Tours and Tickets to Experience Church of São Francisco (Igreja de São Francisco)
Church of São Francisco (Igreja de São Francisco)
The interior of the church is a must-see for first-time Porto visitors.
There is a small admission fee to enter the church.
Porto Card holders receive discounted admission.
Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees to visit this active place of worship.
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It currently costs €9 to visit the church, ossuary, and museum. Students (with valid ID) can visit at a reduced rate of €6.50. Children aged between six and 12 can enter for €2.50 each, while younger kids get in for free. Porto Card holders pay only €7.
The Church of São Francisco is Porto’s most famous church. It dates back to the 13th century and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Nicknamed the “Church of Gold,” it boasts a lavish Baroque interior filled with gilded woodwork. Carvings date back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
The best time of day to visit the church is right when the doors open at 9am. That’s when you’ll get the chance to have the centuries-old interior all to yourself. Otherwise, aim to come just before closing time, either at 7pm from the fall to early spring and 8pm during the summer.
There’s no strictly enforced dress code, but visitors should be mindful of the religious setting and wear modest clothing that is suitable for church. That means nothing tight or revealing, and it’s a good idea to have a shawl or long jacket on hand to cover up legs or shoulders.
Yes, definitely. It is said that over 660 pounds (300 kilos) of gold dust were used to decorate the interior. The altarpiece is famous for its intricate “Tree of Jesse” sculpture. Beyond the Baroque interior, there’s a Chapel of Bones in the ossuary and a museum featuring art and religious relics.