Art, Nature, and Modernity Collide-Exploring Serralves Museum in Porto

The Serralves Museum (Portuguese: Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves), also known as Museum Serralves, is a museum of contemporary art in Porto, Portugal. It is part of the Serralves artistic foundation, Fundação de Serralves, and is a public property.

The museum is housed in the Casa de Serralves, a park and villa built between 1925 and 1944 by Portuguese architect José Marques da Silva. The building is considered a prominent example of modern architecture, modernism, and Art Deco architecture in Portugal.

The museum’s mission includes putting on both temporary exhibitions and educational programs that seek to develop interest and deepen understanding of contemporary art and encourage dialogue between artists and their audience.

The Serralves estate encompasses 18 hectares (44 acres) and includes the following:

• The Serralves Museum (Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves)
• The Casa de Serralves, a 20th-century mansion
• The Serralves Park, designed by landscape architect Jacques Gréber
• The Casa do Cinema Manoel de Oliveira, a cinema showing a program of classic, art-house, and experimental films

The Serralves Park is a major attraction of the estate. It is a public park with a variety of gardens, lakes, and woods. The park is home to a number of sculptures by contemporary artists, including works by Portuguese artist João Caires and French artist Louise Bourgeois.

The Serralves Museum collection includes works by Portuguese and international artists from the 1960s onwards. The collection includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, and videos. Some of the artists represented in the collection include:

• Andy Warhol
• Claes Oldenburg
• Paula Rego
• Louise Bourgeois
• Alighiero Boetti
• Helena Almeida

The museum also has a program of temporary exhibitions that showcase the work of contemporary artists from around the world.

Here’s the information on tickets and opening hours for Serralves Museum:

Tickets:

• There are several ticket options available, depending on which parts of the Serralves estate you want to visit:
  • All spaces: €24 (grants access to the Museum of Contemporary Art, Serralves Park with Treetop Walk, Serralves Villa, House of Cinema Manoel de Oliveira, and any ongoing exhibitions like the Yayoi Kusama exhibit).
  • Museum only: €12 (grants access only to the Museum of Contemporary Art and its exhibitions).
  • Park (Treetop Walk included): €12 (grants access only to Serralves Park and the Treetop Walk).
  • Discounts: Discounts are available for residents of Portugal, children under 12, students, seniors, and holders of certain transportation passes. You can find the full details on their website https://www.serralves.pt/en/visitar-serralves/.

Opening Hours:

The opening hours vary depending on the season:

• April – September:
  • Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, Sundays, and public holidays: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• October – March:
  • Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday, Sundays, and public holidays: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Important Notes:

• The museum is closed on December 25th and January 1st.
• On December 24th and 31st, it closes at 4:00 PM.
• Free entry to the entire Serralves estate is available on the 1st Sunday of each month from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, but tickets are limited and given on a first-come, first-served basis.
• For the Yayoi Kusama exhibition, you need to purchase a separate ticket with a specific time slot, even if you have a full-access ticket.

How to get to Serralves Museum in Porto, Portugal?

By Car– Serralves Museum is located about 7 kilometers from central Porto. The address is: Rua D. João de Castro, 210 4150-422 Porto, Portugal. Parking can be crowded, so it’s best to arrive early or consider using public transportation or a taxi.

By Public Transportation– several bus lines will take you close to Serralves Museum:

• Lines 201, 502: These buses run along Avenida da Boavista. From the “Pinehiro Manso” stop, it’s a short walk to the entrance of the Serralves estate.Otwiera się w nowym okniemoovitapp.com Avenida da Boavista Porto bus stop
• Line 203: This bus goes directly to the Serralves Museum entrance (“Serralves” station).
• Lines A, B, C, E, and F: These lines go to Casa da Música. From there, transfer to STCP bus lines 203 or 504 (at the metro station) or lines 201, 502 at the Rotunda da Boavista.

You can buy tickets for the bus on board or at metro stations.

By Taxi– taxis are readily available in Porto. You can hail one on the street or order one through a ride-hailing app like Uber or Bolt. A taxi ride from Porto city center to Serralves Museum should cost around €10-€13.

The Serralves Museum offers a unique opportunity to experience both modern and contemporary art alongside stunning natural beauty. With its diverse collection, educational programs, and beautiful surroundings, the Serralves Museum is a must-visit for any art lover or visitor to Porto. Whether you’re interested in European masters or cutting-edge contemporary works, Serralves Museum has something to offer everyone. So why not add it to your itinerary and discover the wonders of art and nature that await?