Aliança Underground Museum

Aliança Underground Museum is an art museum and a working winery experience in one: a guided underground route beneath the cellars of a wine producer in Sangalhos, in the Bairrada region of central Portugal. Portuguese tourism sources describe it as the first museum of its kind in the country.

What is this place?

The museum sits within the Aliança wine company, one of the largest still and sparkling wine brands in Bairrada. Art collector Joe Berardo created it inside the winery's cellars, and it opened on 24 April 2010. Visitors descend into a network of tunnels about 1.5 km long, viewing the exhibits in the cool underground setting alongside the spaces where wine is aged.

What can you see?

The holdings are divided into eight collections:

• archaeology,
• African ethnography,
• contemporary sculpture from Zimbabwe,
• mineralogy,
• palaeontology,
• azulejos, the traditional Portuguese tiles,
• Caldas da Rainha ceramics,
• Indian art.

This range means a single visit can move from fossils and minerals to sculpture and ceramics.

What is the visit like?

Entry is by guided tour. The route blends art with wine tourism, and afterwards guests can taste regional wines, sparkling wines and aguardente, the local grape-based spirit.

Opening hours

According to information available online, the museum is open every day of the week: 10:30 to 13:00 (last tour at 11:30) and 14:00 to 18:30 (last tour at 16:30). Check the official website for current hours and booking options before you go.

Who is it for?

It suits travellers who like to combine sightseeing with tasting, as well as families looking for an unusual stop near Aveiro and Coimbra. Since the tour runs underground, bring a warm layer, as the tunnels are cooler than the air outside.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the museum? In Sangalhos, in the Bairrada wine region, Aveiro district.

Who founded it? Collector Joe Berardo, in the cellars of the Aliança winery. It opened in April 2010.

How many collections are there? Eight, from archaeology and mineralogy to azulejos and Indian art.

Is there a tasting? Yes, after the tour you can try regional wines, sparkling wines and aguardente.

Is the visit guided? Yes, entry is through tours at set times.

How long is the underground route? The tunnel network is about 1.5 km long.