Greetings!

I am thinking of visiting Igreja de Sao Francisco and Palacio da Bolsa. Palacio da Bolsa replied that their guided tours are about 30-40min. How much time would you allocate for Igreja de Sao Francisco? I know we can't take photos inside which could be a blessing in disguise )

If we were in Porto for a long time, I would spend as much as possible at all these different amazing monuments, but seeing that we only have 2 days (actually 1.5 days because one afternoon will be set aside for a bit of shopping ) I want to figure out the best way to combine different visits.

Thank you!

The church itself will not take that much time because it is so over the top in gilt that nothing stands out. Don't get me wrong; it's a must see, but the eyes are not drawn to specific items. What make take more time is the dispatch house attached, which contains a chapel which in any other venue would be seen as a fairly large church.

I think we spent about 50 minutes in the Igreja, its museum and the eerie catacombs with its ossuary.
More time was spent inside the church and down in the catacombs than in the museum. But we were a group of 4 rather than a group of 18.

In the church we were mesmerized by the mastery of the Tree of Jesse and sat in front of it just in awe, and also marveled at the altarpiece dripping in gold, in fact every inch of the church seemed dripping in gold.

For us it was the city’s most impressive religious site, along with the Igreja dos Clérigos, a Nicolas Nasoni, oval shaped, Baroque design in pink marble, just stunning as well, another masterpiece. That day there was a free organ concert at noon. I believe they’re given every day, but you may not have time for that.
Concertos Diários de Órgão de Tubos | Eventos | Torre dos Clérigos

yes! all that gold is what caught my eye. Actually, I kind of thought that was the only thing to see there. Now I see that there is another church, museum, and the catacombs.


Feeling torn about visiting the catacombs. I think through our past trips, the only similar place that we visited was in Vienna. The Habsburgs' Crypt. But the coffins there were really amazing. Somehow we never made it to the Bone Chapel in the Czech republic or (this time) to Evora's Bone Chapel (btw, we are skipping Evora altogether). Not sure how the ladies would feel about the catacombs and all the bones on display... There really is nothing like that in Japan. I think it's a European thing
Oh, I was searching for any information about Organ concert in Portugal and could not find! Darn... I really don't think I have enough time for everything that could have been done in Porto. I think I really made a crucial mistake of starting our trip in Porto and ending in Lisbon, There are just so many things that we could have enjoyed if we had more time and were less jetlagged. We hired an organist in Budapest for a 15-25 min short concert ..that was amazing! How long are these concerts at Igreja dos Clérigos?

minamax10,
I believe the pipe organ concerts don't last that long, but I'm not sure of the exact length. I just mentioned them because I think you'll be very impressed by the sheer beauty of this church. Maybe try to be there a bit before noon just to hear a bit of the concert?
If you don't wish to go down to the catacombs, you'll probably only need 30-40 minutes at the Igreja de São Francisco.

Its an organ concert IN the church.

I'm too trying to find out if they stil have these concerts daily. Hopefully someone who has been there recently might chip in.

The noon concerts at the Igreja dos Clérigos are given daily throughout the year. *They only post the concert programs monthly so you only see the August concerts. *We were there in November.

The acoustically spectacular Rem Koolhaus-designed Casa da Musica has concerts programed throughout the year, and they would please any music lover. *We've attended jazz concerts, classical concerts and last time, a *Halloween concert there, with the concert hall filled with families. There are also performances by Portugal's leading fado singers and choirs. The ticket prices are quite reasonable, and all seats have great views since the auditorium is small. The Casa da Musica has a concert + dinner program also, with a set 3-course dinner either before or after the concert, served in the top floor restaurant. *See the schedule of concerts here:
https://www.casadamusica.com/en/

Another venue for guitar concerts: *the "Masters of the Porto Guitar" series, held in the Igreja de São Ildefonso at 6:30 pm and given almost daily, except Saturdays/Sundays. *You can purchase advance tickets at*https://www.classictic.com/en/porto_.../63575/722696/
Or purchase at the venue.

Thanks so much for this. I probably would have missed this and what a perfect evening. Are there any good restaurants in the vicinity?

You might consider Tapabento, just a 5-minute walk away, near the São Bento train station.
TAPABENTO Bar Restaurante