What to Do in Porto When It Rains: Museums and Places Under Cover

Museums: the safest plan

Porto's museums are open all day, except Mondays for most. These are the ones we cover in detail:

• Serralves Foundation: the big contemporary art site, with Álvaro Siza's museum and the Art Deco villa, both visited under cover. General ticket €24, treetop walkway included; keep the park for a break in the weather.
• Soares dos Reis National Museum: sculpture, painting and decorative arts in a neoclassical palace, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm, ticket €10.
• Portuguese Centre of Photography: free entry, in the former prison, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm.
• Casa-Museu Guerra Junqueiro: Baroque house near the cathedral, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5:30pm.
• Tram Museum: vintage trams in a former power station, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm.

To combine two visits without taking a tram, pair the Portuguese Centre of Photography with the Soares dos Reis museum: they are 10 minutes' walk apart. The Casa-Museu Guerra Junqueiro pairs with the neighbouring cathedral.

Covered places in the historic centre

Some famous places can be visited almost entirely indoors:

• São Bento station: the hall and its azulejo panels can be seen free of charge, out of the rain, in a few minutes.
• Livraria Lello: a bookshop visited with a ticket, with its central staircase. In rain, waiting outside is less pleasant: book a slot in advance.
• Bolhão Market: covered market, for lunch on local produce and a chance to warm up.
• Stock Exchange Palace and São Francisco Church: two indoor visits in the Ribeira, to string together in one morning.
• Café Majestic: a Belle Époque café where you can linger; expect a wait at peak times.

Tastings in Gaia and port wine

The cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia are visited indoors: cellar, tasting, shop. The WOW district, with its museums and restaurants, is also a good refuge, but the walk from one bank to the other is done in the rain: take the metro or a taxi to cross. For passes and transport, see getting around Porto.

Music and architecture: the Casa da Música

Rem Koolhaas's Casa da Música can be visited inside and hosts concerts all year. Check the programme and visit slots before you go.

What to know before going out

• Shoes: granite cobbles and paving slabs are slippery in rain. Choose grippy soles, especially on the Ribeira's descents.
• Umbrella: the wind on the Douro and the bridges makes a large umbrella impractical; prefer a raincoat.
• Views: the Clérigos Tower, the bridges and terraces lose their appeal in overcast weather. Keep them for the end of the shower.
• Getting around: the metro links several districts out of the rain (see getting around Porto).
• Budget: several of these visits are free or cheap: see also Porto on a budget.

Summary table

Prices seen in October 2026.

Going further

To plan your stay, see Porto in one day, a weekend in Porto and the best time to visit Porto, which details the rainiest months.