13 Best Instagram Spots in Porto (and which to skip)

If you’re looking for the best Instagram spots in Porto, you’re in the right place! We are huge fans of hidden gems and lesser-known spots, but when it comes to Porto, we knew we wanted to see some of those cool locations and see if they live up to the hype.

We had been planning to visit Porto for a while – we’ve heard it’s one of the most charming and picturesque cities in Portugal, and we’re happy to say that it definitely lives up to its reputation. It has a perfect blend of historic charm and vibrant street vibes that we absolutely loved!

From the dramatic viewpoints and iconic azulejo-covered churches to colourful buildings and charming vistas, Porto offers many Instagram-worthy spots. This is a city worth visiting, no matter if you’re a history, food, or photography lover, there are so many things to do here.

Following our weekend trip, we completed this list of our 13 favourite spots, as well as a few that we think are not worth the hype, unless you have a lot of time or patience to spare. You will also find a few photography tips and the best times to visit each location here.

We also added an extra bonus one you won’t see anywhere else! Let’s get straight into it.

Instagram Spots in Porto – churches

1. Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto)

Porto’s Cathedral is one of the most picturesque Instagram spots in Porto. There are so many different angles to choose from, as the beautifully tiled walls form a perfect backdrop for pictures.

Photography Tip: If the Cathedral is busy and you can’t get an empty shot, don’t worry. Experiment with the angles. This place is so beautiful that with a bit of patience and creativity, you will get many great photos here. Don’t miss walking to the rooftop, where you will find another beautifully tiled wall.

Best Time: Lighting during the day can be quite harsh, making it tricky to take pictures that don’t look overexposed. For dramatic lighting on the stone façade, opt for late afternoon.

If you prefer softer light and fewer crowds, consider visiting here early in the morning. We came in the early afternoon, and the lighting was a little too bright, but we walked around and found some good spots.

2. Capela das Almas (Chapel of Souls)

This is probably our favourite azulejo tiled church in Porto. The Chapel of Souls, or Capela das Almas, located on Rua de Santa Catarina, is iconic and for a reason. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

Photography Tip: This popular spot can get really busy, so if you want to take that solo shot, you’ll need a bit of patience. Also, please show some courtesy to residents going about their day, and to others trying to take their pictures.

To make your pictures pop and look more interesting, try to wear clothes that complement the background but also stand out. Yellow or red are perfect choices, but you can also never go wrong with a white color.

Best Time: We visited this spot twice, once in the late afternoon, at 5 pm, and then again in the morning, around 10 am.

We don’t know what the lighting is like even earlier in the morning, but at 10 am, it was already too bright, making everything look overexposed. The afternoon lighting turned out to be much softer, allowing us to capture those beautiful tiles.

3. Igreja de Santo Ildefonso

This is another amazing example of blue azulejo tiles in Porto and one of the popular Instagram spots. There are reportedly 11,000 tiles covering the Santo Ildefonso church that depict scenes from his life.

Unfortunately, the church was closed when we visited, but even from the outside, it looks really impressive and beautiful.

Photography Tip: Please note that there is a market on the road leading up to the church, and it can be crowded with people. However, when we visited late afternoon, the place wasn’t too busy.

To take a good shot, position your tripod or yourself further away to ensure you capture the entire church, as well as the stairs leading up to it. Pose in a few different spots – on top of the stairs, in front, walking towards it, or away from it. Experiment and see what you like the most.

Best Time: We read somewhere that the morning is the best time, but it is not true. The morning light only illuminates the right side of the church. You want the whole facade to be illuminated in a uniform light.

To avoid harsh light, come here in the late afternoon when the light is softer and the area is quieter. We literally had no one else around apart from market vendors and a few local residents relaxing in the sun.

4. Igreja de São Francisco

This Gothic church may not feature the famous blue tiles, but we found its impressive exterior to be very picture-worthy in its own way, and it’s very close to Palácio da Bolsa.

Photography Tip: Since the church’s facade is very beige and uniform, you want to ensure you wear something that makes you stand out and contrasts with it. Light colours like white or pink work well. Alternatively, opt for more popping colours like yellow or red.

Best Time: Late morning or early afternoon. This is when the sun lights up the facade, creating more uniform light, making it easier to capture the intricate details of it.

Instagram Spots in Porto – various

5. Dom Luís I Bridge

This iconic double-deck iron bridge is Porto’s most recognizable landmark and an absolute must for any Instagram feed. The bridge offers spectacular views from both levels – the upper level for skyline vistas or the lower level for riverside charm.

