The Most Beautiful Churches in Porto

Porto is a city of churches: blue-and-white tiled façades, interiors dripping with gold and a baroque tower that dominates the skyline. Many sit right on the usual sightseeing routes. Here are the most beautiful churches in Porto.

Quick answer: climb the Clérigos Tower, visit the Sé (cathedral) and the astonishing gilded interior of São Francisco, then photograph the tiled façades of the Capela das Almas, Santo Ildefonso and the twin Carmo and Carmelitas churches. Across the river, the Serra do Pilar monastery has the best view of the city.

The best churches in Porto

Clérigos Church and Tower

Nicolau Nasoni’s 18th-century baroque church and its tall bell tower are Porto’s symbol. Climb the steps for a 360-degree view over the rooftops. Go early or near closing to avoid the queues. See Porto’s best viewpoints.

Porto Cathedral (Sé)

The fortress-like cathedral crowns the hill above Ribeira. Inside, see the tiled Gothic cloister. The square outside has great views over the old town.

Igreja de São Francisco

A Gothic church with one of the most extravagant baroque interiors in Portugal, almost entirely covered in gilded carving. The catacombs below can also be visited. It’s near the river in Ribeira. Photos are not allowed inside.

Capela das Almas

The Chapel of Souls on Rua de Santa Catarina is covered in blue-and-white azulejos showing the lives of the saints. It’s one of Porto’s most photographed buildings. See Porto’s best photo spots.

Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelitas

Two churches side by side, separated by a tiny house about a metre wide. It was built so that the nuns of one and the monks of the other would never share a wall. The Carmo’s side wall is a huge tile panel.

Igreja de Santo Ildefonso

A tiled baroque church at the top of Rua de Santa Catarina, near Praça da Batalha.

Igreja de Santa Clara

A small church near the cathedral with a beautiful gilded interior.

Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar

A round-church monastery on the hill in Gaia, by the top deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site and has the best view of Porto. See Vila Nova de Gaia.

Tips

• Dress code: cover shoulders and knees.
• Fees: São Francisco, Clérigos Tower and the cathedral cloister charge; most others are free.
• Route: Clérigos, Carmo and the Livraria Lello area are close together; the Sé, Santa Clara and São Francisco fit into a walk down to Ribeira.
• Tours: a walking tour covers several in one go. See the best Porto tours.

More: Porto’s best museums, Lisbon’s churches and things to do in Porto.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.