São João da Madeira

Integrated into the Porto Metropolitan Area since 2004, São João da Madeira occupies a prominent place on the Portuguese business map, especially for its footwear industry – which gives it the epithet of "Capital of Footwear" – and, in the past, for its hat-making industry. For this reason, São João da Madeira has one of the most important collections in terms of Industrial Archaeology, clearly visible in the various factories and chimneys that populate this industrial center. Remaining at the forefront of technological and industrial development, it has the Business and Technology Center (CET), which aims to attract technology-based companies to the municipality. This infrastructure is located on land adjacent to the Footwear Technology Center (CTC).

What to do in São João da Madeira

Parque Urbano do Rio Ul

São João da Madeira

The Ul River Urban Park, a green space covering an area equivalent to 30 football fields, is a modern and functional place for walks and leisure. Located in the city center, it was designed by architect Sidónio Pardal and is characterized by its surrounding granite walls and a wooded interior that winds along the Ul River. It is a spacious …

Museu da Chapelaria

São João da Madeira

The Hat Museum is a space whose primary objective is to preserve the art of hat making, once renowned and a symbol of the municipality, with facilities that include a documentation center containing approximately 30,000 documents from the Industrial Hat Company and the Vieira Araújo Company, as well as felt and hat manufacturing machines, office supplies, samples, raw materials, and …

Oliva Creative Factory

São João da Madeira

A multifaceted incubation space for creative businesses, commercial spaces, a business center, event and training spaces, and interdisciplinary spaces for creative and cultural convergence.

Turismo Industrial de São João da Madeira

São João da Madeira

The “Industrial Heritage Circuits of São João da Madeira” allow visitors to see firsthand the restoration of the region's industrial heritage. For example, Viarco, the only operating pencil factory in the country, Helsar and Everest, from the footwear sector, Cortadoria Nacional de Pelo and Fepsa, from the hat industry, and Heliotêxtil, a trimmings factory, are some of the participating companies. …

Museu do Calçado

São João da Madeira

This museum portrays the history of the footwear industry in São João da Madeira and the reality of footwear design in Portugal in the 20th century, while also pointing towards the technological and creative vanguard of the 21st century.

Jardim Público da Ponte

São João da Madeira

This garden, designed by architect Sidónio Pardal, is one of the main green spaces in São João da Madeira. A very well-maintained and pleasant area, it runs parallel to Avenida da Liberdade and extends from the City Hall building to …

Biblioteca Municipal Doutor Renato Araújo

São João da Madeira

With a considerable collection in all formats, this library, which has been in existence for about 50 years, is also a hub for cultural activities.

Parque da Senhora dos Milagres

São João da Madeira

A park with abundant vegetation, especially large trees. It offers plenty of shade that is distributed throughout the park area, around the Church of Our Lady of Miracles.

Parque Municipal Ferreira de Castro

São João da Madeira

A well-maintained municipal park, with plenty of trees, benches distributed throughout the area, as well as good lighting and pedestrian paths. There are open spaces within the park where a fitness trail can be found.

Piscina Municipal de São João da Madeira

São João da Madeira

A complex with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a children's pool, and a diving area. A modern space integrated into the Complexo Desportivo Paulo Pinto, located right in the center of São João da Madeira.

Jardim Público de Casaldelo

São João da Madeira

A green, grassy, and wooded area, very pleasant for walking and relaxing.

Casa da Criatividade

São João da Madeira

Built from the former Cine-Teatro Imperador, and designed by architect Filipe Oliveira Dias, the Casa da Criatividade has unique features in Portugal, allowing for diverse layouts in the stage and audience areas. You can attend theatre, dance and music performances, …

Centro de Arte de São João da Madeira

São João da Madeira

The Art Center began its activities in May 1986, with the intention of creating a space that would allow privileged access to cultural initiatives in terms of visual arts, as well as training in very specific areas of art not …

Paços da Cultura de São João da Madeira

São João da Madeira

The former City Hall building has been transformed into the Paço da Cultura (Culture Palace). It houses an auditorium with approximately 200 seats, a café-concert venue, an internet space, an area reserved for outdoor events, exhibition galleries, and the City's …