At A Glance
Porto in January averages highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C, with rain on about 13 days and nine and a half hours of daylight, and the first week brings the New Year concert, Dia de Reis and the last nights of the Christmas lights.
- New Year's Day is a public holiday, with a free concert on Avenida dos Aliados in the afternoon.
- Dia de Reis on 6 January closes the Christmas season with Bolo-Rei and the Janeiras carol singers.
- The Christmas lights have stayed on until 6 January in recent years.
- Port lodges, museums, cafés and food markets make January a rewarding month in the city.
- Canto de Luz welcomes guests from New Year through Three Kings, five minutes from Aliados.
January in Porto starts with a celebration. The city welcomes the new year on Avenida dos Aliados, holds a free concert on the same avenue on the afternoon of 1 January, and keeps its Christmas lights on until Three Kings on 6 January. If you are arriving for the countdown, the New Year's Eve party on Aliados is the perfect way to begin your stay.
After the first week, Porto settles into its winter rhythm: mild, often wet, with crisp blue days between the fronts, and the long list of things to do in Porto in winter comes into its own, from port lodges and museums to long lunches in old taverns.
Here is January in Porto in detail: the weather in figures, the New Year concert, Three Kings and its traditions, the best things to do in the city and the Douro Valley, the food to try, the winter Atlantic at Foz, and where to stay.
Starting the year in Porto? See New Year dates at Canto de Luz, five minutes from the Aliados concert.
Is Porto Worth Visiting in January?
Yes, especially in the first week. Between 1 and 6 January the city is still festive, with the lights on, Bolo-Rei in every pastry shop and the Janeiras being sung, and the week offers a free concert on Aliados and some of the year's best-value travel after the New Year rush.
Later in the month, January rewards travellers who love food, wine, museums and long walks. The streets are calm, tables at the best restaurants are easier to book, and much of what makes Porto special, from the port lodges to Livraria Lello and the tiled hall of São Bento station, is indoors. On a clear day the light on the Douro is beautiful.
The rain is the main thing to plan around. January has around 13 days with measurable rain, so build in flexible plans, pack a waterproof coat, and keep a port tasting or a museum in reserve for a wet afternoon.
Why Visit Porto in January
- The festive first week, with the New Year concert and Dia de Reis.
- The calmest month at Porto's best-known sights.
- Better value on flights and hotels after the New Year.
- Warming winter food, from tripas to caldo verde.
- Dramatic Atlantic waves at Foz and quiet days in the Douro Valley.
Porto Weather in January: Temperatures, Rain and Daylight
Porto weather in January is mild and changeable. Atlantic fronts bring spells of rain and wind, often followed by clear, sunny days with cold mornings. Daytime temperatures in the low to mid teens are normal, and frost is uncommon in the city.
The figures below are the official averages for Porto from the Portuguese weather service, IPMA, for 1991 to 2020, measured at the Porto airport station north of the city.
| January in Porto | Average |
|---|---|
| Daytime high | 14.0°C |
| Night-time low | 6.4°C |
| Mean temperature | 10.2°C |
| Rainfall | 151mm |
| Days with rain | About 13 |
| Frost nights | About 1 a month |
| Sea temperature | About 13°C to 15°C |
January is one of the wetter months, with similar rainfall to December and a little less than November. February is noticeably drier, with around 98mm of rain over ten days.
Rain tends to arrive in bands, so most days have dry spells. Forecasts are reliable a day or two ahead, which makes it easy to move a river walk or a trip to Foz to the brightest day of your stay.
What to Wear in Porto in January
Dress for wind and rain rather than real cold. A warm, waterproof coat with a hood is more practical than an umbrella on the windy riverside, and layers let you adjust between the cold streets and the warm cafés and museums.
The granite pavements and steep streets are slippery when wet, so shoes with good grip are essential.
What to Pack for Porto in January
- A warm, waterproof coat with a hood.
- Shoes with good grip for wet granite pavements and steep streets.
- Layers you can remove indoors, as cafés, museums and restaurants are warm.
- A scarf, hat and gloves for evenings and early starts.
- A smarter outfit for dinner; Porto dresses up a little in winter.
