On August 12, the Clérigos Tower will have special arrangements in place for anyone who wants to watch the solar eclipse from the top of one of Porto’s most iconic viewpoints, at a height of about 75 meters.
What can you expect at the top of the Clérigos Tower?
Although the tower remains open until 11:00 p.m., between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., access is adjusted to coincide with the eclipse, with entry in 30-minute sessions to reduce crowding at the top and ensure a more peaceful viewing experience. Even so, entry to the monument is limited to its existing capacity. The Clérigos Brotherhood will also be distributing certified solar viewing glasses .
The highlight of the show
The moment of maximum solar occultation is expected to occur around 7:32 p.m., when the Moon is expected to cover about 98% of the Sun’s disk —as seen from a vantage point offering a sweeping view of the entire city and the horizon.
But, after all… what makes this eclipse so special?
Because this isn’t just any eclipse: it’s the first total solar eclipse over Portuguese territory since 1912. Totality will only be visible in a narrow band near Bragança, but in Porto the spectacle also promises to be impressive, as nearly the entire solar disk will be covered. The next total eclipse isn’t expected to be visible in Portugal until 2144, making this August 12 a date not to be missed.
Useful Information
📍Where: ClérigosTower , Porto
📆When: August12 , between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. (the eclipse reaches its peak around 7:32 p.m.)
🎟️Price: €10 per 30-minute session, certified eclipse glasses included
