Key details

About the Hotel

Avenida Dos Aliados, 38, Porto, 4000-064

Steps from Aliados Square

Very good

7.8

8.3

/10

3.5

Loved by Hotel Universal guests

Convenient location

Friendly service

Clean rooms

Great value

Kind staff

"The hotel buffet breakfast was basic but was ample to start the day with fresh bread rolls, meats and cheeses, cereals, juices and hot coffee."

Mark from United Kingdom

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"The location is FANTASTIC in the middle of all attractions so you can almost visit everything with a few minutes walk."

Reem Harb from Portugal

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"The hotel is in an area where they are building a new metro line so be aware - if you sleep with windows open the noise goes all night."

Anca from United States

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4-star city-center hotel in Porto with rooftop terrace

Location

Hotel Universal is located in the heart of Porto, offering guests easy access to iconic sites such as the historic Ribeira district and the Dom Luís I Bridge. The hotel is conveniently situated within a short walk from the São Bento Train Station, making transportation simple for exploring the city. Additionally, the picturesque Douro River is just steps away, inviting leisurely strolls along its scenic waterfront.

Dining

The hotel features a buffet breakfast served daily, providing a wide selection of fresh local ingredients and traditional dishes. Guests can unwind at the on-site bar, which offers a range of beverages and light snacks throughout the day. For lunch and dinner, a variety of restaurants are within walking distance, ensuring diverse dining options.

Amenities

Hotel Universal offers a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of Porto, perfect for relaxation after a day of sightseeing. The hotel also provides a 24-hour front desk service, ensuring guests receive assistance whenever needed. Additionally, guided city tours can be arranged, allowing guests to discover Porto's history and culture with ease.

Rooms

The hotel accommodates guests in spacious rooms, each equipped with air conditioning and a private bathroom. Various room types cater to different needs, including family rooms for larger groups. All rooms include amenities such as televisions and complimentary toiletries.

Highlights

Location: Heart of Porto, steps from Douro River

Dining: Buffet breakfast service with local dishes

Amenities: Rooftop terrace with city views

Business: Meeting rooms with modern technologies

Must-do experiences

Stroll through the historic Ribeira District for vibrant river views.
Taste the iconic Francesinha sandwich at Café Santiago nearby.
Visit the stunning Livraria Lello, a bookshop like no other.
Explore the hidden Casa da Música for stunning architecture and concerts.
Wander through Mercado do Bolhão for fresh local produce and crafts.

Choose the Room

From cosy doubles to spacious family suites – all with flexible options, breakfast, and exclusive deals.

Standard Double Room City View
2 persons
110 sq. feet
1 Double bed
Air conditioning
Heating
room details
Small Single Room
2 persons
100 sq. feet
1 Single bed
Air conditioning
Heating
room details
Family Room
2 persons
220 sq. feet
2 Single beds
Air conditioning
Heating
room details

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Amenities

Thoughtfully designed amenities for a comfortable & memorable stay

Facilities: Very good

7.6/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
Security
Luggage storage
Lift
Coffee shop
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers

Sports & Fitness

Billiard tables

Guest Parking

No parking available.

Services

Paid airport shuttle
Housekeeping
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink

