Museu de Serralves (Serralves Museum), Porto

The Serralves Museum in Porto is a key cultural institution known for its dedication to contemporary art, set within the broader Serralves estate, which also includes a park and a villa. Each element of the estate showcases significant examples of contemporary, Modernist, and Art Deco architecture. The museum itself, a prominent work of renowned Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, opened its doors in 1999 and quickly became the second most visited museum in Portugal, drawing nearly a million visitors annually.

Commissioned in 1991 and built between 1996 and 1999, the museum was designed to blend with the Serralves Estate's landscape. Spanning 13,000 square meters with 4,500 square meters of exhibition space, its U-shaped structure and L-shaped wing form two central patios, including the main entrance. The museum has three floors: the upper floor has a cafeteria, terrace, and multi-purpose rooms; the main floor features exhibition spaces and a bookshop; and the lower floor includes a library and an auditorium added in 2000. Siza designed the interiors using hardwood, marble, and stucco for a cohesive look.

Since opening, the museum has attracted over 4.6 million visitors, becoming a key contemporary art hub in Porto. It hosts three exhibitions each quarter, showcasing works by both Portuguese and international artists. Without a permanent collection, it curates about five exhibitions annually from various sources, focusing on art from 1968 onwards, a period noted for socio-cultural shifts and the rise of experimental and diverse mediums like film, photography, and text.

Among the museum’s highlights is a site-specific ceiling installation by Tobias Rehberger, commissioned for the library in 2003. The Serralves Museum frequently collaborates with esteemed international institutions like the Whitney Museum and Whitechapel Gallery, further establishing its position as a pivotal player in the global contemporary art scene. It has hosted works by notable artists such as Alvaro Lapa, Franz West, and Ana Jotta, reflecting its commitment to fostering a rich dialogue between local and international art communities.

Why You Should Visit:
Even if you're not too so sure about the art, the grounds are spectacular. Large grand avenues, lawns with water features in front of stylish houses, and winding paths through small but dense woodland – the park would make a great visit in itself.

Tip:
The map of the park makes it look way bigger than it is. Be sure to see it all.
Note that you can not exit from the far end of the park so plan to return to the top end by the museum to exit.