Palacio da Bolsa
Palacio da Bolsa
4.5
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Civic Centres
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9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
About
National Monument, located in the historical centre of the city, classified as World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Palacio da Bolsa, built by the Porto Commercial Association on the ruins of the Saint Francis Convent, has become by excellence the Porto city’s drawing room, welcoming the most illustrious visitors, amongst which are monarchs, presidents and ministers from almost every country, transforming this building into the most visited monument in northern Portugal.
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- Jaffathecat1510 contributionsWorth taking the tour even if it's not in your 1st languageAll the English tours were full so we took a french tour as it still takes you into every room. The undoubted highlight is the room modelled on the Alhambra in Grenada with its opulence and breathtaking plasterwork & furniture. The Borso is privately owned so tours are a little more pricey than other places in Porto but still worth itVisited January 2020Traveled as a coupleWritten January 4, 2020
- DezzerGMirfield, United Kingdom69 contributionsGreat place for a short visitHaving read some reviews we weren’t too sure about getting a tour in English. We turned up at 11.00, and joined the 11.15 tour ..... the next tour would have been 12.30 or 2.00, so we needn’t have worried too much. The tour lasted about 40 minutes, and the building is packed with history. The Arab Room was outstanding. Coronavirus note - the guide apologised for having smaller groups of 20 (which sounded really good to us), but as the museum is in private hands it remains open.Visited March 2020Traveled as a coupleWritten March 11, 2020
- John LGrand Bend, Canada2,038 contributionsQuick tourI wasn't really expecting the history of a stock exchange to be too exciting, but was pleasantly surprised. Our guide did an excellent job of providing an overall history of the building, as well as explaining the purpose and importance of various rooms. The ballroom, central hall and Moorish room were particularly striking. Tours are run regularly in various languages ... it is not possible to wander through the building on your own. Best to book on line to avoid having to wait for a tour.Visited March 2020Written March 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
5,623 reviews
Excellent
3,104
Very good
1,832
Average
478
Poor
118
Terrible
90
Italia Ignota
Florence, Italy342 contributions
Sep 2019
We went there by chance because we were nearly and because we just missed this place to visit. I must say that I was completely satisfied with the choice to enter. The palace can only be visited with a guide and above all the visits are at specific times, in well-defined languages and especially with limited places. My advice is to go to the first visit with places available, no matter if you do not understand the language spoken by the guide because the most important thing is to visit the beautiful halls of the building.
Written May 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I ❤️Europe
United Kingdom128 contributions
Apr 2022
I turned up around 10am and there was a small queue of about 10 people. I agree with other reviews the booking system is not great. When you arrive there is a screen with the time slots, however you don’t know what time your language is going to be until on the day as the system works by as soon as someone books the first slot for a certain time then depending on their language this will determine what times the tours are.
The tour takes up to 50 people. I booked the 13:30 English tour the guide was late, and it was only because people started complaining otherwise we would have been waiting longer. I read online the tour lasts 30mins, however our tour lasted 50mins. Because the guide was late a few people left early.
Despite the late start the tour was very good and informative. The Arab room which they saved the best to last was was very impressive.
I would highly recommend visiting.
Prices - Adult €10 Student €6.50
The tour takes up to 50 people. I booked the 13:30 English tour the guide was late, and it was only because people started complaining otherwise we would have been waiting longer. I read online the tour lasts 30mins, however our tour lasted 50mins. Because the guide was late a few people left early.
Despite the late start the tour was very good and informative. The Arab room which they saved the best to last was was very impressive.
I would highly recommend visiting.
Prices - Adult €10 Student €6.50
Written April 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin F
Holbeach, UK50 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Worth a visit but be careful not to spend longer in the queue than you do on the tour!
Be mindful that you queue to buy a ticket which won't get you necessarily on the next tour, you will choose the language when you buy your tickets and they confirm the times available. We bought our tickets around 9.30am and queued for maybe 15 minutes. The next available tour was 10.15am so we went and got a coffee. When you return for your tour don't join the ticket queue but go into the entrance hall (we went in via the exit) then head to the inner courtyard, somebody will check your ticket just as you go through the door to the courtyard. The tour was informative and entertaining. It is worth the 10 euro price. When we came out at around 10.45am the queue for tickets was massive so suggest getting in early. I can't see any advantage to buying tickets on line, as at Oct 22 the online option doesn't let you chose a date and time, you still have to queue to book which language tour you need and check availability.
