Porto is the second largest city in Portugal and really gets going in July. As the cool, rainy weather moves out, the events pile up on the calendar! One week after Porto’s biggest party of the year, the São João Festival on the night of June 23rd, here comes July with so many exciting things to do!
You might want to know that July and August are the city’s busiest months. As such, book your accommodation in advance, bring your comfortable shoes, and don’t forget your camera because this is one of the best times to be in Porto. Without further ado, here are nine events to enjoy in Porto in July!
1. The Porto Wine Fest
When: July 5 – 6
Where: The banks of the River Douro
How much: Regular tickets – 35 EUR per day, VIP tickets – 50 EUR.
Could you, or would you really miss THE Porto Wine Fest if you happened to be there in July? We don’t recommend skipping this huge event, as it’s a must for any Porto tourist or wine enthusiast. Officially named The Douro & Porto Wine Festival, it is a celebration of wine, music, and, of course, gastronomy.
This year’s line-up features well-known artists such as Joss Stone, Resistencia, Miguel Araujo, Judi Jackson, Vance Joy, Corinne Bailey Rae, Rui Veloso, and Sid Sriram. Wine and food enthusiasts will likely have a much better time in the presence of four acclaimed chefs – Helio Loureiro, Renato Cunha, Jose Julio Vintem, and Nuno Castro.
The event will take place in Porto Comercial De Cambres, right on the river bank!
2. MEO Mares Vivas Music Festival
When: July 19 – 21
Where: Vila Nova de Gaia
How much: Day ticket – 45 EUR; General pass (all days) – 90 EUR.
Are you a live music fan? If so, Porto offers you the chance to listen live to Take That, James Arthur, Snow Patrol, Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, Ben Harper, Louis Tomilson, Marisa Liz, and many others at the MEO Mares Vivas music festival! Can you believe that all of these fantastic musicians will be in one place?
If you’re in Porto on the 19th, 20th, or 21st of July, then you encourage you to book your ticket sooner rather than later. A day ticket is 45 EUR, while a general pass is 90 EUR – if you plan to be there for all three event days.
MEO Mares Vivas festival started back in 1999 and takes place in a truly beautiful place. You can choose to either camp (Parque de Campismo de Salgueiros and Parque de Campismo Marisol) or stay in one of the many hotels nearby.
3. Living Van Gogh – Throughout the Entire Month
When: June 11 – September 1
Where: Alfândega do Porto, EDIFÍCIO DA ALFÂNDEGA, R. Nova da Alfândega, 4050-430 Porto, Portugal
How much: From 14 EUR
The paintings of Van Gogh are still the root of oceans of emotions in the hearts of artists and art enthusiasts. One thing we can thank the modern world for is the innovation when it comes to how we see or perceive paintings of artists who aren’t among us anymore. Living Van Gogh is an event that does just that – it offers you the chance to experience Van Gogh’s art in an exciting, immersive way.
The event presents paintings displayed in a 360-degree view. Visitors can explore over 150 paintings signed by one of the world’s greatest artists, as well as take part in three special events related to Van Gogh and painting. One of them is a recreation of the painter’s bedroom. Another is a participatory painting – which we’ll let you discover on your own! Then, there’s also the Symphony of Flowers, an event that blends poetry, music, and sculptures.
Living Van Gogh is described as an incredible experience, so don’t miss it!
4. Candlelight Open Air: The Best of Queen
When: July 4
Where: Gardens of the Pestana Palácio do Freixo, N108 206, 4300-316 Porto, Portugal
How much: Zone A tickets – 40 EUR; Zone B tickets – 34 EUR; Zone C tickets – 28 EUR.
Queen’s best songs, performed live, under the night’s sky, in the incredible city of Porto? Where do we sign up?! There’s not much to say about this event – if you like Queen, you’ll like Candlelight Open Air as well.
However, keep in mind that it doesn’t offer music only. The event promises multi-sensory music experiences, which you’ll have to discover yourself. We don’t want to spoil it for you!
Each event session will last around 60 minutes, during which 12 of the best and most-known hits of Queen will be played (I Want to Break Free, We Will Rock You, Don’t Stop Me Now, and others). The July session is on the 4th – but if you’ll be in Porto in August, then mark the 14th on your calendar!
The event will take place in the Gardens of the Pestana Palácio do Freixo, which is an absolutely stunning location, especially for a Queen concert – not to mention being a National Monument of Porto! Will we see you there?
5. We Call It Flamenco
When: July 27
Where: Hilton Porto Gaia, R. de Serpa Pinto 124, 4400-307 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
How much: Zone A tickets – 43 EUR; Zone B tickets – 38 EUR; Zone C tickets – 29 EUR; Zone D tickets – 19 EUR.
