Casa da Picaria

We appreciated the timely messages and being able to leave our bags securely when we arrived early. Self check-in was easy. The room was spacious, and the large bathroom was a welcome surprise in the city center. Fresh, soft towels and a carafe of port on the table were nice touches. There’s a sitting area with windows that open or close, looking toward a clock tower. A beer place is right beneath the window, but it quiets down. There’s no elevator, so packing light helped. The location also made it easy to explore and find restaurants.

I’m writing this to alert anyone with back or mobility problems who wants a comfortable stay in Porto. The stairs are very steep and narrow, which makes hauling suitcases up to the rooms difficult. The beds are narrow, the accommodation wasn’t comfortable, and some lights didn’t work. The street is crowded and noisy, and taxis have trouble getting to it. I paid for two weeks in advance, but unfortunately there was no refund. I ended up changing hotels and lost the money for those two weeks. For what this place costs, I think you can find excellent hotels or houses that would make a Porto trip more comfortable and pleasant.

Before we arrived at Casa da Picaria, they sent us recommendations for places to see, restaurants, and bars. We loved them. Since we got there early, the hosts let us put our bags in secure lockers and head out to explore. Our studio was tidy and clean, with lovely decor and a welcome bottle of port. The bathroom was clean and had toiletries. We had a lovely stay thanks in particular to the excellent service. Many thanks to the hosts, and we hope to come back.

The ladies serving breakfast were lovely, with ham, cheese, toast, cereal, coffee, tea, and yogurt to choose from. Check-in was the best we’ve had: you let yourself in, and they collect your details at breakfast the next day. The Uber driver had no trouble dropping us off. It’s a fabulous base for Porto, easy to reach everything on foot, and we’d highly recommend it. The room and bathroom were both a good size, and the room had very good heating. I didn’t see any air conditioning, so keep that in mind if it’s hot. We liked the balcony, though bars and restaurants bring a fair bit of street partying, so the balcony side might not suit you if you’re sensitive to noise.