There are many viewpoints to capture the bridge itself, which we will cover separately.  Here we focus on the bridge whilst you’re on it.

Photography Tips: This is probably one of the best spots to capture the sunset over the Porto skyline. Additionally, the lower level looks amazing in the morning. With no cars around, you can take some amazing pictures there.

Best Time: The golden hour (sunrise/sunset) for optimal lighting conditions. Morning is better for this spot if you’re after those cool Instagram photos, as Porto gets busy quite quickly.

6. Ribeira District

The colorful riverside neighborhood is a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring narrow medieval streets and picturesque buildings that cascade down to the Douro River.

Photography Tip: The very best views (and photo opportunities) are from the Dom Luis I bridge or from the water level. There are many boat tours that offer a unique and different perspective for your photos.

Best Time: This area gets busy and fast. If you want to capture the lovely streets around the area, early morning is probably your best chance for Instagram shots, as this spot is likely one of the busiest in Porto.

7. São Bento Station

São Bento Station is a must-visit and one of the most popular Instagram spots in Porto. The station’s interior walls are covered with 20,000 hand-painted azulejo tiles depicting Portuguese history. They look absolutely beautiful and unusual in this station setting.

Photography Tip: Just like with tiled churches, make sure to wear something that complements but also contrasts with the background. So again, white, yellow, and red are good colours. Something to note, this station is operational, so it gets busy with people going about their daily activities, commuting to work, or traveling. If it’s too busy, you can always try different angles.

Best Time: The early morning is the best time to visit here. Not only is it less busy with people traveling, but the soft lighting also makes it look even more beautiful, allowing for some interesting and cool shots. We stayed 4 minutes walk from the station, so it was easy to visit it early.

Pro Tip: It is essential to choose the right area where to stay in Porto based on your interests and priorities.

8. Palácio da Bolsa

Palacio da Bolsa or Stock Exchange Palace is still a working government building, so you can only access it with a guide on a 30-minute tour around the palace. 

This 19th-century neoclassical building features the most stunning Arabian Room, adorned with intricate Moorish architecture and covered in gold leaf. Breathtaking

Photography Tip: Make sure to bring a few different lenses or have a zoom lens to capture both the beautiful details and the overall grandeur of the rooms. Additionally, if you want to capture lovely shots without other people in them, we recommend being at the front of the group or staying behind for a minute after everyone else has left.

Best Time: Join a guided tour to access the Palace. The entry ticket costs €14 and can be purchased online or at the ticket office in the palace.

9. Cais da Ribeira

The historic quayside with colorful buildings along the Douro River. This is a very picturesque area, with probably the most Instagram-worthy spots in all of Porto. Apart from being a great location for photography, you will also find lots of great restaurants and bars.

Photography Tip: The best shot of the quayside is from the opposite side of the river. The rows of colourful buildings reflected in the river, giving it a mirror effect. If you’re lucky, you might also get a traditional Rebelo boat, completing the composition.

Best Time: Honestly, we wouldn’t say there is a best time, as there are so many angles and cool spots here that it depends on what you want to capture. It looks equally pretty during the day as at dusk, when all the lights are on and reflected in the river.

Instagram Spots in Porto – viewpoints

10. Viewpoint no. 1 – on Ponte da Arrábida

This is a lesser-known hidden gem amongst those Instagram spots in Porto. We only saw a few pictures from there and couldn’t find any information on the exact location. 

After a lot of research and detailed analysis of Google Maps, we managed to narrow down its location to Jardins do Palácio de Cristal. It still took us further research once we were in the gardens to actually find. We’re sharing it here with you so you don’t have to spend hours if you want to visit it. This is its actual location.

Photography Tip: The best angle is actually from outside the wall that surrounds the area. You can set up your tripod there and capture not only the bridge and the cute palm, but also the little road leading further down.

Best Time: The golden hour and sunset, hands down, are the best times to come here. The setting sun casts a golden glow over everything.

11. Jardim do Morro

Jardim do Morro is a charming garden situated near the top of the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, at the base of the Serra do Pilar Monastery. It is a perfect place to capture panoramic shots of Porto’s skyline and enjoy a sunset over the city. When we visited, a band was playing live, and we loved the lively and fun atmosphere.

From the park, you can find one of the famous Instagram spots in Porto with a view over the entire city. You can find it opposite the park, on the right-hand side of Restaurant Esplanada Jardim do Morro. There are stairs that lead to this viewpoint. You can get some amazing photos of Porto from there. The exact place that Justin is standing is here.

