With children
Torre dos Clérigos with kids
Can children climb the Clérigos tower? What the stair, the missing lift and the bag rule mean for a family, and what to see on the way.
Book your climb ↗Quick answer
Children can climb if they can manage a long, narrow spiral stair, because there is no lift to the top and pushchairs cannot go up. Large bags and backpacks stay below. The ticket gives the visit as about 30 minutes, short enough for most children, and the tower's own website has a separate category for children, so check the age bands when you book.
The stair is the question
The tower has six floors and an interior staircase that a Porto newspaper described as narrow and spiral. The tower ticket quotes 225 steps and notes there is no lift to the top. That is the whole test for a family: can the child, or the adult carrying the child, manage a long climb in a confined space? Children who like stairs and counting will enjoy it. Children who tire quickly, or who dislike narrow spaces, may find it long.
Read next: How many steps in Torre dos Clérigos?
Pushchairs and carrying
There is no lift, so a pushchair cannot go up. A baby can go in a sling or a carrier, but the staircase is narrow, so a bulky carrier is awkward. Large bags and backpacks are not allowed in the tower or the museum, and storage is offered subject to availability, so leave the pushchair and the heavy bag with the storage the tower provides, or travel without them. Plan to carry only what the child needs in your pockets.
Age and ticket rules
The tower's own website lists a separate category for children, with an age band set on the ticket page. The booking page for the tower ticket shows the categories available for your date, so choose the one that matches your child. Do not assume a child ticket exists for every date or every product. The evening ticket is a separate product with its own terms and is not suitable for people with claustrophobia, heart problems or vertigo.
How long it takes
The ticket gives the visit as about 30 minutes, which is short for a family outing and suits children with limited patience. The start time is fixed when you pick your slot on the booking page, so arrive in good time and let children use the pause beforehand to look at the church front. If you add the museum collections, allow longer, and a child who has enjoyed the stair may enjoy the paintings, vestments and furniture less.
What children tend to enjoy
The climb itself is the main attraction. At the top, two viewing balconies give a 360-degree view over the Baixa, the Douro and, on a clear day, the sea. The bells of the carillon are part of the tower, and the tower's own website describes a multisensory space that simulates the climb, which can help a child who is unsure about the real thing. Outside, the church front and its divided stairway are good for a look before you go in.
Heights and the balcony
The viewing balconies are open-air. Hold young children's hands at the balcony and keep a hand on anyone who wants to look over the edge, because the tower's open galleries are made for looking out. If the weather is bad, the view may be limited, so check the forecast: the ticket allows cancellation up to two days before the date you booked.
Who this isn't for
A family with a baby in a pushchair and no sling, or with a child who dislikes narrow stairs, may be better off enjoying the church front and the Baixa from the street. The three-hour guided walk is long for young children, and its itinerary visits the Cathedral and the church rather than climbing the tower. For a short visit with a view, the day ticket is the one that fits a family best.
Read next: Torre dos Clérigos: practical guide
Frequently asked questions
Can children climb Torre dos Clérigos?
Yes, if they can manage a long, narrow spiral stair. There is no lift, and the tower's own website lists a separate category for children.
Can I take a pushchair?
No. There is no lift to the top, so a pushchair cannot go up. Large bags are not allowed either, and storage is subject to availability.
How long is the climb and visit?
The ticket gives the duration as about 30 minutes, plus any time you spend in the museum or at the church front.
Is the evening visit suitable for children?
It is for the tower only and is not suitable for people with claustrophobia, heart problems or vertigo. Check the terms on the booking page before choosing it.
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