How to Visit Matosinhos from Porto: A Perfect Coastal Day Trip Guide

Jul 12

I first went to Matosinhos as a day trip with friends in the late Fall of 2021 and had an amazing time visiting the market, eating amazing seafood, and strolling the beach, so I was very happy to return for 3 weeks in late 2024 to be able to really sink into the area.

Matosinhos is a major port and fishing town, which is famed for its fish restaurants and glorious sandy beach. Any visit to Porto is not complete without a trip to Matosinhos, whether it is to enjoy some of the region’s best seafood, Praia de Matosinhos, or both.

Easily accessible by public bus or metro, taxi/uber, or via hop on/hop off bus.

How to Get to Matosinhos from Porto

⭐Public transport time and line will vary based on start and end points, Google and Apple Maps are great resources for establishing your best route.

🚌The bus is generally the easiest way to get from Porto to Matosinhos, with the 500, 501, and 507 being the most direct routes from multiple areas in Porto. The journey takes about 45 minutes and costs €1.80.

🚊Depending on your starting point, you can take the tram (A) from Porto to Matosinhos in about 45 minutes. The ride will cost €1.80 each way.

🚕Matosinhos is less than about a 15-20 minute drive from Porto and an Uber or Bolt there from central Porto will cost approximately 8-10€ depending on time and demand.

🚶‍♂️The approximately 6.5km, mostly flat, walk from Porto to Matosinhos is beautiful and takes you along the river with quaint neighborhoods and stunning views along the way. The walk takes about 90 minutes. *I highly recommend this walk, or part of it, at sunset.

Praia de Matosinhos

The Praia de Matosinhos is a beautiful sandy beach, which is regarded as the best beach close to Porto. During the summer, the residents of Porto flock to this huge beach, and the breach front promenade and surrounding bars and cafes have a lively and vibrant atmosphere. - Google

I have been to Praia de Matosinhos in the summer, Fall and winter months and loved is for varying reasons each time. In the summer, it is a fun and vibrant spot for beach goers looking to have a good time , catch a tan, and swim (thought the water quality is not always the best). In the cooler months, it is a stunning spot for a picnic and to catch an unbeatable Portuguese sunset.

Here, you will also find surfers of all levels, and can even take a lesson!

Along the beach you will also find some cafes, beach bars, and restaurants to enjoy a bite or cocktail. Some of the beach clubs offer chair and umbrella rentals.

This is also a great place to take a surf lesson, like this top rated one.

Matosinhos Restaurants & Market

For a small-ish beach town, Matosinhos is packed with amazing restaurants and bars to fit every taste and budget. From high-end cocktails bars and 5 star restaurants to mom-and-pop tabernas and everything in between, it is nearly impossible to be disappointed in the food scene in Matosinhos.

These are just a few of my favorite places in the area to enjoy a bite or drink.

Mercado Municipal de Matosinhos

🗺️R. França Júnior, 4450-718 Matosinhos, Portugal

🕰️ Monday-Saturday 6:30am to 4pm, Sunday - closed

Here you will find rows upon rows of fresh seafood, as well as fruits, veggies, and flowers. Well worth a stroll through to take in all the varieties, sights, and smells.

Some nearby vendors will cook your fresh purchases; ask any of the vendors where they recommend.

Isko

🗺️R. Álvaro Castelões 65, 4450-718 Matosinhos, Portugal (in Mercado Municipal de Matosinhos)

🕰️Tues-Wed 12p-3-m Thurs-Sat 12p-3p, 7:30p-11p, Sun-Mon- Closed

💶€€–€€€

🌐Isko do mercado

If you want a unique and customized experience, you can purchase your own fresh seafood in the market then have if prepared to your preference at Isko.

With it’s upscale, but welcoming feel, this beautiful restaurant is both a compliment and contrast to Mercado Municipal de Matosinhos, which it is attached to.

If you aren’t up for sourcing your own seafood, Isko has a great menu to choose from and offers some affordable and delicious lunch specials.

“From the Sea to your Plate” Food Tour

For a fuly immersive food experience in Matosinhos and to experience the best of culture & cuisine: Join us to witness fresh fish "from the sea to your plate." Choose, cook, and savor your own catch, take the “From Sea to Your Plate” Food Tour!

This 3 hour tour is food-focused, but also covers many of the sites in Matosinhos, so you get to full experience the area.

Transportation from Porto is available.

