The Best Places To Watch The Sunset In Porto

Porto is a magical city and I’ve had the pleasure of spending not one, but four months in Portugal this summer. After much exploring and tons of wonderful views, I’ve come to favor a few of these ancient viewpoints when the sun begins to go down. Without further ado, here are the six best places to watch the sunset in Porto:

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Best Places To Watch The Sunset In Porto:

1. Porto 360

You can get 360 degree views from the rooftop of the Super Bock Arena. This dome was actually built a long time ago, but originally they just had a tiny staircase for maintenance workers to use when working on the roof. Porto 360 redid this and opened it to the public to enjoy the best view in Porto (especially at sunset).

We started out in the arena with our guide who walked us through the history, which was super interesting- even the local I went with didn’t know about some parts! We also got a sneak peak of the inside of the arena before heading up to the top.

There are only 150 steps to the viewpoint, but it felt like we were walking through the clouds as the staircase led us straight up into the sky.

At the top, our guide pointed out landmarks as we had endless views in all directions. This would be spectacular at anytime of day, but it was especially beautiful as the sun began to set. While we were getting our pictures in, our guide surprised us with port wine in this edible chocolate cup, which was just the cherry on top. This tour lasts about 40 minutes and costs 12.50 euros a person.

Pro Tip: If you do the Porto Bridge Climb, you can pair it with the Porto 360 to get the experience for only 8.50 euros.

2. Crystal Palace Gardens

This is free to visit and it’s much less crowded than the other sites. If you take the trail down around the left side of the park, there’s also a small tower to climb with fantastic views. It’s absolutely breathtaking at sunset and many people bring their own drinks here to cheers with.

3. Arrabida Bridge

You can climb the ONLY arch in Europe open for visitors for just 20 euros. Back in 1963, this was actually the largest concrete bridge in the world. We started at the bottom, where we all got roped up with the safety equipment and briefed on how the climb would work. 

It’s only 262 steps, but it is straight uphill, so you may need to stop and take a breather every once in a while. We actually had the tour all to ourselves and it only took about five minutes to reach the top, although, I’m not going to lie, we were power housing.

We did the sunset tour which was absolutely fantastic. You could see the little rainbow houses lining the river and a few boats passing by as golden hour set in. Not only was this a bit of cardio, it was also a bar. Our guide surprised us with a sip of port wine in a chocolate cup up top that you could actually eat afterward.

You can make a reservation on their website or book the night experience on Airbnb, which is about 10 euros more. They also do special requests if you’re celebrating an occasion, like a proposal, birthday or even bachelor party where they can help capture the moment with photography or even hide a birthday cake in the bridge to enjoy up top.

Pro Tip: Pair this experience with Porto 360 for a discount!

4. Jardim Das Virtudes

This place is great because it’s a bit less crowded than Jardim do Morro and there are plenty of restaurants over here with seating to cheers to the sunset with. We stopped here on the way to a Fado Dinner Show with our guide and, of course, had to cheers with some port wine before heading to the performance.

5. Jardim Do Morro

Most people already know about this one as it’s probably the most touristic spot. However, it is popular for a reason and there are spectacular views from here. Jardim do Morro is free to visit, but you may want to buy a cider or cocktail to watch the sun go down with, so bring cash with in case! Many times, they will also have live music to accompany the atmosphere.

Pro Tip: Get here EARLY as the viewpoint will fill up for sunset, especially during peak season.

6. Sunset Boat Ride

If you’d rather take in the city from a new perspective, a sunset boat ride is a great option! This tour will take you past the viewpoints mentioned above and to the mouth of the Douro river for an unobstructed sunset. A welcome drink is also included for your journey.

Best Hotels In Porto:

Porto deserves more than a layover! Here are some of the best hotels in Porto to stay in, depending on your budget:

Best Luxury Hotel In Porto:

Maison Albar is a 5-star luxury hotel that has been renovated from its 1923 historic building. It’s perfectly located downtown, just a 3-minute walk from Paris Galleries Street and easily one of the most exclusive hotels in Porto. This spot has everything one could need from the pool to the bar to the restaurants and even a mirror-turned-television in the rooms.

Best Mid-Range Hotel In Porto:

Torel 1884 Suites is a fantastic mid-range hotel in an excellent location in Porto. It’s just a 3-minute walk from the Sao Bento Train Station and newly-opened TimeOut Market. There is a restaurant, bar and, of course, luxuries like air conditioning and television in each room.

Best Budget Hotel In Porto:

Selina Porto offers an excellent option for budget travelers visiting Porto. Just a 4-minute walk from Paris Galleries Street, you’ll be centrally located for walkability in the city. You can choose between a private room or dormitory rooms and either private or shared bathrooms, depending on your budget.

I hope you enjoyed this quick guide of the best places to watch the sunset in Porto. If you’re more of a visual reader, feel free to check out my TikTok where I’ll walk you through my favorite experiences in Portugal and the best restaurants in Porto.