Climbing the Clerigos Tower in Porto

The baroque Clérigos Tower is Porto’s most famous landmark, rising above the old town. Climb it for a 360-degree view over the rooftops, the river and the bridges. Here’s how to visit.

Quick answer: the tower is about 75 metres tall, with around 225 to 240 steps up a narrow spiral staircase. Buy tickets online, and go early or near closing time to avoid queues on the stairs. Allow about an hour, including the church and museum. Livraria Lello is a two-minute walk away. See Clérigos Tower tickets and tours.

Why go

You can see the tower from almost everywhere in Porto, and from the top you can see almost all of Porto. It’s the easiest way to understand the city’s layout in one go: the old town tumbling down to the Douro, the port lodges across the river in Gaia, and the sea on a clear day. The ticket also covers a baroque church and a small museum, so it’s more than a quick climb.

About Clérigos

The Italian-born architect Nicolau Nasoni designed the church and tower in the 18th century for the Brotherhood of the Clérigos, a society of clergy. Work on the church began in 1732, and the tower was finished in 1763. At about 75.6 metres, it was long one of the tallest structures in Portugal, and it served as a landmark for ships heading up the Douro. Nasoni asked to be buried in the church crypt, though the exact spot is unknown. The tower and church are part of Porto’s historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

What to see

• The view: from the top, see the cathedral, the river, Gaia’s port lodges and the Dom Luís I Bridge. The viewing gallery is narrow, so be patient at busy times.
• The church: one of the first baroque churches in Portugal with an oval (elliptical) floor plan, with a polychrome marble altarpiece.
• The museum: religious art and objects in the old brotherhood rooms, part of the same visit.
• Organ concerts: a short pipe organ concert usually takes place in the church around midday. Check the official Clérigos website for the current schedule.

Opening hours and tickets

• Hours: usually daily from 9am to 7pm. The tower occasionally closes for a day for events or maintenance while the church and museum stay open, so check the official website before you go.
• Tickets: buy them online or at the entrance. Online tickets help in summer, when the queue can stretch down the street.
• Night visits: the tower runs evening visits on some dates, branded “Clérigos by Night”. Check the official website for dates.
• Time needed: about an hour in total, or longer if you linger at the top.

Getting there

The tower stands on Rua de São Filipe de Nery, at the top of Rua dos Clérigos in the old town. It’s a five to ten-minute uphill walk from São Bento station, and a short walk from Aliados metro. Don’t drive: parking in the centre is scarce and the streets are steep and narrow.

Tips

• Stairs: the staircase is narrow and steep, so it’s not ideal for claustrophobia or limited mobility. Take your time and use the landings to rest.
• Timing: the first hour after opening is usually the quietest. Midday is the busiest, when tour groups arrive.
• Light: late afternoon gives a golden glow over the rooftops.
• Bags: travel light, as big backpacks are awkward on the stairs.
• Combine: Livraria Lello, the Carmo church and the university area are steps away. See the Livraria Lello guide.

A half-day route nearby

Start at São Bento to see the tiled entrance hall, walk up to Clérigos and climb the tower, then visit Livraria Lello. Finish with the azulejo-covered Carmo church and the Jardim da Cordoaria park. If you have more time, walk down to the river at Ribeira.

Food nearby

The streets around the tower are full of cafés and snack bars. It’s a good area to try a francesinha, a bifana or a pastel de nata. See what to eat in Porto.

Other Porto views

See the best Porto viewpoints and Porto’s churches.

More: Porto in one day and things to do in Porto.

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