Ever felt the urge to ditch the sweatpants, get out of bed and head over to a place that truly stimulates your productivity? If the answer is “yes”, then we have wonderful news: there are many spots where Erasmus students and Digital Nomads can study and work in Porto.
For full concentration, you might wanna try Porto’s finest public libraries. But if you want to spicy up your daily routine, a cat-friendly vegan cafe for some pet cuddling while working is a great idea. And why not do some studying while surrounded by the best musicians in Portugal?
The options are endless, and to make your life easier, we selected the 6 best places to work and study in Porto. Just a hint: they’re well equipped with comfy seating areas, free wi-fi, and swoon-worthy menus.
1. Moustache Coffee House:
Located in Carlos Alberto Square, next to the Reitoria da Universidade do Porto, the Moustache Coffee House is a great place to study in Porto. They have free Wi-Fi and a great 100% arabica espresso for when you need an extra dose of energy. Feel like grabbing a bite? Order one - or more- of their bestseller desserts: the banoffee pie, the carrot cake and the cheesecake.
The Moustache Coffee House is usually full of students and remote workers, so it’s not always easy to find a place to seat.
Location: Praça de Carlos Alberto 104
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday (10:30 am - 6:30 pm)
2. O Porto dos Gatos:
In English O Porto dos Gatos literally means “The Porto of the Cats”. And cute cats is exactly what you’ll find in this pet-friendly cafe! Located in Bonfim, close to the Campo 24 de Agosto metro station, O Porto dos Gatos is the place to go if you need to work/study, but also take a break to cuddle with rescued cats.
O Porto dos Gatos has a 100% vegan menu with plenty of snacks, like no-meat hot dogs and Francesinhas. Not to mention their creatively-named hot beverages, like te “CATucino”. You can either choose an inside table, for more focus or sit on the terrace whenever you need to catch some fresh air.
Location: Av. de Rodrigues de Freitas, 93
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday (10 am - 7 pm)
3. U.hub Xior Study Room:
U.hub Xior Residences’ study rooms are the perfect place for students in Porto who need some extra focus during their final exams. Want a spacious spot to work on group projects with your friends? In need of a quiet environment for you and your books only? Well, great news: U.hub has both private and group study rooms to suit all needs.
And in case you need a break from all the studying, U.hub residences in Porto have plenty of common spaces for you to relax. You can head over to the outside terrace and catch some air or to the TV room for some well-deserved Netflix and chill time!
Location: The study room is located in the U.hub residence in Campus Asprela and is available only to residents.
Opening Hours:
4. Bar dos Artistas, at Casa da Música:
Not many people would consider going to a concert hall for studying. But Casa da Música is home to one of the best places to work and study in Porto. Named “Bar dos Artistas” (en: Artists’ Bar), this cafe has spacious tables where the musicians usually go take a break from the rehearsals and concerts.
If you don’t feel like spending any money on food and beverages, no worries: you don’t have to buy anything from the cafe to use the tables. You can even bring your own healthy snack!
Location: R. dos Vanzeleres 36, 5 minutes away from the Casa da Música metro station
Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday (10 am - 7 pm), Sunday and holidays (10 am - 6 pm)
5. Almeida Garrett Municipal Library:
The Almeida Garrett Municipal Library is located at the idyllic Crystal Palace Gardens, so whenever you need a break from studying, you can take a walk outside surrounded by nature. The library is very popular among students because of its spacious tables -which can be used individually or by study groups- great internet connection and many plugs where they can charge their devices.
The Almeida Garret Municipal Library is also a super quiet place, so you’ll be free of distractions. Not to mention the large collection of books and newspapers that can be consulted by whoever has a readers card.
The downside is that the Almeida Garret Municipal Library it’s not close to any subway station. There are, however, many buses around.
Location: Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, Rua de Dom Manuel II
Opening Hours: Monday (2 pm - 6 pm) Tuesday to Saturday (10 am - 6 pm)
6. Manifesto Café:
Even though this cafe is located in the municipality of Matosinhos, it’s easily accessible since it’s close to the Mercado metro station (Line A). The Manifesta Café is a creative and inspiring place, with a long shared table surrounded by magazines and books. They have only a few options for food, but this won’t be a problem. Their homemade cookies and coffee are to die for!
Location: Mercado Municipal de Matosinhos, R. França Júnior 1
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday (10 am -1 pm and 2 pm -7 pm) Saturday (10 am -1 pm and 2 pm to 8 pm)