Church and Cathedral Tickets and Tours in Porto

Porto is a coastal city belonging to Portugal, known for its medieval past, wine production and rich cultural heritage. Its cobblestone streets are home to many religious buildings that, 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. Among the highlights are 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 center of the city stands the Cathedral of Porto, leading the landscape with its two towers and its characteristic rose window. Its construction dates back to the 12th century, undergoing some remodeling in the 17th and 18th centuries, which gave way to its combination of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architectural styles.

Inside is a beautiful main altar, decorated with carvings and gold linings; a fresco of the patron saint of Porto, the Virgin of Our Lady of Vandoma. Also, a huge baroque organ of the eighteenth century and several side chapels with sculptures and religious paintings.

Another of the highlights that you can access if you decide to buy tickets for the Cathedral of Porto, are the following:

• The cloister, where you will 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: 4€ per person, approximately.
• Opening hours: the Cathedral of Oporto in November and until March is open from 9:00 to 17:30. While 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 facade, decorated with more than 10,000 tiles. The building was erected between 1709 and 1730. Later on, in 1739, the precinct 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 highlights passages from the life of St. Ildefonso, to whom this temple 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 ancient 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 in one of the city's gastronomic tours, among many other activities.

Useful information

• Admission: free.
• Hours: Monday from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Sunday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
• 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 arises from 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 the facade decorated with tiles and flanked by columns. The latter, crowned by the coat of arms of the bishop of Porto, Nicolau Monteiro, who commissioned the reconstruction of the temple.

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

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

Useful information

• Admission: free.
• Hours: Wednesday to Monday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 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 Santa Catalina. Although the enclosure is small and has a simple style, it has become a favorite because of its tile-covered facade.

Initially the exterior of the chapel was undecorated, but in 1929 both the facade 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. In addition, there are the stained glass windows, in which you will 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 be 3 to 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, as this is about 15 minutes walking distance.

Useful information

• Admission: free.
• Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Saturday from 7:30 am to 1:00 pm and from 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm; and on Sunday from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
• 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 construction of the fourteenth century, declared in 1910 as National Heritage and famous for its impressive baroque interior.

One of the main attractions of the church of San Francisco is the gold ornamentation, which since the eighteenth century covers all the chapels, columns and vaults. It has a two-story 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. In addition, you can access the catacombs, which preserves the tombs of some Franciscan monks, and the museum, where you will see important works of sacred art.

Useful information

• Admission: about 8€ per person. Includes the church, the catatombs and the 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 hours. 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 Martin de Cedofeita is a Romanesque temple built in the 6th century by order of King Teodomiro of the Suevo dynasty. The enclosure, considered one of the oldest in Porto and recognized as a National Monument, stands out for its simple single-vaulted style and interesting decorative elements.

Its facade 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. And it is that the Swabian king erected this enclosure as thanks to St. Martin for saving the life of his son. Undoubtedly, a destination that should not be missing in your itinerary if you plan to spend at least 3 days in Oporto.

Useful information

• Admission: free.
• Hours: from Tuesday to Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
• Location: 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 of approximately 76 meters high, considered one of the tallest in Portugal and a representative monument of the city of Porto.

Each space of this enclosure has something to offer: its facade 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 St. 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 access the viewpoint of this structure next to the church. You will contemplate a unique perspective of the city, which during the summer in Porto becomes even more beautiful thanks to the warm light of the season, especially at sunset.

Useful information

• Entrance: access to the church is free. However, the entrance to the tower and the museum has an approximate cost of 8€ per person.
• 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 origin in the sixteenth 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 characterized 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, differentiating it from other temples.

The church also has a museum of sacred art. In its rooms you will see interesting exhibits with religious silverwork, a collection of statues of saints and a series of liturgical objects of great value. In addition, there are some archaeological pieces from Oporto.

Useful information

• Admission: about 3€ per person. Access to the museum is free of charge, but you can leave a donation.
• Hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm. 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 precincts in Porto that surprises with its baroque interior. It is an 18th century church, which presents several architectural styles, since it was initially part of a 15th century Franciscan convent, founded on another convent of the 13th century, by King D. João I.

The portal of the façade incorporates Corinthian capitals and Solomonic columns, typical of the Baroque style, 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.

Also worth mentioning are the Mannerist style cloister and the tiles in the choir area. 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.
• Hours: daily from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
• Location: Largo Primeiro de Dezembro, 4000-404 Porto, Portugal.

A couple of temples that can not miss in your 2-day route in Porto or more, are the church do Carmo and the church of the Carmelites. Both share a building, but are separated by a curious and small house of about 1.5 meters, considered the narrowest in Portugal.

Church of the Carmelites

The Carmelite church is located on the left side of the building. Its origin dates back to the 17th century and it has a marked baroque style. The facade of the building is covered with tiles and has a bell tower.

Also noteworthy are the beautiful windows at the top, as well as three sculptures belonging to Santo Domingo, Our Lady of Monte Carmeo and Santa Teresa. Inside, you will be able to admire the main altar and its six chapels decorated with golden ornaments.

• Admission: free.
• 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

For its part, the church do Carmo is to the right of the building it shares with the church of the Carmelites. But, unlike it, this one was built at the end of the 18th century following the rococo style. Its facade 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 founding 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.
• Hours: daily from 8:30 am to 12:00 noon and from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
• Location: R. do Carmo, 4050-164 Porto, Portugal.