Picolo recommends · Hotel in Porto, Portugal
InterContinental Porto Palácio das Cardosas
A long classical palace at the foot of Avenida dos Aliados, with the town hall at the far end of the view and the Ribeira downhill.
Step out of the revolving door and the whole of Avenida dos Aliados opens in front of you, rising gently to the town hall tower. The InterContinental occupies the Palácio das Cardosas, an old palace stretching along one end of Praça da Liberdade.
São Bento station, with its blue and white tiled hall, and the Aliados metro are close by. From here the streets slope down to the river on one side and up towards the Clérigos tower on the other.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose InterContinental Porto Palácio das Cardosas
For a first trip to Porto it removes the guesswork. The metro from the airport drops you near the door, the main sights are a short walk in either direction, and the rooms and breakfast deliver what a top international hotel should.
It is big, polished and somewhat formal, with the feel of a chain at its best rather than a personal hideaway. If you prefer a small hotel where the staff know your name, look at Torel 1884 instead.
What you get
- Full hotel service and concierge
- Generous breakfast
- Metro from the airport a short walk away
- Historic palace building
- Restaurant and bar on site
A day at InterContinental Porto Palácio das Cardosas
- Morning
- Breakfast before crossing the square to the tiled hall at São Bento.
- Midday
- Down the steep lanes to the river for lunch on the quay.
- Afternoon
- Up to the Clérigos tower and the Lello bookshop nearby.
- Evening
- A drink in the bar, then a stroll along the lit avenue.
Location
Praça da Liberdade, Porto, Portugal
Open in MapsQuestions about InterContinental Porto Palácio das Cardosas
Is InterContinental Porto close to São Bento station?
Yes. The tiled station is only a couple of minutes on foot from the hotel, as is the Aliados metro stop.
Do rooms at InterContinental Porto have a view?
Rooms on the square side look up Avenida dos Aliados towards the town hall. Other rooms face the side streets or the interior, so ask if the view matters.
Is InterContinental Porto a good choice for a first visit?
It is one of the easiest bases in the city: central, simple to reach from the airport by metro and within walking distance of most sights.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
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