So, let’s talk about the best places to propose in Porto. Going into the writing of this article I felt a bit inadequate. I am just not a very romantic person and my choices of romantic places are all a bit nerdy and bookish.
But in this case my fears were unfounded because the city did all the work for me. Porto is the city for lovestruck couples looking to create beautiful memories.
Discover the best places to propose in Porto…
Crystal Palace Gardens
Rua de Dom Manuel, II | Porto
The Crystal Palace Gardens are a great choice for lovers of nature and those looking for a quiet and secluded place to propose their other half.
The vast garden is perfect for a morning walk and for a simple and sweet moment of intimacy among the trees, flowers and peacocks (if you are lucky to spot one)! It is a wonderful place for a picnic or maybe some ice cream as a warm up (ha!) for the big moment.
I think mornings are the perfect time of day to propose in the Crystal Palace Gardens. The best beginning for a memorable day! Otherwise you can just take advantage of the amazing sunset over the Arrabida bridge that you can watch from one of the viewpoints of these gardens.
How to get there: the buses 200, 201, 207, 208, 303, 507 e 601 stop just across the street.
Felgueiras Lighthouse
Jardim do Passeio Alegre | Porto
Disclaimers first: if you do consider proposing in the Felgueiras lighthouse, I advise you to be well prepared and find out the best time to do it based on the sea. Currents can get rough on the lighthouse and people have been thrown off the platform for not being careful. Make sure the sea and the wind will be tame when you propose to your loved one.
Now that I have scared you into extreme cautiousness 😉 I have to say that the Felgueiras lighthouse is one of the best places to propose in Porto. It is an epic location to take some gorgeous photographs – or it wouldn’t be one of our favourite Instagrammable spots – and the sunsets there are just breathtaking.
Just picture the scene: you and your loved one near the lighthouse, the sound of the waves and the saltiness of the sea in the air, the sunset in the background…Oh my! Hollywood worthy for sure! 😛
How to get there: take the tram 1 and get off at the last station. You can also take the bus 202 or 500.
Serra do Pilar’s Viewpoint
Largo Aviz | Vila Nova de Gaia
Speaking of having the perfect set for your proposal: the premium spot to get Porto, the city itself, as a background is the Serra do Pilar’s Viewpoint.
While Clérigos Tower has the reputation for the best viewpoint in Porto, and rightly so, it would be impossible to propose in the tower or its peak. Unless you don’t mind being cramped up and rushed by the dozens of tourists enjoying the sights at the same time. For this reason, I recommend Serra do Pilar’s viewpoint as the right choice among the places to propose in Porto because of its unencumbered view of the city.
And for the history nerds among you, I recommend you to discover the fascinating history of this viewpoint in Porto.
How to get there: the subway station Jardim do Morro is a 5 minutes walking distance.
Tram of Porto
Several locations in the city
This is one of those suggestions that are entirely based on my desire for a cinematic proposal. And for it to work it would require a bit of wishful thinking and maybe a few tries.
The truth is the trams of Porto are often crowded with tourists and is a bit loud, but as a setting for your proposal it would just be magical. And quite unique, as well. It is a really interesting “place” because of its historical importance, its genuine beauty and of course, the sights. I recommend popping the question in the #1 tram as it crosses the Ribeira neighborhood. The river and the historical buildings create an ambience straight out of a romance novel!
How to get there: just read our article about the trams of Porto.
Serralves Gardens
Rua Dom João de Castro, 210 | Porto
You thought I was done with the garden suggestions? Well, nothing can beat a garden as a romantic place for passionate encounters 😛 So here is another beautiful garden as one of the loveliest places to propose in Porto.
Serralves gardens are a staple of the city, not only for their architectural relevance but also for their cultural importance. Full of beautiful trees and flowers, the garden’s paths are a simple but memorable spot for your special moment. The best time to propose in Serralves gardens is definitely the spring when all the flowers and trees are in full bloom and the garden explodes with colour and life.
I also recommend you pay the museum, designed by the Pritzker-winner Portuguese architect Siza Vieira, a visit before of after the big question. Don’t miss a thing.
How to get there: the buses 203 and 207 stop practically at the entrance.
Senhor da Pedra Chapel
Alameda do Sr. da Pedra | Vila Nova de Gaia
Proposing on the beach is a bit cliché by now. But there are definitely ways you can make a beach proposal interesting and this is one of them. Gaia has one of the most beautiful chapels around – the Senhor da Pedra chapel. It is a beautiful building set into the rocks (hence Senhor da Pedra, which means the Lord of the Rock) on the beach’s sands.
The chapel in itself is a beautiful piece of architecture, oval and gracious, but the way it stands proud upon the rock just takes my breath away. When I was thinking of what places I should include on this list, Senhor da Pedra Chapel was the first one that came to mind and I was determined to include it even though it is not actually in Porto.
The best time to propose here is probably a summer evening at sunset when the air is warm and not too windy and the sun is riding low on the horizon. Just imagine that…
How to get there: the train station Miramar is a 10 minutes walking distance.
Boa Nova Tea House
Avenida da Liberdade, 1681 | Leça da Palmeira
The restaurant proposal. Done, overused and to many people the most boring of proposals. But you could also argue it is a classic – you might be right – and you can’t go wrong with a classic. But what about taking a classic and giving it a dash of new and exciting.
In Porto, you won’t find a more thrilling place to dine than Boa Nova Tea House. A project by the renowned Portuguese architect Álvaro de Siza, the Tea House is in a building constructed upon the rocks in Leça da Palmeira beach.
Much like Senhor da Pedra Chapel, the Tea House’s charm from its unique location, its beautiful architecture and of course the view.
The ocean can be seen through the many windows that line the Tea House, and its closeness creates an atmosphere of wonder, beauty and strength. If you are thinking of proposing to your loved one after a nice meal, there’s no better choice than the Tea House where you can taste the inventive dishes of Rui Paula.
How to get there: take the bus 507.
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