In Porto, the second largest city in northern Portugal, the red-tiled roofs are stacked layer by layer, and the ancient buildings and the leisurely Douro River together outline a romantic European mountain city picture. For travelers who set foot in this city for the first time, standing on the top of Torre dos Clérigos, overlooking the red tiles and river view of the entire city, is an indescribable shock and touch.
1. Clérigos Tower: Porto’s most representative city eye
Introduction to attractions
The Clérigos Tower (Torre dos Clérigos) was built in the mid-18th century and designed by Italian architect Nicola Nassoni. It is one of the most representative Baroque buildings in Portugal. The tower is 75 meters high and was the tallest building in Porto at the time. Climbing to the top of the tower, you can overlook the red-tiled roofs of Porto, the winding Douro River and the wine cellar area in the distance, forming a very poetic urban landscape. The tower is connected to the Clérigos Church below, forming a complete religious and artistic complex, which is an ideal starting point for understanding Porto’s history and religious culture.
Geographic location and transportation
The Clérigos Tower is located on Rua de São Filipe de Nery in the center of Porto, with an extremely convenient geographical location. It is easy to walk to Aliados Avenue, São Bento Railway Station and Liberty Square. Take the Porto Metro Line D (Yellow Line) to Aliados Station, and walk about 5 minutes after exiting the station to reach the entrance of the tower.
Recommended time to visit
It is recommended to climb the tower before 10 am or after 5 pm to avoid the peak of noon traffic and enjoy the best lighting conditions. Photography enthusiasts are especially suitable to climb to the top at sunset to overlook the charming moment when the golden light of the city shines on the red tile roofs.
Tickets and booking methods
Adult tickets are about 6 euros, and children under 12 years old can enter for free. Tickets can be booked online through travel platforms such as Tiqets, Klook, and GetYourGuide. Some of these platforms provide fast-track options for travelers who don’t want to queue. It is recommended to buy tickets online in advance, especially during the peak tourist season.
2. Clérigos Church: The Sacred Temple of Baroque Art
Introduction to attractions
Clérigos Church (Igreja dos Clérigos) is one of the most representative Baroque religious buildings in Porto. Together with Clérigos Tower, it constitutes a complete historical and cultural landmark. Built in the 18th century, the church adopts a deep structure. The interior is decorated with golden wood carvings, fine stucco reliefs and religious paintings, showing a model of Portuguese Baroque art. The church is still used as a religious venue. Please be quiet and respectful when visiting.
Geographical location and transportation methods
The entrance of the church is connected to the Clérigos Tower and is located in the same building complex, at Rua de São Filipe de Nery. It is easily accessible on foot from any major transportation hub in Porto, such as Aliados Station and São Bento Station.
Recommended time for visiting
The recommended visit time is about 30 to 45 minutes. It is recommended to combine it with climbing the tower for a more complete experience. If you happen to encounter a mass in the church, you may wish to sit quietly for a while and feel the atmosphere of the fusion of religion and history.
Tickets and booking methods
You do not need to buy a separate ticket for the Clérigos Church. You can enter for free with the Clérigos Tower ticket. No reservation is required, but there are more people in the morning during holidays or weekends, so it is recommended to avoid peak times.
3. Livraria Lello: A real-life magic library
Introduction to attractions
Livraria Lello is known as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. It was built in 1906 and is famous for its unique neo-Gothic and Art Deco styles. The red atrium spiral staircase, stained glass ceiling and carved wood decorations create a dreamlike space atmosphere. J.K. Rowling lived in Porto for many years. It is rumored that she drew inspiration from this bookstore, and the bookstore has therefore been regarded as a pilgrimage site by Harry Potter fans.
Geographic location and transportation
The bookstore is located on Rua das Carmelitas Street, only 200 meters away from the Clérigos Tower. It is about a 10-minute walk from the São Bento Railway Station, passing through the City Hall and Liberty Square on the way. The street itself is also full of history and art.
