There are so many beautiful churches in Europe and Porto, Portugal is no exception. The…read morearchitecture in this church is so detailed and amazing. It's a definite must visit on a trip to Porto.

Clerigos is a Roman Catholic, Baroque-style church that was built in the 1700s. According to its…read morewebsite, its bell tower has a height of 75 meters, and visitors may climb 225 narrow steps over 6 floors to reach the top and enjoy a view of the surrounding city and river. Clerigos is an active church with a mass schedule, but visitors may purchase tickets either on-site or online for self-tours and guided tours. Admission fees vary based on age. Furthermore, behind the church is a museum that was former housing for the clerics and showcases artwork and furniture. During my husband's and my vacation in Porto, our tour guide dropped us off near this church. The building had a narrow footprint and prominently stood taller than the surrounding buildings. The tall tower and the ornate stone carvings looked beautiful.

We didn't climb the 200+ steps for a view of all of Porto's charming chaos, tiled roofs, crooked…read morealleys, and the Douro just flexing below but she was still the central marking and beautiful there she stood. The church is baroque on baroque. Gold leaf for days. The clock tower is consistent and dramatic. Some towns just need one.

When ever there is anything big happening in Porto this square is the center of most activity. From…read moreconcerts to protests and everything in between.

Also known as the " Gold Church " this church is absolutely stunning and imposing with its richness…read moreof 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.

Two churches. One facade. Zero personal space. These side by side beautiful churches are separated…read moreby the world's narrowest house (bless that tenant). The Carmo side is tiled and extra while the Carmelitas side is older and more humble. Legend has it, the tiny house in between was built to keep the monks and nuns from getting... too social if you know what I mean. The drama!

The Rococo Igreja do Carmo, or " Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel " was built in the mid-18th…read morecentury, houses numerous oil paintings and several elaborate gilt altars. The exterior of the church shows a beautiful tile mosaic, added in the early 20th century, depicting scenes relating to the founding of the Carmelite Order. This is not a well- know church as many other in Porto but it definitely deserves a visit. It was classified as a National Monument on May 3, 2013, together with the adjacent Carmelite Church. In recent years, the Order of Mount Carmel sought to open its vast heritage to the public. Initially he opened the "Casa Escondida", considered by local guides as the "Narrowest House in the city of Porto" , and one of the narrowest in the country. Little by little, new spaces were opened, and nowadays visits to the Order of Carmo Tourist Circuit are available. For €3.5 you can visit the House, Church, Catacombs (small), Noble Hall, Hall of Paraments and Sacristy through Casa Escondida, allowing a glimpse of the heritage of the city. This visit is possible from Tuesday to Sunday between 10 am and 6 pm; on Mondays it starts at 12 pm and ends at 6 pm. During mess time such visit cannot be conducted.

Forget about the gym this visit will provide all the training you need! It wa Built on top of Mount…read morede Santo Estêvão, in the 18th century. The day of the Nativity of the Virgin is the high point of the feasts in honour of Our Lady of Remedies. It usually include fireworks, musical shows and various sports. The Procession of the Triumph, with its richly adorned paraders, is a highpoint. Already during the Middle Ages catholic worship was celebrated there, in an old hermitage dedicated to Santo Estevão that was erected in 1361. At risk of collapsing, it was demolished in the 16th century and the construction of a new hermitage in the same spot was started, by the Bishop of Lamego, where an image of the Virgin and Child was placed. Worship of St. Stephen was thus progressively replaced by Marian Devotion. In 1750, the construction of the present sanctuary began, and was only finished in 1905. The monumental Baroque staircase with 686 steps, yep you need to climb that to have access to the sanctuary is divided over several levels, punctuated by sculptural elements, such as statues of the kings, the backrests of the eight fountains (among which the Remédios, by Nicolau Nasoni) and various allegorical representations. Half way is the Chapel of Desterro. Inside the temple is Rocaille in style and entirely dedicated to Marian iconography: on the main altar in gilded carving, in the altarpieces dedicated to the Virgin's parents, in the three stained glass windows with images of Our Lady of the Conception, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Annunciation, and in the tiles of the Conimbrigan artist Miguel Costa that represent key moments in Mary's life. The tomb of the founder of the sanctuary, Canon Jose Teixeira Pinto, is at the entrance of the nave. Definitely worth visiting and gorgeous view of the Valley!

Came on a cloudy day, on the bus…read more Regret: should have walked up the 686 steps. I was discouraged by the guide. Anyway, it was on me: a bad decision. The tile panels are beautiful. The sight out to the city is lovely, and so is the church.

Two churches. One facade. Zero personal space. These side by side beautiful churches are separated…read moreby the world's narrowest house (bless that tenant). The Carmo side is tiled and extra while the Carmelitas side is older and more humble. Legend has it, the tiny house in between was built to keep the monks and nuns from getting... too social if you know what I mean. The drama!

If one church visit isn't enough how about a double-church…read more Igreja dos Carmelitas is one of the unique churches in Porto's historic streets, connected to its adjacent twin, Igreja do Carmo. These two churches nearly blend together. Built in the 17th century, the Carmelitas side on the left for nuns is classic baroque. And unlike the Carmo side on the right for monks, entry was free when we visited making it a convenient pit stop between other historic sites. There is even a 3 ft wide narrow house between both churches that traditionally segregated Carmelite monks from nuns. Before going in, admire the elegant azulejo blue tiled wall on one side and the magnificent bronze Fountain of the Lions nearby, thought to be the inspiration for Harry Potter's Gryffindor crest. Inside the church feels quiet and intimate with decor featuring soft gold accents and traditional woodwork. Everything felt restrained except for the gilded main altar with intricate woodwork and a tiered mantlepiece dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Virgin Mary). Skip it or hit it? It's a quick and free visit in this area of Porto worth exploring.

What a beautiful church! I can only speak for the outside, becaue we only peeked inside since there…read morewas a small fee. Thait seemed like what most people were doing, but just the facade is a sight to behold in itself. There's plenty of tilework on the exterior of the church to admire and the blues are so pretty! We came by on a Monday at around 4 PM and it was pretty quiet at that time. Good stop to make while in Porto if you're into unique tilework.

The Church of Saint Ildefonso is really a must when visiting the City of Porto. The beautiful tiled…read moreexterior immediately draws the visitor into its ornate interior and exquisite altar. The visit costs one Euro and it's definitely worth it. We were lucky to have been there when there was music playing adding to the atmosphere. I personally loved it so much that just had to return a second time to purchase a souvenir from the shop where I was well taken care of by a lovely gentleman. I will definitely have to come back next year and take the tour of the museum. Muito obrigado to the staff of the wonderful jewel of a place. Ben Urizar - New York, New York

Last year when we visited Guimaraes it was a holiday and the castle was closed…read more You have to purchase tickets on line- barcode available at the entrance. Staff check your online tickets and you're allowed in. When my husband was younger, he indicated he was actually able to walk in the castle. The staff stated about 3 years ago, stairs and trail were built to conserve the castle. Great views from the top of the castle. There are huge boulders on the grounds and as part of the castle itself. Street parking.

Our tour only stopped here for 20 minutes after a long bathroom break - too few booths (two for…read morewomen and one for men) with too many of us, on a rainy afternoon. We missed ton!