Photography Tip: This area is very busy, and timing is crucial if you want to capture a picture in the spot above. Try a few different angles and play with Zoom. You’ll be surprised that you’ll still manage to capture the shot. Just make it look like you’re the only one there.

Best Time: Sunset is the best time to capture those vibrant orange and red hues. However, if you want to capture the shot above, the best time is actually during the day when the light is behind your camera, lighting up the city and the area.

12. Viewpoint No.2 on the bridge

There are so many great viewpoints and cool spots across Porto that you will see on Instagram with the iconic Dom Luis I bridge in the background. For us, this one is the best.

Photography Tip: This cool spot is located on Rua de Arnaldo Gama, just a few hundred meters from the top of the Funicular. It can be busy, so we recommend coming here early, not only to beat the crowds but also to avoid the sun shining directly into your camera from around 11 am, making shots almost impossible.

When taking pictures, we recommend setting the camera a bit further away and zooming in to make the bridge appear closer and bigger in your frame than it actually is. Also, if possible, wait for the tram to arrive on the bridge; it will make the shot even more interesting.

Best Time: The early morning or a cloudy day is the best time to come here. In the morning, the lighting is at its best, as the bridge is softly lit by the morning sun. On a cloudy day, the light is more uniform, making it easier to capture the street and bridge in the distance.

13. Viewoint No.3 the floating stairs

We debated long and hard whether this spot should be on this list of Instagram spots in Porto or on the list of ones to avoid. In the end, we have decided to include it, but to provide you with all the details so that you can make an informed decision.

We have seen many shots taken from this spot that appear to be floating stairs over the rooftops, offering a beautiful view of the Dom Luis I bridge.

The spot is a bit off the beaten path. The exact location is here. The access to it is via a small metal gate that was open. When we arrived, we found an open gate, and we could enter; however, extensive construction and improvements had been made to the building and its surroundings.

The new steel chimney or box has been added, making it very difficult to take a picture that would give the ‘floating’ effect. In addition, the construction team removed the red-tiled roofs from the adjacent buildings. This made it look now like a dilapidated building. We took a few pictures here, and the view is nice, but I wouldn’t recommend going there if you’re limited on time, as there are much nicer places closer to the city center.

Instagram Spots in Porto – bonus

This little apartment is a hidden gem, offering one of the best views of the bridge in the whole city. We always look for unique accommodations, and if we can, this one exceeded our expectations. The view from it is amazing, and the rooftop is one of our favorite Instagram spots in Porto.

Instagram spots in Porto you can skip

Livraria Lello – most overrated of Instagram spots in Porto

This is probably one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores, famous for its iconic red spiral staircase and its inspiration from the Harry Potter series. We know it might be controversial to put this famous spot in the skip section of Instagram spots in Porto, but we honestly think it is not worth it. 

The library is so popular that you need to purchase a ticket to even enter, and it must be booked in advance. There are time slots available, as well as different ticket types. The prices start at €10 for a basic ticket, and you can redeem it against any book that you buy. 

There are also the Gold Ticket (€15.95), which includes a book from Livraria Lello Edition, and the Platinum Ticket (€50), which offers priority access and a guided tour of the Gemma Room.

We won’t lie, the library is beautiful and really charming. However, we found it very hard to enjoy it, let alone take any pictures, with so many people packed inside and pushing through.

We assume that Platinum tickets allow for early entry, which would likely result in a slightly more peaceful experience, but we wouldn’t pay €50 each to find out if that’s the case. We would rather have a nice port tour, a boat tour on the Douro, or even both, for this price.

Mercado do Bolhão – just a regular market

Mercado do Bolhão is a traditional market housed in a beautiful 19th-century building, where you can find fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, and flowers. It is a lovely place, but we wouldn’t recommend going there for pictures, as you can take them at any market in any city.

Café Majestic – Porto most overpriced Instagram spot

This place is an Art Nouveau café from 1921 with a beautifully decorated interior, with ornate mirrors and elegant furnishings.

We popped in here for a quick coffee and to check it out, and honestly, we did not enjoy it. They’ve put as many tables as they can fit in there, making it very crammed and with barely any space between tables.

The food and drinks are overpriced, and the service is also subpar. Yes, the cafe is pretty, but you can’t actually capture it or enjoy it. It’s too busy and packed to take any good photos here.

Summary

We would love to see your pics from Porto, so please tag us @julinaexplores when you post them on IG. Also, please DM us your views on the places, and if you find any not Insta-worthy.