Be mindful that you queue to buy a ticket which won't get you necessarily on the next tour, you will choose the language when you buy your tickets and they confirm the times available. We bought our tickets around 9.30am and queued for maybe 15 minutes. The next available tour was 10.15am so we went and got a coffee. When you return for your tour don't join the ticket queue but go into the entrance hall (we went in via the exit) then head to the inner courtyard, somebody will check your ticket just as you go through the door to the courtyard. The tour was informative and entertaining. It is worth the 10 euro price. When we came out at around 10.45am the queue for tickets was massive so suggest getting in early. I can't see any advantage to buying tickets on line, as at Oct 22 the online option doesn't let you chose a date and time, you still have to queue to book which language tour you need and check availability.
Written October 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
banstead
Kirkby Lonsdale, UK434 contributions
Feb 2020
We were staying close by and for some reason only made it on our last day. I had read about it, but my husband hadn't so was amazed when we ended the tour in the Moorish room, stunning.
It really is far more interesting than the name of the building suggests, it shows the importance of Porto as a trading city over time. We had an excellent guide, with lots of personal comments and anecdotes, didn't catch her name but she's visiting London in April for football!
It really is far more interesting than the name of the building suggests, it shows the importance of Porto as a trading city over time. We had an excellent guide, with lots of personal comments and anecdotes, didn't catch her name but she's visiting London in April for football!
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tanya T.
Illinois1,572 contributions
Nov 2022
The tour lasts about 30 minutes and you'll need to watch the schedule to know when the next tour in your language begins. We purchased tickets in advance and had to redeem them at the counter, the next tour (in English) was 30 minutes later and after receiving tickets, you can leave the building but must return at least 5 minutes before your scheduled tour begins. Sadly, there were non-English speakers on our tour who kept talking in their language. Perhaps someone in their party knew English and was interpreting which made it difficult to hear the tour guide. The most impressive part was the last room and some tid-bits of knowledge about government and architecture. The guide was good. He had a polite delivery of speech with small doses of jokes which made it engaging. Another draw is that this attraction is low-budget and affordable.
Written December 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew C
13 contributions
Jan 2022
If I had not already visited Lisbon, Sintra, and Pinhao, I would probably have given this five stars, but as it stands, Bolsa Palace pales in comparison to the other great places we visited. Considering many of them are priced similarly, it felt a little silly to pay 10 euro for this.
That being said, the tour was great and informative. Our guide was charming and gave us plenty of time to take photos. The full tour was about half an hour. Most interesting part for me was that the building actually functions as an office building, which is why tours are required. Some employees actually walked through our tour to get to a meeting room. Most impressive to me, and I'm sure everyone, is the last room, which is absolutely beautiful.
That being said, the tour was great and informative. Our guide was charming and gave us plenty of time to take photos. The full tour was about half an hour. Most interesting part for me was that the building actually functions as an office building, which is why tours are required. Some employees actually walked through our tour to get to a meeting room. Most impressive to me, and I'm sure everyone, is the last room, which is absolutely beautiful.
Written January 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patouke
Edinburgh, UK145 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
It’s a beautiful building with rich history, architectural gem, still actively used as a Chamber of Commerce.
Visits are guided only and tours, hosted in different languages, last 30minutes. Unfortunately tickets are not available to be purchased online, only in person, and the volume of visitors requiring specific language, determines the wait for next available tour. If you’re planning to visit, especially on the cloudy/ rainy day, it’s best to get in earlier in the day so you don’t wait long. Our guide, Pedro, was very friendly and funny, he knew a lot about the history, city and the build itself. It’s a shame the tour only lasts half an hour, there’s so much more to discover and learn, that extra 10-15min would make a huge difference to visitors (especially for a price of €12).
Visits are guided only and tours, hosted in different languages, last 30minutes. Unfortunately tickets are not available to be purchased online, only in person, and the volume of visitors requiring specific language, determines the wait for next available tour. If you’re planning to visit, especially on the cloudy/ rainy day, it’s best to get in earlier in the day so you don’t wait long. Our guide, Pedro, was very friendly and funny, he knew a lot about the history, city and the build itself. It’s a shame the tour only lasts half an hour, there’s so much more to discover and learn, that extra 10-15min would make a huge difference to visitors (especially for a price of €12).
