Walk-in Shower vs Bathtub: Which Is Right for Your Portuguese Home?

In the renovations we carry out across Porto and Northern Portugal, roughly 6 or 7 in 10 bathroom projects involve replacing a bathtub with a walk-in shower. The trend is clear — but it isn't always the right choice. Many clients who remove their bathtub regret it two years later when their lifestyle changes or they want to sell the property.

What Is a Walk-in Shower?

A walk-in shower is an open shower area — no box, no curtain — where you step in directly. One or two fixed panels of tempered glass contain the water. The minimum recommended size is 80×80 cm, but 90×90 cm or larger makes a significant difference to the experience. In larger bathrooms, 120×80 cm or 100×100 cm areas feel genuinely spacious.

Walk-in Shower: The Case For

• Space efficiency: a standard bathtub occupies 160×75 cm. A walk-in shower can start at 80×80 cm. In bathrooms under 6 m², this difference is transformative — freeing space for a larger vanity unit or simply making the room feel less cramped.
• Daily ease: stepping in and out without lifting your leg over a bath rim is a small convenience that accumulates daily — especially as you get older or if anyone in the household has mobility limitations.
• Easier maintenance: no shower box, no curtain, no permanent damp zones. A squeegee pass after each shower and a weekly clean with neutral product keeps it perfect.
• Visual openness: transparent glass makes the room look larger. Paired with microcement or large-format tiles, the effect is genuinely impressive.
• Accessibility: barrier-free entry is significantly safer for older users. It's also a future-proofing decision.
• Lower cost: a good walk-in shower base with fixed glass costs €500–€1,500. A quality freestanding bath starts at €1,200.

Walk-in Shower: The Case Against

• No relaxation option: if you genuinely use a bath to unwind, a shower is not a substitute.
• Harder with young children: bathing small children in a shower is possible but more awkward than in a bathtub.
• May affect resale: families with young children often prioritise bathrooms with a bathtub. In certain markets, the absence of a bath can be a negative.

Bathtub: The Case For

• Comfort: a long bath is hard to replicate in a shower. For regular bath-takers, it's a genuine wellbeing element.
• Essential with young children: bathing young children is much easier and safer in a bathtub.
• Design statement: a well-chosen freestanding bath can be the centrepiece of a principal suite — a genuinely beautiful object.
• Premium property value: in higher-value properties, buyers expect a bathtub. It can be a key selling point.

Bathtub: The Case Against

• Space: a standard bath takes up a lot of room. In smaller bathrooms this is a real constraint.
• Maintenance: the junction between bath and wall accumulates limescale and mould if not maintained regularly.
• Water use: a bath uses 150–200 litres. An 8-minute shower uses 60–80 litres.
• Cost: a premium freestanding bath starts at €1,200 and can exceed €5,000.

Comparison at a Glance

How to Decide

The Best of Both: Have Both

In bathrooms over 10 m² — typical of principal suites in larger apartments or houses — it's entirely possible to have both: a walk-in shower for daily use and a freestanding bath as a luxury feature. This combination is the standard for premium suites and delivers the best of both comfort and aesthetics.

For a full overview of our bathroom renovation service, visit our bathrooms page. For costs, see our bathroom renovation cost guide.