The August full moon is called the Sturgeon Moon and arrives on an extraordinary night: in addition to coinciding with a deep partial lunar eclipse, it promises to be one of the easiest to photograph over Porto’s horizon. Therefore, this is an excellent opportunity to observe the night sky, as well as to capture the moment at some of the city’s best viewpoints.
The right night: August 27, at dusk
The exact full moon occurs in the early morning of August 28, at 5:18 a.m. (Mainland Portugal time), but for those who want to photograph the large, orange moon near the horizon, the best opportunity is the night before, on the 27th.
According to the specialized website StarWalk, in Porto, the Moon rises around 8:00 p.m., while there is still light in the sky—the ideal moment to frame buildings, bridges, or the Douro River alongside the lunar disk, before it rises higher and appears to shrink as the night progresses.
Those who prefer to stay up late have another reason to look up at the sky: in the early morning of August 28, the Moon will pass through the Earth’s shadow during a deep partial lunar eclipse, with 96.2% of the lunar disk covered at the moment of greatest intensity, around 5:13 a.m. No protective equipment is needed to observe it—unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses can be safely viewed with the naked eye.
Why is it called the Sturgeon Moon?
Like other full moons, the name “Sturgeon Moon” originated from the traditions of Native American tribes who lived near the Great Lakes. For many indigenous peoples, this was their favorite time of year to fish for sturgeon, a famous freshwater fish; hence the name.
The best viewpoints in Porto (and beyond)
Since the Moon rises in the east, the best spots in the city are those with an unobstructed view in that direction, with no buildings blocking the horizon.
Among the most obvious choices are:
- The Serra do Pilar Lookout in Vila Nova de Gaia, with a panoramic view of the Douro River and the city of Porto;
- Jardim do Morro, next to the Dom Luís I Bridge
- The Fontainhas Viewpoint: located on Porto’s eastern hillside, it’s one of the best spots in the city to look directly east
- The Vitória Lookout: located in the heart of Vitória, it offers an elevated view of the Sé neighborhood and the riverside area
- Passeio das Fontainhas / Escadas dos Guindais: the slopes and landings in these areas offer incredible urban backdrops amid the iron bridges and historic facades.
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