I love the blue tile panels; they're stunning. The station is for local commuting (no trains go to Lisbon from here). Construction is underway, so some of the tile panels are covered halfway for protection. read more

Estação de São Bento - Train Stations Near Me - Porto, 13

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Usually a train station is a place in which you want to spend as little time as possible. You're either busy catching a train or impatient to get to your hotel. This station is quite unique, however, because artist Jorge Colaço spent 11 years in the early 20th century creating tiles that produced stunning murals of major events in Portuguese history. Scenes like the Battle of Valdevez and the arrival of King João I and Queen Philippa are depicted in meticulous detail. The tilework spans over 6,000 square feet mounted over the course of a decade. Do yourself a favor, put the brakes on your roller luggage, and look around to appreciate the artistry. This was our worthy first impression of Porto. RELATED - Exploring Porto? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/VYU_3Ju--K read more

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Another country with great train transportation! We were staying at Lisboa and went to Porto for a few days! The train there was newer and had great AC,nice and cold. But the train on our way back was older. About 45 minutes from Lisboa, the cool air disappeared. That was the only negative from our travel back. Easy to take and only one change over to another train! read more

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To all other train station, you're fired. Sao Bento is giving art museum with a punctual departure time. Over 20,000 tiles inside. Each one depicting Portugal's very eventful history from battles to weddings to farming during the Renaissance. Honestly, I wish my local transit had this kind of ambition. read more

Estação de São Bento - Train Stations Near Me - Porto, 13

Nice and easy to get to and no there aren't any parking nearby. You will just have to walk it. The history behind it and it's pretty straightforward getting to where you need to go. read more

Estação de São Bento - Train Stations Near Me - Porto, 13

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Sao Bento is centrally located in Porto, and known for the beautiful azulejos tiles. It is relatively small, and 15min is more than enough to take in the scenes depicted on the tiles. The exterior is under construction still. Head over to TimeOut Market for a bite after. read more

This was on our to visit list since it was listed as a UNESCO heritage site. This place is beautiful and gives off Harry Potter vibes. The tiles here are beautifully done, and best of all...it's free! I highly recommend adding this in your to check out list if you're in Porto read more

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Super beautiful murals Blue tiles Paintings Ancient feel So worth visiting Nice and small read more

This is a beautiful must see train station on your trip to Porto! We stopped by on a food tour and our guide gave us some great information while our food settled. It's a train station so totally free to walk in. The tile artwork is beautiful and tells a unique story about Portugal. We didn't catch a train from here but you could. It's right around the corner from the famous Mcdonald's so totally walkable. You should check it out! read more

Estação de São Bento - Train Stations Near Me - Porto, 13

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This train station is beautiful with the handprints blue tiles! I've never seen a train station like this before. The restroom is €0.50 and very clean! The Timeout food hall is also located in this station and there is another restroom available in there for free. Also nice and clean. There is a backpackers hostel located in this train station as well. They've got everything! There is construction going on outside which makes it a little to navigate though. read more

Estação de São Bento, otherwise known in English as São Bento train station, is the city's main station, located within the Historic Centre of Porto, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has pretty much become a tourist destination for those visiting the city to come in and admire the beauty of the station, even if they are not getting the trains. The Azulejos tiles and stained glass make the station seem so historic and grand, and it was nice just to spend some time here, although, on my visit, it did appear to be under some sort of construction and have some sort of event going on selling cheap tat, which made it feel even more hectic combined with tourists and commuters. São Bento is also connected to the Porto Metro and is on Line D. I did find the platform area, where the trains are, to be rather ordinary, which was a let down compared to the rest of the station building, although there is a restaurant within this area, Tapabento, although I didn't visit the restaurant on this occasion, it is one of the most highly reviewed restaurants in the city and appears to be great for lovers of seafood who want to indulge in the local cuisine. 4* read more

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Beautiful and intimate train station with tiles. It's the cleanest train station I've been to and there is security there. There is a lot of construction right now so it can be noisy. read more

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The S. Bento railway station, is located in the city centre of Porto. I would describe it as one of the most charming train stations in the entire world.Indeed, we are talking walls and ceilings covered with 22 thousand tiles - azulejos - by Jorge Colaço, painter, caricaturist and potter. Jorge Colaço (1868-1942) studied art in Madrid and in Paris and became noticed for his oil painting works. In 1903, Colaço started working tile as a "canvas" for his paintings, becoming a master in tile painting. He has created magnificent tile panels in the São Bento railway station. The circa 22 thousand tiles depict some of the most relevant episodes of Portuguese history, namely King D. João I and D. Filipa de Lencastre, Egas Moniz and Infante D. Henrique in the conquest of Ceuta. The first train arrived at the station in São Bento in 1896, it was built in French architectural style and it was inaugurated on 5 October 1916. It is the perfect opportunity to get to know Porto at the turn of the twentieth century, and the impact of this train station in the reconfiguring of Porto urban architecture, as well as some of the world's greatest tile panels. Go and visit this train station if you are in the center of Porto. It is a must see! read more

