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Planning a proper stag do in Portugal's northern gem? Porto offers something different from your usual Algarve madness - think port wine tasting (posh day drinking), river cruises, and some of the best scran in Portugal. This comprehensive guide will help you plan a legendary weekend that's got a bit more class than Albufeira, but still plenty of opportunities for chaos.
Why Choose Porto for Your Stag Do?
Less than 3 hours from most UK airports
Cheaper than Lisbon
Home of port wine (classy boozing)
Proper Portuguese authenticity
Less touristy than the south
Amazing food scene
Perfect for lads who want culture AND carnage
Where to Base Your Stag Party
Ribeira
UNESCO World Heritage waterfront
Loads of traditional bars
Walking distance to port wine cellars
Proper Portuguese atmosphere
Gaia (Vila Nova de Gaia)
Where all the port cellars are
Amazing views of Porto
Slightly cheaper hotels
Perfect for wine tours
Downtown/Aliados
Heart of the nightlife
Close to São Bento station
Plenty of restaurants and bars
Easy to stumble home
Unique Porto Experiences
Port Wine Adventures
Private Port Wine Cellar Tours
Exclusive tastings at Graham's Port Lodge
Behind-the-scenes access at Taylor's
Vintage port tasting at Cálem
Special bachelor party packages at Sandeman
Learn about port wine aging processes
Taste rare vintages
Port Wine Blending Workshops
Create your own port wine blend
Take home a custom bottle
Professional wine education
Group competition options
Douro Valley Day Trips
Private Quintas (wine estates) visits
River cruises between vineyards
Traditional lunch at wine estates
Harvest experiences (seasonal)
Off-road vineyard tours
Must-Do Activities for the Lads
Port Wine Adventures
Cellar Tours (Posh Day Drinking)
Graham's Port Lodge (dead fancy)
Taylor's (proper nice views)
Sandeman (good for groups)
Special tasting packages
Learn how to drink port properly
£25-50 per person
Port Wine Experiences
Make your own port blend
Take home a custom bottle
Competitive tasting games
Group discounts available
£40-70 per person
River Activities
Douro Cruises
Private boat hire
Booze cruises
Sunset tours with drinks
Party boats available
£300-800 per group
Speed Boat Tours
Fast river tours
Bridge views
Adrenaline rush
Great for small groups
£40-60 per person
Adventure Stuff
Porto Bridge Climb
Views over the city
Great for the 'gram
Not for hungover days
£20-30 per person
Beach Activities
Surfing lessons
Beach football
Recovery sessions
Transport included
£30-50 per person
Where to Line Your Stomach
Proper Posh Spots (For the Big Night)
DOP by Rui Paula
Michelin-starred Portuguese
Private dining room
Tasting menus
Wine pairings
Smart dress code
£80-120 per head
Book well in advance
Vinum at Graham's
Amazing views over Porto
Inside Graham's Port Lodge
Outstanding wine list
Private areas for groups
Modern Portuguese cuisine
£60-90 per person
Smart casual dress
Terra Nova
Riverside fine dining
Seafood specialists
Group menus available
Sunset views
Perfect for special dinner
£50-80 per head
Traditional Portuguese Legends
Casa Guedes
Famous pork sandwich shop
Queue worth it
Local institution
Cheap and cheerful
£5-10 per person
Café Santiago
Best Francesinha in Porto
(Like a mad Portuguese sandwich)
Perfect hangover cure
Local beer selection
£10-15 per head
Cantinho do Avillez
Celebrity chef restaurant
Modern Portuguese
Great for groups
Excellent wine list
£40-60 per person
Views with Your Scran
World of Wine Restaurants
Multiple venues
Amazing river views
Different price points
Great for groups
Book the 1828 room
£30-100 per head
Barão Fladgate
At Taylor's Port
Panoramic terrace
Proper fancy lunch spot
Group bookings welcome
£40-70 per person
Capela Incomum
Converted chapel
Unique atmosphere
Wine bar with food
Small plates to share
£25-40 per head
Group-Friendly Spots
Mercado do Bolhão
Traditional food market
Multiple food stalls
Great for lunch
Local atmosphere
£10-20 per head
Flow Restaurant
Modern venue
Group friendly
Good for dietary requirements
River views
£30-50 per person
Seafood Specialists
Matosinhos Restaurants
Fish straight off the boats
Multiple restaurants
Traditional grilling
Great for groups
£30-50 per head
O Gaveto
