Traveling to Porto Portugal and want to see the best azulejo tiles in Porto? Check out this epic Porto blue tiles bucket list with the 10 best places to see the best Porto azulejos.

BEST Azulejos In Porto – Incredible Blue Tiles You Must See


Last Updated on February 13, 2024 by Soumya

Looking for the best azulejo tiles in Porto, Portugal? We have you covered.

In this ultimate Porto azulejo tile guide, we take you to ten different places in Porto where you can see the famous Portuguese blue tiles.

There are so many azulejos in Porto that the city is often called the Blue City of Portugal.

From biblical stories on church facades to attractive patterns on residential buildings, the blue and white tiles of Porto have numerous stories to tell.

In this Blue Porto Guide, we delve deeper into the history of azulejo tiles, find out the best places to see and buy them, and see if we can create our very own Portuguese tiles to take home.


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Traveling to Porto Portugal and want to see the best azulejo tiles in Porto? Check out this epic Porto blue tiles bucket list with the 10 best places to see the best Porto azulejos.
Pin this Porto Azulejo Guide for later.

What are the Azulejo Tiles of Porto?

Portuguese azulejos are square-shaped, tin-glazed ceramic tiles (usually blue and white in color) that are used to depict religious stories, daily lives, and, very often, the illustrious history of a place. You’ll find such blue tiles on Porto’s church facades.

Sometimes, azulejos just represent patterns and are used to beautify walls without conveying any message. You’ll find many such Porto azulejo facades in the Ribeira district.

Blue and white azulejo tiles are commonly seen in Portugal and Spain.

The history of Portuguese azulejos dates back to the 13th century when the Moors brought the concept into Iberia. Portugal’s King Manuel I was so impressed by these tiles that he decided to introduce them in his country in 1503.

The Twin Churches of Carmo in Porto
Finding the best Porto blue tiles is a fun thing to do in Portugal.

Patterns and designs have undergone a lot of changes ever since, but azulejos have always been used in Porto, Portugal.

Porto is literally painted blue with azulejos. Everywhere you look, there are azulejo tiles in Porto – inside and outside churches, on the facades of houses, and on the walls of railway stations.

There’s even a Bank of Azulejos in Porto – can you believe that!!!

Trivia: Research suggests that Portuguese azulejo tiles are not just visually appealing buy also keep the building interiors cool by reflecting sunlight.

Spotting Porto’s beautiful tiles, buying some cool Portuguese tile souvenirs, and joining a tile painting workshop were some of the fun things I did in Porto. Come, let me show you how you can do them too.

Where to Find The Best Azulejo Tiles in Porto?

Chapel of Souls – Most Photographed Porto Tiles

Author at the Chapel of Souls in Porto
Posing in front of the azulejo facade of the Chapel of Souls in Porto, Portugal.

Several churches in Porto are adorned with exquisite azulejo facades. Many of them are Instagram sensations.

My favorite azulejo tiled church in Porto is the Chapel of Souls or Capela das Almas (Google Maps) on Rua de Santa Catarina.

Porto’s Chapel of Souls was constructed in the 18th century, but the tiles were added in the 20th.

More than 15,000 azulejo tiles decorate the chapel wall. They were added in 1929 and depict the lives of various saints, including the death of St. Francis of Assisi and the martyrdom of Saint Catherine. This

The chapel is a 3-minute walk from the Bolhao Market and is free to enter.

Pro Tip: Join this Porto Old Town Walking Tour and see the blue tiles of Capela das Almas with a knowledgeable tour guide.

Church of Saint Ildefonso

Church of Ildefonso in Porto Portugal
Church of Saint Ildefonso – Serene and calm building in Porto with blue and white tiles.

The Church of Saint Ildefonso (Google Maps) is a charming building on Rua de Santo Ildefonso adorned with Porto blue and white tiles.

The Church of Santo Ildefonso was built in 1739, but the azulejo panels were added much later, in 1932.

Almost 11,000 tiles adorn the church’s facade. They depict the life of Saint Ildefonso, a 7th-century Bishop of Toledo. There are also images from various gospels.

The church is located just next to Batalha Square, a historic public square in Porto.

Almost a Porto hidden gem, this church is usually not that crowded and a great place to get some cool pictures.

