Porto, Portugal (and Portugal in general) is a very safe and friendly place. Most citizens in the main city centers speak English and are always looking to help. Take the usual precautions against pickpockets in crowded areas and trains.
Where to Stay: Yes! Hostels
One of the top rated hostels in Porto. Very clean, great friendly staff and right in the center of downtown within walking distance of the main attractions.
Included:
– Breakfast 8am – 10am.
– Free (tip based) walking tours right from the hostel in the morning (10:30am) and in the afternoon (3:30pm)
Additional perks and ways to save:
– €10 dinners every night at 9pm with unlimited drinks until 11pm.
– Except for Sundays and Mondays there’s a pub crawl nightly for €12 (€10 if you get dinner at the hostel) that goes as long as you want to stay out.
– €15 wine tour leaving straight from the hostel.
– Of course, the hostel will help you with other tour bookings as needed, including surfing trips.
Tip: Be sure to ask your walking tour guide for tips on cheap (and good!) local places to eat that won’t gauge you for your tourist dollars. You can get a decent lunch from €3 – €5 quite easily.
Other:
Train from Lisbon to Porto: €24 (roughly 3 hours with great views of the country side along the way and free wifi).