Vintage Azulejo Landmarks
Sao Bento Station
Known as one of the World’s most beautiful train stations, this train station is no doubtedly one of Porto’s most valued architectures of all times. Standing tall with a massive 20,000 Azulejo Tiles in total, the Sao Bento Station is definitely a must-visit! These tiles trace the rise and fall of Portugal’s history, with each section depicting a different story.
Address: 122 Rua Santa Isabel, Porto, 4000-326
Opening hours: Open daily, from 7am-11am and from 2.30pm-6pm
Ireja do Carmo
Near the university area sits the majestic Igreja do Carmo, a Catholic church that is also inspired in Baroque style and designed by a disciple of Nicolau Nasoni. Built between 1756 and 1768, Ireja do Carmo is one of two churches that are joined together yet finely separated by a one-room wall, and is well known for its beautiful exterior wall that is completely covered with blue and white Azulejos tiles.
Address: Rua Carmo, Porto, 4050-164.
Opening hours: Monday 12pm-6pm, Tuesday - Sunday 10pm-6pm.
Church Santo ildefonso
Can’t get enough of magnificent churches with fascinating exterior Azulejo walls to get a feel and admire at? If that is the case, you should definitely give Church Santo ildefonso a visit! Located at the center of Oporto, this church has suffered many unfortunate events to stand at where it is today. The famous designer, Nicolau Nasoni himself revamped the Church’s design with a touch of Baroque-style.
Address: R. de Santo Ildefonso 11, Porto, 4000-542
Opening Hours: Tuesdays to Saturday: From 09:00AM to 12:00PM and from 15:00PM to 18:30PM. Sunday: from 09:00 to 13:00 and from 18:00 to 20:00
Capela das Almas
Located in one of Porto’s busiest streets, Santa Catarina Street, this building is such an stunner, it's hard to miss! Capela das Almas is a gorgeous chapel that has its exterior all beautifully adorned with these blue and white Azulejo tiles.
Address: Rua Sta. Catarina 428, Porto
Opening Hours: Monday and Tuesday: 7:30am-1pm/3pm-7pm. Wednesday to Friday: 7:30am-7pm. Weekends: 7:30am-1pm/5:30om-7pm.
Contemporary Azulejo Landmarks
Ribeira Negra Panel
The Ribeira Negra Panel is regarded to be the best example of contemporary art in Porto. This beautiful piece of artwork is 40 meters long in canvas and was created by artist Júlio Resende in just 10 days as a tribute to his hometown, Ribeira do Porto. This holds a massive significance towards people of Portugal as the panel symbolises the honoring and celebration of the Portuguese culture and talent.
Address: R. da Ribeira Negra 4000, Porto (the entrance of Ribeira Tunnel)
Casa de Musica
There are so many hidden secrets and fascinating rooms in this stylish minimalistic-looking concert hall and one of them contains a galore of Azulejo tiled walls. Located in a VIP room, the interior is decorated from top to bottom with Azulejo Tiles that resembles the 16th century style in Portugal and European Renaissance. The designer of this specific room in Casa da Musica is actually a dutch architect named Rem Kolhaas but the blue and white tiles are manufactured in Portugal.
You don’t have to worry about not having access to this VIP room, as there are scheduled guide tours and visiting time slots for visitors keen on checking this amazing place out!
Address: Av. da Boavista 604-610, 4149-071 Porto
Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday : 10am-7pm. Sunday 10am-6pm
(free English Guided Tours everyday at 11pm and 4pm)
And there we have it for the wonderful world of Azulejo tiles in Porto - go on a Azulejo eye hunt and immerse yourself in the Portuguese Culture :)
