11 Porto photography spots – Porto Portugal Photography

Porto is a gorgeous city and that's why we put together a list of the best Porto Photography spots. Let's discover the best photo spots in Porto Portugal

Last Update: June 24, 2022

Porto has been a wonderful surprise. We never thought that it would be more beautiful than Lisbon. We fall in love with Porto and with all the Porto photography spots which we found around.
It was Toti’s happy place and he wouldn’t stop shooting. aWe put together the top 11 Porto photography with a detailed guide of the best photo spots in Porto without missing the most instagrammable places in Porto.

This city is plenty of colours and you will love shooting around. It’s the perfect place where to find Porto Instagram spots and we will share with you which ones are the best places to take pics in Porto. Be ready to find the best Porto sunrise spot with a stunning viewpoint over the city where the colours will reflect the city of Porto.

Porto Photography locations
Landscape of Porto at Sunset – Best Porto Photography locations

Top 11 Porto Photography 

  • Ribeira
  • Dom Luis I Bridge
  • Porto Cathedral
  • Igreja De Santo Ildefonso
  • Igreja Do Carmo
  • Clérigos Church
  • Livraria Lello 
  • Jardins do Palacio de Cristal
  • Capela da Pedra
  • Capela Das Almas
  • Vila Nova de Gaia

Ribeira – Porto Photography

Exploring the Ribeira district is one the best way to see the city. The colours around give this place a unique looking and it is considered one of the most picturesque parts of the city.

Its wonderful facades are exceptional and perfect for your Porto photography location’s itinerary. You can easily walk through the Ribeira quarter and find the best spot which inspires you, as we did. All the area is lovely and got a lot of Porto photography spots.

If you are exploring this lovely barrio you can’t miss seeing one of the most amazing views of the city. The lift Lada Ribeira will take you up to enjoy the stunning view over the city. The lift is free and for sure is one of the best Porto Instagram spots. 
Best time to visit: Sunset 

  • Instagrammable Porto
  • Porto instagram spots

Dom Luís I Bridge – Porto photography spots

The Dom Luis I Bridge was our favourite part as we were walking on it and we were able to see the city around us.
We reach it while the sun was going down and it was one of the most beautiful emotions. You got the trams running up the bridge, if you are brave you can get in the middle realising that is a great Porto photography spot.
The bridge can get very busy so be ready to wait a bit before finding the best spots. It is one of the most beautiful places in Porto and it’s perfect for Porto street photography as well.
The view on the Rio Duro is awesome if you are lucky enough you will spot cruises coming in and out the seaport, which makes your composition beautiful.

  • Porto Street Photography
  • Most beautiful places in Porto

Porto Cathedral – Instagrammable Porto 

Considered one of the most religious buildings in Oporto, the Porto Cathedral Portugal has been declared a National Monument. The inside is perfect for instagrammable Porto pictures. The Cathedral is a fortress, as was built in the past.
It is on the top of the hill, looking at the city. From here you can enjoy a beautiful view of Porto.
The cityscape is just amazing and breathtaking, but the best photos are from the right corner of the square facing the Cathedral.
In this way, you can have the view in the middle of the square with a big cross and the Cathedral in the background.

It looks like a bit Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon. Have you ever been to Lisbon? If you are organizing a trip to Porto you can’t miss spending a couple of days in the Portuguese capital as well. Check our Lisbon city tour.

  • Most beautiful places in Porto
  • Porto Street Photography

Igreja Do Carmo – Best photo spots in Porto 

11 Porto photography spots - Porto Portugal Photography
Igreja do Carmo is a unique masterpiece in Porto

Located in the middle of a huge square and close to Livreria Lello, Carmo church is one of the biggest ones in the city. One of the most beautiful things about this church is the tiled wall located outside which is one of the best photos spots in Porto.

The colour and the details make this church on the list of the top Porto photography spots. More than the facade, the Porto instagrammable spot here is lateral the church. Crossing the street, you will get all the amazing details of the tiles in the background.

Igreja De Santo Ildefonso

St. Ildefonso’s church is one of the most instagrammable places in Porto located in Praça da Batalha. Built-in a proto-Baroque style and with azulejo tilework today is one of the best Porto Portugal photography spots.

