Church and Cathedral Tickets and Tours in Porto

Porto is a coastal city in Portugal, known for its medieval past, wine production and rich cultural heritage. Its cobbled streets are home to many religious buildings, which with their impressive facades and tiles, decorate the city.

One of the best things to do in Porto is, without a doubt, to explore its churches as you delve into the local culture, history and art. Some of the highlights include the Cathedral of Porto, the Church of St. Ildefonso, the Parish of St. Nicholas, the Church of Carmo and the Church of the Carmelites, among others listed below.

In the historic centre of the city stands the Porto Cathedral, leading the landscape with its two towers and its characteristic rose window. Its construction dates back to the 12th century, undergoing some remodelling in the 17th and 18th centuries, which gave way to its combination of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architectural styles.

Inside is a beautiful high altar, decorated with carvings and gold panelling; a fresco of the patron saint of Porto, the Virgin of Our Lady of Vandoma. There is also an enormous 18th century baroque organ and several side chapels with sculptures and religious paintings.

Other remarkable places you can visit if you decide to buy a ticket to the Cathedral of Porto are the following:

• The cloister, where you can contemplate a series of biblical scenes made with the characteristic Portuguese tiles.
• The gallery, considered among the best museums in Porto due to its rich collection of relics, liturgical objects and works of sacred art of great value.
• The towers, which offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and the Douro River, perfect for appreciating the beauty of Porto from above. If you plan your visit in December, you can enjoy the city illuminated with seasonal decorations at nightfall.

Useful information

• Admission: approximately €4 per person.
• Opening hours: Porto Cathedral is open from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm in November and until March. From April to October the opening hours are from 9:00 to 18:30.
• Location: Terreiro da Sé, 4050-573 Porto, Portugal.

A very popular temple in Porto is the Church of St. Ildefonso known for its amazing façade, decorated with more than 10,000 tiles. The building was erected between 1709 and 1730. Later, in 1739, the church was blessed and inaugurated after the construction of its two bell towers.

The main attraction of the church is the façade designed by Jorge Colaço. It features passages from the life of Saint Ildefonso, to whom the church is dedicated. You can see episodes from the New Testament and some Eucharistic allegories. All this, made with tiles.

Apart from its photogenic exterior, the church also houses some treasures. You will see at the entrance some remains of the old medieval hermitage on which the building was built, the stained glass windows with religious images by Maestro Isolino Vazun. There is also a baroque and rococo altarpiece by Miguel Francisco da Silva.

After enjoying some of the local cultural wealth that is concentrated in this historic site, you can continue exploring the city. Perhaps join a tuk tuk tour of Porto, delight your palate on one of the city's gastronomic tours, among many other activities.

Useful information

• Admission: free.
• Opening hours: Monday from 15:00 to 18:30. Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 15:00 to 18:30. Sunday from 18:00 to 20:00.
• Location: Praça da Batalha s/n, 4000-101 Porto, Portugal.

The parish church of St. Nicholas is another of the religious sites to see in Porto. This small temple is the result of a reconstruction of an old medieval church destroyed in a fire in 1758. Hence, the reason for its classical and baroque architectural style.

Although it is a small enclosure in size, it has many remarkable areas. For example, its large windows and façade decorated with tiles and flanked by columns. The latter are crowned by the coat of arms of the bishop of Oporto, Nicolau Monteiro, who commissioned the reconstruction of the temple.

Inside you will have the opportunity to contemplate the main altarpiece with a rococo style. There is also an altarpiece of Saint Eloy, made in 1762 by Custódio de Sousa Santos.

Due to its location in the Infante Dom Henrique Square, right in the centre of the city, the church is a point of reference for locals and tourists alike. You will surely pass in front of the church when you are walking through the streets on a walking tour of Porto or on the city's tourist bus.

Some useful information

• Admission: free.
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 4:00 to 20:00. Closed every Tuesday.
• Location: Rua do Infante D. Henrique 93, 4050-298 Porto, Portugal.

Another hidden gem in Porto when it comes to churches is the Chapel of the Souls. This is a neoclassical temple from the 18th century, dedicated to Saint Catherine. Although the chapel is small and simple in style, it has become a favourite because of its tile-covered façade.

Initially the exterior of the chapel was undecorated, but in 1929 both the façade and the side wall were covered with more than 15,000 Portuguese tiles. If you look carefully at the tiles, you will discover portraits of the life and work of Saint Catherine and Saint Francis of Assisi, the two saints venerated in the chapel.

The interior of the Chapel of the Souls is small, with a high altar presided over by a painting of the Ascension on wood by the artist Joaquim Rafael. There are also the stained glass windows, where you can contemplate the souls in purgatory and an image of the Sacred Heart.

This church is not usually on the tourist routes, but it is worth a visit if you are going to spend 3 or 4 days in Porto, or more. In fact, due to its location, you can take advantage of it to plan other activities. For example, you can make a reservation in advance with a menu for the Hard Rock Café, which is about 15 minutes walking distance away.

Useful information

• Admission: free.
• Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday and Saturday from 7.30am to 1pm and from 3.30pm to 7pm. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 7.30am to 7pm; and on Sunday from 6pm to 7pm.
• Location: R. de Santa Catarina 428, 4000-124 Porto. Portugal.

Another of the best temples to visit in Porto is the Church of San Francisco. It is a medieval building from the 14th century, declared a National Heritage Site in 1910 and famous for its impressive baroque interior.

One of the main attractions of the Church of San Francisco is the gold ornamentation, which has covered all the chapels, columns and vaults since the 18th century. It has a two-storey portico, accompanied by a pair of helicoidal columns, crowned by a statue of San Francisco and the large rose window.

