The Clérigos Tower — Torre dos Clérigos — is one of the defining landmarks of the Porto skyline. It rises beside the Clérigos Church, in the heart of the city, a short walk from Livraria Lello.
The tower and church form a Baroque ensemble of the eighteenth century, designed by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, who lived and worked in Porto and left a deep mark on the city. Built of granite, the tall, slender tower was for a long time the tallest structure in Porto and served as a landmark for ships on the Douro.
Visitors climb the tower's narrow spiral staircase — slightly over two hundred steps — to a balcony at the top, which gives a 360-degree panorama over the red rooftops of Porto, the river and, in the distance, the Atlantic. The Baroque Clérigos Church below is also worth entering, and a museum forms part of the visit.
Highlights
- Eighteenth-century Baroque granite bell tower
- Designed by the architect Nicolau Nasoni
- For long the tallest structure in Porto
- Just over 200 steps to a panoramic balcony
- 360-degree views over the city, river and coast
History & context
The Clérigos Church and Tower were built in the eighteenth century, designed by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, a leading figure of the Portuguese Baroque who settled in Porto. The granite tower, completed in the 1760s, was for a long time the tallest building in the city and served as a landmark for ships approaching on the Douro. It was classified a National Monument in 1910, and the church and tower underwent a major restoration completed in 2014.
🗓️ Best time to visit
Early morning for softer light and fewer people; sunset is also striking but busier.
⏱️ Duration
45–60 minutes
♿ Accessibility
Poor. The climb is by a narrow, winding staircase of over 200 steps, with no lift, unsuitable for reduced mobility.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps are there in the Clérigos Tower?
The narrow spiral staircase has slightly over two hundred steps to the balcony at the top.
Is the view from the tower worth the climb?
Yes. The balcony gives a 360-degree panorama over Porto's rooftops, the Douro and, in the distance, the Atlantic.
Is the church free to enter?
The Baroque Clérigos Church can be visited; climbing the tower and the museum require a ticket.