The port town of Porto is most visited over the summer for its beautiful beaches and gorgeous weather. But that means most people miss out on the great events and milder temperatures that May brings to Porto. If you want to visit Porto in May 2022 then you need to know where to go and what to see. So here it is.
May events in Porto
Music is a big part of Porto’s identity and so it’s not surprising that there are a lot of music performances and festivals from all over the world. On May 16th the band Kings of Convenience play at the Coliseu, Einstürzende Neubauten have their Year of the Rat tour in Casa da Música on May 18th, and you can enjoy some Irish music on May 17th in Casa da Horta. There are also music festivals like the North Music Festival on May 26th and the Yellow-Stripe Recordings presents WARDOGS, a heavily electronic, drum and bass, and Portostep party with both international and domestic artists. If you love music, there’s a lot to look forward to.
A more traditional event is the Festival of our Lord of Matosinhos, a religious event that celebrates the local Matosinhos tradition (though the event is celebrated everywhere in northern Portugal). The three-week-long celebration features many religious talks, cultural events, sports, and recreational events as well as art installations like the thousands of lightbulbs lighting up in the church of Bom Jesus de Matosinhos which was created by the architect Nasoni. If you are a believer, this is a great time to celebrate your Christian faith.
Another traditional event is the International Iberian Language Theatre Festival. As the name suggests, it’s focused on performative arts. Not only is it trying to promote performances from international artists as well as from local and yet unfound artists, but it gives workshops to both amateurs and professionals and features four premiers. Taking place from the 10th to the 22nd of May, the 45th instalment of the festival focuses on gender and future imaginations and much, much more. If you’re in for some soul-searching, this will be the festival for you.
Places to see in Porto
Things you absolutely have to see include the intricately decorated Church of Santa Clara, the modern Casa da Música, the romantic promenade of Foz do Duoro, and getting lost in the riverside piazza of Cais da Ribeira. Also, if you are in search of Porto’s famous tilework, then you have to visit Igreja de Carmo, the Porto Cathedral, the São Bento Railways station, and the Chapel of Souls.
Swimming in the sea can be fun in May, but expect the average temperatures of the water to be around 17°C – not freezing, but definitely not too warm. And when you’re tired, head on down to the Café Majestic which was built in the traditional 1920s Art Nouveau style or take a ride in the iconic city tram. The most recommended lines are numbers 1, 18, and 22 which pass by the most famous parts of Porto.
