Dating to the twelth century, Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto in Portuguese) is the most important religious edifice in the city and has been declared a National Monument.
We thought we would start the day by visiting Porto Cathedral, which was only a few steps from where we were staying. This was our planned starting point for our Camino on Tuesday. We had heard that the queues could be long getting into the cathedral so set off to be in the line for when it opened its doors.
Located in the oldest part of town, the large square in front of the cathedral (Largo da Sé) was the heart of the city where shops were set up in the Middle Ages. It is a great place to get views of the terracotta tiled roofs of the old city.
Sure enough, we were there waiting in line when the doors opened. We paid our fee to visit the cathedral and went inside.
Built in the highest part of the city, the Sé Cathedral is the most important religious building in Porto. It is located in the Batalha district, next to the walls that once protected the city. The exterior of the building has the appearance of a fortress with battlements. The origins of the cathedral date back to the 12th and was originally built in the Romanesque style. Later in the 14th century, Gothic features were added including a cloister and a funerary chapel.
In the 18th century, Sé do Porto underwent another transformation with the emergence of Baroque architecture. The Italian architect, painter, and sculptor Nicolau Nasoni arrived in Porto in 1725 to paint frescoes in the sacristy and on the large windows around the main altar. The tiles in the Gothic cloister and the side gallery, constructed in 1736, are also his work. Nicolau Nasoni is credited with the silver altarpiece on the left side, showcasing the grandeur of the Baroque style.
Nicolau Nasoni fell in love with Porto, became a resident, and played a significant role in shaping the city’s aesthetics. Among his other works are the famous Clérigos Tower (Torre dos Clérigos), Clérigos Church (Igreja dos Clérigos), where the artist is interred, and São Miguel Fountain (Chafariz de São Miguel), located near the Sé.
We started our visit in the cloisters of the cathedral. Cloisters are always one of my favourite parts of a cathedral or monastery. They are often an oasis of calm even in the busiest city. The cloisters in the cathedral are not the largest, but there are beautiful, vaulted ceilings and the traditional ceramic tiles (azulejos) of Nasoni are worth the visit alone.
On the floor above the cloisters are more tiles on the walls. Up here there are also some spectacular views across the roofs of the city and the Douro River.
The second floor is also the access to the Chapter House and the Treasury.
Before leaving the cathedral, we went into the main church.
The narrow, barrel-vaulted nave is lined with tall granite columns and supported by flying buttresses. It is one of the earliest examples of the use of this typically Gothic architectural technique in Portugal.
The Baroque wall paintings of the choir are the work of Niccoló Nasoni. In the baptistery, don’t miss the bronze bas-relief by Antonio Texeira Lopes, representing the Baptism of Christ by Saint John the Baptist. Scattered around the cathedral, the three red marble holy water fonts dating from the 17th century are quite impressive.
Planning your visit
Getting to and around Porto
Arriving in Porto
Flying
Porto’s closest airport is Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport. Located about 11 kilometres north of the city centre, and recently considered the best airport in Europe, it is served by about 20 airline companies which operate both business class and low-cost flights. These airline companies establish connections between Porto and several national and international destinations. Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport is accessible by both public means of transport (buses and metro) and private means (rented cars and taxis).
Car
Porto is surrounded by motorways, meaning the city enjoys excellent road connections with the entire country. Estradas de Portugal offers complete information on the motorway and national road networks of Portugal.
Train
Getting to Porto by train is a reliable alternative. Porto’s main railway station is Campanhã, located in the eastern part of the city. This railway station includes both national and international services. From here, both light rail and suburban rail services connect to the city centre. The main central station is São Bento Station, in Praça Almeida Garrett, which is itself a notable landmark located in the heart of Porto. This railway station includes suburban and regional services and also offers an international service to Vigo, Spain.
Bus
Rede Nacional de Expressos: Links Porto to nearly the entire country. For complete and updated information please visit Rede Expressos.
