National Museum Soares dos Reis 🇵🇹

When visiting Porto, step into Portuguese artistic history at the Soares dos Reis National Museum, the nation's very first national museum. Founded in 1833 by King Peter IV as the Museum Portuense, this institution originally opened in the Convent of Santo António to display confiscated religious art and expropriated works. Today, you will find it housed inside the historic Carrancas Palace—the former residence of the Moraes e Castro family—which was later modernized and expanded by architect Fernando Távora.

You should visit to explore a vast, rich collection focusing primarily on 19th- and 20th-century Portuguese art. As you wander through its spacious galleries, you will see fine examples of painting, sculpture, furniture, metalwork, and ceramics. The museum acquired its current name in 1911 after obtaining a significant collection by the celebrated Portuguese sculptor António Soares dos Reis.

Highlights of your tour include masterworks by prominent Portuguese painters like Domingos Sequeira, Henrique Pousão, and Aurélia de Souza, alongside sculptures by Soares dos Reis himself and António Teixeira Lopes. You will also discover historic acquisitions, such as pieces from the 1850 John Francis Allen collection. It offers an essential, authentic cultural deep-dive into Portugal's creative heritage.

What to see at National Museum Soares dos Reis

• Sculptures by celebrated Portuguese artist António Soares dos Reis
• Portuguese 19th and 20th-century paintings, furniture, metalwork, and ceramics
• Historic Carrancas Palace architecture modernized by Fernando Távora
• Masterpieces by painters including Domingos Sequeira, Henrique Pousão, and Aurélia de Souza

Visiting tips

Take time to appreciate the historic Carrancas Palace setting, which was modernized by architect Fernando Távora to showcase Portugal's first national art collection.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

National Museum Soares dos Reis is easy to reach on Porto’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Casa da Música and Porto Cathedral. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Porto travel guide.