Written August 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WanderingOttersons
Denver, CO1,326 contributions
Sep 2021
Not quite as old as many of the more tourist visited buildings in the city, it certainly doesn't lack for wow factor. It still has an interesting history and is still in use today. From the hand cut/laid intricate floors put together like a puzzle with no nails or glue to the incredibly ornate Arab room, this building has many amazing architectural features not to be missed. A tour is quick and reasonably priced as well as convenient to the main areas of Porto so it's well worth a stop.
Written December 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keith L
Taunton, UK211 contributions
Sep 2021
Visits are only by a tour which required a wait of three hours for an English version. You circulate the building on the first floor entering various large rooms. One was an old courtroom with huge wall paintings. Another was the Chamber of Commerce meeting room with inlaid wood floors. The best and largest was left till last - the Arabian room. 30 minute visit costing 10 euros each so quite pricey.
Written September 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Merrowmum
Guildford, UK1,260 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
We had pre-purchased tickets online, but still had to queue with everyone else to be allocated a tour slot. On the day we went, the two tours in English were at 11am and 11.45am, nothing in the afternoon, so we were pleased we had made it the first stop of our day as we had about 20 minutes to wait for the 11am tour by the time we had got to the ticket desk.
The tour itself only lasts about 35 minutes but is well worth it; our guide was very entertaining indeed - a great actress! - and the building itself is definitely worth seeing as a whole but especially the stunning Arab room, the last room of the tour. I also really liked the courtroom.
When we left, it was noticeable how much longer the queue for the ticket office was!
The tour itself only lasts about 35 minutes but is well worth it; our guide was very entertaining indeed - a great actress! - and the building itself is definitely worth seeing as a whole but especially the stunning Arab room, the last room of the tour. I also really liked the courtroom.
When we left, it was noticeable how much longer the queue for the ticket office was!
Written April 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
faustina f
Dublin, Ireland
If I show up in the morning, can I choose which tour I take during the day? Or do they force you to take the next tour in your language?
Rschagrin
Delray Beach, FL15,675 contributions
We had a private tour
Adriana G
La Nucia, Spain50 contributions
Hola, quisiera saber si habias comprado las entradas anticipadamente por internet o al llegar alli ? habia mucha gente ? cola ? tuviste que esperar mucho para hacer la visita en español ? Gracias !
Magali A
Barcelona, Spain353 contributions
Hola! Yo compre los tickets al llegar ahi porque no pude hacerlo a traves de la web (ni ver los horarios) y justo tuvimos suerte ya que el tour en español empezaba unos minutos mas tarde. Fue la semana de navidad asi que no habia mucha gente (habra sido a las 11 00 o algo asi). Si mal no recuerdo eramos un grupo de 6 personas en total
EnriNico
Province of Pordenone, Italy151 contributions
Sul sito non ci sono gli orari delle singole visite. Qualcuno ha questa informazione? Grazie!
Lorenzo
Sant'Angelo in Lizzola, Italy312 contributions
Sul sito gli orari potrebbero essere indicati, ma potrebbero cambiare in base alla stagione, inoltre , potrebbe accadere di incappare, come è successo al sottoscritto, in giorni non consoni per una visita, poiché ci possono essere convegni o quant'altro.
Saluti.
Creazioni filla R
Valle d'Aosta, Italy66 contributions
Ho la poto card è necessario prenotare prima?
LjubaN
Castelfranco Veneto, Italy2,240 contributions
Purtroppo non sono in grado di rispondere, noi abbiamo fatto il biglietto in loco perché non erano previsti grandi affollamenti
Danyele Paulino
Fortaleza, CE15 contributions
É necessário fazer reserva com antecedência?
esacoutinho
Rio de Janeiro, RJ514 contributions
As visitas são feitas em um único idioma logo é recomendável ir com antecedência
Achaya_I
21 contributions
Hello,
I tried to book a tour online in advance. But I found only the "Buy tickets" option without the schedule (date/time/language) of the tour...so I backed off. Is it possible to book the tour online, and how? Thanks in advance.
