Pools are rare in Porto’s old town, where most buildings are narrow granite townhouses. Canto de Luz is different: a restored Boutique Maison on Rua do Almada, in the heart of the old town, with a heated outdoor saltwater pool in its own walled garden. You can spend the morning at the Clérigos Tower and the Bolhão market and be back by the water for the afternoon.
Every stay includes our homemade breakfast and use of the pool and garden. Guests who want their own water can book Villa Almada, a two-bedroom villa with a private pool, and families have the choice of Maison suites, garden villas and apartments with kitchens.
The pool is outdoors, saltwater and heated, and it is open daily from 09:30 to 19:30. In summer it is the coolest place in the old town after a day on the hills; in winter a warm swim under a clear sky is one of the things our guests remember most about Porto in winter.
Around the water there are sun loungers and parasols in a walled garden, out of sight of the street. Canto de Luz is an eco-building, generating nearly 80% of its electricity from solar power, and our culinary school, Canto Cooking, runs wine and port tastings a few steps from the pool.
Villa Almada is our private two-bedroom villa in the grounds of the Maison, and its own 5 x 5 metre swimming pool sits in the villa’s private garden. The water is cleaned by salt electrolysis rather than chlorine, and on request it can be heated to between 28 and 30°C for your stay.
Inside, two ensuite bedrooms open onto a large open-plan living, dining and kitchen space, and the dining deck has a gas BBQ for evenings outside. It suits families and small groups who want a private villa in Porto with hotel service close at hand, and it is a favourite for Christmas in Porto too.
Our Duplex Garden Retreat Villas are private one-bedroom villas with their own patio, fully equipped kitchen and washer/dryer. They sit in the same grounds as the Maison, so the heated pool, the garden and breakfast are all part of the stay.
They suit couples and young families who want the independence of a villa with the comfort of a hotel, and breakfast can be delivered to the villa in the morning.
Our Maison rooms and suites are individually designed, with Superking or twin beds, luxury linen, Rituals toiletries, air conditioning and blackout blinds. Every suite includes breakfast and use of the heated pool and garden throughout your stay.
Travelling with children? Most suites can become a family room with an extra sofa bed, and our guide to family stays in Porto explains the options for larger families.
Every stay at our Porto hotel with pool includes breakfast and use of the heated saltwater pool and garden. Villa Almada adds a private pool of its own.
| Stay | Guests | Bedrooms | Pool | Kitchen | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villa Almada | Up to 7 (4 adults) | 2 ensuite bedrooms | Private pool, heating option | Full kitchen, washer/dryer | Families and small groups |
| Duplex Garden Retreat Villa | 2 adults + 2 children | 1 bedroom, ensuite | Heated Maison pool | Full kitchen, washer/dryer | Couples and young families |
| Maison Suites | 2, or a family room | Superking or twin | Heated Maison pool | Nespresso, kettle | Couples and short breaks |
| Aparthotel apartments | Up to 8 | Studio or 2 bedrooms | Heated Maison pool | Full kitchen, washer/dryer | Longer stays |
| Exclusive use | The whole Maison | Every suite and villa | The pool for your group only | Kitchen team on request | Celebrations and groups |
Outdoor saltwater pool, heated and open daily from 09:30 to 19:30
Villa Almada has its own 5 x 5 metre saltwater pool and garden
Homemade breakfast every morning, made with market produce
Free early check-in whenever possible, plus luggage storage
Family rooms, garden villas and apartments with space to spread out
Luxury linen, Rituals toiletries, air conditioning and blackout blinds
★★★★★Google review"We had a lovely 3 night stay here recently. Stayed in a spacious room with a view over the garden area. All the staff were very friendly and accommodating. The pool is small but perfect for cooling off on a hot summers day!"
★★★★★Google review"We had an incredible stay at Canto de Luz and highly recommend it, especially for families traveling with little ones! The location is perfect: central yet on a quiet street ... Breakfast each morning was a highlight, delicious, fresh, and thoughtfully prepared."
★★★★★Google review"An absolutely lovely place to stay. So calm and peaceful, but very central. The rooms were beautiful, and very spacious, and the breakfast and wines were also lovely. The staff were all very kind."
★★★★★Google review"Wonderful hotel in a great area. Excellent breakfast, perfect for those who prefer a boutique, personal touch to their stay. We will definitely be back! Small cheese board enjoyed on our room balcony!"
★★★★★Google review"Stayed here for a week with my little family. Staff were always friendly and warm. The hotel was clean and had a homie vibe. We had an amazing time!"
★★★★★Google review"Great staff and wonderful rooms. Breakfast is incredible. Very nice locations. We loved our time there."
★★★★★Google review"Little gem of a place. We had a garden view suite which was lovely and clean with lots of nice little touches."
★★★★★Google review"Fabulous! Beautiful accommodations, personalized attention, excellent fresh breakfast, great location! 5 stars."
★★★★★Google review"A boutique hotel above expectations. Beautiful rooms, equipped with every comfort and more! The whole staff is young and very kind."
Canto de Luz is on Rua do Almada, a historic street in Porto’s historic centre. Avenida dos Aliados is five minutes away on foot, São Bento station and the Clérigos Tower about ten, and the Ribeira riverfront fifteen minutes downhill.
That means you can walk to the sights in the morning, come back for a swim after lunch and head out again for dinner, without a taxi or a metro ride in between.
Yes. Canto de Luz is a boutique hotel in Porto with a heated outdoor saltwater pool in its walled garden. Use of the pool is included in every stay.
Yes. The outdoor saltwater pool is heated, so you can swim in winter as well as in summer.
The hotel pool is open daily from 09:30 to 19:30. Villa Almada guests can use their own private pool whenever they like during their stay.
Yes. Villa Almada is our two-bedroom villa with its own 5 x 5 metre saltwater pool in a private garden, in the grounds of the Maison. It sleeps up to 7 people, including up to 4 adults.
Yes, for a daily fee. When heated, the water is between 28 and 30°C. Heating is booked for the whole stay and needs 24 to 36 hours’ notice before arrival, and we send a link a few days before you arrive.
Yes. Use of the heated pool and garden is included with every stay at Canto de Luz, whether you book a Maison suite, a garden villa or an apartment. Villa Almada guests also have their own private pool.
Yes. A homemade breakfast is included with every stay, and villa guests can have breakfast delivered to the villa.
Canto de Luz is at Rua do Almada 539, 4050-039 Porto, in the historic centre, five minutes on foot from Avenida dos Aliados and fifteen minutes from the Ribeira.
