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 with impressive façades and tiles that decorate the city.

One of the best things to do in Porto is undoubtedly exploring its churches while immersing yourself in the local culture, history and art. Among the most notable are Porto Cathedral, the Church of San Ildefonso, the Parish Church of San Nicolás, the Church of Carmo and the Church of the Carmelitas, among others listed below.

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

Inside , there is a beautiful high altar decorated with carvings and gold leaf , a fresco of the patron saint of Porto, Our Lady of Vandoma, a huge 18th-century Baroque organ and several side chapels with religious sculptures and paintings.

Other notable places you can visit if you decide to buy tickets for Porto Cathedral include the following:

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

Useful information

• Admission: approximately £4 per person.
• Opening hours: Porto Cathedral is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from November to March. From April to October, it is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Terreiro da Sé, 4050-573 Porto, Portugal.

The Clérigos Church is another must-see religious site. 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.

Every part of this building has something to offer: its façade decorated with Baroque motifs, stained glass windows depicting scenes from the life of Christ, the altarpiece with a carving dedicated to Saint Paul, and 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 viewpoint of this structure attached to the church. You will enjoy a unique perspective of the city, which is even more beautiful in summer thanks to the warm light of the season, especially at sunset.

Useful information

• Admission: access to the church is free. However, admission to the tower and museum costs approximately £8 per person.
• Opening hours: every day from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Location: Rua de São Filipe de Nery, 4050 Porto. Portugal.

A very popular temple in Porto is the Church of San Ildefonso, known for its amazing façade, decorated with more than 10,000 tiles. The building was constructed between 1709 and 1730. Later, in 1739, the site 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 scenes 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 of this is done with tiles.

Apart from its photogenic exterior, the church also houses some treasures. At the entrance, you will see some remains of the old medieval chapel on which the building was constructed, as well as stained glass windows with religious images by Maestro Isolino Vazun. Also noteworthy is a Baroque and Rococo altarpiece by Miguel Francisco da Silva.

After enjoying some of the local cultural wealth concentrated in this historic site, you can continue exploring the city. Perhaps you would like to join a tuk tuk tour of Porto, delight your taste buds on one of the city's gastronomic tours, or enjoy many other activities.

Useful information

• Admission: free.
• Opening hours: Monday from 3pm to 6.30pm. Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 12pm and from 3pm to 6.30pm. Sunday from 6pm to 8pm.
• Location: Praça da Batalha s/n, 4000-101 Porto, Portugal.

The Parish Church of St. Nicholas is another religious site to visit in Porto. This small temple was rebuilt from an old medieval church destroyed by fire in 1758. This explains its classic and baroque architectural style.

Although small in size, it has many noteworthy features. 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 Porto, Nicolau Monteiro, who commissioned the reconstruction of the temple.

Inside, you will have the opportunity to admire the main altarpiece in a style typical of the Rococo period. There is also an altarpiece of Saint Eloi, made in 1762 by Custódio de Sousa Santos.

Due to its location in Praça do Infante D. Henrique, right in the centre of the city, the church is a landmark for locals and tourists alike. You are sure to pass by the church when you are exploring the streets on a walking tour of Porto or on the city's tourist bus.

Useful information

• Admission: free.
• Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 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 Souls. This is an 18th-century neoclassical temple dedicated to Saint Catherine. Although the building is small and simple in style, it has become a favourite due to its tile-covered façade.

Initially, the exterior of the chapel had no decoration, but in 1929, both the façade and the side wall were covered with more than 15,000 Portuguese tiles. If you look closely at the tiles, you will discover 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 Souls is small, with a main altar presided over by a painting of the Ascension on wood by the artist Joaquim Rafael. There are also stained glass windows depicting the souls in purgatory and an image of the Sacred Heart.

This church is not usually on the tourist trail, but it is worth a visit if you are spending three to four days in Porto or longer. In fact, due to its location, you can take advantage of it to plan other activities.

Useful information

• Admission: free.
• Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Location: R. de Santa Catarina 428, 4000-124 Porto. Portugal.

Another of the best churches to visit in Porto is the Church of Saint Francis. 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 Saint Francis is the gold ornamentation that has covered all the chapels, columns and vaults since the 18th century. It has a two-storey portico, accompanied by a pair of spiral columns, crowned by a statue of Saint Francis and a 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, and a chapel dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. In addition, you can access the catacombs, which preserve the tombs of some Franciscan monks, and the museum, where you will see important works of sacred art.

Useful information

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

The Church of Saint Martin of Cedofeita is a Romanesque temple built in the 6th century by order of King Teodomiro of the Suebi dynasty. The site, considered one of the oldest in Porto and recognised as a National Monument, stands out for its simple style with a single vault and interesting decorative elements.

Its façade features sturdy buttresses and capitals decorated with an Agnus Dei, referring to Jesus being offered as a lamb for the forgiveness of sins, as well as flowers and birds. Inside, you will see a simple but elegant high altar, a cloister and two chapels with religious sculptures and paintings.

The legend behind the construction is another interesting aspect of the church. The Suevo king built this church to thank Saint Martin for saving his son's life. This is definitely a destination that should not be missed if you plan to spend at least three days in Porto.

Useful information

• Admission: free.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 4pm to 7pm.
• Location: Largo do Priorado 72, 4050-466 Porto, Portugal.

The Church of São Lourenço dos Grilos dates back to 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 Mannerist Baroque-Jesuit style and has been designated a National Monument.

Inside, you will not find any extravagant decorations. Although the altar of Our Lady of the Purification, the mausoleum of Fray Luis Álvaro de Távora (benefactor of the church) and three ornate chapels stand out, most of the church is bare, setting it apart from other temples.

The church also has a museum of sacred art. In its rooms , you will see interesting exhibitions of religious gold and silverwork, a collection of statues of saints and a series of valuable liturgical objects. There are also some noteworthy archaeological pieces from Porto.

Useful information

• Admission: around £3 per person. Access to the museum is free, but you can leave a donation.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00, and 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 to 18:00.
• Location: Largo do Colégio, 4050, Porto, Portugal.

The Church of Santa Clara is another religious building in Porto that surprises visitors with its Baroque interior. It is an 18th-century church that features several architectural styles, as it was originally part of a 15th-century Franciscan convent, founded on top of another 13th-century convent by King João I.

The façade's portal 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 covering much of the church, created by Miguel Francisco da Silva.

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

Useful information

• Admission: approximately £4 per person.
• Opening hours: every day from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00.
• Location: Largo Primeiro de Dezembro, 4000-404 Porto, Portugal.

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

Church of the Carmelites

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

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

• Admission: free.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00, and Saturdays from 8:00 to 12:00.
• Location: R. do Carmo, 4050-164 Porto, Portugal.

Carmo Church

The Carmo Church is located to the right of the building it shares with the Carmelite Church. However, unlike the latter, it was built in the late 18th century in the Rococo style. Its façade has a rectangular portal flanked by statues of Saint Elisha and Saint Elijah.

Meanwhile, the side wall of the building will surprise you with its tile covering, which refers to the founding of the Carmelite order. Inside, you will find a golden chapel right next to the main altar and several oil paintings decorating the walls.

• Admission: free.
• Opening hours: every day from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Location: R. do Carmo, 4050-164 Porto, Portugal.