Church of Saint Francis

This is a beautiful church! So ornate. Definitely worth checking out. You must purchase a ticket to enter the museum which includes a walk through the catacomb.

Opening hours are daily 9am - 7pm Cost is 10€ for church and museum entry. Church only tickets are not sold. Must take both. We bought at the entry no online booking. This activity is not accessible for wheel chair. There is a stair to reach the front with no lift. The church of st Francis is beautiful barocco with 300 kilos of gold build in 1245. It is really one of a kind and i recommend to go.

Beautiful church inside showing the lavish style of the era. You are not allowed to take pictures inside nor record the videos. Regardless of such limitations we have enjoyed the inside and the catacombs .

A Must-Visit Gem in Porto – Stunning History & Breathtaking Beauty! The Church of St. Francis (Igreja de São Francisco) in Porto is an absolute masterpiece and a must-visit for anyone interested in history, culture, and stunning architecture. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this church beautifully showcases the rich artistic and religious heritage of Portugal. From the outside, the Gothic façade is striking, but stepping inside is a truly awe-inspiring experience. The interior is a breathtaking display of Baroque craftsmanship, with intricate gilded wood carvings covering nearly every surface—it’s said that over 300 kilograms of gold leaf were used to decorate the church! The main altar and the elaborate side chapels are nothing short of mesmerizing. Beyond its beauty, the church holds deep historical significance. Originally built in the 13th century, it has witnessed centuries of change, including its transformation from a Franciscan monastery. The Catacombs beneath the church add another layer of mystery and history, offering a fascinating glimpse into Porto’s past. The blend of Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical elements makes this church unique, and the peaceful atmosphere inside provides a moment of reflection amid the vibrant city. Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or simply someone who appreciates cultural heritage, the Church of St. Francis is a must-see landmark in Porto. Don’t miss it!

We paid €10 to visit the church and were told we couldn’t take pictures, which was disappointing. Some staff members were rude when we bought the tickets, though there were also kind people. In the end, we were allowed to take a few pictures, but the overall experience wasn’t great. It left a bad taste and ruined the mood for the rest of the day.

A very cool tour of an old church. The pamphlet information was full of interesting history of some of the amazing wood carvings and artifacts. It was also interesting to your the catacombs. A beautiful old church with some great architectural features.

Beautiful church and nice museum next door. The catacombs were interesting and unique. The church was gorgeous inside. Definitely worth a visit. The tickets were 10€ and the ticket office is just to the left of the church entrance.

Very beautiful building. Didn't go inside but even from outside, an imposing building with excellent view of the river and Gaia.

Also known as the " Gold Church " this church is absolutely stunning and imposing with its richness of the guilted wood carving that supports 200 kilograms of gold on the main altar and another 200kg for the rest of the church. It is of Gothic style and became the refuge for the order of Saint Francis of Assisi. It is also a world UNESCO site so definitely a must see. You can also find the Retable of the Tree of Jesse where the upper portion contains an allegory of the church flanked by the Faith and Wisdom. Christ's genealogy is represented in this tree whose roots unfold from Jesse's body. This theme is an interpretation of the Old Testament. You can also visit the catacombe where some real skulls and bones can be seen. The second floor shows some rich rooms that belongs to some noble and supporters of the church.

All we wanted to do is go in for 5 minutes and say a prayer in the church, but they said 10 euros each. Very disappointing.

My wife and I were here on a Gate1 tour. The Church of Sao Francisco, (St. Francis Church), most prominent Gothic monument in Porto, with Baroque inner decoration. We weren't supposed to take photos inside, ahem! Highlight of the interior decorations was the Family tree showing Jesus' relation to Jesse, father of (King) David. Very beautiful with its ornate wood carvings Don't forget the museum next door.

This Gothic church began construction in the 1300s with an obviously rich history! A huge banner hangs outside showing a gleaming, shiny, golden cathedral to beckon visitors. However, once you've paid for admission, you enter to find it isn't nearly as shiny as the poster would have you believe. Even worse, they fail to tell you while buying tickets that scaffolding covers the entire front of the interior, so you won't be getting any good pictures there. That being said, the interior of the cathedral is so impressive that I still gave it four stars despite the scam. Just don't expect anything nearly as spectacular as the banner!

It is great detail on this church. One of most decorative that I have seen. When I see on the sanctuary. I am admiring the carving, the painting, details, representing of the 3D story telling. This is one of thing in the church that take away my breath and said wow. This is a UNESCO heritage site. The church started at 12th century and have addition to 15th century. This church is to remember the saint of San Francis of Assisi of Italy. The saint can talk to animal. It is a fantastic church not only for the beauty but for the deep meaning behind it. The tomb below the church is huge. It has famous and important people. The artwork and metal art work can be found. The visit may need 1 hour. The meeting room is beautiful also. The outside is looking like gothic with step lead to the entrance. It allow view to the river with spectacular view.

No one builds like Catholics. This massive structure was built in the mid 18th century. Nasoni designed both the building and some of the carving used to decorate the inside. Well worth the few Euros for the self-directed tour, you can walk around and take as many pictures (no flash!) as you like. I did leap out of my comfort zone and go downstairs to the Crypt of the brothers. I stayed for all of about two minutes before I had to bail. If that sort of thing is interesting for you, then you'll enjoy this. I got creeped out. Upstairs where there's windows and daylight, it's a beautiful structure and a clear demonstration of the power and magnificence of the Church. An enjoyable time for believers and non-believers. [Review 9915 overall, 1493 of 2018.]

The Igreja de São Francisco is a touristy and historic church right by the river. Out of the many churches to visit in Porto, this one was less remarkable -- but maybe I just had church fatigue. Stop by if you're really interested, but if you don't want the €5ish entrance fees to keep adding up, this one is skippable.

If you've spent any time in Europe, you may already be burnt out on castles and churches. But if you're not, I recommend taking a gander at the Igreja de Sao Francisco. You'll most likely spend less than an hour here (even if you're like my Mom and have to read every tiny sign or plaque). Some highlights: 1) Gold on gold on gold on gold (dust) covering the intricate woodwork 2) The catacombs: It was a bit eerie, but a neat (yet somber) experience

I'm not a big pilgrim: I don't take pilgrimages and to be honest, just visiting 2 churches in one week was a lot for me. That being said, the 2 churches (Clerigos and São Francisco) I visited were both totally worth it, even for a secular non-conformist. My Portuguese friend insisted on taking me to São Francisco on the last day of my visit. The sense of history is palpable, especially when in the basement where centuries of the devote are buried right under your feet. The moment I realized we were in a crypt I was hit by The Fear: this was probably most evident in my eyes. The goldwork inside the church itself inspired a different emotion: I was in awe of the intricacy and imagination in the ornamenture. The living history on hand in Porto's churches cultivated within me a greater respect for the traditions of the Catholic Church in Portugal.

This was a great experience especially if it is raining out. I really enjoyed it however the setup of the museum is a little confusing. Overall though it is a great experience and has some beautiful architecture.