Make no mistake – food is a big part of people's identity in Northern Portugal, which means you'll necessarily spend a lot of time around the dinner table if you want to mingle with the locals! As such, and after spending some time stuffing your face with egg-custard-based sweets, pork, cod and the infamous Francesinha (not to mention all the wine), your body will surely start begging for some physical activity. Luckily, there are plenty of activities and facilities in Porto to help you get back in shape after spending a while here!
Gyms in Porto
Unsurprisingly, there are loads of gyms scattered across the city. Whether you just want to lift some weights by yourself, try CrossFit, or engage in some group lessons (Body Combat, Zumba, Cycling – you name it), you will surely find the local place that better caters to your needs.
With branches all over the city, franchises, such as The Fitness Hut or Solinca, are among the top choices. For something leaning towards the low-cost market, you may also give it a go at Fitness Element, where you can do some exercise for as little as 2.99€/week.
Cycling in Porto
Although the downtown area may not be the best place to cycle since the hectic traffic and hilly terrain may prove quite the challenges, Porto actually boasts a lot of cool places where you can just grab your bike and go, go, go! Especially along the river banks, you can pedal for more than 10 km on a straight line until you reach Matosinhos, with its magnificent promenade by the Atlantic Sea.
If you don't own a bike, Uber provides rental bikes by the hour all across the city. Simply download the app to access the bike, and you're free to go! Plus, there are quite a few shops in the city where you can rent equipment in person, such as Biclas & Triclas, Vieguini or Porto Rent a Bike.
Football in Porto
In Portugal, football is king. More than a national hobby, people are truly obsessed with it. They watch it, they discuss it, they argue over it, and – of course – they play it. As such, if you want to find a place to play with your group of friends, just check out some of the indoor and outdoor football pitches available for hire in the city. If you'd like to play but struggle with finding people to team up with, there are also mobile apps that help you find other players interested in joining a football game. It's not only a great way to stay in shape but a chance to meet new people, too.
You can check what pitches are available for rent (indoor or outdoor) on specialized mobile apps such as Air Courts and Fields.pt.
Swimming in Porto
There are several municipal swimming pools all over the city, offering rates for individual or group lessons, specialized classes (such as hydro gymnastics) or freestyle (as in, go in the pool and do whatever you want for an hour)! You'll probably need to enroll in a plan that allows you to visit the pool a specific number of times per week or month. Plus, remember swimming caps are mandatory when using the pools in Porto!
Tennis and padel in Porto
Rising sharply in popularity, racket sports (such as tennis, padel, squash, or pickleball) are quickly becoming a favorite hobby among many Portuguese and expats alike. Though not as widespread as football pitches, the number of courts in the city is growing by the day, and you can easily find them (and book them) through the same apps we've shared above for football.
Running and jogging in Porto
Aside from the aforementioned places to bike – like the sea promenades in Matosinhos and Foz do Douro and the river banks – there are plenty of other places in Porto where you can just grab your headset, put on your most comfortable sneakers and get going!
Needless to say, green areas are always a safe bet, which is why jogging is a great thing to do at Parque da Cidade, Quinta do Covelo, or the Palácio de Cristal Gardens. On the other hand, if you prefer a busier and more urban setting, you can make your way to Avenida da Boavista and just jog along the longest avenue in the entire country (over 5km, in case you're wondering).
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
