A tuberculosis sanatorium swallowed by the forest, a tile factory with crumbling kilns and chimneys, and a 38-metre concrete headframe marking the sky above a former coal mine: the Porto region is one of the best urbex playgrounds in northern Portugal. Away from the tourist trails of the old town, we have gathered 3 abandoned places genuinely still standing in 2026 — no ticketed museums, just real ruins that can still be explored, from the Valongo Sanatorium to the Devesas in Gaia, by way of the São Pedro da Cova Mining Complex.
Our map brings together more than 229,000 geolocated abandoned places across over 200 countries, and it was from that collection that we filtered to keep only ruins that are real and still standing in 2026 around Porto. For each one: its history, its video where one exists, and an "Add to my map" button — the exact GPS coordinate is free, no credit card needed. This guide is part of our work on the abandoned places of Portugal; here we focus on the best urbex spots in Porto and its surroundings.
Abandoned places in Porto: why Urbex Maps changes everything
Many "free" sites end up charging you 50 euros on a forum for the real address. We do the opposite: an "Add to my map" button unlocks the exact coordinate in your personal space, with no credit card. A community of more than 40,000 explorers since 2021 checks every coordinate at least twice before it is published. The 3 places below are ranked by visual impact and historical importance; for each one, a link to its listing and to the urbex map of Portugal. Everything opens from the free urbex map or from your My map space.
The 3 abandoned places in Porto at a glance
| Place | Area | Type | Access in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valongo Sanatorium | São Pedro da Cova, Gondomar | Tuberculosis sanatorium | Forbidden / clandestine |
| Devesas Ceramics Factory | Vila Nova de Gaia | Ceramics factory | Forbidden (in ruins) |
| São Pedro da Cova Mining Complex | Gondomar | Coal mine | Free (open-air mining site) |
1. Valongo Sanatorium, Gondomar: the tuberculosis giant
Built on the Santa Justa hills, in São Pedro da Cova, the Valongo Sanatorium — also known as the Mont'Alto Sanatorium — was designed to treat tuberculosis patients, chosen for the pure mountain air and the surrounding eucalyptus and pine forests. It closed in 1975 and has since been a monumental shell devoured by vegetation: endless corridors, empty rooms, staircases overtaken by ivy and graffiti everywhere. For its scale and atmosphere, it is the most iconic urbex in northern Portugal and a classic among explorers in the Porto region. Discover more ruins on the urbex map of Portugal.
2. Devesas Ceramics Factory, Vila Nova de Gaia: kilns, chimneys and tiles
Founded around 1865, next to the Devesas station in Vila Nova de Gaia, the Devesas Ceramics Factory was the country's largest producer of ceramics and cast iron for use in architecture: façade tiles, garden ornaments, cast-iron pieces and even cemetery graves came out of here. It went into decline in the early 20th century and stopped production in the 1980s. Today it is a ruin of chimneys, kilns and brick walls covered in falling tiles. A project to turn it into a museum has been announced for years, but the works have still not begun — the factory remains abandoned, right in the middle of Gaia's urban fabric. See more on the map of Portugal.
3. São Pedro da Cova Mining Complex, Gondomar: the concrete headframe
In São Pedro da Cova, coal was discovered in 1795 and turned the town into a major industrial hub. The mine closed in 1972 and left behind a vast ruined mining complex: bathhouse, pharmacy, offices, canteen and gatehouse, all abandoned. Above the shaft, the São Vicente Shaft Headframe still stands, a 38-metre reinforced concrete tower inaugurated in 1935 — the first concrete headframe built in Portugal, classified as a Monument of Public Interest. The metal silhouette and the spoil heaps around it make this one of the strongest industrial urbex sites in the Porto region, and the mining field is freely accessible in the open air. Context on the Wikipedia page.
Abandoned places in Porto: frequently asked questions
Is it legal to do urbex in these abandoned places in Porto?
Exploring is not a crime, but almost all of these sites have an owner (private, municipal or listed): entering without permission may amount to trespassing. The São Pedro da Cova mining field is freely accessible in the open air; the Valongo Sanatorium and the Devesas Factory are off-limits and explored clandestinely. Never force your way in, do not damage anything, and leave if you are asked to.
What is the most famous abandoned place in Porto?
The most iconic is the Valongo Sanatorium (Mont'Alto), in São Pedro da Cova: a former large-scale tuberculosis sanatorium, closed in 1975 and today devoured by the forest. For its atmosphere and size, it is a classic of urbex in northern Portugal, alongside the São Pedro da Cova mining headframe.
How do I get the GPS coordinates of these places?
On each place above you have a card with the "Add to my map" button: when you click, the exact GPS coordinate is saved in your personal My map space, for free and with no credit card. You can then open everything on the free urbex map and browse around the Porto region.
Is it dangerous to explore these abandoned places?
Yes, the risks are real: floors and roofs can give way, there is asbestos, broken glass and, in the case of the São Pedro da Cova mine, especially treacherous shafts and galleries. Never go alone, take a torch and sturdy footwear, tell someone your route and respect the barriers. Concrete structures and industrial ruins are no place for horseplay.
Explore the urbex map of Portugal
These 3 places are only the beginning around Porto. The urbex map of Portugal brings together thousands of geolocated points, from north to south, each with its coordinate, and the guide to the abandoned places of Portugal shows you the best in the country. Start with your region, add your favourites to my map and set off to explore — with respect for the places and for your own safety.