Your stay — Hospedaria Principe
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The Property — Hospedaria Principe
Hospedaria Principe is a straightforward three-star in central Amarante, with wood-toned rooms and a small, tiled lobby you’ll walk through in thirty seconds. Its USP is position: it’s four minutes from the São Gonçalo bridge and monastery, so you’re within striking distance of the main sights without paying for river views. It suits cost-conscious independent travellers who need a clean base and don’t want frills – you’ll spend your day out, not in the room.
Chronicles of Amarante
Amarante grew around a 7th-century Visigothic settlement, later taking shape when the Benedictine monastery of São Gonçalo was founded in the 13th century. The town’s signature bridge across the Tâmega River dates from the 1790s, rebuilt after floods destroyed earlier spans. In the 20th century, Amarante became known as a cultural hub for the modernista painter Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, whose house is now a museum. Today its medieval core, with granite alleys and whitewashed houses, draws visitors for port wine and the annual Festa de São Gonçalo in June.
Best Time to Visit
Full Amarante guide →Best months
May, June and September – temperatures 18–25°C, low rainfall, clear skies. Crowds are manageable, unlike the August peak, and you can sit at riverside cafés without queuing.
Peak / festival surge
August is the hottest and busiest month, with temperatures often above 30°C. The Festa de São Gonçalo (early June) also spikes demand. Hotel prices can jump 30–40% in August; book months ahead if you must go then.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer 15–20°C days, lower rates (often 20% off peak) and empty streets. Rain chances are higher but showers pass quickly.
Weather & packing
Amarante sits in a river valley, so July mornings can be damp with mist that burns off by 10am. Pack a light waterproof jacket for sudden afternoon thundershowers, and always carry sunscreen – the UV index is high even on cloudy days.
Live City Briefing — Amarante
- The Tâmega Riverfront promenade reopened in late 2025 after flood-protection works; the paths by the bridge are now wider and lit at night.
- Amarante’s municipal market on Rua de Olivença has reduced its hours – closed on Wednesdays until further notice; buy fresh produce at the Friday street market instead.
- The Souza-Cardoso Museum extended its opening hours for summer 2026: now 10am–7pm daily, with free entry on Sunday mornings until 1pm.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hospedaria Principe, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the garden or side street away from the main road. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise and may offer a glimpse of the Tâmega River valley.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor facing the front of the hotel: the reception area and street entrance generate footfall and traffic noise. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor.
Best views
A room at the back (garden side) offers a green outlook over the hotel grounds and rooftops; the front views show the street and shops but come with traffic noise.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest, benefiting from elevation and reduced foot traffic.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from the main road through Amarante (Rua 31 de Janeiro) affects front-facing rooms, especially during market days (Mondays) and summer evenings when the terraces are busy. The lift is audible in adjacent rooms on floor 2.
Insider tips
1. Park in the free public lot behind the hotel (off Avenida General Silveira) rather than the tight hotel car park. 2. Request a room on the garden side at least 48 hours before arrival — the reception is small and can confirm directly.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hospedaria Principe
Free WiFi throughout; average download speed 20 Mbps; no login or time limit.
A small passenger lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
No physical newspapers. Free access to PressReader via the hotel's iPad at reception.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00. Late check-out until 14:00 costs €20 (subject to availability).
Free luggage storage for same-day arrivals and departures; lockers not available.
Step-free access from street via a portable ramp (staff assistance needed). Lift is narrow (70 cm); some ground-floor rooms are partially accessible. No accessible bathrooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Parque de Estacionamento do Largo da Feira, €1.20/hour up to €12/night. No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per person per night (aged 13+), payable at check-in
Deposit & card hold: One night's charge taken at booking; a €50 incidental hold on a credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Igreja da Madalena (483 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Igreja de São Gonçalo (944 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Igreja de São Domingos (985 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Igreja de São Pedro (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Ursa Maior — 80 m · ~1 min walk
Jardim de Amarante — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Museu Municipal Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso — 943 m · ~12 min walk
Cine-Teatro de Amarante — 930 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Farmácia S. Gonçalo — 247 m · ~3 min walk
Ferreira da Cunha — 508 m · ~6 min walk
Central de Camionagem — 154 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs for the best rate; avoid currency exchange desks at Porto Airport or tourist offices, as they typically give poor rates and charge high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels; contactless is common. Some smaller cafés and market stalls may still prefer cash, so keep a few euros handy.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated—round up the bill at restaurants (5-10% for good service), leave small change for taxis (rounding up to nearest euro), and tip hotel staff €1-2 per bag or per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A bica (espresso) at a local café costs around €0.70–€1.00; for a longer coffee (meia de leite) expect €1.20–€1.50.
A prato do dia (daily special) with drink at a tasca or café costs about €7–€10; often includes soup, main, and coffee.
