miradores oporto

The 15 best viewpoints in Porto you can’t miss

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One of the best ways to appreciate the beauty of Porto is from the heights. The city is full of places where you can enjoy beautiful views of the different neighborhoods that make up this charming Portuguese town. So that you don't miss the most beautiful views, I have created this article in which I have selected the 15 best viewpoints in Porto. I have added photos of all of them, so you can get a first idea of what they look like.

Access to most of these viewpoints is free; however, to go up to others, such as the Torre dos Clérigos or the Cathedral of Porto, you have to pay an entrance fee. If you don't want to spend this extra money, don't worry, since with the free observatories, you will have enough. On the other hand, some of these viewpoints, such as the one in the Paseo das Virtudes or the one in the Crystal Palace Gardens, are perfect for watching the sunset in Porto.

At the end of the article, you will find a map in which I have pointed out all the places where I recommend you go if you want to see the best views of Porto.

Table of contents

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Best viewpoints in Porto

Below, you will find the best viewpoints in Oporto. Don’t hesitate to visit as many as you can, as you will be amazed. 

1. Sierra del Pilar Monastery Viewpoint

Sierra del Pilar Monastery Viewpoint
Don Luis I Bridge
Sunset in Porto
Porto

One of my big surprises on my last trip to Porto was the viewpoint located next to the Serra do Pilar Monastery, one of the main places to see in Vila Nova de Gaia. The views are a real beauty! From here, you will be able to see the Don Luis I Bridge from a bird’s-eye view, a perspective that you will not be able to appreciate from anywhere else in the city. Also, if you go in the afternoon, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset over Vila Nova de Gaia, the Douro River, and Porto.

To get there, you can cross the Don Luis I Bridge from the top and walk along Avenida da República to Rua de Rodrigues de Feitas, and then turn and enter the Rampa do Infante Santo, which will take you directly to the viewpoint. If you are in the lower part of Vila Nova de Gaia, you can approach it using the cable car or climbing the stairs.

2. Pedra dos Gatinhos – Rock viewpoint

Pedra dos Gatinhos
Pedra dos Gatinhos, Porto

One of the most popular Porto viewpoints among content creators is the Pedra dos Gatinhos (Cats’ Rock). It is located very close to the previous place, so you can visit one after the other. It is a large rock located on a path that crosses a small piece of countryside. From it, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Don Luis I Bridge and the houses located on the other side of the river.

The views are very nice; however, I want to warn you that climbing the rock is not very easy, as you practically have to climb. For this reason, I do not recommend the place for very old people or for those who go with small children or baby strollers. To get to this rock, you will have to enter through a kind of path that leaves from Avenida da República, located next to the wall of the Monastery of the Serra do Pilar.

3. Clerigos Tower

Clerigos Tower
Clerigos Tower
best viewpoints in Porto
View from the tower

The Clerigos Tower is one of the main tourist attractions in Porto. Located in the historic center, this 18th-century baroque tower offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city. At approximately 75 meters high, it is the tallest building in the old town. To climb to the top and appreciate the scenery, you will have to climb more than 200 steps; it will be worth it!

Unlike other viewpoints, there is a price to enjoying these views. The entrance fee is 8 euros and includes a visit to the Museum of the Clerics. If you want to enter the Church of the Clerics, you should know that this visit is free. If you don’t want to wait in line to buy the ticket, I recommend you buy the ticket to the Clerics’ Tower here in advance. It has the same cost as if you buy it in person.

4. Views from the Crystal Palace gardens

Palace Garden Tower
Palace Garden Tower
Porto in 2 days
Quinta da Macieirinha Park

The Crystal Palace Gardens is a place I recommend visiting if you spend at least 2 days in Porto. It is a park located about a 20-minute walk from the historic center. This park has several charming corners from which you can enjoy beautiful views of the Douro River and the Arrábida Bridge. Do not miss the Palace Garden Tower and, above all, the Quinta da Macieirinha Park.

From the Quinta da Macieirinha Park, you can sit on the grass or on a wall and enjoy a beautiful sunset with the Arrábida Bridge in the background. It’s very pretty, and the atmosphere is quite local. You will see many groups of friends hanging out. I recommend you take some drinks and snacks and enjoy an unforgettable moment from this viewpoint of Porto.

🛏️ Our hotel in Porto was Trendy Flats Fontainhas and we liked it very much, I highly recommend it! If you have many doubts about this topic, I recommend reading my guide on where to stay in Porto.

5. Cais de Gaia, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Porto

ribeira
Ribeira
vila nova de gaia
Vila Nova de Gaia

Although it is not a viewpoint as such, the lower part of Vila Nova de Gaia has some of the most beautiful views of the city. From this side of the river, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Porto, especially of the colorful houses in the Ribeira area. In addition, during the night, the reflection of the lights on the water gives a magical atmosphere to the place.

Enjoy a quiet walk along the Douro, and do not hesitate to sit on a bench or terrace to appreciate this beautiful postcard for a while. You will not get tired! Even if you only have one day in Porto, this is one of those places that you have to visit. Besides, here you will find some of the best restaurants in Oporto.

6. View from the tower of the Cathedral of Porto.

best viewpoints in Porto
Views from the square
Views of Porto
Viewpoint in Porto

It is possible to enter the Cathedral of Porto, and it only costs $3. With this ticket, apart from visiting the cathedral itself inside, you can access a beautiful cloister and also climb one of the towers, which is also one of the most impressive viewpoints in Porto. From the top, you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the city. Be warned that there are also quite a few stairs to climb.