You can take a good shot of the church from a little further away or take a closer picture for a better view of the azulejos.

📖 Related Read: Visiting Porto? Check out our epic one-day Porto itinerary.

Carmo Church – Porto’s Blue & White Postcard

A man walks infront of azulejo facade of Carmo Church in Porto
The Church of Carmo, with a majestic azulejo facade and pretty baroque windows, is one of the best blue buildings in Porto.

The Church of Carmo (Google Maps) is an elegant-looking Baroque church located on Rua do Carmo in Porto. It was built in the latter half of the 18th century and is a 5-minute walk from the Clerigos Tower.

Attractive blue and white azulejo tiles fill the side facade of the Carmo Church. They depict various scenes from Mount Carmel and the founding of the Carmelite order.

The presence of baroque windows in the middle of all the blue and white azulejo tiles makes for an even prettier sight.

The Church of Carmo is often referred to as Porto’s prettiest postcard. I can’t disagree.

Trivia: The Church of Carmo (built for monks) is located alongside a twin church called the Church of Carmelitas (built for nuns). A very narrow house separates the churches. Apparently, the thin house was built to keep the nuns and monks from interacting with each other!

Sao Bento Train Station – Largest Collection of Azulejo Tiles in Porto

Blue tile walls of the Sao Bento Train Station in Porto
A train station adorned with the best Porto blue tiles.

Imagine an old railway station that looks like an art gallery! That’s exactly what Sao Bento Train Station (Google Maps) is – an exquisite museum to view the art of azulejos in Porto.

This beautiful railway station, which was built at the site of an old convent, features a neoclassical look strongly inspired by the Beaux-Arts style of Paris.

Its huge entrance hall is covered with Portuguese blue tiles all over. There are over 20,000 azulejos in this Porto station.

The Sao Bento azulejo panels from the early 20th century depict the rich history of Portugal.

A blue and white tile panel representing Henry the Navigator in Porto
A blue and white tile panel at the Porto Sao Bento Train Station shows Henry, the Navigator, at the Conquest of Ceuta. This event marked the beginning of the Portuguese Empire in Africa.

There are stories of wars, kings, and queens in Porto blue and white. Two large panels on either end depict the Conquest of Ceuta and the Battle of Valdevez.

Sao Bento Train Station is free to enter and is open at all times of the day, which makes it so convenient to see the beautiful Porto blue and white tile panels.

When in Porto, I am sure you’ll head to the Sao Bento station to catch a train to Douro Valley, Coimbra, or Lisbon. So, why not come a little early and check out these exotic azulejo tiles in Porto?

Pro Tip: Join this 3-Hour Historical Center Walking Tour and see Portugal’s most beautiful train station with a local guide.

Porto Cathedral – Oldest Collection of Azulejos in Porto

Cloisters of the Porto Cathedral
The cloisters of the Porto Cathedral are adorned with beautiful blue and white tiles.
Image courtesy: photooiasson from Getty Images via Canva Pro

Se do Porto, or the Porto Cathedral (Google Maps), is the principal church of Porto.

Built-in the 12th century, Porto Cathedral features fascinating Gothic cloisters, the walls of which are adorned with blue and white azulejos.

These blue and white tiles were added early in the 18th century, making them one of the oldest collections of azulejos in Porto.

There are gigantic azulejo panels on the terrace overlooking the cloister courtyard that depict hunting scenes, lives from the countryside, and excerpts from mythology.

Congregados Church

Congregados Church in Porto Portugal
Azulejos tiles on Porto’s Congregados Church.

Right next to the Sao Bento station is this charming little church called Igreja dos Congregados.

The Congregados Church (Google Maps) was built in the year 1703 and was used as a hospital and a military base during the Porto siege in the 1800s.

Congregados Church is not the most spectacular church that you will see in Porto, but it is worth a quick look at those charming azulejo panels on the front facade. What makes them stand out is their interesting pairing of blue and white tiles with tall windows with yellow borders.

Porto Ribeira District

Building in Porto Ribeira District covered with blue and white tiles

The Ribeira District is a great place to spot some gorgeous azulejo tiles in Porto, Portugal.

It is easy to get lost in the winding alleys of the Ribeira neighborhood and look for the stunning blue tile buildings.

Many homes and offices have beautifully decorated walls with azulejo tiles all over them.

