Sometimes we don’t know our city as well as others we visit on vacation. If this is where you live and work, it’s possible that you’ve already been surprised by a question from an outside friend or colleague about something monument or museums in Porto that you’ve never visited or whose history is unknown to you.
It’s normal that, as the city where we spend our busiest day-to-day life, between work and free time, we can’t even imagine being “tourist” in our own home. But that’s exactly what we want today. In addition to Porto’s picturesque and medieval streets, such as the Dark Street or Rua da Bainharia there are also many museums in Porto that you really (really!) need to visit.
As well as art and culture, many of them tell important and curious parts of the city’s history, making it a little bit of our history as Porto residents. So here’s a list of 13 of the best museums in Porto (and beyond) that you should visit when you get the chance.
Table Of Contents
- Porto Pharmacy Museum
- Serralves Museum
- Soares dos Reis National Museum
- MMIPO - Museum and Church of Misericórdia do Porto
- Biodiversity Gallery - Ciência Viva Center
- Portuguese Center of Photography
- National Press Museum
- Electric Car Museum
- Casa do Infante
- Fernando de Castro House-Museum
- FC Porto Museum
- Puppet Museum
- Quinta de Santiago Museum, Leça da Palmeira
- WOW, Cais de Gaia
Porto Pharmacy Museum
Located in the Industrial Zone, the Porto Pharmacy Museum takes us on a journey through the ancient history of health.
Despite going unnoticed by some Porto residents, this invicta museum presents two ‘hidden treasures’, namely:
- Reconstitution of the Estácio Pharmacy;
- Islamic Pharmacy, one of the few places that remind us of the arab culture in the city.
Where: R. Eng. Ferreira Dias, 728
Serralves Museum
Serralves is worth a visit, from the park to the museum. This is a contemporary art space and the building was designed by Siza Vieira.
There are many rooms in this museum, so its architecture is in itself a true work of art.
Where: R. Dom João de Castro 210, 4150-417 Porto
Soares dos Reis National Museum
This is one of the main museums in Porto, having been the first public art museum in the country. It was founded in 1833 and is located in the Carrancas Palace.
In this museum you will find works by several renowned authors in the fields of ceramics, sculpture, engraving, jewelry, goldsmithing, painting, glass, textiles, among others.
It’s one of the museums in Porto that you really must visit and if you’re lucky you’ll also be able to ‘discover’ an almost ‘secret’ place, the maria Amélia velodrome.
Where: R. de Dom Manuel II 44, 4050-522 Porto
MMIPO – Museum and Church of Misericórdia do Porto
Located in the emblematic Rua das Flores, the MMIPO – Museu e Igreja da Misericórdia do Porto is undoubtedly one of the best cultural spaces in our city.
Here, you’ll find various art collections, exhibitions, a 16th-century church and even a rooftop with one of the best views over the city.
Have you heard of it? If your answer is no, then take advantage of your free time or weekends to immerse yourself in a unique journey through time and contemplation.
Where: R. das Flores, 15
Biodiversity Gallery – Ciência Viva Center
Located in the heart of Porto Botanical Garden one of the most beautiful green spaces in the city, the Biodiversity Gallery – Living Science Center is a museum space belonging to the Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto.
Opened in 2017, the Biodiversity Gallery combines art with the world of biology and natural history. Here you can visit a series of 49 modules and installations. A space for children and adults to learn more about life itself.
Where: Rua do Campo Alegre, 1191
Portuguese Center of Photography
It has existed since 1997 as a public service and is now at the service of photographic heritage , under the supervision of the Directorate-General for Books, Archives and Libraries.
The building is historic in itself, having been the former Oporto Court of Appeal. It was here, for example, that the author Camilo Castelo Brancowas imprisoned. Here you can see various photography exhibitions and, currently, there are free admission exhibitions (another reason to visit!).