If you don’t want to enter the cathedral, don’t worry. From the square where it is located, the views of the historic center of the city are also very nice. You will love it!

7. Viewpoint of the Church of San Lorenzo de Grilos

Porto in 2 days
Church of San Lorenzo de Grilos
Viewpoint of the Church of San Lorenzo de Grilos
Viewpoint in Porto

Very close to the Sé of Oporto is the Church of San Lorenzo de Grilos. The best way to appreciate the facade of this church is from the viewpoint that bears the same name. This viewpoint is just a few steps away from the cathedral, and you will surely pass by it if you are heading to the Ribeira area. From it, you will be able to appreciate not only this church but also part of the historical center.

🎟️ During your stay, be sure to book this free tour of Porto to get to know the city with a guide. It is one of the best free tours in Porto!

8. Paseo de las Virtudes

Paseo de las Virtudes
Paseo de las Virtudes
sunset in porto
Sunset in Porto

If you are looking for a more youthful and local atmosphere, I highly recommend watching the sunset from the Paseo de las Virtudes. This viewpoint is located next to the Victoria neighborhood and is a great option if you feel like having a drink while watching the sun go down with the Arrábida Bridge in the background.

In the same street, you will find several bars where you can order something to drink and take it sitting in the garden of the promenade. You can also buy it at a nearby store, so it will be cheaper.

9. Don Luis I Bridge, one of the best viewpoints in Porto

viewpoints in porto
Ribeira
views from the don luis I bridge
Views from Don Luis I Bridge

The Don Luis I Bridge itself is one of the most popular and visited viewpoints in the city, besides being an impressive work of engineering. As you may already know, it is possible to cross the bridge at the bottom or at the top. To enjoy the views, you obviously have to go over the upper part of the bridge. This connects the upper part of Vila Nova de Gaia and the Sé neighborhood. The views on both sides of the bridge are very nice.

10. Gaia cable car viewpoint

Gaia cable car viewpointr viewpoint
Gaia cable car

The viewpoint of the Gaia cable car is located in the upper area of Vila Nova de Gaia and is a small balcony from which you can appreciate beautiful views of the Douro River, the Don Luis I Bridge, and the city of Oporto.

As its name suggests, it is very close to the Gaia Cable Car station, which is also located next to the Jardim do Morro, a small green hill where you can sit and relax and appreciate the scenery.

11. Fontainhas Promenade

Paseo de las Fontainhas
Fontainhas Promenade

In the neighborhood of Fontainhas, you can enjoy a different view, as this place is located near the Infante Bridge; therefore, you can see the Don Luis I Bridge and, behind it, the historic center of Porto. In the Passeio das Fontainhas itself, there is a small concrete platform protruding from the street that you can access through a small door. If you find it closed, just push hard.

🎟️ If you are going to visit several tourist attractions, you may want to buy the Porto Card to save some money. This gives you free access to some attractions and discounts on some of the city’s must-sees. In addition, you can choose to include public transport. You can purchase the Porto Card here in advance.

12. Viewpoint of La Victoria

mirador de victoria oporto
Victoria, Porto
mirador de victoria
Viewpoint of La Victoria

In the neighborhood of Victoria, you will also find another viewpoint known as the Mirador de la Victoria. Do not expect much, as it is a small esplanade half abandoned without any maintenance. However, the views from it are very nice, so during your walk through this neighborhood of the city, do not hesitate to look out and appreciate the scenery.

13. Rooftop Flores

rooftop flores
Rooftop Flores

If you want to enjoy a landscape similar to the one you can see from the Mirador de la Victoria but prefer to do it sitting in a hammock and having a drink, don’t miss the Rooftop Flores. Here you will find a small garden with orange trees where you can sip a good port wine while appreciating the beautiful views.

You can order something to drink, and if you are hungry, don’t worry because they also serve snacks. Just watch out for the oranges falling from the trees!

14. Escadas do Codeçal

Escadas do Codeçal
Escadas do Codeçal
best viewpoints porto
Best viewpoints in Porto

If you go up from the Ribeira to the Escadas do Codeçal, you will be able to appreciate the beautiful views of the city. One of the places you can see very well from here is the Elevador da Ribeira.

Although the place I liked the most in this corner of the city is, without a doubt, the My Coffee Porto coffee shop, It is a small place where they serve delicious coffee, toast, smoothie bowls, and sweets. If you are lucky enough to get a seat, you can indulge your eyes and your palate in equal parts. You can check out other coffee shops in Porto that I recommend.

15. Escadas dos Guindais

how to get from oporto airport to the city center
Escadas dos Guindais

Last but not least, we have the Escadas dos Guindais. A priori, it may seem like a place without much charm, but the reality is that from here you will have a view of the Don Luis I Bridge that is quite different. Surely it will surprise you!

I recommend you go to this place when you are visiting the neighborhood of Sé or Bolhão, as the stairs to climb from the Ribeira are exhausting. It’s much better to get to the top of the stairs, appreciate the view, and then go down.

Map of the best viewpoints in Porto

In the following map, I have pointed out all the viewpoints that I have mentioned in this article, so you can see the location of each one of them.

I hope this article about the best viewpoints in Porto has been very useful to organize your visit to this beautiful Portuguese city. If you have any contribution or question, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or write me an email, see you next time!

Picture of Sofía Pozuelo
Sofía Pozuelo
Hi! I'm Sofia, creator of Come Ama Viaja. Traveling has been my greatest passion since I was a child. Besides exploring the world, I love walking in the countryside, specialty coffee, and Neapolitan pizza. I hope you find my travel guides useful!

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