15 Best Photo Spots in Porto: Discover Porto’s Most Beautiful Places

Igreja do Carmo

Igreja do Carmo is probably the most popular photo spot in Porto and you can’t leave Porto without taking your photo with this iconic azulejos wall. For reference, azulejos are the famous Portuguese tiles that you will find all over Portugal.

If you approach the entrance of the church, don’t be surprised. The front is completely grey, but the beautiful azulejos are on the side of the building.

You can either stay on the pedestrian area next to the church or cross the street and take your photo from the other side. Try to stay in the center and frame your shot carefully, as the geometric pattern is what makes this photo work.

You might need some patience while the cars pass by, but it is possible to get a good photo at almost any time of day. Morning is still the best time, although you definitely don’t need to wake up for sunrise.

Passeio das Fontainhas

Passeio das Fontainhas is one of my favorite places in Porto for views. From this spot, you can look out over the Douro River, Vila Nova de Gaia, and the Dom Luís I and Infante bridges.

It is a particularly good place for photography because you get a different perspective of Porto than from the more popular viewpoints in the historic center. You can also see the colorful buildings climbing up the hills on both sides of the river.

Update! There is construction work going on and this exact staircase is not accessible anymore, but you still can enjoy the same views from Passeio das Fontainhas.

Porto Cathedral

Porto Cathedral is one of the city’s most important historic landmarks. Built in the 12th century, it has been changed over the centuries, so you can see a mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architecture.

Make sure to visit the Gothic cloister, which is decorated with beautiful blue and white azulejos depicting religious scenes. The cloister is one of my favorite parts of the cathedral and is absolutely worth your time.

Considering the popularity of the cathedral, it gets busy, so you will want to enter right at the opening time. You can get an entrance ticket online, but you will still need to make the line. I recommend visiting both the cathedral and the cloister.

Largo da Pena Ventosa

Largo da Pena Ventosa is a little square in the heart of Porto surrounded by typical and colorful houses. If you are arriving from Porto Cathedral, you will find a lot of cute streets with plants on every corner with Largo da Pena Ventosa at the end of the street. Just waiting for you to take a photo!

Back in the day, this used to be a hidden gem in Porto, but now you can easily find it on Google Maps and you might meet other photographers around trying to snap a photo.

There is also a bar in the square, so I suggest you come here early in the day. Not for sunrise, but anything between 9 am and 10 am would be perfect.

Chapel of Souls

It is another azulejos-covered church, but I have to say that this one looks the most impressive when it comes to photos.

On the side of the church, you will find scenes from the lives of saints and deep blue colors. Surprisingly, other churches are more photographed and that is because it is not easy to take a photo here.

Chapel of Souls is located right next to the busy street of Porto. Between cars and people, it can be difficult to take a photo. And you have to be careful because the photographer has to stand on the street, so this means tripod photography is almost impossible.

But with a bit of patience, you can do everything! Just don’t forget to bring a wide-angle lens, because it looks the best.

Bolsa Palace

Bolsa Palace is one of my personal highlights of Porto and I would say it is still a hidden gem in Porto. The building was constructed mid-nineteenth century in a neoclassical style and is situated in the city center.

This means that you will have a lot of photo opportunities inside here. I recommend you take some photos on the stairs and in the main hall while your photographer is on the second floor on one of the balconies. A wide-angle lens will be the best choice for Bolsa Palace.

The entrance fee is 10 euros and it comes with a guided tour in Portuguese, Spanish, French or English. You will need to join the group to visit Bolsa Palace and the tour takes around 30 minutes.

After the tour, you will have some free time to wander around and take pictures. It is open from 9 am to 6.30 pm.

São Bento Station

Yes, you read that right. The next one on the list of best photo spots in Porto is a train station. But it is probably one of the most beautiful train stations that I have ever seen and it has a Portuguese touch that makes it unique. And another good reason to add it to your Porto itinerary.

As you can imagine, the train station is a busy place and people inside the station are in a rush, so they won’t be waiting around for you to take a photo. But from my experience, there is a moment between trains, when you can get it partially empty.

So once again, take some test shots and embrace your patience. Avoid the train station from 10 am until early afternoon – that is the time when all the tourists come to visit, so it might be extra challenging.

Igreja de Santo Ildefonso

This is another beautiful church that you shouldn’t miss when visiting Porto. The church was built in a Baroque style and features a retable by the Italian artist Nicolau Nasoni. It has a little square in front of the church and a facade of 1932 azulejo tile work – everything you need to take a beautiful photo. 

The church opens around 10 am, so I suggest you visit it before opening time. Locals go there for ceremonies or praying, so I think it is better to take your photo before it gets busy.

