Torre dos Clérigos

I came here twice. First I came in the later afternoon but was turned down because the tower was about to close in 5 minutes. On my last day in Porto, I came here early right after the open at 10 AM. Before hitting the stairs, I passed some historical rooms. The stairs went up were narrow and steep. But because I was early, I had the whole place just for myself. I could run quickly to get to the top. What a beautiful view! The colorful city, the tile covered buildings, the peaceful river all like in an oil painting. Now I felt I was lucky not be able to come the day before in a dark raining evening. Now the sunny day with blue sky certainly makes climbing the 250 flights of stairs well worth it.

Tip: make sure to come here early in the day. Less people, easy to move around all corners, and better lighting.

We arrived as it opened to avoid any queuing. It is very well organised. There is a little museum and nice views of the church as you work your way to the top. The views are incredible and really worth the money. It is 8€ per person. Excellent!

There is so much more than just the view from the tower! Ticket price includes seeing the church from the upper balconies and a museum too as you work your way to the tower steps. The views from the very top are incredible!
The steps are steep, naturally & you have to be patient to let people coming from the opposite direction pass, but that's not a problem. I was super impressed that there was so much to this ticket to the tower. A must visit in Porto

This iconic 250 year old tower is one of the most visible landmarks in the whole of Porto and is the best place to get some stunning panoramic views of Porto itself and Vila Nova de Gaia on the other side of the river. The Church below is free entry but to access the tower and museum you have to buy a ticket.

There are 225 steps to the top, and the final parts are quite narrow so to avoid having to squeeze past other people travelling in the opposite direction I would strongly recommend getting there as early as possible in the morning. You’ll also have more elbow room on the viewing platform in order to take the obligatory photographs. An added bonus is that early morning you often get a bit of mist over the river to add more atmosphere to your photographs.

I understand that sometimes they have evening visits to the top which would make for some stunning photos so check their website for details

We booked tickets online maybe about a week prior for 3 PM entry tickets for a Monday afternoon. Daytime tickets are ​​€8 and nighttime is ​​€5, which seems pretty cool but we didn't feel the need to visit twice, especially since our time in Porto was limited. It took us probably about 40 minutes to explore everything, climb to the top, and take photos as the top. You get a great view of Porto and all of its red rooftops. The climb isn't super easy though. It's a lot of steps and there are some narrow areas, but if you feel like you're physically up to it, the views are so worth it. It gets super windy/cold up there though so dress warmly. It also wasn't too crowded at the time we went, so that was another nice perk.

Highly recommend if you're visiting Porto!

Witch every penny! Wish I had visited sooner. We bought the €8 ticket that included museum and tower. Can’t see that the museum is worth it, but there are some interesting artifacts. But the tower is amazing. The views are spectacular in every direction.

Great views of the city and they have a good display of the city landmarks. The behind the Scenes access to the church was cool including standing behind the top the alter. They have a good writeup of the history of the tower and the church. One of the better self directed tours on Porto.

It is a wonderful building built in the 18th century. You should definitely go to see the city of Porto view and enjoy it. Depending on the weight, you can go to this tower for a certain fee. (Stairs can tired you out a bit) Employees control the crowd well. You don't waste time when you go up. Definitely advised to go.

Amidst the labyrinthine streets and vibrant tapestry of Porto, Portugal, a sentinel of Baroque splendor pierces the skyline, beckoning the curious traveler towards its celestial embrace. This is the Torre dos Clérigos, an architectural masterpiece that has stood as the city's iconic emblem for over two centuries.

Ascending from its granite-paved base, the Torre dos Clérigos exudes an aura of majesty, its Baroque ornamentation a testament to the artistry of Nicolau Nasoni, the tower's esteemed architect. Nasoni's genius is evident in the harmonious blend of styles, where Baroque exuberance intertwines seamlessly with Rococo finesse.

The tower's ascent is an experience in itself, a spiraling journey through 225 steps that rewards patient pilgrims with breathtaking vistas of the city. With each step, Porto unfolds beneath you, a mesmerizing panorama of terracotta rooftops, meandering rivers, and the cerulean expanse of the Atlantic Ocean.

Upon reaching the summit, one is greeted by an octagonal chamber, its walls adorned with exquisite azulejos, the signature tin-glazed tiles that grace many Portuguese landmarks. These tiles, meticulously hand-painted in vibrant hues, depict biblical scenes and historical narratives, each panel a testament to the artistry of bygone eras.

But the true masterpiece lies beyond the chamber walls, the panoramic spectacle that awaits from the tower's open terrace. Porto stretches out before you, a tapestry of ancient and modern, a harmonious blend of timeworn treasures and contemporary energy. The Douro River snakes its way through the heart of the city, its waters reflecting the golden glow of the setting sun.

