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Se Porto Cathedral (Portugal) – Photos + visit tips

Last updated on January 7, 2021 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

The Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto) is a historical landmark in the Northern city. Overlooking Porto, Portugal, this 12th century Romanesque structure is open to visitors. You can also discover its cloister and treasury. Plus, do not miss the great views from the square in front of it! Below is my guide to plan your visit.

Se do Porto Cathedral Porto Portugal Travel

Table of Contents
Why visit the Porto Cathedral?
PLANNING TIPS - Porto Se Cathedral
Views from Largo da Sé & Se do Porto Entrance
Church interior
Cloister of the Se Cathedral in Porto
Oporto Cathedral Sacristy
Top Cloister
Chapter room (Sala capitular)
Treasury

Navigate back to the complete Travel Portugal Guide

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Why visit the Porto Cathedral?

The cathedral in Porto is one of the most famous buildings in town.
It is a beautiful structure built in the 12th and 13th century in Romanesque style. And its adjacent Gothic cloister dates back to the 14th century.
Plus it offers splendid views of the city. It is one of the best views in Porto.
It is quite a touristic spot so be careful around all the buses. But be sure not to miss it. 

visit the Porto Cathedral

Video

Below is a short video of my visit to the Porto Cathedral and its cloister. Dark nave, blue tiles and historical chapter rooms.
I am sorry my filming was not very good, but it still gives you an idea of what a visit might look like.

More details and photos after the planning tips.


PLANNING TIPS - Porto Se Cathedral

How to get to the Porto Cathedral

  • Located at Terreiro da Sé, on the higher grounds of Porto
  • You can reach it by walking from the upper platform of the Dom Luis Bridge on the North side or you can walk from the city center (quite steep)
  • The Hop on Hop of Bus stops right next to the cathedral in Porto on its Blue Route. It is a great way to get around Porto and save your knees and muscles + it has another route that goes to the sea and beaches. 

And if you are planning to trip around Portugal, check out my travel guide, it includes Porto and the cathedral:

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

Portugal road trip guide ebook cover

Plan your perfect trip around Portugal with:

  • 13 easy-to-plan Maps
  • 120+ pre-selected scenic locations
  • Planning tips to make the most of your time
  • 200+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE

Visiting the Porto Cathedral

  • Porto cathedral opening hours - 9am to 6:30pm for the cloister and the museum and to 7pm for the cathedral (5:30 in Winter)
  • Porto cathedral access is free
  • But to visit the Cloister the entrance is 3€
  • Porto cathedral mass time - daily at 11am
  • Latest opening hours in Portuguese on the Diocese wesbite
  • Not many steps in the cloister - easy visit
  • Where to stay in Porto? - Check out the best rated accommodations in Porto

Views from Largo da Sé & Se do Porto Entrance

Sé do Porto is located not far from the upper platform of the bridge.
You can arrive from there or walk you way up from the city.

Access Porto Cathedral Portugal

The Cathedral was built in the 12th and 13th century in Romanesque style. And its adjacent Gothic cloister dates back to the 14th century. Of course, alterations were made later but it remained an imposing structure overlooking the city.

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.
So the Porto Cathedral is part of the World Heritage Unesco classified site called Historic Center of Oporto.

As you can see below, it has 2 towers crowned with cupolas, but the façade is not very decorated, apart from the porch and the rose window.

So, it looks quite austere but it has seen some major events in the European history such as King's weddings or Baptisms.

Entrance Cathedral Porto Portugal

From the front square (Largo da Sé), you can admire very nice views of the city. They were not my favorite, but it is a nice combination of rooftop level views and spotting major landmarks.

As you can see in the photo below the Clerigos tower (Torre de Clérigos) stands out in the panorama.

View from Porto Cathedral 1
View from Porto Cathedral 2

Church interior

The entrance to the church itself is free. So don't miss what is considered as one of the top things to do in Porto.
It is very difficult to photograph this building. The nave is dark, tall and narrow (and I did not have my tripod with me).

However, the Porto cathedral interior has a special atmosphere. It is hard to describe.

Church Porto Cathedral 1

The rose window remains of the Roman architecture. From the inside you can spot the pipe organ just in front of it with an arc shape around the window.
They sometimes organize concerts in the cathedral. The organ was built in 1985 by a German. You can learn more and listen to part of a concert on Gailatlarge.

Church Porto Cathedral organ

Inside the Porto Cathedral, you can also admire the chapels.
There is one famous chapel. The apse was rebuilt in baroque style in the 17th century. You cannot miss it; the decor is really heavy.

Church Porto Cathedral 2

Another one of the most famous chapels is the silver one.

The story says that at the beginning of the 19th century, when Napoleon's army entered Porto, a local decided to paint the silver to hide it.

They were fooled and the chapel was left untouched.

Silver chapel Se Cathedral Porto

Cloister of the Se Cathedral in Porto

For a small fee, you can then visit the Gothic Cloister on the South side. It is not the best one I have visited in Portugal, but it has a lot of character with the beautiful Azulejos tiles.

Cloister Porto Cathedral 1

Those blue tiles are typical of Portugal. You will see them often on your road trip. They were added to the cloister during the 18th century.
They depict religious stories.

Cloister Porto Cathedral 2
Cloister Porto Cathedral 3

Oporto Cathedral Sacristy

From the cloister you can enter the sacristy. It is decorated with a lot of Baroque pieces.

Sacristy Porto Cathedral 1
Sacristy Porto Cathedral 2
Sacristy Porto Cathedral 3

There is also a small chapel in the cloister. The side walls are all covered in Azulejos tiles which contrast with the wood.

chapel cloister oporto cathedral

Top Cloister

Then you can take the Nasoni staircase to admire the cloister from the first level.

This is a renaissance staircase designed by Architect Nicolau Nasoni

Top cloister Porto Cathedral 1

From here you can see more Azulejos tiles and better appreciate the cupolas of the tower.

Top cloister Porto Cathedral 2

Looking down you see the quadrangle of the cloister.

Top cloister Porto Cathedral 3
Top cloister Porto Cathedral tiles

Chapter room (Sala capitular)

From there you can enter the Chapter Room. 
Sadly, there were not signs or explanations about all the tiles, paintings and rooms.

Chapter room Porto Cathedral 1

The ceiling was coffered and painted by Pachini in 1737 with allegories of moral values

Chapter room Porto Cathedral 2
Chapter room Porto Cathedral 3
Chapter room Porto Cathedral 4

Treasury

For a fee you can also visit the Treasury with a small collection of Early Christian artifacts and art. For example, you will see a lot of silk ceremonial gowns, leather bounded bibles, crowns and altar pieces.

You will see a lot of gold and silver from South America.

Se Porto cathedral treasury
Se Porto cathedral treasury 2

Want to see more of PORTUGAL?

PREVIOUS: 

BEST PORTO TOURS and THINGS TO DO

NEXT: 

BOM JESUS BRAGA

Portugal Travel Guide - Portugal destinations

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