A fortress-church on the highest point of the old town, with a tiled Gothic cloister, a rooftop terrace and the oldest alleys of Porto tumbling down below.
Porto's cathedral was begun in the 12th century on the hilltop where the town started. With its crenellated towers and rose window, it still looks ready for a siege.
Inside, the Romanesque nave is plain and severe. The Gothic cloister is lined with baroque azulejos of the 1730s, and stairs lead up to a terrace with views over the rooftops and the river.
Outside, the Terreiro da Sé is a wide granite platform with a twisted stone column and a view over the Baixa. Below it, the Barredo alleys and stairways are the oldest streets in the city.
For the best view of the whole hill, cross the valley to the Miradouro da Vitória, which looks straight back at the Sé and the river.
Two hours from São Bento to the river.
Climb the stepped streets to the granite square in front of the cathedral.
The severe nave, then the blue-tiled cloister and chapter house.
Out onto the roof terrace for the river and Gaia.
Take the stairways down through washing lines to the Ribeira.
Climb the opposite hill to the Miradouro da Vitória at sunset.
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A five-minute climb from São Bento station; Metro line D stops at São Bento.
The nave is free; the cloister, chapter house and terrace take a small ticket.
The Paço Episcopal, the bishop's palace, stands right beside the cathedral.
Porto practical notes →Photographs from Wikimedia Commons and Pexels under their licences.
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