Notice that the blue and white tiles on Porto official and residential buildings do not depict religious or historic events like the churches do. Rather, they are filled with pretty patterns and designs.

Casa Musica – Contemporary Destination for Porto Azulejos

Casa Musica (Google Maps) is a modern, avant-garde building in Porto that’s quite different from other traditional Porto tile buildings.

It was built in 2005 by a Dutch architect. With a contemporary design and Dutch origins, Casa Musica is home to the National Orchestra of Porto.

It is also a unique location for spotting azulejos in Porto. Stunning blue tiles cover the walls of the VIP room at Casa Musica.

There is a fee to enter Casa Musica. If you have a Porto Card, you get a 50% discount on tours and concerts at Casa Musica.

Porto Bank of Materials

This is unbelievable but true – Porto has a bank dedicated to azulejo tiles. It is called the Bank of Materials and is a great place to binge on Portuguese blue tiles.

Established in 2010, Porto’s Bank of Materials (Google Maps) is an institution to safeguard the blue tiles of Porto.

Porto’s azulejo tile buildings are constantly under threat from vandalism and decay. If you look carefully at the buildings, you’ll notice tiles chipped off in many places (see picture above).

The Bank of Materials collects these lost/stolen tiles and gives them to actual house owners to restore their facades.

Pinhao Train Station

Azulejo tiles at Pinhao Train Station
Portuguese blue tiles decorate the walls of Pinhao Train Station.

If you are looking for more azulejos in Porto, I recommend taking a day trip to Douro Valley by train.

Get down at the Pinhao train station and marvel at the magnificent azulejo panels that adorn the station walls.

Each blue tile panel depicts a story of the Douro Valley. From the traditional costumes of Douro Valley to the ancient process of wine production, the azulejos of Pinhao Train Station tell many tales.

Douro Valley is a great day trip to plan if you’re spending 2 – 3 days in Porto.

📖 Related Read: Want to visit Douro Valley? Read our detailed guide on Visiting Douro Valley from Porto by Train.

Author gazing at a blue tile wall in Porto
Binging on azulejo tiles in Porto is one of the best things to do.

Where to buy azulejos in Porto?

There are several shops selling azulejos in Porto if you are wondering where to buy them.

However, it is important to buy Porto tiles from authentic retailers so that you’re not supporting the vandalism of these beautiful tiles.

Here are some of the best places to buy azulejos in Porto, Portugal.

  • Gazete Azulejos (Google Maps): Conceived by two azulejo lovers, Alba Plaza and Marisa Ferreira, Gazete Azulejos is a great place to buy traditional tiles and learn how to paint them. Gazete Azulejos organizes tile painting workshops and even has an online course if you’re interested.

  • Prometeu Artesanato (Google Maps): A charming souvenir store in the Ribeira District, Prometeu Artesanato has hundreds of tile designs to choose from.

Azulejo Painting Workshops in Porto, Portugal

If you’re looking for a tile painting workshop in Porto, here are a couple of excellent recommendations.

  • This Tile Painting & Cocktails Tour is a great way to learn the history of Portuguese azulejos and paint your own tile, along with delicious cocktails and great conversations.

Loved this Porto Azulejo Tiles Guide? Pin it for later!

Traveling to Porto Portugal and want to see the best azulejo tiles in Porto? Check out this epic Porto blue tiles bucket list with the 10 best places to see the best Porto azulejos.

Soumya is an acclaimed travel writer who has traveled to 30+ countries and lived in 8 while pursuing her passion for history and culture. Her writings have been published in BBC Travel, Architectural Digest, National Herald, and many more. She loves exploring world heritage sites and has a deep affinity for everything ancient, especially the lost civilizations of Mesoamerica!

57 thoughts on “BEST Azulejos In Porto – Incredible Blue Tiles You Must See

    1. Glad you liked them, Christie. I can spend weeks just gazing at these pretty blue tile walls in Porto.

  1. The blue colour of the azulejos is so beautiful. Porto is such a beautiful destination and has always been on our radar. We missed visiting Porto when we were in Portugal the last time. Would definitely visit these places when we visit Porto the next time.

    1. Even I loved the Azulejo blue. So soothing and calming. Porto is a beautiful city. Hope you get to see it the next time you visit.

