Attraction
Clérigos Church and Tower
Nicolau Nasoni's 18th-century Baroque church and 75.6-metre tower, with 240 steps to a 360-degree view over Porto's rooftops and the Douro.
Casa da Música
Rem Koolhaas's angular concert hall, opened in 2005, home to the Porto Symphony Orchestra and open daily for guided tours of its glass-walled auditoriums.
At a glance
- Type
- Concert hall
- Area
- Boavista, Porto, Portugal
- Official site
- casadamusica.com
Good to know
- Guided tours
- Concerts
- Restaurant
- Metro access
Why we recommend it
Casa da Música is Porto's great modern landmark, a white faceted block on the Rotunda da Boavista that looks different from every side. It was commissioned to mark Porto's year as European Capital of Culture in 2001, designed by Rem Koolhaas and his Office for Metropolitan Architecture, and opened to the public on 14 April 2005. It was the first building in Portugal designed from the outset to be dedicated entirely to music.
The building is home to several resident ensembles, including the Porto Symphony Orchestra Casa da Música, the Remix Ensemble, a Baroque orchestra and a choir, and its programme covers classical, contemporary, jazz, world music and pop. The main auditorium, Sala Suggia, is named after the Porto cellist Guilhermina Suggia and seats more than 1,200 people. Its end walls are made of corrugated glass, so daylight and views of the city reach the stage, an unusual feature for a concert hall. The smaller Sala 2 is used for chamber music and amplified concerts.
Even if you are not going to a concert, the guided tours are well worth taking. They run daily and lead through staircases, foyers and rooms designed with very different materials, including a room lined with blue-and-white azulejos and another covered in a gold-leaf wood pattern. The tours explain how the spaces work acoustically and architecturally, and they suit anyone interested in design.
The building is open daily from 10:00. Check the website for tour times and languages, and book ahead in busy periods. For a concert, buy tickets early for orchestral weekends and touring names. Concert-goers should arrive early to explore the foyers before the performance begins. The restaurant on the upper floor has views over the Boavista area, and the open plaza outside is a popular spot for skateboarders.
Casa da Música metro station is directly beside the building and is served by several lines, making it one of the easiest major sights to reach from the city centre or the airport. The Boavista shopping streets are around it, and the Serralves Foundation and the Crystal Palace Gardens are a short taxi ride away.
Casa da Música FAQs
Who designed Casa da Música?
Rem Koolhaas with the Office for Metropolitan Architecture; it opened on 14 April 2005.
Can you visit without a concert ticket?
Yes, guided tours of the building run daily.
What is special about the main hall?
Sala Suggia has two end walls made of corrugated glass, letting in daylight and views of the city.
Who performs there?
Resident ensembles include the Porto Symphony Orchestra Casa da Música and the Remix Ensemble, plus visiting artists across many genres.
How do I get there?
Casa da Música metro station is right beside the building.
Should I book tours in advance?
It is advisable in busy periods; check tour times and languages on the official website.
Why was it built?
To mark Porto's year as European Capital of Culture in 2001.
Is there somewhere to eat?
Yes, there is a restaurant on the upper floor.