This Much-Loved European Destination Is Restricting Alcohol Sales—Here’s What to Know

Porto, Portugal’s second largest city, is renowned for its iconic Dom Luís I bridge, its historic Ribeira district, and, of course, its namesake port wine—a favorite fortified tipple for locals and visitors alike.

However, from now on, those keen to purchase the famous drink may need to do so before 9 p.m. As of Wednesday, June 25, Porto has implemented a nighttime ban on alcohol sales from supermarkets, convenience stores, wine cellars, and souvenir shops. The ban will be effective between the hours of 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.

Though the restrictions are not city-wide, they will apply to the entirety of Porto’s “Containment Zone,” which encompasses the downtown area, including popular nightlife hubs like Rua da Galeria de Paris. During these hours, only licensed cafes, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs will be allowed to sell alcoholic beverages.

The restrictions, part of an amendment to regulations first put in place in 2023, come as Porto experiences a significant increase in visitor numbers, with people flocking to main areas to soak up the culture and the growing nightlife scene—in turn increasing disruptive drinking incidents. In particular, street gatherings, known locally as botellóns (a Spanish term for an informal, outdoor gathering of people, who meet in public spaces to socialize while drinking alcohol), have led to increased scrutiny of public behavior, and the city’s mayor, Rui de Carvalho de Araújo Moreira, indicated that previous fines for non-compliance were insufficient deterrents. He explained: “What we noticed is that the successive application of fines did not dissuade [people] from continuing to violate the rules, because paying the fine was worth it, because the fines were low.”

Inspection bodies will now have the authority to immediately and temporarily close establishments that violate the new regulations.

“What justifies this is our conviction that this phenomenon in several parts of the city is causing harm and having an impact on urban security,” said Filipa Correia Pinto, the Councillor for Economic Activities and Inspection, as reported by Portugal News.

For travelers with upcoming plans to visit Porto, know these new measures aim to improve the quality of life for residents and foster a more responsible nightlife culture—they will not detract from city’s inherent charm and creative allure.

Porto is beloved for its enchanting labyrinth of narrow streets, colorful patchwork facades, and breathtaking views over the Douro River. Visitors will still be able to indulge in port wine tastings at the numerous cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, explore the architectural marvels like the São Bento train station with its stunning azulejo panels, and savor exquisite Portuguese cuisine.

This article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller UK.