Sao Bento Station: Porto's Tiled Railway Station

São Bento is often called one of the most beautiful railway stations in the world. Its grand entrance hall is covered in about 20,000 blue-and-white azulejo tiles telling the story of Portugal. And it’s free to visit. Here’s what to look for, and where you can take a train from here.

Quick answer: São Bento is in the centre of Porto, at the bottom of Avenida dos Aliados. The entrance hall is free to visit any time the station is open, and 10 to 20 minutes is enough. Go early morning for photos without crowds. Trains leave from here for the Douro Valley, Braga, Guimarães and Aveiro.

About the station

The station opened in the early 20th century on the site of a former Benedictine convent, which gives it its name. The tile panels were painted by the artist Jorge Colaço.

What the tiles show

• Historic scenes: great moments in Portuguese history, including the conquest of Ceuta and the arrival in Porto of King João I and Philippa of Lancaster.
• Everyday life: scenes of rural life in northern Portugal, such as harvests, festivals and pilgrimages.
• The frieze: a coloured band near the ceiling showing the history of transport.

See azulejos in Portugal.

Trains from São Bento

• The Douro line to Peso da Régua and Pinhão. See the Douro itinerary.
• Braga and Guimarães. See Braga and Guimarães.
• Aveiro. See Aveiro.
• Long-distance trains to Lisbon leave from Campanhã, one stop away. See Lisbon to Porto by train.

See day trips from Porto by train.

Nearby

• Avenida dos Aliados and the city hall.
• Rua das Flores down to Ribeira.
• The cathedral on the hill above.
• Igreja de Santo Ildefonso and its tiles. See Porto’s churches.

More: Porto’s best photo spots and free things to do in Porto.

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