Sunrise and Sunset Times in Porto in January
Days lengthen through the month. On 1 January the sun rises at about 07:58 and sets at about 17:18, giving around nine hours and 20 minutes of daylight. By 31 January sunset is at about 17:51 and the day has gained almost 50 minutes.
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 07:58 | 17:18 | 9h 20m |
| 6 January | 07:58 | 17:22 | 9h 24m |
| 15 January | 07:56 | 17:32 | 9h 36m |
| 31 January | 07:45 | 17:51 | 10h 06m |
Plan outdoor sightseeing for late morning and early afternoon, and catch the sunset from the terraces of the Jardim do Morro in Gaia, pictured above, or from the seafront at Foz.
New Year in Porto: The 1 January Concert on Aliados
New Year's Day is a public holiday, and Porto wakes up slowly after the celebrations on Aliados. The city traditionally holds a free New Year concert on the avenue at 16:00 on 1 January. In 2026 it was given by the Banda Sinfónica Portuguesa.
It is a relaxed, family-friendly way to see the avenue again in daylight, with the giant Christmas tree still standing in front of City Hall. Arrive a little early for a good spot, and bring a warm layer for the late afternoon.
For the brave, locals also mark the day with a cold first swim of the year at the beaches of Matosinhos, a short metro ride from the centre.
What Is Open in Porto on 1 January
Many shops close on 1 January, the metro and buses run a holiday timetable, and some attractions close for the day, including Livraria Lello. Most museums are closed or keep shorter hours.
Restaurants that open fill quickly, so book lunch or dinner in advance. Cafés and pastry shops in the centre are the most reliable for a late breakfast, and the riverside at the Ribeira is lovely for a slow afternoon walk.
January Sales in Porto
From 2 January the city returns to normal, with shops, museums and markets open and the January sales, the saldos, under way. The biggest discounts are in the shops of Rua de Santa Catarina and the city centre, and in the large shopping centres.
Look for Portuguese brands of shoes, leather goods and homeware, as well as cork products and ceramics, which make lasting souvenirs.
Three Kings Day in Portugal: What Dia de Reis Means
Dia de Reis, or Three Kings Day, falls on 6 January. In the Christian calendar it is the Epiphany, when the three wise men, the Reis Magos, reached the infant Jesus with their gifts.
In Portugal it marks the official end of the Christmas season: families share the last Bolo-Rei, the Janeiras singers make their final rounds, and the Christmas trees and street lights come down. Churches, including Porto's Cathedral, hold Epiphany services.
Dia de Reis is not a public holiday in Portugal, so shops, museums and offices open as normal. It is a quieter, more family-centred day than in neighbouring Spain, where the Kings bring the children's presents and cities hold parades.
In Portugal, the presents were opened at Christmas, and Dia de Reis is about the table and the last of the festive cheer. For visitors, it is a lovely moment to be in the city: festive, but with the calm of a normal working day.
| Portugal | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 6 January | 6 January |
| Public holiday | No | Yes |
| Presents | Opened at Christmas | Brought by the Kings |
| Parades | Rare | Cabalgatas in most cities |
| Cake | Bolo-Rei | Roscón de Reyes |
Bolo-Rei, the Portuguese King Cake
The Bolo-Rei is the cake of the season: a ring of soft sweet bread topped with crystallised fruit, nuts and sugar, eaten from Christmas until 6 January. It came from France in the 19th century, and the Confeitaria Nacional in Lisbon is credited with making it popular in Portugal.
By tradition a dried broad bean, the fava, was hidden inside, and whoever found it bought the next cake. Many bakeries still include the fava, so cut and chew with a little care.
Every pastry shop in Porto sells Bolo-Rei in early January, alongside the Bolo-Rainha, its fruit-free sister topped with nuts. Confeitaria Petúlia, open since 1972, sells it all year round, and in January you will also find chocolate versions and other modern twists.
Janeiras: Carol Singing from Door to Door
Between New Year and Dia de Reis, groups of friends, neighbours and choirs go from door to door singing the Janeiras, traditional songs that wish each household a good year.
