CASA DA MÚSICA
Website: casadamusica.com
Building designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, Casa da Música was inaugurated in 2005 and since then has become an icon of contemporary architecture, attracting visitors from many different parts of the world. The programming, which is both dynamic and innovative, ranges from classical music to the forefront of urban trends, benefiting greatly from their four resident groups: Symphony Orchestra, Remix Ensemble, Baroque Orchestra and Choir. The institution also plays an important role in education, promoting concerts, workshops and various activities for families with children and schools. Daily there are guided tours to the building, which has several bars and a restaurant located on the rooftop, with a magnificent view over the city.
Address: Avenida da Boavista, 604, 4149-071 Porto
Bus: STCP – 13M, STCP – 201, STCP – 202, STCP – 203, STCP – 204, STCP – 208, STCP – 302, STCP – 303, STCP – 402, STCP – 501, STCP – 502, STCP – 503, STCP – 504, STCP – 507, STCP – 508, STCP – 601, STCP – 704, STCP – 803, STCP – 902, STCP – 903, STCP – ZL
Subway: Metro do Porto – A, Metro do Porto – B, Metro do Porto – B Expresso, Metro do Porto – C, Metro do Porto – E, Metro do Porto – F
Sightseeing Tours: City Sightseeing Portugal – Red Line
Yellow bus – Historical Porto, Porto Castles
SERRALVES
Website: serralves.pt
ParK
The Serralves Park, from the first half of the twentieth century, was the first private national garden built on the basis of an architectural landscape project. Completed in 1940, the garden fits the neoclassical profile of the art of French gardens, slightly modernized, moving away from the traditional concept of gardens in Porto. Whether by its historical and artistic characteristics, or by its size (18 hectares), diversified landscape and condition of conservation, the Serralves Park is a unique place on a national and international level. It includes many diverse landscapes: from the declined terraces to the leafy forests, the geometry of a labyrinth of gardens to the farmland, the rose garden to the romantic lake. Composed of remnants of a nineteenth century garden, by Quinta do Mata-Sete, the Serralves House and the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art, whose gardens have been designed to seamlessly merge with the surrounding landscape and the built structure.
House
The Casa de Serralves, the Serralves Foundation headquarters, was built in the 1930s and is one of the best examples of the Art Deco movement in Europe. Rigorously respecting Marques da Silva’s project, the house hosts exhibitions and events. The house is located in the Park of Serralves, a unique landmark of Portuguese landscape, which spreads harmoniously throughout eighteen acres of magnificent gardens, a traditional farmhouse and even a wood. Created by a project by the architect Jacques Greber, the Serralves Park is one of the few Portuguese gardens built in the first half of the twentieth century. Located in the heart of Porto, Serralves brings together in one place, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Art Deco House and Park, as well as leisure facilities, shops and restaurants.
Museum of Contemporary Art
Designed by the architect Siza Vieira, the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art is the first project of its kind in Portugal and the largest multidisciplinary cultural centre of the northern region. Unique in its architectural simplicity and its natural setting, the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art is currently the most visited paid museum in Portugal, where temporary exhibitions of the most important national and international artists are presented, being part of the most important circuits of contemporary art. The Museum is the cornerstone of the Serralves Foundation, whose mission is to raise the general public’s awareness concerning contemporary art and the environment. Located in the heart of Porto, Serralves is installed on the property built by Carlos Alberto Cabral (Count of Vizela), between the 20′s and 40′s of the twentieth century, bringing together in one space a Museum of Contemporary Art, a park and a house Art Deco, as well as leisure facilities, shops and restaurants.
Address: Rua de D. João de Castro, 210, 4150-417 Porto
Bus: STCP – 203, STCP – 207
Sightseeing Tours: City Sightseeing Portugal – Red Line
Yellow bus – Historical Porto
CITY PARK
The City Park is the largest urban park in the country with an area exceeding 80 hectares and about 8.5 km of paths. Designed by architect Sidónio Pardal, the City Park was opened to the public in 1993, and has diverse aesthetic influences and techniques from several European parks built since the 17th century. Filled with spacious lawns, small groves, reflecting pools, aquatic vegetation, animals, lakes and trails, it has some viewpoints that provide a view over the park. There are benches and tables scattered all over the garden and excellent conditions to practise sports or simply to stroll and to be in contact with nature.
Adress: Avenida da Boavista,
Bus: STCP – 502
SEA LIFE
Website: sealife-porto.pt
The Sea Life Porto will take you on a magical dimension inhabited by the most beautiful, bizarre and fascinating marine creatures. Explore the fantastic Kingdom of the Last Survivors ‘ crocodiles, snakes, Monitor lizard, piranhas, geckos, spiders, true frogs, scorpions and much more in the new temporary exhibition ‘ The Last Survivors! Daily, from 11:00, in the Oceanic Tank or at the Bay of the Rays. Find out the Rocky Pools and dare to touch the sea urchins or the nice star fishes. Guided tours for groups, documentaries about the sea life, games and many curiosities and special activities .
Address: 1ª Rua Particular do Castelo do Queijo , 4100-379 Porto
Bus: STCP – 1M, STCP – 200, STCP – 202, STCP – 203, STCP – 205, STCP – 500, STCP – 502
Sightseeing Tours: City Sightseeing Portugal – Red Line
Yellow bus – Historical Porto
CHEESE CASTEL
This 140 metre long beach is dominated by rocky outcrops. It gets its name from its position near the São Francisco Xavier Fort, an old defensive fortification constructed in the 15th Century. It is better known as the Castelo de Quijo (Cheese Castle) because it was built on a site where there was an enormous round rock that looked just like a wheel of cheese.
Address: Praça de Gonçalves Zarco, 4100-274 Porto
Tel.: +351 226181067
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 13:00-18:00 Closed:Monday
Bus: STCP – 1M, STCP – 200, STCP – 202, STCP – 203, STCP – 205, STCP – 500, STCP – 502
Sightseeing Tours: City Sightseeing Portugal – Red Line
Yellow bus – Castles Porto
NORTESHOPPING
Website: norteshopping.pt
With 287 stores at your disposal, NorteShopping brings together several nationally and internationally renowned brands. Here you will easily be able to find everything you’re looking for. The hard part will be to choose what you like the most.
It is a shopping centre with unique features and an incredible variety of offer. It has over 30 restaurants, 8 cinema screens, 1 Information Desk on the ground floor, Personalised VIP Parking Service, Childcare, a Health & Fitness Club and various free Customer Service options.
Address: Rua Sara Afonso, n.º 105-117 , 4460-841 Senhora da Hora
Bus: STCP buses with stops close to the Shopping Centre: 205, 504, 507, 601.
Subway: Line A (Blue) / Line B (Red) / Line C (Green) / Line E (Lilac) – Sete Bicas Station