Olá Bom dia! Porto is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and hence obviously making it one of the most Instagrammable cities in Europe. Thanks to my partner being from Portugal, I have been lucky to visit Portugal several times both in summer and winter.
Before starting anything I would highly recommend booking the Douro River Cruise, not only will it give you the best views of the city but also old scenic parts of the city.
Here I have summarised all the Instgrammable spots that you wouldn’t want to miss on your next visit to Porto and some little secrets on camera angles and the best time to visit.
1. Igreja do Carmo
A little younger than Porto’s elaborate Baroque churches, the Igreja do Carmo has Rococo architecture from the 1750-to 60s. The side facade is covered entirely with blue and white azulejos. These tiles form one large image conveying the origins of the Carmelite Order and Mount Carmel in Israel.
You must have seen beautiful Instagram pics of models walking in front of the beautiful blue facades of Porto, this is one of the most famous ones and fairly easy to take a pic in.
Best time to visit: If you can’t make it early in the morning, don’t worry go to the spot during lunch. It is quite easy to find space between people and snap a quick pic at other hours if you are patient enough.
Best pic angle: To get the entire wall, cross to the other side of the road and then click your picture.
Google location: Rua do Carmo
2. Capela das Almas
This must be the most famous Instagram spot of Porto, as I have seen photos of this spot blow up pre-Reel era. The spot is equally busy due to stop-and-go traffic as well as narrow pavement for passersby, hence at any time of the day, it is quite difficult to get a pic here without any crowd.
You will have to go here with willpower and patience and wait for a tiny window.
Google location: Rua de Santa Catarina, 428
3. Livraria Lello Bookstore
If you are an avid book reader and love to visit unique bookstores and Libraries in different cities then this is a location not to be missed. Livraria Lello is known for being the most beautiful bookstore in the world—and it’s said to have inspired J.K. Rowling’s visions of Hogwarts.
The entrance fee is €5 which will be discounted if you buy a book. So buy the book!
Best time to visit: Go before the store closes so you can wait till the crowd leaves and take pics quickly. The store closes at 7 pm and the queue is closed off by 6 pm.
Google Location: R. das Carmelitas 144, 4050-161 Porto Portugal
4. Palacio de Cristal
This has to be my favorite place in Porto. A great viewpoint to watch the setting sun while sitting with nature listening to the breeze and the birds. It is perfect in every sense. You can go at any time, walk around the gardens and eat lunch in the cafe or the restaurant in the park while watching Peacocks and peahens dance.
However, go into the gardens inside Palacio de Cristal and stay here for the sunset and you will not regret it.
Google Location: Rua de D. Manuel II
5. Passeio das Fontainhas
Passeio das Fontainhas or as known on IG as, ‘Stairway to Heaven‘ is nothing but some stairs sticking out from someone’s house leading to the street. This area as expected is now wired ad, not for public access, but if you really want to visit the spot there are other angles you could take pics from like the below one.
None of the content creators will tell you the truth behind this spot, we found this and were honestly disappointed to find out this was someone’s private property. Hence we wanted to pay the person for his troubles but he saw how we felt and was kind enough to let us take a quick pic.
I won’t recommend this spot if you are a tourist and want to visit touristy spots.
Google location: Passeio das Fontainhas
6. Steak’n’Shake
This incredible mural is made up of 8000 hand-painted tiles and is known for being one of Porto’s largest public works.
Would you believe it’s the side of a Steak’n’Shake? A restaurant that got insta-famous thanks to its wall, featuring a colourful mural painted by the artist Joana Vasconcelos.
Google Location: Praça Guilherme Gomes Fernandes 67, 4050-159 Porto, Portugal
7. Igreja de Santo Ildefonso
If you are on a hunt for Azulejos, Igreja Santo Ildefonso is not to be missed. This is another striking church in Porto. It is easy to get a photo here as it’s situated in a way that it doesn’t get a ton of foot traffic.
Google Location: 4000-126 Santo Ildefonso, Portugal
8. São Bento Railway Station
The Sao Bento Railway Station is an iconic spot for seeing the beautiful blue tiles/Ajeulohs in Porto. You don’t have to buy a ticket to go into the entryway where the beautiful blue tiles are.
Since it is pretty busy here it is better to go early in the morning. Since it is an active station you will have to wait patiently to get a shot.
Google Location: Praça de Almeida Garrett, 4000-069 Porto, Portugal
9. Esplanada do Teleférico
A terrace bar that you should check out. It is on the other side of the Dom Luis Bridge from Porto, in the town of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Since it’s just across the bridge, you get incredible views of the bridge, the river, and the beautiful waterside part of Porto from here. It is again a beautiful spot to watch the sunset.
They have an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy a glass of Port and snap some beautiful photos. Next to Terrace Bar, there is a wide, long concrete slab jutting out right next to the bar. This forms one of the best views of Porto with the backdrop of Luis bridge.
Google Location: R. Rocha Leão S/N, 4430-210 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portuga
10. Stock Exchange Palace
The Stock Exchange Palace, aka Palacio da Bolso, is located in the historic center of Porto.
While the outside facade looks interesting, the Patio das Nacoes (Hall of Nations) looks like a great spot for a photo. Reminds me of a scene from Beauty and the Beast where Bella holds a candle and goes up the stairs.
I recommend going for this guided tour to truly experience the neoclassical interiors of the palace.
Google Location: R. de Ferreira Borges, 4050-253 Porto, Portugal
Final thoughts
Planning to visit Porto, you will love to refer my comprehensive Guide and 3-Day Itinerary for Porto.
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