Local favourite
Fresh seafood
Perfect for groups
Traditional style
£40-60 per person
Late Night Food Heroes
Casa Lado B
Open until 2 AM
Great burgers
Perfect after drinks
Quick service
£10-20 per head
Conga
Famous spicy sandwiches
Local institution
Late night opening
Quick and cheap
Under £10
The Night Out
Main Party Areas
Galerias de Paris
Porto's proper party street
Loads of bars next to each other
Open until 4 AM
British music in many bars
Cheap drinks
Perfect for bar crawls
No dress code in most places
Rua Cândido dos Reis
Extension of party area
More local vibe
Good mix of bars
Live music venues
Slightly cheaper drinks
Ribeira Waterfront
More touristy but scenic
Perfect for early evening
Traditional bars
Port wine bars
Great for photos
Best Bars for Stag Groups
Base Porto
Massive outdoor space
DJ sets
Good for large groups
Bean bags and casual vibe
Great for day drinking
Sunset views
£3-5 per beer
Adega Sports Bar
Shows all Premier League games
British pub atmosphere
Good for starting the night
Decent pub grub
£3-4 per pint
Bonaparte Downtown
Three floors of chaos
Different music each floor
Popular with stag dos
Stay open late
Good drink deals
£2-4 per drink
Plano B
Proper club vibes
Two dance floors
Alternative music
Good for late night
£5-10 entry
Pub Crawl Options
Organized Bar Crawls
£20-30 per person
5-6 bars included
Welcome shots
Skip the queues
Local guides
Meet other groups
Ends at a club
DIY Crawl Route
Start: Adega Sports Bar
Then: Base Porto for sunset
Next: Galerias de Paris bars
End: Plano B or Bonaparte
Save about £15 per person
Late Night Venues
Tendinha dos Clérigos
Open until 4 AM
Mixed crowd
Good for dancing
Plays British tunes
£4-6 cocktails
Hard Club
Live music venue
Different rooms
Historic building
Open late
£5-10 entry
Adult Entertainment
Main venues near Batalha
Better prices than UK
Private areas available
Stick to recommended places
Transport can be arranged
Cards accepted in main venues
Avoid street promoters
£20-30 entry
Getting About Porto
Fancy Transport Options
Vintage Wine Tour Vehicles
Classic Portuguese motors
Perfect for wine tours
Some proper old school ones
Great for photos
Driver/guide included
£200-300 per day
Fits 6-8 lads
Party Vans
Mercedes Sprinters (12-16 lads)
Built-in fridges for the bevs
Bluetooth for your tunes
Professional drivers
Perfect for:
Airport runs
Douro Valley trips
Port lodge tours
Night out pickups
£100-150 per hour
Full day deals available
Luxury Motors
Modern Mercedes fleet
Range Rovers available
Professional drivers
Airport meet and greet
£70-90 per hour
Good for smaller groups
Budget Transport
Metro System
Dead cheap (£1.20 per ride)
Runs until 1 AM
Connect to main areas
Group day tickets available
Uber
Plenty available
Cheaper than UK
Good for short hops
XL available for groups
Tuk-Tuks
Bit touristy but fun
Good for city tours
Negotiate rates first
£40-60 per hour
Top Transport Tips
Book airport transfers in advance
Get group metro tickets
Download Uber before arrival
Save hotel address in Portuguese
Keep transport company numbers
Check night service times
Top Nightlife Tips
Best Areas by Time
6-9 PM: Ribeira for drinks
9-11 PM: Base Porto
11 PM onwards: Galerias de Paris
2 AM+: Bonaparte or Plano B
Drink Prices
Local beer: £2-3
Craft beer: £4-5
Wine glass: £3-4
Cocktails: £5-8
Shots: £2-3
Port tonic: £4-6
Party Safe Tips
Get venue addresses saved
Keep group WhatsApp active
Set meeting points
Watch your drinks
Stick together
Keep emergency cash
Save taxi numbers
Avoid dark streets
Keep hotel card handy
Dress Code Guide
Most bars: Casual
Nicer clubs: No trainers
Fancy bars: Smart casual
Avoid football shirts at night
Check specific venues
Money Saving Tips
Happy hours 6-8 PM
Buy drinks in rounds
Local beer > Import
House wine is decent
Avoid tourist trap bars
Get stamped for re-entry
Split taxis in groups
Bad Weather Backup Plan
Indoor Bars
World of Wine bars
Cave venues in Gaia
Shopping centre bars
Port lodges with bars
Indoor Activities
Port cellar tours
Casino da Póvoa
Indoor karting
Escape rooms
Remember lads, Porto's not Benidorm - bit more class required, but still plenty of opportunities for a proper mad one. The locals are sound but keep it respectful and you'll have a belter of a weekend!