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Beautiful place, also very easy to navigate and travel from this train station. Tickets were €3 for me to travel north of here for sightseeing. read more

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This is the most beautiful train station that I've ever been to. Located in Porto's city center, you'll likely find more tourists here than riders. It's definitely a great place to pop in and see the amazing architecture and all of the beautiful tile work and stained glass. I was one of those many tourists checking it out as I was touring the city one of my first days in Porto. However, I actually did use this train station to visit a nearby city for a day trip later during my stay. It was very easy to buy your ticket at the station. The trains themselves are very clean and run on schedule. It's definitely a place to check out, even if you don't ride the train! read more

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Even if you're not lucky enough to take a train through this station, it is still a prime destination to take in famous Portuguese blue tile work. This station was in the same area as our AirBnB and, let's be honest, everything in Porto is fairly walkable and close to one another. So, definitely put Sao Bento on your list of stops as you explore. Unless you sign up for a tour, it is free to enter and view. So many gorgeous, hand painted tiles telling the history of the country and carved stonework that is so intricate, you wonder how many years (and cups of coffee) it took to complete. There is an office that sells transit tickets that you can use throughout the city. Note that if you use the restrooms here, they charge entry (just a bit of loose change). However, there is an attendant who cleans after every.single.person. For the age of the station, everything is pretty clean and well-maintained. read more

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This is a famous station with tile art on the wall , each wall has a few photos created using blue tile art , all the way up to the ceiling , it looks nice but somewhat underwhelming. You don't need more than 15 minutes here to appreciate the art. They should have more information about the art or a nice way to exhibit it but that's not the case, the lighting is bad in the station and it's hard to see the art at night so try to do it before the sun sets read more

What an impressive historical train station. When you think of Europe and their old buildings and history behind them and picture in your mind what this means, this train station makes my short list of gotta see buildings. It is not so much the masonry work that makes this building stand out, which is impressive in its own right, but the unique painted tile work that adorns this building. This type of artwork is very unique where there has not been any other places that I have seen with this type of architecture. Truly unique and makes this a must see if you are in Porto where you will definitely not be disappointed! Also this is a totally free experience!!!!! read more

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Beautiful train station that was once a monastery located in the center of the city. There are trains that go directly to nearby countries. Architecture and mural paintings are hundreds of years old and uses traditional techniques. Lovely spot to check out. read more

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Porto has one of the beautiful train stations. I think there were more curious tourists in the station than riders. This is a great place for a quick visit and best part is it didn't cost anything. read more

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My wife and I were here, visiting this on our first day in Porto, ahead of the Gate1 tour. We had been told about this train station, and it certainly was worth the effort to see it. Beautiful tile work! If this is not the most beautiful train station... And it is free to wander in, which we did later again with the tour. IF you are ever in Porto, this ranks up there with the top places to see! read more

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One of the most beautiful stations in Portugal. Beautiful tiles in the entryway of the station. Now next to it you also have the Timeout Porto. read more

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Sao Bento train station equals to the central union station of New York. It is the place to take train to all the Europe. Central station with character. This place actually part of Historic Centre of Porto an UNESCO heritage site. Can believe it is for a rail station. This station is build at the old Benedictine Convent site. The only unique of the station is their Azuelo tile. The blue tile that was done in early 19th century is the center piece of the station. It have the history how the Porto come together. The detail of the tile mural is very beautifully done. Only the tourists are notice it. The commuter do not paid attention to it. read more

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Main train station in the centre of Porto. Great architecture and murals inside. Well worth a visit if you are in town. read more

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Built at the start of the 20th century, it is a work of art, over 20,000 Azulejos tiles tracing the history of Portugal. Definitely a must see place, even if you aren't taking a train. read more

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The São Bento Railway Station is one of the most incredible ways to arrive in Porto, stepping into a different world than other towns in Portugal. You'll arrive in this charming city of red roofs, steep hills, and dramatic bridges crossing the Douro River. With only two tracks emerging from a large tunnel into this modest sized station, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has earned that title because of the intricate tile work featured since the station opened in 1916. It is remarkably adorned and worth ducking into even if you don't arrive via train, just to see the stunning blue walls within. read more

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The central train station for Porto, it's a tourist destination even without the trains. The station is simply beautiful and the outer lobby area is well decorated with the tiled walls describing the history of Portugal including the Battle of Valdevez (1140), the 12th Century siege of Guimarães, King John I and Philippa of Lancaster to celebrate their wedding day and that's as much as I can recall being pointed out. The station is also connected to the Porto metro on line D, between Jardim do Morro and Aliados. read more

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Just gorgeous. A must to stand surrounded by the blue tiles and the significance to Porto. There's always been a love for in places like this. Cafe inside with plenty seating, relax, read...enjoy! read more