As the sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows across the cityscape, the Torre dos Clérigos transforms into a beacon of illumination, its granite façade bathed in the soft radiance of twilight. The city lights twinkle like distant stars, painting a mesmerizing nocturnal panorama that rivals the daytime splendor.

Descending from the celestial heights, one carries with them an indelible imprint of Porto's beauty, as witnessed from the lofty perch of the Torre dos Clérigos. It is a testament to the enduring power of art and architecture, their ability to transport us to realms of beauty and inspire a profound appreciation for the world around us.

The Clérigos Tower and Church in Porto are stunning architectural gems. The Baroque-style tower, designed by Nicolau Nasoni, offers breathtaking panoramic views of Porto and the Douro River from its 76-meter height. The unique spiral staircase, though a climb of 225 steps, is rewarded with awe-inspiring vistas. Despite the ascent, the €8 adult admission (€4 for kids) is justified by the priceless experience of the city's beauty unfolding beneath you. An absolute must-visit for those appreciating history and panoramic delights.

If you only have time for one tour amongst all the tourist attractions, this is the one to choose. Tickets cost Euro 8 for adults and it consists of a visit to the famed tower, the museum and the chapel.

After entering by scanning your ticket (do not lose them) you enter a museum where several artifacts and collection items are displayed. You move along and ascend to the second floor where you have a view of the chapel.

Still ascending, you enter the third level where another exhibition hall awaits. Going further, you start your climb to the tower. Here you ticket is punched and off you go.

The stairwells are very narrow and yet two way traffic. Please exercise caution and give way as far as possible to in coming traffic in the stairwell and also to the young and elderly.

At the top you are immediately rewarded with the best 360 degree views of Porto. Take care not to poke someone in the eye with your selfie sticks and please be patient. Some groups ahead of you will take their time to snap off countless shots of the same breathtaking view.

P/S there is a photo taking service before you climb the tower. These three shots of you will be superimposed on shots of the tower taken by drone. You only pay if you choose to buy. Or you can skip and go straight up the stairwell.

They have Holy Mass in English, probably only English mass in Porto - every Saturday at 17:00, 30 min before mass confession but you need to ask the priest week before.

The church itself is very pretty inside and during the mass they play on organ which is very good experience. I truly recommend visiting it no matter if for mass or not, they also have some concerts with lights experience which seems to be good alternative for people who enjoy classical music.

You can enter the church if you want to pray for free, otherwise you pay ticket.

Magnificent tower in Porto. It can be seen from anywhere in the city. View is great from the top.

I was fortunate to visit the Torre dos Clérigos during my trip to Porto, and it was an incredible experience. The tower itself is an architectural masterpiece, and although the climb up the stairs is a bit steep, the view from the top is breathtaking. You can see the entire city of Porto, with its characteristic red roofs and the Douro River winding through the city. It's truly a must-visit spot if you're in Porto. Make sure to bring your camera to capture these incredible views!

Simple museum about the history of the building, tower tour has a lot of steps that take you to the top. Nice view of the city. Price for tower visit is acceptable. Pipe organ concert daily at 12pm is free of charge, it's actually pretty nice. I showed a video to my friend who plays the pipe organ and they said that the performance quality was quite high. So you could try 12pm. It's usually not too crowded, around 80% full. You can leave at will if you decide you had enough

Beautiful for sure, it was 5 euro for student and I the church is for free but the tower was priced. I got there at 4.30pm but they told me to come back at 5.30pm to see the tower , I guess the time appointments are limited but I'm not sure. The stairs are very small, but the view is amazing. Just one bad point is, the upstairs, there are really small area to stand and there are lots of people with you, so I thanked to people a lot 😂😂 cause we always shared our ways with each other. But still, the top is amazing the view is best I guess. Definitely add to your Porto tour.

Absolutely the best view of Porto. Beautiful Baroque church. It's a big climb but it is so worth it.

Highly recommend it! Beautiful view on Porto although it is not much room on the deck view, still really worth to see!

An impressive structure, that is a must see during a visit, it is not hard to miss, the surrounding area, is vibrant and nice to explore

Very well organised - with very authentic exhibits and decently concise soundbites of info. The tour route takes you all around the church so you actually get to see a beautiful view inside the church from lots of different angles. The view from the tower is so beautiful and a bit different from other tower views so for €8 (I paid €5 as student) definitely worth it. And it’ll work up that appetite for lunch / dinner. Staff were both friendly and helpful