In return they receive treats such as dried fruit, chouriço, sweets or a glass of wine. The songs are often accompanied by guitars, accordions and tambourines, and many verses are improvised for the household.
The custom is strongest in towns and villages in the north, and several hold gatherings of Janeiras and Reis singers in the first weeks of January, where groups from across the region perform in turn.
The Last Nights of the Porto Christmas Lights
In recent years Porto's Christmas lights have stayed on until Dia de Reis, with the giant tree on Avenida dos Aliados and around 94 decorated streets lit from late afternoon.
The first week of January is your last chance to see Christmas in Porto at its brightest. Walk inside the tree on Aliados, follow the lights along Rua de Santa Catarina, and finish with a hot chocolate in one of the old cafés.
The old town is beautiful on a clear, cold evening, and the streets are much calmer than in December.
Things to Do in Porto in January
January is a good month for Porto's best-known sights, which are calmer than at any other time of year, and for the experiences that suit a cool day: port tastings, concerts, museums and long lunches.
Mix indoor and outdoor plans, and keep the best-forecast day for the river, the viewpoints and the coast.
| Experience | Best for | Indoors or outdoors |
|---|---|---|
| Port tasting in Gaia | A rainy afternoon | Indoors |
| Livraria Lello | An early morning | Indoors |
| São Bento station | A quick visit on any day | Indoors |
| Serralves Museum and Park | Art and a garden walk | Both |
| Foz do Douro | Waves and sunset | Outdoors |
| Douro Valley day trip | A clear day | Both |
Port Wine Tasting in the Gaia Cellars
Cross the lower deck of the Dom Luís I bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia, where the port lodges age their wines in long cellars of oak casks. Most offer tours and tastings throughout the winter.
An afternoon spent learning the difference between a tawny and a ruby, glass in hand, is the perfect answer to a rainy day. Some lodges pair their ports with chocolate or cheese, and most have a shop where you can buy the bottles you liked best.
Book ahead at weekends, and walk back across the bridge after dark for the view of the old town lit up across the river.
Livraria Lello and São Bento Station
Livraria Lello, the neo-Gothic bookshop with its famous red staircase, is far calmer in January than in summer, and morning visits are the most relaxed. Tickets are booked online for a timed entry, and the shop is closed on 1 January.
A short walk downhill, São Bento station is free to visit, with around 20,000 blue and white azulejo tiles telling the story of Portugal in its main hall. It is also where the Douro line trains depart.
Serralves Museum and Park
The Serralves Foundation brings together a contemporary art museum, an Art Deco villa and a large park with a treetop walk through the canopy.
In January the gardens are peaceful and the bare trees open up views across the grounds. Opening hours change over the holidays, so check before you go, and allow half a day to see the museum, the villa and the park.
January Concerts and Events in Porto
January brings a busy concert calendar. António Zambujo and Miguel Araújo, performing together as UJOS, play five nights at the Coliseu Porto Ageas from 5 to 9 January 2027, a perfect evening for anyone staying through Three Kings.
Casa da Música presents orchestral, jazz and contemporary programmes through the month, and its building is worth a visit in its own right. For film lovers, the Fantasporto festival follows in late February.
The Douro Valley in January
The Douro Valley in January is a different world from the busy harvest months. The vines are dormant and bare, mist often fills the valley in the morning, and on clear days the terraced hills glow in the low winter sun.
It is the most peaceful time of year to visit, and the landscape has a stark beauty of its own. Pruning starts in the vineyards in winter, and you may see the work under way on the terraces.
The Douro Line Train in January
Regular CP trains on the Douro line run all year from São Bento station to Peso da Régua and Pinhão, following the river for much of the way. Sit on the right-hand side heading upstream for the best views.
The historic steam train only runs in summer and early autumn, and many multi-day river cruises pause in mid-winter, so plan around the train or a guided day tour.
Quinta Visits and Tastings in Winter
Many quintas receive visitors through the winter, but tastings are usually by appointment and some smaller estates close for a few weeks, so book ahead.
A day tour with two quinta visits and lunch is the easiest option, and our team is happy to recommend one and arrange an early breakfast to take with you.