InterNorte: Might come in handy for tourists who want to travel between Porto and Lisbon, but also for travellers who want to go from Portugal to Paris, France. For complete and updated information please visit InterNorte website.
Eurolines: Offers the best deals when it comes to international connections between Porto and assorted destinations on the continent.
Getting around
Metro
Much of the subway tracks are at ground level. Despite making it slow, you get to enjoy the views. Connects the airport to the city.
Tramway
Porto is surrounded by motorways, meaning the city enjoys excellent road connections with the entire country. Estradas de Portugal offers complete information on the motorway and national road networks of Portugal.
Buses
A large network of coaches that could work better. Useful if you don’t have a subway station nearby.
Funicular Dos Guindais
Porto is surrounded by motorways, meaning the city enjoys excellent road connections with the entire country. Estradas de Portugal offers complete information on the motorway and national road networks of Portugal.
Gaia Cable Car
A ride over the Port wine cellars, with one of the best views of the city. The ride takes only five minutes.
Andante Card
This is the card used for fare payment in Porto’s subway and buses. You save by charging money on it instead of buying a single ticket on board. You can buy it at the airport or at any subway station.
Porto Card
The Porto tourist card has a version with unlimited access to the city’s public transportation. It is cheap and a good option if you plan to use the subway or buses throughout your visit.
The best time to visit Porto
Sitting along the Douro River in northwest Portugal, Porto enjoys a Mediterranean climate, more specifically defined as a warm summer Mediterranean climate under the Köppen climate classification, marked by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The climate shifts subtly throughout the year, with changes most noticeable in temperature and rainfall patterns.
The best time to visit Porto
Considering Porto’s overall climate and weather data, the best time to visit Porto would be from May to September. During these months, the city experiences ample sunshine hours, ranging from 7.2 hours in April to a peak of 9.9 hours in July. Sea temperatures also become inviting during these months, starting off from a warm 16.5°C (61.7°F) in May and reaching a luxurious 18.2°C (64.8°F) in September. This is coupled with a low level of rainfall, ranging from just 40mm (1.57″) in June to a still considerable 90mm (3.54″) in May.
The worst time to visit Porto
Although Porto doesn’t experience harsh weather extremes, travellers might want to avoid the city in the wintertime, primarily between November and February. Rainfall during these months is high, exceeding 150mm (5.91″) from November to December. Furthermore, sea temperatures moderately drop to between 14.3°C (57.7°F) to 15.6°C (60.1°F) and daylight hours fall to as few as 9 hours in December. During these months, sunshine hours also decrease to between 4 to 4.6 hours per day.
Where to stay in Porto
1. Luxury – GA Palace Hotel & Spa
This 5-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and room service. The property is a 7-minute walk from Sao Bento Metro Station, and within 500 yards of the city center.
The rooms at the hotel come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a bidet, bathrobes and slippers. Rooms come with a coffee machine, while some rooms include a balcony and others also feature pool views. At GA Palace Hotel & Spa, a XIXth-Century Villa each room has bed linen and towels.
2. Mid-Range – Jardim da Batalha Boutique Hotel
Located in Porto and with Sao Bento Metro Station reachable within a 7-minute walk, Jardim da Batalha Boutique Hotel by Shiadu provides concierge services, non-smoking rooms, a garden, free WiFithroughout the property and a shared lounge. This 3-star hotel offers room service and a tour desk. The property is 400 yards from the city centre and a 6-minute walk from Sao Bento Train Station.
The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, an electric teapot, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. At Jardim da Batalha Boutique Hotel by Shiadu every room includes bed linen and towels.
3. Budget – Porto Spot Hostel
Located in Porto’s city center, Porto Spot Hostel offers comfortable rooms with free WiFi. It is only a 2-minute walk from the Bolhão Metro Station.
Dinners are served every day (subject to minimum participants). Guests can benefit from the fully-equipped kitchen to cook their own meals.