The building was a functioning cannery from 1928 until 1982.
In 2010, the museum received the Council of Europe Museum Prize for its dedication to European heritage.
The facility retains original industrial boilers and steam-powered equipment as part of its permanent collection.
The underwater archaeology collection includes items dating back to the Roman and Islamic occupations of the Algarve region.
The design includes a glass floor section allowing views into the archaeological remains found beneath the factory's foundation.
It is the first industrial museum in Portugal to be integrated into a converted factory site of this scale.
The Museu de Portimão is located within the restored 19th-century Feu Hermanos cannery on the banks of the Arade River. The museum specializes in the maritime, industrial, and social history of Portimão, specifically focusing on the evolution of the sardine canning industry. It features extensive displays of original canning machinery and industrial equipment used throughout the 20th century. Visitors can explore underwater archaeological artifacts recovered from the Arade River, including ancient Roman anchors and pottery. The permanent exhibition details the socio-economic impact of the canning factories on local communities and the development of the city's waterfront. The building itself is an example of industrial archaeology, retaining original architectural features from its time as an active factory. It hosts temporary exhibitions that often focus on local maritime traditions, photography, and coastal art.
The internal central atrium featuring the towering original industrial iron structures.
Walk the entire length of the building to observe the original brickwork and industrial chimney from the exterior.
Visit the upstairs gallery for a comprehensive view of the factory's internal layout.
Allow extra time to read the detailed placards that explain the labor conditions of the cannery workers.
Do not rush through the lower levels; many historical details about the canning process are located in the small alcoves near the machinery.
Closed on Mondays.
