Boavista, Porto: Casa da Musica and Serralves

Boavista is Porto’s modern side: a long avenue running from the centre towards the sea, with business hotels, shopping centres, the striking Casa da Música concert hall and, further west, the Serralves museum and park. It’s a practical base with good metro links.

Quick answer: see the Casa da Música (tours and concerts), eat at the Bom Sucesso market, and continue to Serralves for contemporary art and gardens. The Rotunda da Boavista roundabout and park are the hub. It’s a good choice for hotels with more space and parking. See places to stay in Boavista.

Things to do

• Casa da Música: Rem Koolhaas’s angular concert hall, opened in 2005. Take a guided tour or catch a concert.
• Mercado Bom Sucesso: a market hall with food stalls.
• Rotunda da Boavista: a big roundabout with a park and a monument to the Peninsular War.
• Serralves: a contemporary art museum by Álvaro Siza, an Art Deco villa and beautiful gardens. See Porto museums.
• The coast: continue along the avenue to the sea. See Foz do Douro.

Getting around

Casa da Música metro station is served by several lines, with direct trains to the airport and the centre. See Porto public transport.

Stay here?

Boavista suits business travellers, drivers and families who want larger hotels. It’s less atmospheric than the old town. See where to stay in Porto.

More: things to do in Porto and Porto with kids.

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