Check three routes rather than one distance
Map arrival with luggage, the first sightseeing journey and the return after dinner separately. An address may work well for one while adding climbs to the others. Read descriptions of steps and entrances closely. A lift inside the building tells you nothing about the street outside or whether there are steps between the front door and the lift.
Ask for specific entrance details and the final approach from a suitable stop when those matter. Photographs can help, but do not replace confirmation of the access you need. Surfaces and gradients also affect a journey with a wheeled suitcase. The word central is too vague for this decision; the question is whether the location fits your daily movements.
Avoid repeatedly switching between the upper city and Ribeira
The areas around Sé and Vitória occupy higher ground, while Ribeira lies beside the Douro. A day's route can connect those levels deliberately. You might begin with an upper section and head towards the river later, provided the chosen route suits you. Plan the return first instead of discovering at the waterfront that the day ends with an unwanted climb.
A visit near São Bento and time at Ribeira can form different parts of the same outing. Leave space for a pause without adding every available museum or shop along the way. In rain, or when mobility is limited, an appropriate connection can matter more than a particularly picturesque lane. Consult current route information and examine the final walk after leaving the vehicle as well.
Specify the level when meeting at the bridge
The Luís I Bridge connects Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia at different heights. A meeting point described only by the bridge's name is therefore imprecise. Agree on the bank, level and a clear landmark. The same applies to a saved route: check where you reach the bridge and where you leave it on the opposite side.
Walking along Gaia's waterfront is not the same visit as going to a higher viewpoint. If you want both, explicitly include the connecting route. An attractive view on the map does not shorten either the elevation change or the eventual journey back to your accommodation.
Judge the location using a real day
Compare two possible properties against a sample day containing a visit, a meal and the return journey. A somewhat more distant address with a useful connection may fit your movements better than an apparently ideal location that creates repeated climbs.
Still, avoid booking purely around one transport option without checking its current operation. Keep a second suitable way back in mind. The most useful base lets you experience the city at your own pace even when a break lasts longer than expected or you decide to return earlier in the evening. That flexibility is more valuable than reducing one headline distance by a few hundred metres.