If you want to capture the church, anything between a wide angle and a 35 mm lens will look great. I used a 50 mm lens to create a portrait instead.

Cais da Ribeira

Ribeira is the most famous neighborhood of Porto, however, Ribeira means riverside in Portuguese and that is where I want you to go. I don’t have a particular spot to recommend here, because the opportunities are endless.

You can create unique angles with the bridge, zoom in on the houses of Porto or just take some photos with the Douro itself.

This is why you can bring all your lenses and get creative. But keep in mind that this is a busy area for locals and tourists, so you will have to come early.

Either way, it might be very challenging to take a good photo. And golden sunrise light will reward you for waking up early, so you can sacrifice a bit of your sleep, right?

Escadas do Barredo

This area of Porto dates back to the Middle Age and it used to be a red-light district. Nowadays, it is a hidden gem or Porto and offers many cool photo opportunities. If you are familiar with Portuguese, you already know from the name that this involves a lot of stairs.

This is why I suggest you start from Capela Nossa Senhora das Verdades and head down to Miradouro Barredo e Jano.

You can photograph some typical Portuguese houses, colorful doors, locals hanging around, or some views over the Douro. I suggest playing with a wide-angle lens as the streets are tiny and the space is limited. Once again, get lost and get creative.

Livraria Lello

Livraria Lello is one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world and it is located in Porto. So you simply have to include it in your list of best photo spots in Porto. Harry Potter fans probably have heard about this place as there are rumors that J. K. Rowling found some inspiration for her books after visiting Livraria Lello.

However, it comes with a price. Everyone visiting Porto wants to see this place, so the lines get crazy. The bookstore is open every day from 9 am to 7 pm and the entrance fee is 5 euros.

If you want to avoid the crowds, come here 30 minutes before closing time or during lunchtime. Even better if you are visiting during the low season.

More Portuguese houses

If you are looking for more hidden gems in Porto, you will love this location. It is similar to Escadas do Barredo, but it doesn’t require any climbing, so might be an easy solution for some of you. 

You won’t see this location all over Instagram, so this is your chance to try something new, yet authentic and cool. This also means that you can easily snap your photo any time of the day. I used a 24 mm lens for my photo as there is not a lot of space to capture the entire house.

Also, take a walk in this area of Porto. You might find more photo spots!

Location: R. dos Pelames 55

Pérgola da Foz

Located further away from central Porto, Pérgola da Foz offers a wonderful terrace right on the ocean. This is another wonderful sunset spot in Porto and shouldn’t be missed during your trip to this Portuguese city.

It is a famous attraction, so you might find it busy, especially during the summer. That’s why sunset is the perfect time to visit – you can play with the lights, create some portraits or just capture the beauty of the golden ocean from the terrace.

The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Porto

Apart from tourist attractions and hidden gems, Porto has some very unique cafes that are great for taking a photo and not only. Which one you should visit?

Cafe Majestic is my personal favorite and it is one of the most popular attractions in Porto. It is a historical cafe with elegant service and exquisite local food.

Vogue Café Porto and Lazy Breakfast Club are modern and hip cafes that are built for picture perfect. It comes with modern cuisine, endless coffee options, and great vegetarian & vegan options.

Tip! Don’t forget to visit McDonald’s in Praça da Liberdade. Yes, you read that right. With all the delicious Portuguese food, I don’t advise you to eat at McDonald’s, but make sure you visit this place and I can guarantee that you will be impressed. Certainly, deserves to be on the list of the most Instagrammable cafes in Porto.

Vila Nova de Gaia

Ironically, one of the best photo spots in Porto is located outside of Porto. Yes, Vila Nova de Gaia is another city, and the Luís I Bridge connects it with Porto. Cross the lower part of Luís I Bridge and turn to your right. You will find a nice promenade with some of the best views over Porto.

Many tourists come here to enjoy the views, however, sunset is the best time to capture its beauty. Considering that you will be standing right next to the Douro River, you can easily avoid other people in your photo. Also, this is a perfect place to play with your zoom lens.

Jardim do Morro

Jardim do Morro is one of the best sunset spots. Even if you don’t care about photos, you can’t leave Porto without seeing the sunset from Jardim do Morro.

It is located in Vila Nova de Gaia, but you have a fantastic view over Porto with the curves of the Douro and the golden sun setting over. Pure magic if you ask me.

You can take the cable car from the promenade on the lower side of Vila Nova de Gaia or take a metro from Porto. If you decide to walk, make sure you are on the upper side of Luís I Bridge to avoid the climbing afterward. And you will get some nice views from the bridge as well.

Update! You might see a lot of guides suggesting climbing the famous rock in Vila Nova de Gaia for some epic views, but currently it is under construction and not accessible.