Museums in Porto

Porto's Best Museums

Porto’s museum scene spans centuries of history, from the 14th-century Casa do Infante to the contemporary World of Wine cultural district. This collection includes the National Museum Soares dos Reis, Portugal's oldest national museum, and the neoclassical Palácio da Bolsa with its Moorish-style Arab Room. Specialized institutions explore the city's maritime legacy at the World of Discoveries, the evolution of transport at the Tram Museum, and visual arts at the Portuguese Photography Centre, housed within a former 18th-century prison.

Porto's Best Museums — Map

(WT-shared) Shoestring / CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0

A

National Museum Soares dos Reis

One of the greatest museums of Portugal; the first national museum in the country that displays some of the best art from home as well as…

Public domain

B

Stock Exchange Palace

Historic 19th-century neoclassical palace with richly decorated interiors and the distinctive Moorish Revival Arab Room. It functions as a museum and cultural site showcasing Portuguese commercial history and architecture.

Daniel Villafruela / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Clérigos Church

Historic Baroque church featuring a 75-meter-tall bell tower with panoramic city views and an attached museum showcasing collections related to the Clérigos Brotherhood.

Yellow.Cat / CC BY 2.0

D

Church of São Francisco

Historic Gothic and Baroque church known for its ornate gold-leaf wood carvings and rich architectural details. It also functions as a museum with religious artifacts and a collection of presepi.

jad99 / CC BY-SA 2.0

E

Serra do Pilar Monastery

16th-century circular monastery recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, notable for its architectural design and panoramic views of the surrounding city and river.

Antonio Periago Miñarro

F

Portuguese Photography Centre

Housed in the former Cadeia da Relação prison, this museum showcases Portuguese and international photography. It features a permanent collection of historic cameras and rotating contemporary exhibitions displayed within restored vaulted stone cells.

António Amen / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

House of the Prince

A former custom house and mint was built in 14th century but it was significantly remodelled in 17th century.

Joseolgon / CC BY-SA 4.0

H

World of Discoveries

Numerous discoveries were made by Portuguese sailors during 15th and 16th centuries.

Joseolgon / Public domain

I

Porto Tram Museum

The Porto Tram Museum is a museum operated by the Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos do Porto.

Ricardo Tulio Gandelman / CC BY 2.0

J

Taylor's Port

Want to know more about the Port wine, its history and production? Don't hesitate, visit this cellar and learn everything!

Torradaemeiadeleite / CC BY-SA 2.0

K

Museu do Romântico

Set in the 19th-century Quinta da Macieirinha, this residence recreates the domestic atmosphere of the Romantic period. It is notable as the final home of King Charles Albert of Sardinia during his exile in 1849.

Bart van den Berg / CC-BY-SA

L

Museu das Marionetas do Porto

Dedicated to the history of the Porto Puppet Theatre, this museum displays puppets, props, and stage sets created for productions since 1988. The collection highlights both traditional techniques and contemporary puppet design.

Patrizia Catamo / CC-BY-SA

M

WOW

A cultural district in Vila Nova de Gaia featuring seven thematic museums. Exhibits cover the history of cork, the evolution of drinking vessels over 9,000 years, and the global impact of the Portuguese textile industry.

JotaCartas / CC BY-SA 3.0

N

Military Museum of Porto

The Museu Militar do Porto is a pertaining institution to the Portuguese Army, dedicated for the preservation of military history, located…

MariaCartas / CC BY-SA 3.0

O

Guerra Junqueiro Museum

The Museum-Residence of Guerra Junqueiro is a former-residence and museum located in the civil parish of Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Sé,…

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