Canonical page: /p/portugal/porto-leixoes/ Collected: 2026-10-18 JSON: /p/portugal/porto-leixoes/index.json [Ports](/ports/) Portugal # Porto-Leixoes [About the port](/p/portugal/porto-leixoes/)[Timetable](/p/portugal/porto-leixoes/timetable/2026-10/) Getting ashore Leixões for ocean ships; Douro quays for river ships Into Porto Metro line A, bus 500, taxi or ship transfer from Leixões Short-call option Matosinhos beach and a fish lunch Currency [Euro - EUR](https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/?Amount=1&From=EUR) ![The modern white curved Porto Leixões Cruise Terminal building in Matosinhos, viewed across the water.](/port-photos/porto-leixoes-360.jpg?v=3640928360d0) ## Getting ashore Check your ship's actual berth before making plans. Ocean ships visiting Porto normally use Leixões, the commercial harbour in Matosinhos, away from Porto's historic riverfront. The modern Porto Cruise Terminal is on the south mole; the port also has a northern passenger berth. Follow the ship's instructions for leaving the secure quay and any port shuttle. A transfer to the gate is different from a shuttle into Porto. Ask where each service returns and when the final bus leaves. ## If you are on a Douro river cruise Do not give a driver the Leixões ocean terminal address unless it is on your joining instructions. River ships can use quays on the Douro, including Vila Nova de Gaia opposite Porto's Ribeira. For example, [Viking lists a dock at Cais de Gaia](https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/docking-locations.html) . Other operators and sailings may use different landing stages. Save the exact address and the ship's contact number; a timetable label saying Porto is not a berth assignment. ## Getting into Porto from Leixões [Metro line A](https://en.metrodoporto.pt/pages/396) connects Matosinhos with central Porto. Ask the terminal staff which station suits your exit: Matosinhos Sul is useful on the south side, while Mercado is on the northern side of Matosinhos. Check the journey planner for your destination rather than buying a ticket for an assumed number of zones. Have a separate Andante card for each traveller and validate before boarding and again when changing line or vehicle. For a simple metro outing, budget about €4-6 per person return including a new €0.60 card: current single Z3 and Z4 tickets are €1.85 and €2.30 respectively, but check which your particular journey needs. As a planning allowance, leave about an hour each way for reaching the station, waiting and travelling into town; this is not a guaranteed transfer time. ## Bus, taxi or ship shuttle STCP's [bus 500](https://stcp.pt/pt/linhas) links Matosinhos with São Bento along the coast and river. It is an appealing sightseeing ride, but traffic and diversions make it less predictable when your return deadline is close. Check the operator's current stop locations. A taxi or a ship transfer can simplify the trip for a group or anyone avoiding the walk to public transport. For a taxi between Matosinhos and central Porto, allow roughly €20-35 per vehicle each way as a planning budget, with traffic and supplements affecting the meter. Allow around 25-40 minutes driving, plus any queue. Ask for the likely fare and pickup point before setting out; taxi queues and ship-shuttle charges depend on the call. Keep a photo of your terminal name for the return. ## A first visit to Porto For a first visit, choose one area rather than collecting distant sights. In the [historic district](https://visitporto.travel/en-GB/districts/historic) , São Bento's tiled entrance hall, the cathedral area and the descent through Rua das Flores towards Ribeira make a rewarding route. Allow roughly 2-3 hours for a gentle walk with stops, excluding transfers and an indoor visit. The lanes are steep: walking downhill to the Douro is easier than retracing the climb. The Luís I bridge gives views across to Gaia; its upper and lower crossings are at very different heights, so choose the one that fits your route. ## One booked highlight The ornate [Livraria Lello](https://livrarialello.pt/edificio-neogotico/) is a paid visit, rather than a quick free bookshop stop. Its official page lists the Silver ticket-voucher at €10, deductible against a book purchase under its conditions. Buy through the official ticket link and allow time around your slot. For port wine, [Taylor's cellars](https://www.taylor.pt/en/visit-taylors/port-cellars) in Gaia offer an audio-guided visit and tasting; the cellars are up the hill from the river. Check the current experience price before booking and allow about 1½-2 hours including the approach and tasting. Choose one of these if time is limited. ## A quieter day near Leixões You can stay in Matosinhos instead of travelling into Porto. The beach and promenade on the south side of the harbour suit a shorter outing, with fish and shellfish restaurants nearby. This option works especially well if you want an unhurried lunch. [Visit Portugal describes strong surf at Matosinhos beach](https://www.visitportugal.com/en/NR/exeres/D2E9C783-7280-4492-91FD-EDB24E189144) : treat it as an Atlantic beach and follow the flags and lifeguards. Your walk from the ship still depends on the berth and port-exit arrangements. ## Watch-outs & making the most of your time Wet paving can be slippery and the steep streets take longer than a flat map suggests. Keep bags closed in crowded stations and sightseeing queues. For an independent trip from Leixões, set a firm time to leave Porto and allow for waiting, traffic and the final port transfer; aim to reach the port comfortably before the ship's all-aboard time. A trip far up the Douro Valley is a different outing from visiting Porto and needs a long call or an organised excursion. Do not add it as an afterthought. ## Food, maps & connectivity Matosinhos is a good choice for grilled fish; in Porto, a francesinha is a substantial sandwich served with a rich sauce, rather than a light snack. Ask the price of fish sold by weight before ordering. Download the city's tourist map and your return route while you have a connection. APDL lists free Wi-Fi and tourist maps at the modern cruise terminal, but do not depend on terminal Wi-Fi to retrieve a booking at the last minute. Portuguese is the local language; the emergency number is 112. ## Accessibility & mobility Porto's old centre has steep slopes, cobbles and steps; a short route on screen may be tiring or inaccessible. The city publishes accessible itineraries in its document gallery-use one to plan the actual route rather than assuming the whole historic centre is step-free. Check station lifts, the ship's gangway and the port shuttle's wheelchair arrangements before leaving. A prearranged accessible vehicle can reduce the transfer effort; confirm vehicle access at your particular berth. Matosinhos promenade can be a gentler alternative, though getting from ship to public streets still needs checking. Plan your call ## Who's in port? 879 calls in the collected schedule. [View timetable](/p/portugal/porto-leixoes/timetable/2026-10/) ## Maps & transport - [Official Porto maps and accessible routesDownloadable tourist map, seaside map and accessible itinerary PDFs; save before going ashore ↗](https://visitporto.travel/en-GB/document-gallery) - [Metro network map and timetablesOfficial downloadable system map and current service information ↗](https://en.metrodoporto.pt/pages/396) - [Leixões south cruise terminalOcean terminal in Matosinhos; confirm your ship is using this berth ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Porto+Cruise+Terminal+Leixoes+Matosinhos) ## Useful links - [APDL cruise terminal informationOfficial port facilities and access information ↗](https://cruzeiros.apdl.pt/en/cruises/porto-cruise-terminal/) - [Andante public-transport ticketsCheck current fares and zone requirements ↗](https://andante.pt/en/) - [STCP bus service changesCheck diversions and moved stops before using bus 500 ↗](https://stcp.pt/en/travel/service-changes) - [Book Livraria LelloOfficial ticket-voucher booking; save the ticket offline ↗](https://tickets.livrarialello.pt/) - [Book Taylor's cellars in GaiaSelect the Porto cellars, rather than the separate Lisbon tasting room ↗](https://www.taylor.pt/en/visit-taylors/book-your-tickets)