Your experience begins at the main entrance of the Baroque tower. From here, you climb up six levels and 225 narrow and steep stairs to reach the summit, which offers 360-degree views of the entire Porto skyline, the Douro River, and a whole lot more.
Orientation verdict: One entrance, one staircase, one viewing platform - a simple layout, but capacity controls can slow entry.
The visit begins inside the Clérigos complex, where tickets are scanned. You can explore the museum and church first before joining the tower queue. There’s only one way to reach the top of the tower, so you come down via the very same staircase that you climbed up.
Entrances: Single public entrance on Rua de São Filipe de Nery.Flow: Ticket scan → museum → church → tower climb → exit.Tools: Follow on-site signage, with no app required.
| Visit type | Duration | Route | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
Snapshot visit | 30–45 min | Entrance → tower climb → viewpoint → exit | Fast skyline views without museum time |
Balanced visit | 60–75 min | Museum → church → tower → exterior photos | Full experience with minimal waiting |
Slow visit | 90 min | Museum → church → tower → nearby landmarks | Relaxed pace with time for photography |
Step into a warm granite interior where gilded woodwork, carved altarpieces, and soft natural light create a calm, contemplative atmosphere. The elliptical nave draws your eye toward the richly decorated main altar, while the tomb of architect Nicolau Nasoni adds a personal historical touch. The gallery that surrounds this nave is also a unique feature, with a view of the church as a whole.
Located in the former private quarters of the Brotherhood of Clérigos, the museum features thoughtfully arranged rooms displaying liturgical vestments, paintings, and ceremonial objects from the Brotherhood. These exhibits offer a glimpse into Porto’s religious traditions and the daily life of the clergy who once served here.
The climb begins with a narrow spiral of worn stone steps that curve tightly upward. Small openings in the walls reveal teasing glimpses of rooftops and sky, building anticipation as you move higher through the historic structure.
At the top, the space opens suddenly onto a circular viewing platform. From here, you can trace the Douro River, spot Porto Cathedral in the distance, and take in a patchwork of terracotta roofs stretching toward Vila Nova de Gaia.
If you’re looking to book tickets to the Clérigos Tower, there are two main experiences to choose from. The first is the tickets to Spiritus, a multimedia light & sound show that engulfs the church’s stunning architecture in a flurry of light, laser, and poetic storytelling.
The second experience is a three-hour-long guided walking tour of Porto’s key highlights, including the Clérigos Church, the São Bento da Vitória Monastery, and the Porto Cathedral. This experience involves a considerable amount ot walking, and is not suited for visitors bound to a wheelchair.
Pre-booking helps you secure your preferred time window when choosing either of these experiences, especially in peak months (June to August, Easter, and Christmas) when on-site tickets may sell out for certain slots.
| Ticket type | What’s included | Best for |
|---|---|---|
Spiritus Show | Church entry + show tickets | An immersive multimedia experience |
Tower + Porto Highlights Tour | Guided tour of Clérigos Church & Tower + key city highlights + tastings | A deep dive into Porto’s history & culture |
Weekend vs weekday
The best time to visit Clérigos Tower is on a weekday, especially since it can get quite crowded over the weekends due to the visitors at the adjacent church. While sunset slots are also compelling, you’ll encounter bigger crowds, especially over the weekends.
Peak season vs low season
The peak season runs from around May to September, with higher demand and longer waits. November to March is quieter except for holiday weeks, giving you more freedom to climb the tower at a relaxed pace and explore the architecture at the church and museum.
The Clérigos Tower stands in Porto’s historic Baixa district, close to Livraria Lello and Avenida dos Aliados.
Address: R. de São Filipe de Nery, 4050-546 Porto, Portugal | Find on Google Maps
Closest landmark: Livraria Lello, 120m away | Find on Google Maps
By metro: Take Line D to São Bento and Aliados (on the yellow line). The tower is a 6-minute walk from here.
By bus: There are several bus routes that pass very close to the Clérigos Tower, including 200, 300, 305, 507, 600, 601, 602, and 703.
If you’re driving from Praça da Liberdade in central Porto, the Clérigos Tower is no more than an 8-minute drive away. | Check driving route
Parking lots nearby:
Entrances
The Clérigos Tower has a single main entrance located in the middle of the Clérigos Church building, accessed via Rua de São Filipe de Nery in central Porto. This is where your tickets are validated, before you proceed to the tower.
Note: The church and tower don’t have amenities such as locker rooms, so make sure to travel light during your visit.
The Clérigos Tower itself is not wheelchair accessible, as the climb involves scaling 225 narrow and steep stairs to the top. There are no elevators.
However, in 2015, the Brotherhood created a multisensory space that simulates the climb up to the top of the tower, so even those who can’t climb to the top can get a sense of the experience.
Clérigos Church: The Clérigos Church itself is wheelchair accessible, and the staff on-site are always present to help. They also cater to hearing-impaired visitors.
The Clérigos Tower is a must-visit for all members of the family, provided they are physically sound. Seniors or those bound to wheelchairs won’t be able to climb the tower, but can experience it in the multisensory space.
Children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Additionally, kids under the age of 10 can enter the church and tower for free.
The Clérigos Tower is part of the larger Clérigos complex, a key religious site. As a result, you must conduct yourself respectfully.
As a church complex, modest clothing is recommended. Shoulders and knees should be covered inside the church.
For those climbing the tower, a pair of sturdy and comfortable walking or hiking shoes is recommended.
Clérigos Gift Shop (inside complex): Souvenirs, postcards, and religious-themed items near the exit.
There are no dining options inside the complex, but you’ll find several places to grab a bite within a few minutes’ walk from the tower.
Pro tip: If you want the shortest walk to the tower, stay near Aliados or São Bento for quick access to transport, restaurants, and major landmarks.
If your goal is to climb the tower alone, you can complete your visit in about 30-45 minutes, including the climb both ways, and some time at the top to soak in the panoramic views. If you also plan on visiting the church and museum, you can easily spend about 90 minutes or even longer.
The Clérigos Tower is open between 9am and 7pm on all days of the year, except during Easter, the summer, and on Christmas, when the opening hours are 9am to 11pm.
The Clérigos Tower is located in Porto’s historic Baixa district, close to Livraria Lello and Avenida dos Aliados. Its address is R. de São Filipe de Nery, 4050-546 Porto, Portugal | Find on Google Maps.
The staircase is narrow and steep, with a total of 225 steps. It is manageable for most visitors, but not suitable for wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility, vertigo, or heart problems.
Unfortunately, wheelchair users won’t be able to climb the tower due to the presence of steep stairs. However, there is a multisensory space that lets those with limited mobility experience the climb up to the top without having to physically do so.
No, there are no locker rooms available. As a result, make sure to travel light, as you also won’t be able to carry large bags or suitcases up the narrow stairs.
Weekday mornings are the best time to visit the tower if you don’t want to deal with big crowds. While you can also go during sunset, doing so during the weekends isn’t ideal.
No, there’s no parking available on-site. However, the Parque de Estacionamento Saba Praça de Lisboa is a parking garage located right opposite the church’s main entrance, making parking easy.
Yes, since the tower is located within a religious complex, you must always dress respectfully. Your clothes must cover your knees and shoulders at all times.
The closest metro station is São Bento and Aliados on the yellow line, from where a 6-minute walk will bring you to the tower.
Spiritus Multimedia Show at Clérigos Church
Clérigos Tower Guided Tour with Porto City Highlights
