Sao Bento da Porta Aberta
Sao Bento da Porta Aberta
Sao Bento da Porta Aberta
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
271 reviews
Excellent
133
Very good
103
Average
31
Poor
1
Terrible
3
Dianna C
Melbourne, Australia1,193 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
We are not religious but glad we made the effort to come here. The location and linkage to pilgrim trails are great. We walked here from Vila de Veiga and then returned. A 14km hike, not too tough. This was a great midway point and allowed us to stop, reflect, admire the view and get a coffee nearby.
Written June 6, 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.
CC_Wolf
Manchester, UK312 contributions
Jul 2016 • Family
Very peaceful place! The room with a balcony was great to gaze at the stars. Service was outstanding and the food was much better than expected! I can't wait to visit again! 🤗
Written September 26, 2016
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.
selos10
los angeles113 contributions
Oct 2015 • Friends
The original church of São Bento was buildt 400 years ago this year and Pope Francis elevated the church to basilica this year. there are 2 churches in this location, an older one buildt late 19th century and a larger one very recently. It overlooks the Rio Caldo.
A worthwhile visit for visitors in the beautiful Geres region.
A worthwhile visit for visitors in the beautiful Geres region.
Written October 10, 2015
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.
katheniff
Lisbon, Portugal65 contributions
Jun 2019
There are two churches next to one another, the ancient one, small, lovely...and a massive one, contemporary and welcoming to large groups. The architecture of the new one is nothing short of spectacular, especially in the setting. It is built on a mountain side, looking down the valley at the lake, and allows the fresh mountain air to swirl through. The outside has a walk-around with the stations of the cross, tile work, multi level, elevators and restrooms. This is a destination, and well worth it.
Written June 12, 2019
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.
Z_A_JUMA
Dubai, United Arab Emirates39 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
Amazing and comfortable and very friendly hotel. Prime location and very dedicated staff that gave us the perfect recommendations for food and directions for sight seeing. Breakfast was also good with friendly staff.. the views were amazing
Written March 29, 2018
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.
wuyck
Hong Kong, China115 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
S Bento Da Porta Aberta is very crowded. The 'old' church isn't really that old nor interesting. The new church is megalomaniac kitch. Parking is hardly possibly and religious industry gets a new meaning at this place. Undoubtedly beautiful views of the surroundings. Better visit Ns. Senhora de Abadia, that's a nice original church with a great atmosphere.
Written September 1, 2016
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.
Madalyn H
Huddersfield, UK1,853 contributions
Sep 2021
An older and new church next to each other in a very attractive setting. Newer church links well with the mountain landscape through large windows and views
Written October 8, 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.
ZePaulo
Lisbon, Portugal110 contributions
Feb 2019
The town is not that attractive. The best thing is the magnificent view from the Pousada over the Barragem da Caniçada. To stay in the Pousada is a very good experience too.
Written April 13, 2019
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.
Lutgarde V
Ankara, Türkiye68 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
We stayed 2 days in this place at the beautiful hotel in front of the church. All the rooms have a balcony looking out on the church.
We arrived on a Sunday. Luckily there are special parking places reserved for the hotel guests. The place was extremely crowded. Sitting on our balcony we did not get bored with observing the coming and goings of thousands of cars, dozens and dozens of buses, thousands and thousands of pilgrims...If you want to "feel" this place I should recommend to arrive on a Sunday and watch the people touring 3 (?) times around the church building, some on their knees, some with wax arms of legs or small or big figurines (to be bought in the shop in front) in their hands... and apparently leaving these at the statue of Saint Benedict inside the church and hope to get cured of their illness. Long rows of people were queuing to to go up inside the church and pray in front of Sao Bento.
It also seems to be a favorite picnicking place, presumably for people of the surrounding villages and towns who arrived by bus. Hundreds of families went into a rather big park carrying pick-nick baskets, chairs,water bottles, etc.
There is a new church next to the old one, more build for convenience because the old one is not big enough for all the pilgrims to attend mass. Not very impressing.
The surroundings are beautiful.
It's difficult to give a rating...It mostly depends if you are religious or not. Personally I found it interesting and was surprised to observe so much devotion (still) in 2018 and at the same time it was rather disturbing seeing people suffering to go around the church on their knees. But only they know what troubles they have met with in their life and hope to find relieve. that's not us to make a judgement.
On Monday there was a regular coming and going of pilgrims.
And very important:the church bells are not ringing at night!!
We arrived on a Sunday. Luckily there are special parking places reserved for the hotel guests. The place was extremely crowded. Sitting on our balcony we did not get bored with observing the coming and goings of thousands of cars, dozens and dozens of buses, thousands and thousands of pilgrims...If you want to "feel" this place I should recommend to arrive on a Sunday and watch the people touring 3 (?) times around the church building, some on their knees, some with wax arms of legs or small or big figurines (to be bought in the shop in front) in their hands... and apparently leaving these at the statue of Saint Benedict inside the church and hope to get cured of their illness. Long rows of people were queuing to to go up inside the church and pray in front of Sao Bento.
It also seems to be a favorite picnicking place, presumably for people of the surrounding villages and towns who arrived by bus. Hundreds of families went into a rather big park carrying pick-nick baskets, chairs,water bottles, etc.
There is a new church next to the old one, more build for convenience because the old one is not big enough for all the pilgrims to attend mass. Not very impressing.
The surroundings are beautiful.
It's difficult to give a rating...It mostly depends if you are religious or not. Personally I found it interesting and was surprised to observe so much devotion (still) in 2018 and at the same time it was rather disturbing seeing people suffering to go around the church on their knees. But only they know what troubles they have met with in their life and hope to find relieve. that's not us to make a judgement.
On Monday there was a regular coming and going of pilgrims.
And very important:the church bells are not ringing at night!!
Written September 23, 2018
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.
Caroline D
Lagos, Portugal42 contributions
Sep 2020
Didn’t expect to find this place, its an amazing cross of old and new. Dont miss the tile murals that circle the newer part of Sao Bento.
Written September 4, 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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