Casa da Música
Avenida da Boavista 604-610, Massarelos, Porto, Northern Portugal, 4149-071
Casa da Música is one of the top attractions in Porto for music and architecture fans alike. Modern and eye-catching from the outside, inside it houses a vast 1,300-seat concert hall used by the Porto National Orchestra. The rooftop restaurant offers drinks and dinner options that are as delightful as the views.
The Basics
Porto’s slick, Dutch-designed Casa da Música, inaugurated in 2005, is notable for being one of the few modernist buildings in this traditional city. Travelers can enter the concert hall on an hour-long guided tour, dine at the terrace restaurant, or see a performance. The exterior can be seen on a number of city sightseeing tours that stop by, many of which also visit other Porto attractions such as the Ribeira District and Porto Cathedral (Sé Cathedral). Fans of both architecture and wine can choose a Porto sightseeing tour that includes Portuguese wine tasting.
Things to Know Before You Go
A must-do for music and architecture buffs, the Casa da Música covers a cross-section of interests.
Kids under 12 can take a guided tour for free when accompanied by a paying adult, so keep Casa da Música in mind for a rainy day.
The Casa da Música hosts free concerts on occasion, for which you can get tickets on the day of the performance.
Guided tours are offered in English and Portuguese.
How to Get There
Casa da Música, situated on the Boavista Roundabout (Rotunda da Boavista), has excellent public transport links. Metro Lines A, B, C, E, and F all stop nearby (the closest metro stop is, appropriately, Casa da Música), while there are dozens of bus routes to choose from. There’s also an accessible parking lot for drivers.
When to Get There
The hall is open from 9:30am daily, and paid guided tours run three to four times each day. Arrive early to beat the crowds and consider a summertime visit for more regular English-language guided tour options. Concert programming dictates whether all or just some of the building is open to the public, so check in advance. The restaurant is closed on Sundays and holidays.
Things to Do Near Casa da Música
If you have time to kill before an evening concert or want to explore the area before dinner, head to the neighboring Mouzinho de Albuquerque Square (Praça de Mouzinho de Albuquerque). Centered around a memorial statue that pays tribute to a fallen soldier, this vast square—the largest in Porto—is ideal for people-watching or taking a quick stroll.
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