São Bento Railway Station

São Bento is a working railway station that doubles as one of Porto's best-loved sights, thanks to the tiles in its entrance hall. Designed by the architect José Marques da Silva in a French Beaux-Arts manner, it was built from 1904 and opened in 1916 on the site of a former Benedictine convent, which gave the station its name.

The vestibule is covered with around 20,000 azulejo tiles, covering 551 square metres, painted by Jorge Colaço and made at the Sacavém factory. They were installed between 1905 and 1916. Large blue-and-white panels show episodes from Portuguese history, including the Battle of Arcos de Valdevez, Egas Moniz offering his life to the King of León, the entry of João I and Philippa of Lancaster into Porto in 1387 and the conquest of Ceuta in 1415. Above them runs a colourful frieze charting the history of transport in Portugal, and smaller scenes show rural life, from the grape harvest to wine being carried on the Douro.

The hall is open to anyone, and you do not need a ticket to look around. Stand back from the walls to take in the big battle scenes, then move in close to see the brushwork. Early morning and mid-afternoon tend to be calmer than the commuter peaks, and remember that people are trying to catch trains, so keep the routes to the platforms clear when stopping for photographs.

Beyond the tiles, the station is a practical hub. Suburban and regional trains leave from here, including some services towards the Douro valley, and São Bento metro station on line D is directly outside. The Passenger Hostel occupies part of the building, which tells you how central it is. Fifteen minutes is enough to see the hall properly, though many people return when passing through. The building is lit well in the evening too, and the façade on Praça de Almeida Garrett is worth a look from across the square.

The station sits at the bottom of Avenida dos Aliados, with the cathedral a short climb to the south and Rua das Flores leading downhill towards the Ribeira. Praça da Batalha and the Rua de Santa Catarina shopping street are also within a few minutes' walk.