ISMAI is located in the centre of Castelo da Maia, approximately 3 kilometres from the Maia town centre, and is part of the Metropolitan Area of Oporto, in the northwest of Portugal. 

     The city of Maia is located 8 km north of Oporto and is the 2nd major city in the country. It has an excellent public transport system. The subway station, just outside ISMAI, will take you to downtown Oporto in minutes. The road network also makes it easy to get from Maia to Oporto and to many other surrounding regions. Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport is also just 6 km from the Maia town centre and 15 minutes away from ISMAI.

     ISMAI is spread out across a welcoming, attractive and modern University Campus, close to the previously mentioned subway station which is named ISMAI. In its vicinity, there are numerous athletic and sports centres where you can practise a wide variety of sports and leisure activities.

     Considered as an important cultural centre in the region, the city of Maia has initiatives of holding several events connected to theatre, music, arts and traditional local customs.