Dining

Bar/ Lounge area

Business

Fax/Photocopying

Facilities for people with disabilities

Toilet for disabled
Bathroom for disabled

Spa & Leisure

Leisure/ TV room

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Mini-bar

Bathroom

Free toiletries
Sink

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Hotel Universal Location

Avenida Dos Aliados, 38, Porto, 4000-064

Map view

City landmarks

Bridge

Ponte de Dom Luis I

2900 ft

Church

Porto Cathedral

2900 ft

Harbour

Cais da Ribeira

2900 ft

Landmark

Ribeira Square

2900 ft

Museum

Jardins do Palacio de Cristal

1.3 mi

Landmark

Fernandine Wall

2900 ft

Church

Monument Church Of St Francis

2900 ft

Palace

Bolsa Palace

1.4 mi

Museum

House of the Prince Casa do Infante

2900 ft

Museum

Soares dos Reis National Museum

3300 ft

Museum

Portuguese Centre of Photography

1.4 mi

Monastery

Monastery of Serra do Pilar

2900 ft

Church

Carmelitas Church

3300 ft

Football Stadium

Estadio do Dragao

1.7 mi

Park

Cordoaria's Garden

3300 ft

Event hall

Alfandega Congress Centre

1.4 mi

Museum

World of Discoveries

1.4 mi

Nearby

Rua Carmelitas 144 Vitória

Livraria Lello

1700 ft

Market

Mercado do Bolhao

1700 ft

Square

Avenida dos Aliados

1700 ft

Palace

Episcopal Palace of Oporto

2000 ft

Church

Clerigos Tower

1700 ft

Church

Church of Saint Ildefonso

1700 ft

Fountain

Chafariz da Rua Escura

1800 ft

Museum

Misericordia do Porto Museum and Church

1800 ft

Church

Capela dos Alfaiates

1800 ft

Art object

Monument of Pedro IV of Portugal

400 ft

Church

Church of Santa Clara

1900 ft

Terreiro Se 3

Pelourinho Se Catedral Porto

1800 ft

Mall

Rua Santa Catarina

1700 ft

Restaurants

Cafe Embaixador

300 ft

Rua Sampaio Bruno 5 11

Novo Paris

500 ft

Travessa Congregados 19

DeGema Hamburgueria Artesanal

900 ft

Rua de Passos Manuel 245

Bella Roma

400 ft

Rua Sampaio Bruno 19

Madureira's Acepipe

400 ft

Rua Sampaio Bruno 10

O Marinheiro

800 ft

Praca Dona Filipa de Lencastre 187 Cristina Carvalho

Munchie The Burger Kitchen

800 ft

Praca Dona Filipa de Lencastre 183

Restaurante Pedro dos Frangos

1100 ft

Rua do Bonjardim 223

Explore Porto

Local Highlights

Livraria Lello

7 minutes' walk

A historic bookstore known for its stunning architecture and intricate staircase; a must-visit for literature lovers.

Cais da Ribeira

11 minutes' walk

A picturesque riverside district with vibrant cafes, colorful buildings, and stunning views of the Douro River.

Porto Cathedral

11 minutes' walk

An iconic Romanesque cathedral featuring beautiful rose windows and stunning views of the city from its terrace.

Clerigos Tower

7 minutes' walk

A baroque tower offering panoramic views of Porto after a climb up its 240 steps; an architectural gem.

Porto River Cruise

11 minutes' walk

Scenic river cruises on the Douro, offering breathtaking views of the city and its bridges; operates year-round.

Yoga at the Park

25 minutes' walk

Relaxing outdoor yoga sessions in Jardins do Palacio de Cristal amidst lush gardens; suitable for all levels.

Novo Paris

2 minutes' walk

A casual eatery serving delicious local dishes, with an inviting atmosphere; try the traditional Francesinha.

DeGema Hamburgueria Artesanal

4 minutes' walk

Gourmet burgers and artisan wraps in a vibrant setting; known for fresh ingredients and vegetarian options.

Bella Roma

2 minutes' walk

Charming Italian restaurant renowned for its homemade pastas and cozy ambiance; perfect for families.

Casa da Música

30 minutes' walk

A modern concert hall hosting diverse musical performances, from classical to contemporary; family-friendly shows available.

Plano B

20 minutes' walk

A trendy bar and club known for live music and vibrant nightlife; ideal for those seeking a fun night out.

Getting around

City Centre
Porto 5 min · 1400 ft
Airports
Francisco Sa Carneiro (OPO) 25 min · 10.1 mi
Vila Real (VRL) 141 min · 58.4 mi
Train
São Bento train station 4 min · 1000 ft

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-23:30

Check-out

from 01:00-11:00

Guest Parking

No parking available.

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Breakfast

You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs EUR 15.0 per person.

Children & extra beds

There are no extra beds provided in a room. There are no cots provided in a room.

Pets

Pets are allowed on request.

Languages

English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese

Year renovated:

2012

Number of floors:

Number of rooms:

Guest Ratings & Reviews

Real Guest Experiences & Ratings

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

Hotel Universal enjoys a central location, making it ideal for exploring Porto, with attractions like Porto Cathedral, Torre dos Clerigos, and Sao Bento Railway Station within walking distance. Guests appreciate the clean rooms, equipped with air conditioning and sometimes a fridge, and find the beds comfortable. Some guests have mentioned the slight inconvenience of leaving keys at the reception. Overall, it's considered a budget-friendly option with easy access to the Metro at Trindade for airport connections and proximity to shops and restaurants.

