Porto Airport

If you’ve arrived with a car hire courtesy shuttle, taxi or bus, you’ll be dropped off outside the Arrivals Hall. If you’re taking the Metro to the airport, you just need to follow the signs through a walkway that links the Metro to the Airport terminal. You can read more on travel options to and from the airport in travelling onwards from Porto Airport or returning your car hire to Porto Airport. 

Level 3 for departures

To get to departures and the check-in area, you need to go to the level 3. There are escalators and a lift that can take you up there between the money exchange desks and Costa Coffee that are within the Arrivals Hall.

For check-in and time around the world

On the third level, you’ll find a big screen (reminiscent of those you’re more likely to find in train stations) above a series of clocks telling the time from various countries in the world. If you need to check-in, you’ll find out which check-in desk you need here. There are other smaller screens around this hall too. This hall is big, spacious and - like the rest of the airport - really quite shiny! Check out those reflections on the floor. It was all very calm when I came in. Not very busy and Portugal were playing against the Czech Republic in the quarter finals of Euro 2012 so you could just hear the sound of TVs around the airport playing the game. There are chocolate, drinks and other snack vending machines dotted around the airport if you’re peckish but just fancy something snackish. 

Café Café

If you’re hoping for something a little more filling or just a hot refreshment before going through security, there is also a Café (so much so they named it Café Café) in the left-hand side of this public area. 

Pharmacy

You can also find a pharmacy and Relay store here. There are plenty more eating and shopping options once you’re through to the Departures Lounge. Just look out for the sign for ‘Partidas’.

Partidas

Once you’ve gone through security, you’ll see the Departures Lounge is on a level below (level 2) and escalators and lifts to take you there. It’s worth taking note of signs that are just by escalators to tell you approximate times it takes for you to walk to the various gates. 

Down to departures

Shopping and eating in Departures

Down in departures you’ll find...

Port, liquor, tobacco, perfumes & cosmetics

A large duty free shop - great for picking up a bottle of port if you only have hand luggage and couldn’t buy any before!

There are screens to tell you which gate you need all around the Departures Lounge too - worth a look as soon as you get there so you can prepare to head to your gate in plenty of time. Even if your gate is not up yet, you’ll find out what time the gate will be shown.

Towards gates 14-20 and 34-35 (right after security)

Food, glorious food

From Portuguese flavours to salad and pasta options to pastries and great coffee, you’ll find the following cafés sitting side by side:

Belight and Douro

Belight does light and Douro does Portuguese

Quiosque dos Sabores

Alternatively, you can get your pastry and coffee fix at Quiosque dos Sabores.

High fashion

Caroline Herrera and Purification Garcia

Support the economy (less so your bank balance!) and spend your euros on designerwear and the contemporary fashion at stores including Caroline Herrera, Purification Garcia (not the best name I could think of for a fashion store!) and Bimba & Lola.

Bags, sparkly jewellery and watches

Swarovski

Love crystal that sparkles? Or know someone who does?? Head on down to Swarovski! They do crystal so well, you can see rainbows reflected from the sunshine going through it. Honest! Or you could pick up a classier style of souvenir by picking up one of the leather bags at Portuguese brand, Parfois. If you need or just want a new watch, you’ll find lots at Boutique dos Relogios (which means shop of watches). 

Traditional handicrafts & t-shirts too!

For more traditional handicrafts - perhaps a decorated tile or a clay and colourful rooster, akin to Porto’s famous emblem or maybe just a t-shirt - head to Artesanato Handicraft.

Other shopping you’ll find in this side of the Departures Lounge include Divers for books and sweets, L’Occitane for fancy french toiletries and Story Store for cool kids stuff including Hello Kitty, Sponge Bob and Mickey Mouse bags.

Towards gates 1-13 and 29-32 (left after security)

If you’re flying to the UK or other non-Shengen destination, it’s likely you’ll be leaving from gates 10-13 as you have to go through Passport Control to get to them. So if you’re wanting to shop or eat on the other side of the Departures Lounge, make sure you stay on top of time!

There are slightly fewer shopping and eating options here but there are some!

Foooooood.... 

Medas

Find specialty beer to go with your sandwich at bar and restaurant, Medas. 

Food Gallery

But options for hot food are better at Food Gallery which is just a little further away (all before you get to gates 10-13 still!) where you can order meals including pizza, burgers, roast chicken and toasted baguettes. 

Like your clothes from Spanish brands?

Adolfo Dominguez & Mr Blue

Clothing options on this side come in the form of Spanish favourite - Adolfo Dominguez (just for the ladies), Mr Blue (for the lads) as well as an outlet for Spanish department store - El Corte Ingles. 

More shopping

Love shopping?

Love shopping? There's more! If you’re a lover of how Pandora do contemporary jewellery, you’ll be pleased to know they have an outlet at Porto Airport too. But if you prefer your jewellery set with natural stones, head over to Stone by Stone instead. You can also pick up a new pair of sunglasses at Sun Planet, Travel & Business will sort out your travel accessory needs and get the latest from your favourite European football clubs at the Football Corner.

Through Passport Control for gates 10-13

To Passport Control

At the end of this side of the Departures Lounge, you'll find Passport Control on your left as well as access to gates 10-13. Be warned that once you’re through Passport Control, it really mostly is a waiting game. They have several E-Passport scanners here too - handy for getting through quickly only if you have an E-Passport of course!

Just for Travellers

There is a Just for Travellers store if you still haven’t picked up a bottle of port and want to, as well as a Mar Hotel café serving beer, coffee and pastries (not much else though!). Although for those wanting the latest on the current football match, there's a TV screen by the café. 

Mar Hotel Café

If you need to kill a bit of time and don’t want to spend it standing in line to board, there are internet desks in this area - and at least whilst i was there - free internet! Great if you want to book a car hire at your next destination...