A bit of Spain in the heart of Porto? That’s exactly what you’ll get here! If you visit Porto on or around the 27th of July, you’ll have the opportunity to soak up some Spanish culture, thanks to the We Call it Flamenco event. It is, in short, a celebration of Spanish dance and music, with the help of six different styles of flamenco performed by professional artists, namely Aroa Bravo and Sara Ortega. They will dance pure flamenco with rhythm and lyrics provided by Vicky Gonzales (singer) and Jose Angel Castilla (guitarist).
Everything will be flamenco – from the dancers to the music and settings! You should not miss it if Spanish culture has a special place in your heart!
Unfortunately, the event will take place on two separate days this summer – the 29th of June and the 27th of July – and will last for one hour only. However, you are promised a genuine flamenco experience in four acts!
6. The Cult Concert
When: July 16
Where: Coliseu Porto Ageas, R. de Passos Manuel 137, 4000-385 Porto, Portugal
How much: From 25 to 40 EUR
Here is one for the oldies! The Cult dates back to 1983 when it was formed in Bradford. It has had ups and downs throughout the years, especially in 2002, when the band disbanded for a second time. However, they got back together in 2006 and have been rocking the world since! The Cult is known as a gothic rock and post-punk band, so it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
However, if it’s your cup of tea, you’ll be able to listen to their music live in Porto on the 16th of July at Coliseu Porto Ageas.
7. Kruder & Dorfmeister
When: July 7
Where: Eletrico Fest, Parque Urbano da Pasteleira, R. de Diogo Botelho, 4150-124 Porto, Portugal
How much: From 35 EUR
Maybe rock’s not for you? Maybe you prefer more electric vibes and beats! If that’s the case, this DJ duo offers you the perfect way to spend one of your days in Porto. The Austrian duo Kruder & Dorfmeister is ready to mix things up with sets consisting of trip-hop and downtempo, as well as pop, hip-hop remixes, and drum and bass! Who doesn’t enjoy some drum and bass once in a while, right?
In case you haven’t heard or listened to Kruder & Dorfmeister yet, all we can tell you is that they’ve been active since 1993 (with a seven-year break from 2013 to 2020) but also that they were commissioned by Nokia to create ringtones from some of their phones! How cool is that?! As such, while the two are not necessarily huge names in the music world, they will definitely entertain you with catchy tunes and beats!
8. But Wait, What’s the Eletrico Fest?
When: July 5 – 7
Where: Parque Urbano da Pasteleira, R. de Diogo Botelho, 4150-124 Porto, Portugal
How much: From 35 EUR
As we mentioned, July is one of the busiest months for Porto, and for good reason. The temperatures are getting higher and higher, and there are as many tourists as the city can hold! But it’s not all about the wine and glorious beaches – the festivals here are on an entirely different level!
Among these, a couple of which we mentioned throughout the article, there’s Eletrico Fest, a haven for electronic music enthusiasts, as well as for those passionate about art and technology! As the organizers themselves put it – it’s an outdoor experience that blends the three (art, tech, and music) perfectly!
The Eletrico Fest takes place on the 5th, 6th, and 7th of July. The price mentioned above for the Kruder & Dorfmeister duo implies a day’s pass for the festival, so you’ll experience more than the DJ duo.
Besides the DJs mentioned above, you’ll be able to listen to Cruz, David Moreira, Diana Oliveira, Gerd Janson, DJ Holographic, Madd Rod, Michael Mayer, and others!
But What Really Is the Best About Eletrico Fest?
The best part is that you can forget about conventional experiences. Eletrico Fest is an event designed with inclusivity and families in mind. There will be a ton of activities that extend beyond the stage and the performances.
You’ll have art in a dedicated gallery, Mupi Gallery, showcasing local artists!
You’ll have energy in an area dedicated to meditation, yoga, and mindfulness!
Your kids will have fun in a dedicated area for families that comes with plenty of activities for children and the entire family, of course.
Eletrico Fest marks the start of a full month in Porto – it might as well mark the start of your holiday there!
9. Take a Break from Urban Areas and Go to Douro Valley
How much: 145 EUR for adults; 116 EUR for children
As mentioned, Porto can be quite busy in July, so you may get a bit tired of the urban jungle, right?! Why not take a break and enjoy a tour of the incredible Douro Valley Region? Luckily, there are plenty of guided tours from Porto.
You’ll be picked up at the hotel and head straight to the Douro Valley, which is a UNESCO World Heritage, so it’s definitely worth a visit! You won’t only taste the country’s finest wines but also delight in exceptional views! When you arrive in the heart of the Douro Valley, in the village of Pinhão, you’ll be able to go on a private boat cruise along the Douro River. Make sure to have your phone charged – the views are spectacular, and you’ll definitely want to capture them on camera! In addition, you’ll try a three-course traditional meal and visit a family-run winery where you’ll learn more about wine production.
There’s no need to worry about language barriers – the expert guides speak Portuguese, Spanish, English, and French! You can even take your kids if you want. They’ll certainly enjoy both the views and the delicious food!
