Museu de Serralves, Porto

Serralves Museum opened in 1999 in order to endow Porto with a space dedicated to contemporary art. The programming combines in-house production of exhibitions with co-productions with distinguished international institutions, enabling circulation of works by both Portuguese and foreign artists.

The exhibitions – normally three parallel exhibitions – are organized on a quarterly basis.

Designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira, this museum is now the most visited in Portugal (with more than 300,000 visitors per year) and one of the most relevant in the contemporary art circuit in Europe.

The Serralves complex also houses a park and a villa, each one an example of contemporary architecture, Modernism, and Art Deco architecture. The villa is unfurnished, so a bit stark, but such an unusual pleasing design that one can't help but wonder about the people who lived there. The gardens are formal near the villa but become more natural as one explores further.

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.