In the church you will also find a polychrome altarpiece with the family tree of Jesus, a fresco of Our Lady of the Rose, a chapel dedicated to San Juan Bautista. You can also visit the catacombs, which contain the tombs of some Franciscan monks, and the museum, where you can see important works of sacred art.

Useful information

• Admission: about €8 per person. Includes the church, catatombs and museum.
• Opening hours: from November to February in Porto the church is open from 9:00 to 17:30. From March to October from 9:00 to 19:00. And, during the months of July to September, the opening hours are extended until 20:00 hours.
• Location: Rua do Infante Dom Henrique, Porto, Portugal.

The church of Sant Martín de Cedofeita is a Romanesque temple built in the 6th century by order of King Teodomiro of the Suevo dynasty. The building, considered one of the oldest in Porto and recognised as a National Monument, stands out for its simple single-vaulted style and interesting decorative elements.

Its façade incorporates robust buttresses and capitals decorated with an Agnus Dei, which refers to Jesus being offered as a ram for the forgiveness of sins, as well as flowers and birds. Inside you will see a simple but certainly elegant main altar, a cloister and two chapels with religious sculptures and paintings.

The legend behind the construction is another interesting aspect of the church. The Swabian king erected this enclosure as thanks to Saint Martin for saving his son's life. Without doubt, a destination that should not be missing from your itinerary if you plan to spend at least 3 days in Oporto.

Useful information

• Admission: free.
• Opening hours: from Tuesday to Friday from 16:00 to 19:00.
• Location: Largo do Priorado 72, 4050: Largo do Priorado 72, 4050-466 Porto, Portugal.

The Church of the Clérigos is another religious site not to be missed. It is a monumental complex built between 1735 and 1748, crowned by a tower approximately 76 metres high, considered one of the tallest in Portugal and a representative monument of the city of Porto.

Each space in this building has something to offer: its façade decorated with Baroque motifs, the stained glass windows with scenes from the life of Christ, the altarpiece of the main altar with a carving dedicated to Saint Paul, the ornate pulpit. You will also see the side chapels, decorated with traditional Portuguese tiles, sculptures and religious paintings.

There is another reason to visit the church: the Clérigos tower. You will have to climb more than 200 steps to reach the lookout point of this structure next to the church. You will have a unique view of the city, which during the summer in Porto is even more beautiful thanks to the warm light of the season, especially at sunset.

Useful information

• Admission: Access to the church is free of charge. However, entrance to the tower and museum costs approximately €8 per person.
• Opening hours: daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
• Location: Rua de São Filipe de Nery, 4050 Porto. Portugal.

The glesia San Lorenzo dos Grilos has its origins in the 16th century when the first stone was laid for its construction. However, it was not until the 17th century that the work was completed. The structure is characterised by its Baroque-Jesuit mannerist style and has been named a National Monument.

Inside you will not see extravagant decorations. Although the altar of Nuestra Señora de la Purificación, the mausoleum of Fray Luis Álvaro de Távora (benefactor of the church) and three ornate chapels stand out, most of the church is bare, thus differentiating it from other temples.

The church also has a museum of sacred art. In its rooms you will find interesting exhibits with religious gold and silver work, a collection of statues of saints and a series of liturgical objects of great value. There are also some archaeological pieces from Oporto.

Useful information

• Admission: about €3 per person. There is no charge for access to the museum, but you can leave a donation.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00, and on Saturday from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 13:30 to 18:00. Closed on Sundays. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• Location: Largo do Colégio, 4050, Porto, Portugal.

The church of Santa Clara is another of the religious buildings in Porto that surprises with its baroque interior. It is an 18th century church, which presents several architectural styles, as it was originally part of a 15th century Franciscan convent, founded on top of another 13th century convent, by King D. João I.

The façade portal incorporates Corinthian capitals and Solomonic columns, typical of the Baroque period, as well as some Renaissance elements. The interior will amaze you with its gilded wood carvings that cover a large part of the church, made by Miguel Francisco da Silva.

The Mannerist style cloister and the tiles in the choir area are also worth mentioning. If you pay attention, in this area you will see a panel from 1680 with a representation of the souls in Purgatory. The church also houses a 15th-century baptismal font and a pair of organs, among other treasures.

Useful information

• Admission: about €4 per person.
• Opening hours: daily from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm.
• Location: Largo Primeiro de Dezembro: Largo Primeiro de Dezembro, 4000-404 Porto, Portugal.

A couple of temples that cannot be missed on your 2-day tour of Porto or more are the Church of Carmo and the Church of the Carmelites. Both share the same building, but are separated by a curious little house of approximately 1.5 metres, considered the narrowest in Portugal.

Carmelite Church

The Carmelite Church is located on the left side of the building. It dates back to the 17th century and has a marked baroque style. The façade of the building is covered with tiles and has a bell tower.

Also of note are the beautiful windows at the top, as well as three sculptures of Saint Dominic, Our Lady of Monte Carmeo and Saint Teresa. Inside, you can admire the main altar and its six chapels decorated with gilded ornaments.

• Admission: free.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.
• Location: R. do Carmo, 4050-164 Porto, Portugal.

Carmo Church

The Church of Carmo is to the right of the building it shares with the Church of the Carmelites. Unlike the Carmelite church, however, this one was built in the late 18th century in the rococo style. Its façade has a rectangular portal and is flanked by the statue of St. Elysium and St. Elias.

Meanwhile, the side wall of the building will surprise you with its tiled roof, which refers to the foundation of the Carmelite order. Inside you will find a gilded chapel right next to the main altar and you will see several oil paintings decorating the walls.

• Admission: free.
• Opening hours: daily from 8.30am to 12 noon and from 3pm to 7pm.
• Location: R. do Carmo, 4050-164 Porto, Portugal.