
Sometimes we don’t know our city as well as others we visit on vacation. If this is where you live and work, you may have already been surprised by a question from an outside friend or colleague about some monument or museum in Porto that you’ve never visited or whose history is unknown to you.
It’s normal that, being the city where we spend our busiest day-to-day life, between work and free time, we can’t even imagine being a “tourist” in our own home. But that’s exactly what we want today. In addition to Porto’s picturesque and medieval streets, such as Rua Escura or Rua da Bainharia, for example, 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, which means that they are also a 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 Photography Center
- Electric Car Museum
- Casa do Infante
- Fernando de Castro House-Museum
- FC Porto Museum
- Puppet Museum
- Guerra Junqueiro House-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.
Although it may go unnoticed by some Porto residents, this museum in Invicta has two ‘hidden treasures’:
- Reconstitution of the Estácio Pharmacy;
- The Islamic Pharmacy, one of the few places in the city that reminds us of Arab culture.
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’ll find works by several renowned artists 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 might also ‘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 on 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 been? If not, 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’s Botanical Garden, one of the city’s most beautiful green spaces, the Biodiversity Gallery – Living Science Center is a museum space belonging to the Museum of Natural History and Science 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 set of 49 modules and installations. A space for kids and adults to learn more about life itself.
Where: Rua do Campo Alegre, 1191
Portuguese Photography Center
It has existed since 1997 as a public service and today is 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 Porto Prison of Appeal. It was here, for example, that the author Camilo Castelo Branco was imprisoned. Various photography exhibitions can be seen here and, currently, there are exhibitions with free admission (another reason to visit!).
Where: Largo Amor de Perdição, 4050-008 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 a trip back in time and see the models that used to ply 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, one of Porto’s most illustrious people in history, was born here . In addition, 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 anyone 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 location 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 Casa-Museu Fernando de Castro is one of Porto’s (almost) secret places that is really worth a visit.
The building’s exterior façade doesn’t hint at the ‘madness’ you’ll find 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. You can’t just show up. 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 love the sport of football and beyond.
In all, the space has 27 themed areas and stands out for its commitment to interactivity and visual apparatus, in a synchronized combination of technology and history.
In this Porto museum, more than 300 trophies and other artifacts 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. However, don’t be fooled if you think it’s only for the very young. 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 more distracted. However, it is well 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
Guerra Junqueiro House-Museum
This is an almost ‘secret’ place for those who aren’t from Porto, as it’s not one of the most publicized museums. Even so, it’s worth stopping by to admire one of the best collections of decorative arts in the country, from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
It is the first House-Museum in Porto and has a special aura, as it was here that the famous poet Guerra Junqueiro lived. It is also located in a very special area, in the heart of Porto’s historic center, behind the Cathedral.
Where: Rua de Dom Hugo, 32
Quinta de Santiago Museum, Leça da Palmeira
This museum is run by the local authority 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 ambience 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 the home, given the pandemic.
Where: R. de Vila Franca, 134, 4450-802 Leça da Palmeira
In addition to this, in Matosinhos you also have, for example, the Abel Salazar House-Museum, the Leça da Palmeira Lighthouse or the Firemen’s Museum, among many others, which you can (and should) visit.
WOW, Cais de Gaia
Are you familiar with the 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