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A must see place in Porto, but to get to Porto definitely you pass though Sao Bento. The famous blue tile walls are just amazing here. You just admire it! Sao Bento station is in old town Porto, so you have to take train from Campana to Sao Bento to see the Porto! if you have ticket to Campana, to can take to Sao Bento free or the other way. One of the prettiest station in Portugal, I think. read more

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If you're thinking this is just another train station, you'll be in for a surprise. While we didn't ride the train, the reason we visited is because it's an attraction in itself. Listed in my guidebook, Estacao de Sao Bento is a beautiful train station. As you walk in the main entrance, you'll see why you're there from the very start. Immediately after entering, you'll be surrounded by beautiful tiled walls illustrating aspects of Portugal's history. Known as azulejos, the classic Portuguese art is often in blue and yellow. This is a destination that will only take you five minutes to check out but one you shouldn't miss! read more

Came walking up a hill all the way from the Douro riverside... quite a walk and always uphill... a taxi would not want to take us there as the ride was too short! Anyways, it is nice and unique... beautiful ceramics on the wall of the main entrance... don't expect more even though it is beautiful just there. Go, take a couple of pictures and call it a day... enjoy read more

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Sao Bento station is one of the two major train stations in Porto. The train station is beautiful inside and out. Inside the station are traditional Portuguese tiles that line the walls from floor to ceiling. The station is fairly small, making it extremely easy to navigate and difficult to get lost. A trip to Porto isn't complete without a visit to Sao Bento station. read more

Estação de São Bento - Train Stations Near Me - Porto, 13

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Typically I don't write about train stations because once you have been in one well ... But I will make an exception for this beautiful train station. It simply is beautiful. Everything is pretty straight forward. You don't need to know any Portuguese to successfully navigate this station. Just point to your destination on the screen and a show of fingers for the amount of tickets you wish to purchase will suffice. There is a ticket office where you can by your tickets and an area where you catch your train. Then, why is this station significant? The hand painted mural tiles (azulejos) throughout the station are very beautiful and set it apart from other stations. Also, the area where you catch your train is open and beautiful and there is a fruit stand and flower stand, for last minute purchases, before you catch your train. Even if you are not catching a train, its still worth your time to stop in and enjoy the beautiful artwork on the walls. read more

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Louis R vacationed in Porto and loves the architecture/culture/fare and artwork. Oh yeah, and he adores this Museum-like Train Station. Louis R can only reiterate what someone has already stated, "...the São Bento train station has layers of details that need to be seen at human scale to be fully appreciated. The exterior lighting on the stone and stained glass makes this historic portal to all points outbound positively glow at night. Indigo murals and handcrafted masonry captivate all who enter. And the train station actually functions! Commuters and travelers flow through throngs of slack-jawed tourists gazing up at arches, art, and open air views of the neighborhood beyond the tracks..." Exactly. Louis R will be back to ride this train. Be like Louis R. read more

One of the most beautiful train stations in Portugal. Several mosaics cover the walls from waist level and rise to the ceiling. Although half the station is under repairs as of late July 2021, you can still enjoy the beauty while you wait for a train or continue your stroll towards the Ribeira read more

Wow what a beautiful train station, unfortunately we didn't come to Porto in this station we came in thru Campanhā station. I wish I could said it was just as nice, but it gets the job done and user friendly. What a remarkable place. read more

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Looking for something spectacular and fun to do? And free! Just walk into the Sao Bento train station. There is a lot of history in the tiles as well a beauty. The blue tiles are hand painted. Some of the others are mass produced. There's a battle for the families depicted. There's also a depiction of the history of transportation here. There's really so much to see it could keep you busy for a while. This also used to be a nunnery. The last nun used to live there... its an interesting story too! Also the story of the architect so designed this station. You can see his signature on the building. Its hard to miss. Wasn't the brightest on his first major project--- but it is beautiful... read more

Estação de São Bento - Inside! - Train Stations Near Me - Porto, 13

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This is one of the world's most beautiful train stations. Tourists and locals alike flock here to take pictures of the beautifully manicured tiled walls. read more

So beautiful!! Even if you don't need to take the train, it's worth a stop in. The tile murals are stunning. While waiting for our train, my group was perfectly content just looking at the mural. It's so detailed, as well as the moulding, trim, and masonry of the rest of the station, that you can look at it for a long time and if you appreciate such things, you won't get bored. The station itself is good too. There were lockers which my group used to store our backpacks as we wandered Porto while waiting several hours for our train. They have paid restrooms, which while a pain, it means they're clean. There are a few vendors so you can grab a bite to eat, drink, or something to read. It's in a good location, and also directly across the street from the metro, so getting to Estação de São Bento is no problem. All in all, a good station and very easy to use with a lot of value. One of my favorites in Europe! read more

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How can you not like this "old" train station with all its murals? Small. Easy to navigate. In the center of town. One negative is that the ticket queues were very long every time we were there. My advice is get on the train and go to Campanha and buy tickets there. read more