Start the New Year in Porto's Old Town
Canto de Luz is a restored Boutique Maison on Rua do Almada, five minutes from the Aliados concert, with a heated outdoor saltwater pool open all year and a homemade breakfast every morning. From €99 a night.
Porto Food in January: Tripas à Moda do Porto and Winter Classics
January is the month for Porto's most comforting dishes. The city's signature is tripas à moda do Porto, a slow-cooked stew of tripe, white beans, chouriço and meats, usually served with rice.
It is the origin of the nickname tripeiros, “tripe eaters”, for the people of Porto. Legend says that in 1415 the city gave its best meat to the fleet sailing to conquer Ceuta and kept only the tripe for itself.
Tripas are served in traditional tascas and restaurants across the city, often on particular days of the week. Ask our team for the places we recommend, from family-run taverns to more refined dining rooms.
Porto Winter Dishes to Try in January
- Tripas à moda do Porto: tripe and white bean stew.
- Caldo verde: kale and potato soup with chouriço.
- Francesinha: layered sandwich in a rich beer and tomato sauce.
- Cozido à portuguesa: boiled meats, sausages and vegetables.
- Bolo-Rei: the king cake, until 6 January.
Caldo Verde and Francesinha for Cold Days
Caldo verde, a soup of potato and finely shredded kale with a slice of chouriço, is the classic starter on a cold day, and it is served everywhere from cafés to the best restaurants.
The francesinha, Porto's famous sandwich of bread, meats and melted cheese in a rich beer and tomato sauce, is the ultimate winter lunch. Every local has a favourite café for it, and plenty swear by making a francesinha at home once they have mastered the sauce.
Cooking Classes and Port Tastings at Canto Cooking
To take the flavours of Porto home with you, cook them. Canto Cooking, our culinary school inside Canto de Luz, runs market tours through the Mercado do Bolhão and hands-on cooking classes where you prepare Portuguese dishes with our chef before sitting down to eat them.
Every day we also hold wine and port tastings with tapas, a lovely way to end a January afternoon. Book early January dates ahead, as classes are small. Dates and bookings are on the Canto Cooking website.
Cook Porto Winter Classics with Canto Cooking
Market tours through the Bolhão, hands-on cooking classes and daily wine and port tastings with tapas, all at our culinary school inside Canto de Luz.
Surfing in Porto and the Winter Atlantic at Foz
Winter is when the Atlantic shows its power. January brings some of the most consistent waves of the year, and surfing in Porto carries on through the winter, from Matosinhos to the beaches south of the river.
Even if you never set foot on a board, the coast is one of the best places in Porto to spend a bright January day.
Winter Waves at Foz do Douro
On stormy days, huge swells break over the Felgueiras lighthouse pier at Foz do Douro, where the river meets the ocean, and watching from a safe distance is one of the most dramatic sights in the city.
On calmer days, the walk along the Foz do Douro seafront, past the Pergola and the Castelo do Queijo, is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon in the winter sun, with seafood restaurants and cafés along the way.
Surf Lessons at Matosinhos in January
The sea is about 13°C to 15°C in January, so surfers wear a thick wetsuit with boots. The surf schools at Matosinhos rent equipment and run lessons for beginners when conditions allow.
The metro reaches Matosinhos in around half an hour from the old town, and the town's grilled fish restaurants make the perfect lunch after a session in the water.
Stay in Porto from New Year to Three Kings at Canto de Luz
The best of January in Porto is concentrated in its first week, from the countdown on Aliados to the last Bolo-Rei on 6 January. Canto de Luz welcomes guests through New Year and Three Kings, with our final stays in the first days of January before the Maison closes for its annual maintenance in the second week of the month.
Canto de Luz is a ruin we restored into a Boutique Maison on Rua do Almada, opened with French hospitality, five minutes from Avenida dos Aliados.
A Boutique Hotel in Porto Five Minutes from Aliados
Our suites are designed for comfort after a day in the winter air, and the Maison is ideally placed for the New Year concert and the lights.
The suites have air conditioning, a Samsung Art TV with Netflix and Disney, an Echo, a Nespresso machine and Rituals amenities, and Villa Almada and the two Duplex Garden Villas suit families and groups.