Clérigos Church  – Best photography locations in Porto

The Clerics Tower is beautiful and it offers an amazing view to the ones who climb its 240 steps. I know it is a lot. We recommend climbing the steps to get a breathtaking view of the old town of Porto.
It’s a lot but you need to think about what you will get once you reach the top. 
The Clerigos Church and its bell tower are one of the most popular visited monuments in Porto. 
To go up to the tower there is a small fee which you need to pay and you can book it here.

Livraria Lello – Porto Portugal Photography

Alessia’s favourite place and you know already. It’s impossible to leave Porto without visiting Libreria Lello and get a gorgeous shot of the famous staircase located inside. It’s one of the best Porto photography and it’s an example of the things to see in Oporto Portugal.
You can buy the tickets for only 4 euros if you buy a book you will get a discount as well if you show the ticket.

Did you know that Libvraria Lello is the place where the author of Harry Potter took inspiration? Now you know, and you can’t miss visiting one of the most instagrammable places in Porto.

Jardins do Palacio de Cristal 

Perfect to watch the sunrise in Porto, Christal Palace’s gardens is the best location if you are planning to watch the sunrise in Porto. Located in the city centre, the botanical garden is the right location for a photography tour in Porto. 

Capela da Pedra – Porto photography

It’ one of the most gorgeous spots we have ever seen. Located on the coastline, Capela de Pedra need to be in your list of the best Porto photography. Here is where you will love shooting.
It was one of our favourite spots in Porto and we found it non-touristy at all which is good when you plan an off the beaten path Porto photography itinerary.

Do Carmo Church in Porto is one of the most beautiful churches in the world
Do Carmo Church in Porto is one of the most beautiful churches in the world.

Capela Das Almas – Most beautiful places in Porto

Known as the Chapel of Souls, is one of the most special chapels in Porto. Thanks to its azulejos, the white and blue facade are one of the most unmistakable chapels in Porto.

TopTips: Try to wear something which will match to achieve an instagrammable photo of Porto. Check some examples below, to find inspiration for your next photos of Porto.

Vila Nova de Gaia 

Vila Nova de Gaia is known for its scenic riverside with its cafe terraces and restaurants where picturesque tiled houses line the narrow streets.
It is the best place to go for a walk and create gorgeous photos with the remarkable view of the Luis I Bridge and the picturesque neighbourhood of Ribeira. 

We highly suggest you point this place as one of the best places to stay in Porto. In Vila Nova de Gaia, there are many factories of the local wine “Porto”, also many cellars for a wine tour of Porto. Check some of the best here.

There are a couple of beaches, for your hot summer days, like Praia da Madalena.
If you are not fancy for the beach, still there are many panoramic terraces on the riverside that offer nice breakfast, lunch and dinner.
But for that head to Afurada, close by, where you can find a restaurant for fresh fish dishes. It is an old fisherman village made of narrow alleys and tiled houses.
This is an off the beaten path Porto itinerary for lovers of Porto photo spots.

Getting around Porto 

During your journey in Porto, you will see how easy is to get around Oporto. If you planned a day trip from Lisbon to Porto by car we recommend you to park the car and discover the city by walk. The narrow streets are gorgeous and you can’t always reach them by car.

If you want you can get the Porto Card Walker which is valid for 1-4 days. You will have free access to 6 museums and a discount on one of the port wine cellars. Or, with a bit difference of money, you can get the Porto Card with Transport as well.

Travel tips for an unforgettable Porto photography itinerary 

Always carry with you extra clothes as a backup, which will help you to be ready for any shot. In this way, we were able to take the most instagrammable pic of Portugal. Foz do Douro is one of the perfect places where to watch the sunrise in Porto, so be ready to wake up early to enjoy this lovely moment.

If you are looking for another place where to see the sunrise in Porto, consider Dom Luís overlooking the Douro River.

Porto photography spots – Porto Instagram spots

We found Porto one of the most beautiful places where to find the best Porto photography spots. The city will inspire you to get around and to want to explore always more. If you have ever been to Lisbon you will see the difference between the two cities and for sure, you will love more Porto than the Portuguese Capital. 

If you want to explore Lisbon’s hidden gems, see our latest post.

The best time to visit Porto is in early summer or even spring, so you will be able to find the most Porto off the beaten path photography spots.
Not just simple spots, Porto has got some rooftop terraces that will help you to find epic scenarios. We sampled it in some of our suggestions below, which will help you to plan some chill-out evenings in Porto with an amazing view.

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