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Looking for the best viewpoints in Porto? As one of the most stunning cities in Portugal, there is no shortage of epic views to enjoy in Porto. Step aside, Paris – Porto is just so damn romantic and beautiful that I’d argue this is the actual city of love!
When it comes to places to watch the sunrise, sunset, or just admiring the city you’re spoilt for choice!
In my opinion, viewpoints are some of the best places to visit if you’re travelling Porto on a budget. That’s because all but one of the viewpoints in this blog post are absolutely free to visit!
So, without further ado, let’s chat about the very best viewpoints or miradouros in Porto!
What are Miradouros?
If you look at Porto on Google Maps, chances are you’ll find quite a few attractions named “Miradouro”. You’re probably wondering what that is. Well, “miradouro” is the Portuguese word for viewpoint, so if you see any of these on the map you can bet they’ll offer some of the best views in Porto.
Not all miradouros are equal, though, and that’s why I’ve only included my favourite miradouros in Porto in this post!
The Best Viewpoints in Porto
Clerigos Tower
The Clerigos Tower is one of the most important historical landmarks in Porto, and if you climb to the top of its 76-metre bell tower you’ll be rewarded with excellent views over Porto!
Although a visit to the Clerigos Tower includes entry to its religious museum, I recommend skipping that. We’re here for the viewpoint and the viewpoint only, so head straight for the stairs!
I spent around half an hour at the top of the Clerigos Tower and felt like this was the right amount of time. From the top you’ll be able to see most of Porto’s most famous attractions! It’s also easy to identify them thanks to all the information at the top which shows you where to look to see each attraction.
Entry to the Clerigos Tower costs €6 – get your tickets here!
Dom Luís I Bridge
The most iconic bridge in Porto, stretching across the magnificent Douro River, is the Dom Luís I Bridge. The bridge is functional, connecting downtown Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia and its Port wine cellars.
There’s a pedestrian walkway across the bridge separate to the car section, so you can take a leisurely walk across. This is one of the best photo spots in Porto, so take advantage of this and snap to your heart’s content!
I actually think this was my favourite viewpoint in Porto, since the views were so panoramic, but if you’re scared of heights you might want to give it a miss – definitely don’t look down!
One of the best fado bars in Porto is right next to this bridge, so for an unforgettable night check out the fado performance at Casa da Gitarra and then head outside to see the sun set over the river!
Jardim do Morro
On the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the Douro River, the Jardim do Morro is the perfect place to sit and relax after walking across the Dom Luís I Bridge. The more fun way to get here, though, is via cable car from Cais de Gaia. Tickets cost €6 one-way or €9 return, but the ride itself will offer awesome views too.
Once you’re at the park, it’s time to laze in the shade of the palm trees and watch daily life in Porto unfold. You’ll be able to see the colourful buildings of the Ribeira sprawled out beneath you and the small boats bobbing along the river.
This is one of the most relaxing viewpoints in Porto!
Passeio das Virtudes
Another one of the best sunset spots in Porto is the Passeio das Virtudes. This terrace is totally free to visit and offers one of the more unique views of Porto, because you’ll get to see the Arrábida Bridge stretching over the Douro River.
Since it’s such a popular place to watch the sunset it can get crowded, especially in summer. That just adds to the vibe though! People bring drinks and blankets to sit on and then spend a couple of hours here enjoying the last of the daylight and watching the sunset, and you won’t go far wrong by joining them!
Miradouro da Vitória
Of all the Miradouros in Porto, Miradouro da Vitória is probably the most famous and the most popular. From here, you’ll get to admire all of Porto’s top attractions, including the Port wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, the Bolsa Palace, and the Dom Luís I Bridge.
You’ll find this viewpoint down a narrow alleyway, which opens out onto the huge balcony of the Miradouro da Vitória. Even though this viewpoint is popular (with both locals and tourists) there’s enough space to spread out and it’s never too crowded.
Because this viewpoint captures so many amazing attractions, it’s probably the best place to see the sunrise or sunset spots in Porto!
Porto Cathedral
Perched on a hilltop, the courtyard outside Porto Cathedral is one of the best viewpoints in the city, offering sprawling views over Porto.
You’ll also see a few of the city’s landmarks from this viewpoint, so if you’re sick of only seeing the Douro River (but who would be?) head here for some variation!
For even better views, enter Porto Cathedral and climb to the top of its tower! From here, you’ll get a birds-eye view of the city and see even more of it! Entry to the cathedral is free, but it costs €3 to climb to the top.
Ribeira do Porto
This viewpoint is one of the best places to check out the famous Dom Luís I Bridge and get up close to the Douro River.
The Ribeira do Porto is a must-visit whilst you’re in Porto. After all, it’s one of the most popular areas of the city! Strolling along the riverfront promenade, you’ll be surrounded by pastel-coloured buildings, talented buskers, and countless bars where you can sip a drink and watch the world go by.
Food and drinks are slightly more expensive here than elsewhere in the city, which makes sense given the Ribeira’s ideal location. That said, if you’re looking to sample authentic Portuguese food there are a few authentic hole-in-the-wall restaurants you can dip into whilst visiting Ribeira do Porto.
Planning a trip to Porto? You should definitely check out my Porto itinerary, perfect for first timers! I have a tonne of posts on travel in Portugal, so if you fancy checking out some other awesome places in Portugal head on over to my Portugal page!
Happy Travels!