Review score

Based on 5 verified reviews

8.5 /10

Great

100%

Recommend

Location

9.5/10

Staff

8.8/10

Facilities

7.6/10

Value for money

8.0/10

Pros

Friendly staff

Perfect location

Cozy space

Great value

Clean rooms

Cons

Loud locks

Barking dog

based on 402 reviews

3.5/5

eva from spain

Single

twin standard

3 nights in October 2025

Reviewed: November 20, 2025

9.0/10

central location and helpful staff

central location helpful staff extra pillows plug adapter

i found the location excellent for exploring the city it was very clean the staff was helpful i borrowed a plug adapter because i had lost mine there were extra pillows in the room which i found very useful

i had to leave the keys at reception each time i left the room

Location

10/10

the hotel is close to many attractions making it easy to explore the area many restaurants supermarkets and public transport options are also conveniently nearby which makes it easy to get around the city

Service

9/10

the staff at the reception desk were cute and helpful they offered assistance with various requests including lending a plug adapter they always smiled , made the stay very pleasant and stress-free

Rooms

9/10

the room was very super clean and cozy and i found the bed to be comfy extra pillows were available ensuring a good night's sleep the air conditioning worked well keeping the room at a pleasant temperature

Dining

8/10

while i did not have extensive dining experiences at the hotel i noted breakfast was available it seemed great and there are various dining options nearby offering a wide range of choices

Facilities

9/10

the hotel had good facilities the building is accessible to wheelchairs i observed that there's platform lift for disabled people the presence of air conditioning was particularly appreciated ensuring a comfortable environment

0 Helpful

pierre from france

Single

twin standard

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 10, 2026

9.5/10

excellent central location

angel statue comfortable beds inclusion bath convenient location

the area featured a beautiful angel statue opposite the building staff members were genuinely kind. beds offered true comfort. the inclusion of a bath in the room provided added value. i found the location to be convenient to main attractions.

i noticed there were quite a few stairs to climb from the street to the reception area which could be challenging with heavy luggage

Dining

9/10

many shops surround the premises i noticed multiple restaurants in close proximity. i also noted one of the busiest mcdonald's i've ever seen just a few doors down with quick and easy meals.

Location

10/10

the hotel benefits from a central position. the são bento railway station is a short walk. the metro station at trindade facilitates airport access within seven minutes i found the cathedral to be easily accessible.

0 Helpful

Greg from United Kingdom

Single

Twin Standard

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 21, 2026

9/10

central location fresh bread helpful staff

the location was central allowing easy access to many spots I appreciated being close to restaurants I found the breakfast sufficient it had fresh bread rolls meats and cheeses the staff were helpful assisting with directions

the building work happening just outside was a slight disturbance during the day

0 Helpful

Anthony from United Kingdom

Single

Twin Standard

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 06, 2025

6/10

location good but issues exist

stairs problem limited light

the stairs to reception were a pain with luggage. also, i had to leave my key at reception every time i left the building. the room seemed dark and humid before i turned on the air conditioning. it faced other buildings, so natural light was limited. the lack of light was a real problem.

0 Helpful

Pamela from United Kingdom

Single

Twin Standard

3 nights in August 2026

Reviewed: September 25, 2025

9.0/10

central stay that impressed

friendly staff generous buffet great location

i found staff friendly upon arrival. the breakfast buffet cost 10 euro, this had many options. the location suited me well, especially for a short city visit. i checked in and out with no problems at all.

the walk up to reception with luggage wasn't ideal as no elevator access exists.

Location

9/10

this location had very easy access to many attractions. i also noticed several nice coffee shops nearby and the mcdonalds was close. the hotel is very central, so exploring the city was easy to do.

Facilities

8/10

i observed that the hotel offers tv and aircon in each room. my room was super clean and the shower worked well. the hotel provided convenient services like luggage storage after checkout which i used.

Dining

9/10

a breakfast buffet is available. it cost 10 euro per person, per night. there are multiple cafes nearby. i think it is very worth it.

Service

10/10

the reception staff were kind and helpful. they quickly processed my check in. they also stored my luggage after checkout. i appreciate the smooth service provided.

0 Helpful

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