Capela das Almas, Porto

Church in Porto

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Petr Adam Dohnálek

Capela das Almas, also known as the Chapel of Souls, is one of those Porto landmarks you can't help but stop for, even if you were only meant to be shopping along Rua de Santa Catarina. The blue-and-white tile façade turns a busy street corner into a moment of pause, and it's one of the best places to visit in Porto if you love the city's azulejo tradition.

Because it sits right in the downtown flow, it's a great place to visit on a walking tour of Porto, whether you're linking Bolhão and the shopping streets with the historic center, or simply looking for a striking photo stop that also feels meaningful and lived-in.

History and Significance of the Capela das Almas
Things to See and Do in the Capela das Almas
Practical Tips on Visiting the Capela das Almas
Where to Stay close to the Capela das Almas
Is the Capela das Almas Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Capela das Almas
Nearby Attractions to the Capela das Almas

History and Significance of the Capela das Almas

The chapel's roots go back to an earlier wooden structure dedicated to Saint Catherine, but the building you see today dates to the late 18th century, when the Irmandade das Almas e das Chagas de São Francisco relocated here and expanded the site's religious role in the city. Over time, it evolved into a more substantial place of worship, with alterations and restoration work in the early 1800s that reshaped parts of its original look.

What makes Capela das Almas instantly recognizable, though, is not its 18th-century architecture but the transformation that arrived much later. Until the early 20th century, the exterior was plain and whitewashed, but in 1929 it was clad in thousands of azulejo tiles, shifting the chapel from modest to iconic almost overnight.

Those panels depict scenes from the lives of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Catherine, turning the outer walls into a kind of open-air narrative you can “read” from the street. It's a classic Porto combination: devotional, artistic, and completely integrated into everyday urban life, where sacred imagery sits naturally beside cafés, shoppers, and city noise.

Things to See and Do in the Capela das Almas

Start outside and give yourself time to take in the tilework properly. The best approach is to step back far enough to see the full sweep of panels, then move closer to pick out individual scenes and details, including borders, figures, and the storytelling rhythm that runs along the walls.

If the chapel is open, step inside for a quieter contrast to the street outside. The interior experience is smaller and more intimate than the façade suggests, and that’s part of the charm: it feels like a real neighborhood chapel, not a staged attraction, which makes the visit feel grounded even when the exterior is famously photogenic.

Finally, use the chapel as a springboard for a downtown loop. It pairs naturally with a stop at Bolhão, a stroll down Rua de Santa Catarina, and an easy continuation toward central squares, cafés, and tile-lined streets where Porto’s everyday beauty keeps repeating in different forms.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Capela das Almas

Suggested tips: Visit once for photos, then come back later when the light changes and the street is quieter to appreciate the tile scenes without rushing.
Best time to visit: Early morning for cleaner photos and fewer people, or late afternoon when the façade catches softer light.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 07:30 – 17:30; Saturday and Sunday 07:30 – 12:30
Official website: https://www.diocese-porto.pt/pt/
How long to spend: 15-30 minutes for the façade and a quick interior look, or 45 minutes if you linger and pair it with nearby stops.
Accessibility: The chapel is street-level in a busy area, but the interior can be constrained and may involve steps; plan accordingly if you need step-free access.
Facilities: Limited on-site facilities; rely on nearby cafés, shopping centers, and public services in the surrounding streets.
Photography tip: For the façade, shoot from across the street to capture the full corner, then switch to close-ups to highlight tile detail and storytelling panels.
Guided tours: If you’re on a city walk, this makes an excellent mid-route stop because it’s visually impactful and quick to visit without disrupting the pace.
Nearby food options: This is one of Porto’s best areas for quick café stops, including classic pastry breaks and casual lunches around Bolhão and the surrounding streets.

Where to Stay close to the Capela das Almas

Staying near Capela das Almas puts you in one of Porto's most practical bases: central, walkable, and easy for mixing shopping streets, cafés, and sightseeing without relying on transport. It's also ideal if you want to pop out early for photos before the area gets busy, then return later for dinner or a slow evening stroll.

For a classic stay right on Rua de Santa Catarina, consider Grande Hotel do Porto. A stylish, very central option nearby is PortoBay Teatro. For a comfortable base with easy access to downtown sights, NH Collection Porto Batalha is also well located.

Is the Capela das Almas Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially because it's one of those Porto sights that fits effortlessly into your day. You don't need a special plan, a big time commitment, or a ticket, and yet the visual payoff is huge: the façade is genuinely memorable, and it's a perfect example of why Porto's tilework culture feels so distinctive.

It's also worth visiting because it captures a very Porto kind of beauty, where art is woven into ordinary streets rather than kept behind museum walls. Even if you only stop briefly, it adds texture and character to the city experience in a way that lingers.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (10,521)

Chapel of Souls (Capela das Almas), on R. de Santa Catarina 428 in Porto, is famed for its striking blue-and-white azulejo-covered exterior that depicts scenes from the lives of saints and biblical stories; visitors praise the detailed tile artistry up close, the peaceful interior when open, and the chapel's convenient location in a busy shopping area near a market, making it an easy, worthwhile stop for a short break and photos.

G Mac

2 months ago

"As you reach the top of the shopping Street, you will find this amazing chapel. Unfortunately, it was not open to see the interior at the time of ourvisit, but the exterior was well with the trek up the hill. Blue tiles on two sides of the building are beautiful examples of the practice. The tiles to pick scenes from the lives of the Saints and our beautiful. Though there are many tourists posting in front of the building and pictures are a must, take some time to look in detail up close at the artistry of the tile making process. It is truly an astonishing work of art...."

See More See Less

Ben

2 months ago

"Very neat little church! The tile work on the outside is amazing and so is the inside! In a very busy tourist area so it’s easy to stop in and checkout! Would reccomend if you are walking by or are just interested in churches. For me, it was worth the walk and we were able to check out the market right around the corner after. Great area for this beautiful church to be admired by many!..."

See More See Less

Murillo Pontual

2 months ago

"Although Capela das Almas is a relatively new church, it boasts one of the most beautiful façades of any church in Portugal. The blue azulejos add atruly authentic Portuguese charm to the building, making it a wonderful sight to behold. It’s definitely worth a visit!..."

See More See Less

FAQs for Visiting Capela das Almas

It’s on Rua de Santa Catarina in central Porto, very close to the Bolhão area and easy to reach on foot from many downtown sights.

No, entry is typically free, and many visitors simply admire the façade from the street.

Yes, if it’s open, because the interior offers a calmer contrast to the busy street and makes the visit feel more complete.

Early morning is best for fewer people and cleaner angles, while late afternoon can give softer, more flattering light on the tiles.

Most travelers spend 15-30 minutes, longer if they’re photographing details or combining it with nearby stops.

Nearby Attractions to the Capela das Almas

Mercado do Bolhão: A revived central market where you can browse local produce and snack stalls in a lively atmosphere.
Rua de Santa Catarina: Porto’s main shopping street, ideal for a stroll that mixes everyday city life with classic café stops.
Café Majestic: A historic café with ornate interiors that’s popular for a quick look and a coffee break nearby.
Avenida dos Aliados: The city’s grand central avenue that’s perfect for architecture spotting and an easy downtown walk.
São Bento Station: A landmark station known for its azulejo tile scenes that make a quick visit feel like a mini museum stop.

The Capela das Almas appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Porto!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

Read our full story here

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!