Cats Porto Hostel

I only booked three nights at first, but after the first one I knew I wanted to stay here for my whole time in Porto. My one-week trip turned into nearly two as I fell for the city and wanted time to take it all in. The hostel suited what I wanted: it sits just beyond the tourist bustle, yet everything I needed was walkable, and the place felt clean and safe. I had one of the lower bunks tucked behind a wall, which gave me the most privacy in the room. There was a side shield, and I could hang my towel to screen off the rest of the bunk. The ensuite had two sinks and three separate stalls: a toilet, a shower, and a combined toilet and shower. It was a comfortable setup to return to after a day out, and the cleaning staff kept both the room and bathroom quite clean compared with some places I've stayed. I travelled in the off season, so things were mostly quiet, though it came and went. I was in an 8-bed female dorm, but there were never more than four of us at once. Somehow I even had two nights to myself, which was a lovely bonus since I like having some alone time alongside exploring and meeting people. The weather was rainy and windy, and the social scene wasn't at its liveliest, but I could see this being a very social hostel, especially with its rooftop bar and patio. Safety mattered to me too. The area and general feel never made me feel I had to look over my shoulder. Reception was staffed around the clock, and someone was always there to help with a warm smile. You also had to be buzzed in, which put my mind at ease as a woman travelling alone. There are convenience stores nearby, and the timeout market is less than a five-minute walk away. Porto is easy to get around on foot, and I thought the hostel was ideally placed in a quieter part of town, close to the heart of the city. I still had a full day to fill after checking out, so I asked about luggage storage. A large school group had arrived and was using the storage area, but as luck would have it, I was allowed to leave my bags in the room without an extra fee. A small thing, but I appreciated it. When I came back for my luggage, I had a nice chat with a staff member about my time in Porto. I waited for my ride in the lounge and overheard two staff members talking about how much they liked working at the hostel. That was such a heartwarming last impression. Cats hostel was a pleasure to stay in, and it sounded like a nice place to work too. I couldn't recommend it enough for a Porto visit. Until next time!