a shorter introduction, a wine and chocolate experience, or a more in-depth tasting if you’re particularly interested in Port.
Porto Sandeman Visit: 50 minutes | 3 Port wines
Porto Wine & Chocolate Experience: 1 hour | 3 Port wines + chocolate
Sandeman 1790 Visit: 1 hour 30 minutes | 5 Port wines
Sandeman Old Tawnies Visit: 1 hour 30 minutes | 4 Port wines
Port Wine Workshop: 3 hours | 5 Port wines
Porto Sandeman Exclusive Experience: 2 hours 30 minutes | 6 Port wines
Good to know:
The Sandeman cellars are in Vila Nova de Gaia, on the other side of the Douro from Porto’s historic centre. Once inside, you can spend the next hour or two comfortably sheltered while discovering one of the region’s most famous traditions.
More information
https://www.sandeman.com/port-wine/visit/cellars-porto/
Palácio da Bolsa - Stock Exchange Palace
Get out of the rain and head inside the Palácio da Bolsa. Built in the 19th century on the site of the former São Francisco Convent, this historic building is filled with grand rooms, elaborate details and some surprisingly unexpected architecture. The highlight for many visitors is the Arabian Room, inspired by Granada’s Alhambra and covered in intricate Moorish-style decoration.
The palace takes you through some of Porto’s most impressive historic interiors, from grand ceremonial rooms to the extraordinary Arabian Room.
Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Guided visits: A guided tour is required and takes approximately 30 minutes.
Languages available: Portuguese, English, Spanish and French.
Ticket price: €14
Senior: € 9.5
Children up to 12 years old: Free when accompanied by an adult.
Good to know:
The Palácio da Bolsa is in the historic centre, close to São Francisco Church and Ribeira, so it’s easy to combine with other nearby sights without spending too much time walking in the rain.
More information
https://palaciodabolsa.com/en/tourism/#1511349381553-5c864248-facb19af-716e
Try Something New
Not every rainy day has to be spent visiting churches and museums. Sometimes it’s nice to put the sightseeing aside for a couple of hours and actually make something yourself. Learn how to make one of Portugal’s most famous pastries, then enjoy the best part: tasting what you’ve made.
Try a Pastel de Nata Class.
Or try your had at painting a Portuguese Azulejo.
Azulejos are part of everyday life in Porto, from church façades to railway stations. Instead of simply admiring them, spend some time creating your own and take home a little reminder of your trip.
Do absolutely nothing for an hour
Sometimes the best thing to do when it rains is absolutely nothing.
Find a cosy café, order a coffee, take out a book or simply sit by the window and watch Porto carry on outside. We did exactly this one rainy afternoon at A Brasileira, and it turned out to be one of those simple moments that stayed with us.
A Brasileira first opened in 1903, when drinking coffee in a public café was still a relatively new habit in Porto. Its founder even offered customers a free cup when they bought coffee beans, helping introduce the café culture that would eventually make places like this such an important part of the city. Over the years, it became a meeting place for writers, artists and journalists.
Today, it’s a lovely place to escape the rain for a while. And honestly, you don’t need to do anything more than find a window seat and enjoy the view.
Opening Hours: 08:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
More information
A Brasileira Cafetaria
Explore Mercado do Bolhão
If you want to experience a more everyday side of Porto, spend some time wandering through Mercado do Bolhão. The market has been part of the city’s life since 1914, and after a major restoration, it reopened in 2022, bringing its traditional market atmosphere back to the heart of Porto.
Inside, you’ll find stalls selling fresh fish, meat, fruit, vegetables, flowers and other local products, alongside cafés and places to stop for something to eat. It’s a good place to escape the rain for a while, have a look around and see a side of Porto that feels much closer to everyday life than its big monuments.
Good to know:
The market is right in the centre of Porto, close to Rua de Santa Catarina, so it’s easy to combine with other nearby stops if the weather is wet. If you’re hungry, don’t just walk through the market; take your time, look at what’s being sold and stop for something to eat.
Market Hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. | Saturdays: 8: 00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Restaurants Hours: Monday to Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to Midnight
Discover Mercado do Bolhão
The weather may change your plans, but it doesn’t have to change your experience of Porto.