São João in Porto: Where to Watch the Fireworks

São João is the best night of the year in Porto, and the biggest party the whole city throws: 23 June, all the way into the morning of the 24th. The fireworks go up over the Ribeira at midnight, and the best seat is across the river in Gaia, at WOW.

By · Updated 2026-10-26

← See all 69 spots on the interactive map

The fireworks, from Gaia

The São João fireworks over Porto at midnight, seen from WOW in Vila Nova de Gaia

It's a sliding scale. Free is the riverside and the streets, shoulder to shoulder with the whole city. A general ticket at WOW gets you food, drinks and the view, still with a crowd. WOW's restaurants go up from there, and the more you spend, the more room you have, up to a private patio. It comes down to whether you want the crowd or something more intimate.

The sardines

Grilled sardines on bread with salad on São João night in Porto

Sardines are grilling on every street that night, and all over WOW. Pick whichever grill catches you.

The hammers

Two plastic São João hammers on a São João dinner table at WOW, beside the menu

Buy a plastic hammer and join in. Everyone bops everyone on the head that night, strangers included, and it's meant to bring good luck. The hammers have been part of São João since 1963.

The lanterns

Hundreds of São João sky lanterns over Porto and the Dom Luís I bridge, seen from Gaia

Send one up. WOW sells lanterns; bring your own lighter. Lighting one takes two to four people, and if you're on your own, the people next to you will happily help.

Getting back

Rabelo boats on the Douro below the Ribeira on the afternoon of São João

If you're staying on the Porto side, go home by metro. Buy your Andante tickets before the night and skip the ticket-machine queue on the way back.

The fireworks start at midnight. The Ponte Luís I closes for them, and the metro runs across the top again from around 1 to 1:30am. The first time, I thought I'd walk back over the lower deck. It didn't open until almost 3am, and I got home around 4.

Sources

Common questions

When is São João in Porto?

23 June, from the evening into the early hours of the 24th. Fireworks at midnight.

Where is the best place to watch the São João fireworks?

Across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia, at WOW: with a general ticket, or at one of its restaurants for more room.

Where can I eat sardines on São João?

On the street, anywhere you walk, and across WOW.

Why do people hit each other with plastic hammers on São João?

For luck. A tap on the head from a stranger is part of the night.

Where can I get a São João lantern?

WOW sells them. Bring a lighter and a few friends.

How do I get back to Porto from Gaia after the fireworks?

By metro, from around 1 to 1:30am, when it crosses the Ponte Luís I again. Walking the lower deck can mean waiting until almost 3am.

More Porto guides