Suggested time to visit
It is recommended to enter the venue when it opens in the morning to avoid the peak of tourists and get better shooting conditions. The entire visit lasts about 45 minutes to 1 hour, and you can appreciate the architecture and the content of the books. Travelers who like literature or architectural aesthetics should not miss this place.
Tickets and Booking Methods
The entrance ticket is 5 euros, which can be used to deduct when buying books in the bookstore. There are often long queues during peak hours. It is recommended to purchase “fast track” tickets in advance through platforms such as Tiqets, GetYourGuide, and Klook to save waiting time.
4. Dom Luís I Bridge: A steel miracle connecting Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia
Introduction to attractions
The Dom Luís I Bridge (Ponte Dom Luís I) was designed by Gustave Eiffel’s disciples. It adopts a double-deck iron bridge structure. The bridge spans the Douro River and connects Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia on the opposite bank. The upper deck is a light rail and pedestrian path, and the lower deck is for pedestrians and vehicles. Standing on the bridge and looking into the distance, the red-tiled houses are stacked layer by layer, and the Douro River is surrounded like a jade belt. It is one of the most representative urban landscapes in Porto.
Geographical location and transportation
The lower level of the bridge connects the Ribeira district and the wine cellar district of Vila Nova de Gaia, which is within walking distance. You can take the D line of the metro and get off at Jardim do Morro station, walk from the upper level of the bridge to the old town of Porto, or walk from the São Bento train station to the bridge head for about 15 minutes.
Recommended time to visit
The best time is around sunset, when the golden sunset falls on the river and buildings, with rich light and shadow layers, making it an ideal time for photography and walking. During the day, you can watch the passing cruise ships from under the bridge, and at night it is recommended to enjoy the city lights on the bridge.
Tickets and booking methods
The bridge is a public trail and no tickets are required. If you are interested in taking a Douro River cruise or viewing the bridge from the river, you can book cruises of different routes through platforms such as GetYourGuide and Klook, with prices ranging from 15 euros.
5. São Bento Station: A station wonder that perfectly combines art and transportation
Introduction to attractions
São Bento Station (Estação de São Bento) was built in the early 20th century and is famous for its more than 20,000 blue and white tiles (Azulejos) in the hall. These tiles depict scenes of Portuguese history, religious ceremonies and rural life, and are a common cultural memory for tourists and local residents. The station itself is still an important railway hub, but its artistic value has long surpassed its practical significance.
Geographical location and transportation methods
The station is located in Praça Almeida Garrett Square in the city center. It is the intersection of Porto Metro Line D and multiple railway lines, and transportation is very convenient. It only takes about 5 minutes to walk to Clérigo Tower and Liberty Square.
Suggested time to play
It is recommended to arrange a 30-minute to 1-hour tour time. There are fewer people in the early morning and evening, which is more suitable for taking pictures of tiles and feeling the tranquil atmosphere. This place is also a good starting point for a walking tour of Porto City.
Tickets and booking methods
The station is a public transportation hub and is open to the public free of charge. No reservation is required. If you’re interested in learning more about the background of the tiles and the history of the building, you can book a “Porto City Guided Walking Tour” through GetYourGuide or Tiqets, which includes a guided tour of São Bento Station for around €15 to €25.
6. Practical suggestions and third-party booking platform recommendations
In order to avoid queuing and language barriers, it is recommended that travelers use the following third-party platforms to make ticket and activity reservations in advance:
GetYourGuide: supports Chinese pages, suitable for first-time travelers to Europe.
Tiqets: focuses on cultural attractions and often provides package tickets.
Klook: suitable for Asian travelers, with a simple booking process and various payment methods.
Platform reservations can be canceled in advance, and some also provide fast-track options, especially suitable for visiting popular attractions such as Livraria Lello and Torre Clérigos during peak season.
The charm of Porto lies not only in its red-tiled roofs and river bends, but also in the city soul you feel when you stand on the top of Torre Clérigos. Buried between the pieces of rubble is the warmth of history, the texture of art, and the picture that travelers don’t want to end.
Hope you can have a deeper encounter with this city after climbing the tower.