  2. I had no idea about Azulejos of Porto before reading your post. I am blown away by the azulejos. Such a beautiful way of dipicting story. I loved how the churches and other monuments are beautifully decorated by the azulejos tiles. This place is surely an Instagram worthy. If you ask me my favorite one, I would go with the train station. I have to put this destination on my bucket list. Thanks for the post.

  3. Wow! This is beautiful piece of art. I have never been to Porto nor have seen an actual azulejos. These are truly fascinating. Thank you for sharing about these masterpiece. I am so happy to learn something new today and hope to see this up close one day.

  4. Such an interesting history on the azulejos. I did not know much about them, so it was interesting reading about them. The azulejos in the church of Saint Ildefonso and the train station are stunning! I love that they tell a story and also help keep the buildings cool, that is always a plus!

  5. The colours of the azulejos are simply beautiful. I have to admit I never knew that this was a tradition of Porto, but I have found your article very fascinating! I can see why they would attract attention from instagrammers” but I do hope that this is not something that will be spoilt by that.

    1. That’s a genuine concern, Laura. But since the tiles are on the walls and Instagrammers don’t really touch them much, I believe they won’t be spoilt. Fingers crossed!

  6. Azulejos are such beautiful creations. Although I have not been to Porto it would be great to experience in person. I have seen some of these in Spain though. Lovely pictures to illustrate the beauty.

  7. Thank you for sharing your top places to see Azulejos in Porto. When we visited we spent time admiring the tiles in Sao Bento train station, along with many bus loads of tourists as well. When we wandered around we noticed many more buildings with the tiles. I will bookmark your article for when we return.

  8. This is one of the most interesting posts I have ever read. Azulejos are fantastic and I haven’t known about them and they look so fabulous on those buildings. Porto must be very fortunate to have all these architectural treasures. I can’t even decide which one I like most – Capela das Almas or Igrejia de Karmo.

  9. I have been wanting to visit Porto to see these beautiful Azulejos in person! Your photos are so beautiful. I had seen the train station before, but it is nice to learn about some of the lesser-known spots as well. The Capela das Almas would probably be my first pick to check out and Igreja de Carmo looks very nice too.

  10. First things first, really enjoyed reading about Azulejos – something which I read for the first time. Porto is such a beautiful city, and, discovering these blue azulejos, which are so unique, looks like such an interesting thing to do Soumya. Definitely bookmarking this for the future.

  11. This is so beautiful! I didn’t know that this is a thing in Porto, but now that I have seen these photos I want to go and see it myself. All these tiles are adorable. Sometimes it is hard to find pretty, photographic places in a new town even though you know they are out there. This post is very helpful.

    1. You are welcome Paula. The azulejo panels of Porto are extremely photogenic therefore, highly INSTAGRAMMABLE

  12. Omg, the azulejos look so beautiful. These blue ceramic tiles depicting the history of the place is a treasure trove for those who love history and culture. At first I did not realise São Bento to be a train station. It looks like a living museum!
    I have seen blue ceramic tiles in a few temples in Bengal. now I am intrigued about their connection to Portugal. I will find more about them.

  13. I have to say that I love Porto, so much i’ve been there 3 times! I remember passing by a few azulejos, but I couldn’t remember where exactly. reading your post has brought back great memories of the cities and these beautiful blue tiled buildings. I think a fourth visit may be in order!

  14. I had been to Spain and saw some bluish ceramic tiled building facades but never knew that it is known as Azulejos. Good to know about Azulejos and they all look interesting as they depict some religious and cultural story painted on them. The blue color would really give cool vibes during Mediterranean heat. Apart from famous Porto cathedral, I would love to stroll around the streets and find some random Azulejos in Porto. I would surely look for all of them on my visit to Porto.

  15. I’ve never been in Portugal, but I’ve heard a lot about the beautiful Azulejos in Porto. They are indeed very unique and I hope to see them myself someday, so thanks for sharing the best places to see them. São Bento looks more like a museum than a train station. How lucky to see these beautiful blue tiles while going to your commute every day!

  16. Those azulejos are beautiful! I didn’t realize that Porto was so popular for having them. The Igreja de Carmo particularly sparked my interest! We are planning to go to Portugal soon, so I’m keeping this available for reference. I would love to seek them out!

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