Sao Bento Station in Porto
A practical guide to visiting one of Portugal’s most beautiful train stations: what to see inside, where it is, how to get there, how much it costs and how to include it in your Porto itinerary.
✨ What is Sao Bento Station?
Sao Bento Station is one of the easiest and most beautiful stops to add to a Porto itinerary. It still works as a train station, but many travellers step inside just to see its spectacular entrance hall covered in Portuguese tiles.
For me, it is an essential stop because you do not need much time and yet it is one of those places that surprises you as soon as you walk in.
The station was built on the site of the former Sao Bento de Ave Maria convent. The original project was designed by architect Marques da Silva, and the first stone was laid in 1900.
🧿 What to see inside Sao Bento
The highlight is the main hall. Its walls are decorated with around 20,000 tiles by Jorge Colaco, one of the most important artists in Portuguese tilework.
The panels show historic and traditional scenes from Portugal, including moments from the country’s history, rural life and different forms of transport.
Do not rush in and out: take a moment to look at the panels, notice the details and search for the different scenes. It is one of those places where every wall tells a story.
📍 Practical information for your visit
It is right in Porto’s historic centre, so it fits perfectly between Clérigos Tower, the Cathedral, Avenida dos Aliados and Ribeira.
🧭 Recommended itinerary nearby
A very easy itinerary is to start at Clérigos Tower and Livraria Lello, continue to Sao Bento Station to see the tiles, and then walk towards Porto Cathedral.
From the Cathedral you can go down to Ribeira or cross Don Luis I Bridge towards Vila Nova de Gaia.
📷 Photos from my visit to Sao Bento
My own photos so you can see the hall, the tile panels and the station details more clearly.
🔗 Keep planning your Porto itinerary