Porto · Portugal
Clérigos Tower
A practical guide to Clérigos Tower in Porto: what it costs to climb, how the priority line works, what time to go, what to see at the top and whether it is worth it compared with the free viewpoints.
For a first time in Porto, yes: it is the only 360-degree view of the center. If you already know the city, the Miradouro da Vitória gives you a good part of the view for free.
Clérigos Tower is the 76-meter Baroque bell tower you can see from almost anywhere in Porto. It was designed by the Italian Nicolau Nasoni and finished in 1763. A single ticket covers three things: the tower, the Clérigos church and a small museum of the brotherhood that built it.
Our experience
We went up on Thursday, May 14, at 15:00, the day we arrived from Lisbon. We bought the priority-line ticket on the official site because there are still groups in the early afternoon, and we gave it 45 minutes for the climb, the view and the church.
We put it right after the Carmo churches, 100 meters away, and before the Miradouro da Vitória, which is downhill on the way to Miragaia. That way the day’s hard climb was just one, and the rest was downhill.
A bit of history
The Irmandade dos Clérigos was a brotherhood that helped poor priests and their families. In 1731 it commissioned a new church from Nasoni, a Tuscan painter who had come to Porto in 1725 to decorate the cathedral and stayed 48 years. The church went up between 1732 and 1750 on an elliptical plan, something new in Portugal.
The tower came later, between 1754 and 1763. When it was finished it was the tallest building in the country for more than a century. It also had civic uses: it was a landmark for ships entering the Douro, a mortar fired at noon to mark the time, and flags were raised to tell merchants that English ships were arriving.
Nasoni asked to be buried in the church crypt without a headstone. To this day nobody knows exactly where he is. Since 2015 the tower has also opened at night in summer.
How it fits into your day
The tower is a step away from Livraria Lello and São Bento. See how we paired it with Palácio da Bolsa and the Church of São Francisco on our first day in Porto.
What to see, in order
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The Brotherhood museum
Ten minutes for the silver, the vestments, the church plans and the model of the complex. If you are in a hurry, it is the first thing you can skip.
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The climb
About 240 granite steps with landings every 30 or 40, where there are models of Porto and old engravings. Near the top the staircase narrows and people pass in both directions.
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The carillon
Close to the top you pass the 49 bells, about 10 tons of bronze hanging from wooden beams.
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The view south
The Douro, Vila Nova de Gaia with the port lodge signs, and the Luís I Bridge. It is the classic photo.
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West, north and east
On clear days, the Atlantic to the west; the Avenida dos Aliados to the north; and to the east the rooftops running down to the Ribeira and the towers of the Sé.
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The elliptical church
On the way down, stop in the center of the nave: it was the first Baroque church with an elliptical plan in Portugal. Look at the trompe-l'oeil ceiling and the gilded altar.
Tips we wish we’d known
Tips
- The platform at the top is small and fits about 12 or 15 people. At peak times you may have to wait on the stairs.
- Face south for the bridge photo and west if you go up at sunset.
- Bring water: there is nowhere to refill and the climb is real exercise, with no air conditioning.
- If it rains, the Spiritus light show inside the church is a good evening plan, with a separate ticket.
Do
- Buy only on the official site or at the ticket office.
- Wear shoes with grip: the granite steps are worn.
- Pair it with the Miradouro da Vitória, 200 meters downhill.
Don’t
- Do not buy "skip the line" tickets from resellers in the square.
- Do not pay "guides" at the door: the visit is self-guided and the signs are enough.
- Do not accept the "free" photo from the photographer at the top: the sales pitch comes after.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps does Clérigos Tower have?
About 240, on a granite spiral staircase that narrows as you go up. There is no elevator.
How much does it cost to climb Clérigos Tower?
The standard ticket was €8 in May 2026 and includes the tower, church and museum. With the priority line, bought on the official site, it was €10.
Do you need to buy tickets in advance?
It is not required, but in high season the priority line saves you the wait downstairs. At the top you may still have to wait for room.
Can you climb at night?
From Easter through September the tower opens in the evening until 23:00, with a separate, cheaper ticket that covers only the tower.