The spots compared
| Spot | View | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Jardim do Morro (Gaia) | the Ribeira, the Dom Luís I bridge and the river | the big classic, festive mood, crowded in summer |
| Passeio das Virtudes | terrace over the Douro, relaxed mood | romantic date, quieter |
| Miradouro da Vitória | Ribeira rooftops | photos, small crowd |
| Foz and Castelo do Queijo | the Atlantic | sunset over the ocean |
| Rooftops | roofs and river | drink in hand (rooftop bars in Porto) |
What time to arrive
| Month | Sunset (order of magnitude) |
|---|---|
| April | 20:10 to 20:45 |
| May | 20:45 to 21:10 |
| June | around 21:15 |
| July | 21:15 to 21:00 |
| August | 20:55 to 20:15 |
| September | 20:10 to 19:25 |
| October | 19:30 to 17:45 (clock change) |
Closing times of some gardens can be earlier than sunset: a local guide notes that the garden next to the Passeio das Virtudes closes at 19:00, which is to be confirmed.
Sunset from the water
The six bridges cruise and the Douro cruise by day or at sunset let you see the bridges lit by the evening light; bring a jacket, it is cool on the water. Our page Jardim do Morro details the viewpoint; Foz is the right option for the Atlantic. The Felgueiras lighthouse also draws people at sunset, but the waves there can be dangerous: stay back in rough seas.
