São Bento Station – Porto’s Most Beautiful Train Station Covered in Azulejos

Sao Bento station

If someone told you that one of Porto’s most visited tourist attractions is a train station, you might raise an eyebrow. But step into São Bento Station, and you’ll understand why. This is not just a place to catch a train — it’s a work of art, a historical timeline, and a window into Portugal’s soul.

Built at the turn of the 20th century, São Bento is covered in more than 20,000 azulejos — traditional blue-and-white tiles — that depict some of the most important moments in Portuguese history. For travelers and art lovers alike, it’s a must-see landmark that’s beautiful, free, and right in the center of Porto.

🏛️ The Station That Replaced a Monastery

Before trains arrived, the site of São Bento was home to the Convent of São Bento de Avé-Maria, a Benedictine monastery that dated back to the 16th century. In the late 1800s, as railways spread across Europe, the monastery was demolished to make way for modern transportation — but the name “São Bento” remained.

Construction of the current station began in 1900, with French-influenced architecture and a Beaux-Arts style facade. It officially opened in 1916, and it has remained one of Portugal’s most striking train stations ever since.

🧱 Though trains come and go, the station itself feels frozen in time — quiet, elegant, and full of stories.

🎨 The Famous Azulejo Murals

As soon as you enter São Bento’s main hall, you’ll be surrounded by floor-to-ceiling tile murals that cover over 500 square meters of wall space. These are not just decorations — they are historical paintings in ceramic.

What you’ll see:

Military conquests – including the Battle of Valdevez and the entrance of King John I into Porto
Traditional life scenes – markets, festivals, oxen-drawn carts, and peasant life
Royal events – the marriage of João I and Philippa of Lancaster
Transport evolution – from horse carriages to early steam trains

🎨 All murals were designed and painted by artist Jorge Colaço between 1905 and 1916.

📚 A Living Timeline of Portugal

The murals aren’t just beautiful — they educate. You can stand for 10 minutes and learn more about Portugal’s culture, legends, and politics than you might in a museum. And because they’re so detailed, every visit reveals something new — a different face, gesture, or moment hidden in the crowd.

💡 It’s a popular stop for school groups, guided tours, and history buffs — all for good reason.

🚉 Still a Functional Train Station

While the main attraction is its artwork, São Bento is still very much a working station, with trains running daily to destinations across northern Portugal, including:

Braga
Guimarães
Aveiro
Pocinho (scenic Douro Valley route)

So while you're admiring the tiles, you’ll hear announcements, see commuters, and watch travelers coming and going — giving the station a unique blend of the past and present.

📍 How to Visit São Bento Station

Location: Praça de Almeida Garrett, Porto city center
Entry: Free
Hours: Open daily (but less crowded in the early morning or late afternoon)
Metro stop: São Bento (Line D – Yellow)

🧭 It’s just a 5-minute walk from Sé do Porto, Rua das Flores, and the Clérigos Tower.

🧳 Travel Tips for São Bento Station

📸 Go early in the day to photograph the tiles without crowds.
📱 Use Google Lens or a tile guide to interpret the stories in each mural.
🧘 Take your time – sit on a bench and watch the light change across the tiles.
🚂 Catch a train! Even a short ride to a nearby town adds a fun travel twist.
🎧 Listen to local musicians – it’s common to hear live music echoing through the hall.