A main course at a local restaurant, like grilled fish or bifana, typically costs €10–€13; cataplana portions are around €12–€15.
Cheap eats are concentrated around the market area (Mercado Municipal) and the riverside; look for pastéis de bacalhau, roasted chestnuts in season, and espresso from small bars.
Pingo Doce and Lidl are the main budget supermarket chains in Amarante; both offer reasonable prices on basics.
For everyday clothing, try the small independent shops along Rua 31 de Janeiro; for chain stores, head to the larger shops on Avenida General Silveira or the Continente/Bom Dia complex on the edge of town.
Walking is the cheapest way to get around Amarante town. For longer trips, a local bus ticket costs around €1.50–€2.00; from Porto Airport, take the A3 bus to Amarante bus station (approx €7.50) rather than a taxi (€40+).
Eat at lunchtime menus (prato do dia) for the best value; skip bottled water—tap water is perfectly safe. Fill a reusable bottle. Shop at the municipal market (Mercado) for fresh produce and cheese.
Good to know — Amarante
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
AmaranteAll emergencies in Portugal use the single European number 112. For police without emergency, dial 113. For local health centre (Centro de Saúde de Amarante), call +351 255 420 500.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Amarante, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hospedaria Principe
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk — pharmacy · Farmácia S. Gonçalo — 247 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Porto São Bento or Campanhã station → Amarante train station
💡 The train ride along the Tâmega River is scenic – sit on the left for river views. From Amarante station, it's a 15-min taxi ride uphill to the quinta; no direct bus. Check CP website for disruptions – the line is prone to strikes.
Porto Airport (bus stop at terminal) → Amarante city centre
💡 This is the budget option but slow and requires changing at Porto's Alfândega stop. Best for day trips if you have time, not for luggage-heavy arrivals.
Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) → Quinta Encosta do Marão, Amarante
💡 Pre-book with a local firm like Taxis Amarante for a fixed price; avoid airport touts. Ask for a driver who knows the Marão mountain roads.
Porto Campo 24 de Agosto bus station → Amarante bus station
💡 Get off at 'Amarante (Terminal)' and then take a local taxi or walk 20 min uphill to the quinta – not all buses stop closer. Buy tickets online in advance during summer.
About Amarante
Wikipedia ↗
Amarante (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐmɐˈɾɐ̃tɨ] ) is a city and a municipality in the Tâmega e Sousa subregion in northern Portugal. The population in 2021 was 52,116, in an area of 301.33 square kilometres (116.34 mi2). The city itself, encompassed by the parish of São Gonçalo, Madalena, Cepelos an...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hospedaria Principe?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the garden or side street away from the main road. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise and may offer a glimpse of the Tâmega River valley.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hospedaria Principe?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor facing the front of the hotel: the reception area and street entrance generate footfall and traffic noise. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor.
Is Hospedaria Principe noisy?
Street noise from the main road through Amarante (Rua 31 de Janeiro) affects front-facing rooms, especially during market days (Mondays) and summer evenings when the terraces are busy. The lift is audible in adjacent rooms on floor 2.
Which rooms have the best views at Hospedaria Principe?
A room at the back (garden side) offers a green outlook over the hotel grounds and rooftops; the front views show the street and shops but come with traffic noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Hospedaria Principe?
1. Park in the free public lot behind the hotel (off Avenida General Silveira) rather than the tight hotel car park. 2. Request a room on the garden side at least 48 hours before arrival — the reception is small and can confirm directly.
What time is check-in at Hospedaria Principe?
Check-in at Hospedaria Principe is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hospedaria Principe have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; average download speed 20 Mbps; no login or time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hospedaria Principe?
€1.50 per person per night (aged 13+), payable at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Hospedaria Principe?
A prato do dia (daily special) with drink at a tasca or café costs about €7–€10; often includes soup, main, and coffee.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hospedaria Principe?
Walking is the cheapest way to get around Amarante town. For longer trips, a local bus ticket costs around €1.50–€2.00; from Porto Airport, take the A3 bus to Amarante bus station (approx €7.50) rather than a taxi (€40+).
When is the best time to visit Amarante?
May, June and September – temperatures 18–25°C, low rainfall, clear skies. Crowds are manageable, unlike the August peak, and you can sit at riverside cafés without queuing.
Top Attractions in Amarante
💡 Cross at dusk when the bridge lights reflect on the water. Avoid the road side—stick to the pedestrian path on the downstream side.
💡 Look for the stone 'cock' on the south façade—locals rub its beak for luck, especially for marriage prospects.
💡 Free entry on Sunday mornings. Go early—the exhibition space is small and gets crowded after 11am.
💡 Check their Facebook page before visiting—they often close for installation between exhibitions. Best for photography: the geometric staircase.
💡 Bring birdseed—the ducks and swans are tame but not fed by tourists often. The best spot is the wooden bridge near the old mill.