Where: Largo Amor de Perdição, 4050-008 Porto
National Press Museum
It opened in April 1997 and its main mission is to “break with the traditional paradigm of museums”. It is open 365 days a year and aims to “preserve one of the world’s greatest collections of graphic arts”, while at the same time decentralizing culture.
It is also in this museum that you can find works by PortoCartoon, an initiative that gives importance to cartooning as a style and genre and which is already considered a reference in other countries such as France, Spain, Brazil or Argentina.
The Museu Nacional da Imprensa/Jornais e Artes Gráficas is owned by AMI (Associação Museu da Imprensa), which is recognized by the State for its obvious cultural interest.
Where: National Road 108, 206 Porto, Porto
Electric Car Museum
The Electric Car Museum tells part of the history of the city of Porto through its rails. It was founded in 1992 and its main objective is “ to preserve and publicize a vast collection of electric cars, trailers and goods vehicles of undeniable heritage value.”
It’s very interesting to take this trip back in time and get to know the models that circulated the streets of Porto in 1872, for example. Without a doubt, one of the most curious museums in Porto.
Where: Alameda de Basílio Teles 51, 4050-127 Porto
Casa do Infante
The name of this museum comes from the fact that Infante D. Henrique was born here, one of the most illustrious portuenses of history. What makes this museum so special is the possibility of discovering traces of Roman, medieval and modern occupation.
This is an extremely interesting museum for those looking to learn more about Porto’s past, in parallel with art. It’s a must-see and is now part of the City Museum, with this place being one of the ‘stops’/stations.
Where: R. da Alfândega 9, 4050-270 Porto
Fernando de Castro House-Museum
This space is far from being a typical museum, in the literal sense of the word. The Fernando de Castro House-Museum is one of the porto’s (almost) secret placesit ‘s really worth getting to know.
The building’s exterior façade gives no hint of the ‘madness’ to be found inside. A true ‘altar without worship’, full of paintings, sculptures, books and lots of gilded woodwork.
If you want to get to know this eccentric space, then pay attention. Well, you can’t just show up. Before that, book your visit in advance.
Where: Rua de Costa Cabral, 716
FC Porto Museum
Open to the public since 2013, the FC Porto Museum is the ideal destination for those who enjoy the sport of king and beyond .
In all, the space has 27 themed areas and stands out for its focus on interactivity and visual apparatus, in a synchronized combination of technology and history.
In this Porto museum, more than 300 trophies and other artefacts associated with the city’s most famous emblem are on display.
Where: Via Futebol Clube do Porto – Estádio do Dragão
Puppet Museum
This museum in Porto is an excellent cultural program for children children. However, don’t be fooled if you think it’s only for youngsters. In this place for all ages, there are many stories to discover.
Located in the Historic Center, the Puppet Museum (almost) goes unnoticed by the most distracted. However, it is worth a visit. Here you’ll find dozens of puppets, props and other objects used in the Teatro das Marionetas do Porto.
Where: Rua de Belomonte, 61
Quinta de Santiago Museum, Leça da Palmeira
It is run by the municipality and aims to preserve and disseminate the memory and history of Matosinhos and Leça da Palmeira through culture and art. It is part of the Portuguese Museum Network.
The space stands out for its characteristic late 19th century atmosphere and, among other things, for the garden that surrounds the museum, where you can see some sculptures by Siza Vieira and other artists.
It presents temporary and permanent exhibitions and currently its programming also reaches home, given the pandemic.
Where: R. de Vila Franca, 134, 4450-802 Leça da Palmeira
In addition, in Matosinhos you also have, for example, the Abel Salazar House-Museum, the Leça da Palmeira Lighthouse or the Fire Brigade Museum, among many others, which you can (and should) visit.
WOW, Cais de Gaia
Do you know World of Wine? Have you visited? Here you not only have restaurants and, of course, a great place to taste wine and enjoy the view, but also several different museums to visit.
There are seven museums you can visit here, among others on the themes of wine, fashion and chocolate. Don’t forget to visit the Pink Palace, which is entirely dedicated to rosé wine!
Where: R. do Choupelo, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia