Porto Cathedral 🇵🇹

As one of Porto’s oldest and most important Romanesque monuments, the Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto) sits prominently in the city's historical centre. You will discover an intriguing architectural blend, as construction began in the 12th century and evolved through the Gothic and Baroque eras. From the outside, its two square towers, rose window, and crenellated arch give it the formidable appearance of a fortified church.

Step inside to wander the narrow Romanesque nave, which features early Portuguese flying buttresses supporting its stone roof. You can explore the Gothic cloister, where King John I wed English Princess Philippa of Lancaster in 1387, and visit the Gothic chapel holding the tomb of Knight Hospitaller João Gordo. Baroque additions abound, including a side loggia designed by Nicolau Nasoni, a magnificent 17th-century silver altarpiece, and three red marble holy-water fonts.

Do not miss the cloister’s striking 18th-century azulejo tile panels depicting scenes from the Song of Songs, or the marble plaque behind the altar commemorating those lost during the War of the Oranges. Whether admiring the baptistery's bronze relief or the painted chapter house ceiling, you will experience centuries of history in a single visit.

What to see at Porto Cathedral

• Gothic cloister adorned with 18th-century azulejo tiles depicting the Song of Songs
• Magnificent 17th-century silver altarpiece created by Portuguese artists
• Elegant Baroque loggia designed on the lateral façade by architect Nicolau Nasoni
• Historic location of the 1387 royal wedding between King John I and Philippa of Lancaster
• Gothic funerary chapel featuring the recumbent tomb of Knight Hospitaller João Gordo

Visiting tips

If you wish to attend daily Mass, plan your visit to be inside the cathedral by 11am.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Porto Cathedral is easy to reach on Porto’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Casa da Música. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Porto travel guide.