About this place
Parque de Serralves is an 18-hectare park in Porto that brings together formal gardens, woodland and a traditional farm, right beside a major contemporary art museum. It sits in the western part of the city on Rua de Serralves, at roughly 41.158 N, 8.657 W. It is one of the most rewarding green spaces in Porto and a key reference for Portuguese landscape design.
How did Serralves Park come about?
The story begins in 1923, when Carlos Alberto Cabral, the 2nd Count of Vizela, inherited the Quinta do Lordelo estate, his family's summer residence. In the 1930s the grounds were shaped into a park to plans by the French architect Jacques Greber. His 1932 design looks back to French gardens of the 16th and 17th centuries while showing the marks of Art Deco and modern classicism. That blend makes Serralves a singular example within Portugal's landscape heritage.
What else stands within the grounds?
Two significant buildings share the same 18 hectares. The first is Casa de Serralves, a villa built between 1925 and 1944 and regarded as the most notable Art Deco building in Portugal. Its restoration and adaptation, signed by Álvaro Siza, was completed in 2021. The second is the Museum of Contemporary Art, also designed by Siza. The foundation signed the contract with the architect in March 1991, and the museum opened on 6 June 1999. Park, villa and museum together form a single ensemble run by the Serralves Foundation.
What are the opening hours?
According to OpenStreetMap, from October to March the park is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00, and on weekends and public holidays from 10:00 to 19:00. From April to September, weekday hours are 10:00 to 19:00 and weekend and holiday hours are 10:00 to 20:00. Hours can change, so check the foundation's website before you go.
Who is it for?
Serralves works well as a calm break from sightseeing. Garden lovers get a 1930s composition, architecture fans see two contrasting sides of Portuguese building, Art Deco and Siza's contemporary restraint, and art enthusiasts can pair a walk with a museum visit. Plan a few hours, as the grounds are extensive.
Frequently asked questions
How large is Parque de Serralves? The park covers 18 hectares, with formal gardens, woodland and a traditional farm.
Who designed the park? The 1932 garden layout is by Jacques Greber. The museum building and the restored villa were later added by Álvaro Siza.
When did the museum in the park open? The Museum of Contemporary Art opened on 6 June 1999.
What style is Casa de Serralves? It is an Art Deco villa, built between 1925 and 1944.
Where is the park? In Porto, on Rua de Serralves, in the western part of the city.
Nearby places
Earn badges for the places you visit
Download NextOnTrip, discover new places and check off your trails.