Step away from the Ribeira crowds and you’ll find neighbourhoods like Massarelos – quiet, historic, and buzzing with local colour. Just uphill from the river and beside the romantic Palácio de Cristal gardens, Massarelos House feels like an undiscovered treasure, complete with its own ‘secret garden’.
Designed by Jesús Moraime (also behind Lisbon’s Baixa House) Massarelos House is a respectful restoration of four derelict 19th-century buildings, now revived with light, space, and artistic intention. Inside, original architectural elements are left exposed: wooden beams, tiled stairwells, vaulted ceilings. White walls meet colourful wallpaper, mid-century furniture, and handmade tilework. Outside, the stunning garden terraces cascade toward the street, with rooftop views across to the Arrábida Bridge. Throughout the space, you’ll find ceramics from 11 different local factories, and the apartments are named after these factories and decorated with their original works. The vibe is equal parts heritage and modern apartment living.
Breakfast is included – a selection of local cheeses, fresh fruit, home-baked cake, and warm bread delivered to your door before 8:30am. The whole atmosphere has a relaxed ‘home away from home’ feel, with relaxing communal areas where guests can mingle. It’s stylish but homely, peaceful but well-connected. The perfect balance.
Massarelos House
Central Porto, Porto, Douro & Minho, Portugal
Highs
- Spacious apartments – ideal for families – with split-level designs, light-filled rooms, and fully equipped kitchens
- Breakfast ingredients are replenished daily, including freshly baked bread hand-delivered each morning
- A rare and extensive private collection of over 130 historic ceramic pieces, sourced from Porto’s original factories
- A magical terraced garden with dipping pond, rooftop views, and communal spaces for reading or lounging
- Plenty of peace and privacy yet it’s within walking distance of Porto’s top sights
Lows
- No on-site dining beyond breakfast – although the kitchens make self-catering easy
- The shared dipping pond is very small, but a welcome retreat
- Some parts of the property and surrounding streets may be tricky for those with mobility issues
- No TVs in any of the rooms to encourage switching off, but you can request one
Best time to go
Our top tips
For more light and quiet, ask for an apartment facing the garden or Rua de Entre Quintas. If you’re visiting in the summer (June–Sept) make sure you reserve the small dipping pond in advance so you’re not disappointed. Also let staff know about any dietary needs when you book – they’re happy to accommodate. Porto has so much to take in – you could walk for days – but don’t forget to save some downtime just to enjoy being in the space.
- Boutique Apartments
- 15 apartments for 2-6
- Breakfast only, walk to restaurants
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Plunge Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Rooms
There are 15 apartments across three buildings, ranging from 25 to 68 square metres. The layouts vary – some are duplex, some single-storey – and include one- and two-bedroom options. Every apartment has a generous living area, a fully equipped kitchen, and one or two bathrooms. Many have balconies or verandas overlooking the gardens, quiet side streets, or rooftops. The decor combines soft colours, Portuguese design cues, and eclectic touches: vintage lighting, patterned wallpaper, tactile materials.
We stayed in the Bandeira 1 apartment and loved the floor-to-ceiling windows, sun-drenched living room, spacious double bedroom, and mezzanine level – accessible by wooden ladder (which kids are sure to love). All units come with washing machines, but no TVs (to encourage slowing down and switching off), but you can request one at no extra charge.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Bluetooth sound system
- Central heating
- Coffee / tea making
- Cots available
- Hairdryer
- Toiletries
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
Massarelos House doesn’t have a restaurant or bar. Each apartment comes with its own fully equipped kitchen, stocked with high-quality cookware, ceramic dishes, wooden utensils, a stove, oven, fridge, and dishwasher. Thoughtful touches make self-catering easy and enjoyable: you’ll find essentials like coffee, tea, local olive oil, salt, pepper, and hot chocolate waiting for you.
Breakfast is delivered fresh daily in two waves: warm bread arrives quietly at your door between 8:00–8:30 am, while a generous tray of provisions – including fruit, yoghurt, jam, cheese, ham, milk, juice, and butter – is brought to your apartment between 12:00–16:00. The setup encourages leisurely mornings, with everything you need to prepare and enjoy a slow, local breakfast at your own pace.
For lunch or dinner, you’re within easy reach of great restaurants and food shops – or you can pick up fresh ingredients at the nearby Mercado do Bom Sucesso and cook up a feast in the comfort of your apartment.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Fridge
- Hob or stove
- Kitchenette
- Oven
- Restaurants nearby
- Toaster
Activities
- Wander the tiled backstreets of Miragaia – Porto’s prettiest riverside quarter. Great for couples and romantics seeking a non-touristy vibe – all cobbled lanes and old-world cafés
- Make a day of it at WOW – The World of Wine district in Vila Nova de Gaia is more than port tastings. There are kid-friendly museums, great restaurants, and panoramic terraces – perfect for couples and families
- Cruise the Douro – Book a vintage wooden boat or solar-powered eco-cruise and drift past Porto’s six bridges. For families, shorter trips from Ribeira are ideal; for couples, choose a golden-hour sail with local wine and live music
- Discover Porto’s leafy side – Pack a picnic and unwind at Jardins do Palácio de Cristal – peacocks, playgrounds, and sweeping river views make it a hit with kids and grownups alike
- Get hands-on with Portuguese craft – Take a ceramics or tile-painting workshop – many are family-friendly and based in small studios around Rua do Rosário
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
Kids
Massarelos House is a perfect base for families with children. The spacious apartments provide ample room for kids to play and relax. Baby cots are available upon request at no extra charge, and televisions can be installed if requested. The central courtyard also offers a safe, enclosed space for children to run free and explore the outside gardens.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Two-Bedroom and Three-Bedroom apartments are best for families, accommodating up to six guests. These units feature separate living areas, fully equipped kitchens, and multiple bathrooms, providing both privacy and convenience. The thoughtful design, complete with Portuguese ceramics and contemporary art, creates a creative, homely environment for both adults and children to enjoy.
Cots Available
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Massarelos House is in Massarelos itself, a quiet neighbourhood, just west of the city centre, a few minutes from the Douro riverbanks and directly beside the Palácio de Cristal gardens. Despite being part of Porto’s Unesco heritage zone, this area remains quietly local, with tiled façades, walled gardens and cobbled back streets.
By Air:
Porto Airport is 15km away, and you can reach the hotel easily via subway (20 minutes), taxi (15 minutes), or bus (30 minutes).
By Car:
You'll not need one in the city but if you need to hire one to explore the region, see our car rental recommendations.
Getting Around:
It’s a 15-minute walk downhill to Ribeira, or 10 minutes to the Torre dos Clérigos and Jardim Botânico. For those travelling light, it’s very walkable once you arrive.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (Porto) 15.0 km OPO
Other:
- Beach 4.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
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Our guests' ratings...
Based on 11 independent reviews from i-escape guests