For pricing and booking information, click here

Pão da Terra

🗺️Rua França Júnior, Mercado Municipal de Matosinhos, 4450-131 Matosinhos, Portugal

🕰️Tues-Fri 8:30a-5:30p, Sat 8:30a-3p, Sun-Mon- Closed

💶€

🌐Pão da Terra | Padaria Artesanal Biológica

On your way to the fish markets, make sure to stop by this bakery for the best bread, and/or, pastries you may ever have. While the pastries are delicious, the star in this simplistic space, really is the bread.

Of course, you could (and should) always grave a pastry to enjoy on the spot and take a loaf of freshly baked bread with you.

The perfect start to your day of exploring Matosinhos.

Rua Heróis França

Boasting some of the best seafood in Portugal, this is a must for any seafood lover visiting Porto.

After strolling Mercado de Matosinhos, head to Rua Heróis França (“Seafood Row”) for some of the best, freshly caught and grilled seafood you will ever have.

With such a huge variety of restaurants, varying in price, speciality and ambiance; I wouldn’t dare make recommendations based on my very limited experience, but from what I can tell: you cannot go wrong eating anywhere along Rua Herois Franca.

Even if you are not a seafood lover <gasp!> it is worth the visit just to take in the authenticity of the street, with smoking grills, smiling servers, and upbeat vibe.

Blue and white azulejo tiles are a Portuguese classic and these glazed blue ceramic tiles from the 14th century decorate the streets, buildings, and monuments of Portuguese cities. There are numerous places to see these tiles on display throughout Porto. These are come of my favorites.

NOT SO VEGAN just delicious

🗺️Av. Comendador Ferreira de Matos 615, 4450-013 Matosinhos, Portugal

🕰️Tues-Fri 8:30am-6pm, Sat-Mon - Closed

💶€–€€

🌐Not So Vegan

If you are looking for some absolutely mouthwatering plant based pastries, desserts, or sandwiches on fresh baked bread, this is micor-bakery is an absolute must in Matosinhos. This locally owned and operated vegan bakery is like a warm hug when you walk in and the freshly prepared food is a treat for vegans and non-vegans alike.
⭐Don’t sleep on the cinnamon rolls.

Cafetaria Terrárea

🗺️Rua de Brito Capelo 1211, 4450-078 Matosinhos, Portugal

🕰️Tues-Sat 10a-7p

💶€€

🌐Home - Terraina

This adorable cafe is attached to a lovely flower and gift shop that is the perfect place to pick up some souvenirs and keepsakes (especially around the holidays when they have seasonal items).

The atmosphere here is so warm and cozy, service is great, and the food is fresh and delicious.

Serving a broad menu, including vegan and vegetarian options, Cafetaria Terrárea is a great place to come with a group, on a date, or as a solo diner.

Notable Art and Sites

“She Changes” (anémona)

Upon entering Matosinhos by car or bus, you may wonder what this massive three-dimensional multi-layer net that floats over the Cidade Salvador Plaza is.

The sculpture is designed to reflect Porto's and Matosinhos's seafaring and industrial heritage and was designed by artis Janet Echelman.

Fort Leça de Palmeira

The Fort of Leça da Palmeira, or alternately the Castle of Matosinhos is a 17th-century fort located in civil parish of Leça da Palmeira, municipality of Matosinhos in the Greater Porto region of Portugal. -Wikipedia

🗺️Rampa Castelo 25, 4450-718 Leça da Palmeira, Portugal

💶,50€

Located between Porto and Matosinhos, you will find ort Leça de Palmeira, offering a glimpse into 17th-century Portuguese defensive architecture.

I have only visited the outside of the fort, and there are mixed reviews about going to visit the inside, but it is said to offer stunning views and a peak in to history with it’s old world architecture.

Escultura Tragédia do Mar

An impactful piece of art, the Tragedy at Sea Sculpture located on Matosinhos Beach in Portugal, commemorates a significant maritime tragedy that occurred in 1947, where a storm led to the loss of 152 fishermen.

The sculpture, created by José João Brito, depicts the grief and despair of the widows and orphans left behind by the tragedy, based on a painting of the same name by Mestre Augusto Gomes.

Whether you spend an afternoon or full day exploring Matosinhos, visit the beach, market or both, you will not regret making the trip to this beautiful beach town!

Be sure to add Matosinhos to your trip to Porto.

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I came to Portugal 4 years ago & fell in love.

Since then, I spend half the year in Portugal, exploring the country like both a local & a curious traveler—sharing insights on popular spots, gems, & where to eat, wander, & soak in the magic of everyday Portuguese life.