From our door it is about five minutes to Aliados for the New Year concert, and ten minutes to São Bento and the Clérigos Tower. Check New Year availability.
Our team shares the New Year programme, restaurant suggestions and opening times for 1 January before you arrive.
Breakfast and a Heated Pool in Porto in Winter
Mornings start slowly at the Maison, and afternoons can end in warm water.
Breakfast is homemade every morning with ingredients from the Bolhão, served in the Orangerie and on the garden terrace, and in early January there is always a slice of Bolo-Rei on the table.
Our heated outdoor saltwater pool is open all year from 09:30 to 19:30. A swim in warm water under a winter sky is a wonderful way to start the year.
In the evening, our wine machine pours Douro wines by the tasting glass or the full glass with a small plates menu, and our private chef can cook for you at the Maison when booked in advance.
A Note from Susan
“The first week of January is one of my favourite times in Porto. The lights are still on, the Bolo-Rei is everywhere, and on 1 January the whole city comes back to Aliados for the afternoon concert. My advice is to stay through to Three Kings, take a cooking class or a port tasting on a rainy afternoon, and go to Foz on a stormy day to watch the waves.”
Google review
★★★★★
“We had an excellent stay and the service was top notch! We booked a wine and port tasting experience … The room was cozy and quiet and the fresh breakfast was superb!”
Hillary Eye, Google review
Porto in January: Frequently Asked Questions
Tap a question to see the answer.
Is Porto Worth Visiting in January?
Yes. The first week brings the New Year concert on Aliados, Dia de Reis and the last nights of the Christmas lights, and the rest of the month is ideal for port tastings, museums, food and calm sightseeing.
What is the Weather Like in Porto in January?
Mild and changeable. The official 1991 to 2020 averages give a high of 14.0°C and a low of 6.4°C, with about 151mm of rain over roughly 13 days, and clear, sunny days between the fronts.
Does it Rain a Lot in Porto in January?
January is one of the wetter months, with rain on about 13 days. Rain usually comes in bands, so most days have dry spells, and February is noticeably drier.
What Should I Wear in Porto in January?
A warm waterproof coat with a hood, shoes with good grip for wet pavements, layers you can remove indoors, and a scarf and gloves for the evenings.
Is 6 January a Public Holiday in Portugal?
No. Dia de Reis on 6 January marks the end of the Christmas season but is not a public holiday, so shops, museums and offices are open. New Year's Day on 1 January is a public holiday.
What is Bolo-Rei and When is it Eaten?
Bolo-Rei is the Portuguese king cake, a ring of sweet bread topped with crystallised fruit and nuts. It is eaten from Christmas until Dia de Reis on 6 January.
Is the Douro Valley Worth Visiting in January?
Yes, for peaceful landscapes. The vines are bare and the valley is often misty in the morning. Regular trains run all year from São Bento, but book quinta tastings ahead, as many are by appointment in winter.
Is the Sea Warm Enough to Surf in Porto in January?
The sea is about 13°C to 15°C in January, so surfers wear a thick wetsuit with boots. Winter brings consistent waves, and surf schools at Matosinhos run lessons when conditions allow.
Start the Year Five Minutes from Aliados
Canto de Luz welcomes guests from New Year through Three Kings on Rua do Almada. Homemade breakfast every morning, a heated saltwater pool open year round, and Canto Cooking under the same roof. From €99 a night.
Check New Year AvailabilityImage credits: Dale Cruse (CC BY 4.0), Reiner Ehlers (CC BY 2.0), Paulo Gomes (CC BY 2.0), Krzysztof Golik (CC BY-SA 4.0), Celsoazevedo (CC BY 4.0), José Conçalves (CC BY-SA 3.0), John Samuel (CC BY-SA 4.0), Ray in Manila (CC BY 2.0), Joseolgon (CC BY 4.0), Philip Sheldrake (CC BY-SA 2.0), Acediscovery (CC BY 4.0), Ray Swi-hymn (CC BY-SA 2.0), MariaCartas (CC BY-SA 3.0), Bex Walton (CC BY 2.0) and Ralf Junghanns (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