Lee P
Bournemouth, UK329 contributions
Just turned up and booked the English language tour which started 2 hours later. Very interesting, worth doing.
RCtravels2
United States236 contributions
Are tickets able to be purchased online in advance? The website won't let me select a specific date or time. How do I know I'm booking a tour for the correct date and English tour time? Or do you just buy general admission tickets that can be used any day for day tour?
JandBPGB
Capel, Australia116 contributions
I contacted the Palacio on line and was advised that securing a pre-booking was not possible.My understanding is that the tickets are sold at the Palacio, with tours in different languages run on a schedule determined each day according to who is buying tickets. We went on a Sunday morning, bought tickets ( half price for seniors) about 10.30 for a tour at 12..00. We used the time well by a visit to San Francisco just around the corner but there is lots to do in the area as well. The tour is good.
swiss0723
Zurich, Switzerland24 contributions
Where to buy tickets? Website is apparently only in Portuguese and can't understand it. Thanks!
Fabiola M
India379 contributions
You can buy tickets at the counter
If I remember correctly the Tour in English is at 130 but it is season n tickets could be tight
I’ll recommend come to Bolsa and get your tickets
If You miss that English slot which is earlier to 130 complete the sight seeing for the church on the side and spots around
laucel64
Seville, Spain16 contributions
Quiero ir en Semana Santa y me gustaría saber como reservar visita en castellano ya que por más vueltas que doy no encuentro como
GEMMA_LASTESA
Barcelona, Spain50 contributions
Yo fuí en enero, así que, aunque sí había gente, no tuvimos que hacer ninguna cola.
Cómo sólo pasábamos 3 días en Porto, decidimos acercarnos el primer día cuando salimos del hotel, ya que estábamos muy cerca, y preguntar directamente en el mostrador de atención al visitante del edificio.
No había posibilidad de visita en castellano para nuestros días y la escogimos en portugués.
Os aseguro que la guía que nos hizo la visita, hablaba despacio y traducía algunas palabras más técnicas. Se entendía perfectamente. Fué perfecto!!
Janet N
Sydney, Australia9 contributions
We are docked in Leixoes for 5 hours in April and we would rather do our own thing, not a 'cruise tour'. Would we have enough time to do the Palacio da Bolsa as well as the other sights in Oporto? Do the times of English guides may vary? What is the price of the tour?
Thank you
JN
WaldoOReilly
Leuven, Belgium
Hi Janet,
In April, the Palacio da Bola is opened 09:00 - 18:30. You can only visit taking the guided tour (8€ pp). For that, you need to send them an e-mail requesting a reservation (they will confirm quickly). The visit only takes just over half an hour, but it was grand, certainly recommended.
5 hours are pretty sharp, as you may suspect. I can certainly recommed visiting the Monastery (the Vila Nova side of the river). We also thoroughly enjoyed the Clérigos church/bell tower. And since it's so close, visit the Livraria Lello & Irmão. And the Sao Bento railway station is so pretty on the inside....
Have fun!
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Claim your listingPalacio da Bolsa - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Palacio da Bolsa
- Palacio da Bolsa is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
- We recommend booking Palacio da Bolsa tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 65 Palacio da Bolsa tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Palacio da Bolsa:
- Essential Porto Walking Tour (From $20.74)
- Porto Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise and Wine Tasting (From $26.19)
- Private Porto Secrets Walking Tour With free Port Wine Tasting (From $43.66)
- Porto Premium 3 in 1: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, Tram Tour and Guindais Funicular (From $28.38)
- GoCar GPS Guided Tours - The world’s first-ever Storytelling car. (From $21.28)
- Hotels near Palacio da Bolsa:
- (0.08 mi) InPatio Guest House
- (0.07 mi) Casas do Porto - Ribeira Apartments
- (0.09 mi) Belomont52 Guest House
- (0.10 mi) Guest House Douro
- (0.10 mi) Cale Guest House
- Restaurants near Palacio da Bolsa:
- (0.02 mi) O Comercial
- (0.03 mi) A Grade
- (0.04 mi) Sandinha- Francesinha que se come à mão
- (0.07 mi) The Ribs
- (0.07 mi) Bota & Bira
Palacio da Bolsa Information
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