Lisbon’s cultural and museum offerings are absolutely fascinating. From small modern art collections to maritime museums, traditional culture, and collections of Egyptian and Mesopotamian artifacts, the real challenge lies in choosing where to go. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the 7 best museums in Lisbon to make your decision easier.
Museums in Lisbon fall into three main categories: those dedicated to modern and contemporary art (MAAT, Berardo Collection), cultural and traditional themes (Fado Museum, National Tile Museum, Museum of Ancient Art), and global collections (Calouste Gulbenkian Museum).
It’s true that Lisbon isn’t always thought of as a museum destination, but with such a rich variety of offerings, it’s a shame if visitors skip them. We hope this guide inspires you to visit Lisbon’s museums!
Unlike in other European cities, Lisbon’s museums are spread throughout the city. In the Belém district, several museums have been established in recent years, including three of the seven we recommend (Berardo Collection, MAAT, and the Maritime Museum). The rest are scattered across Lisbon, so you’ll need to make a special trip to see them.
Here are our top 7 picks for the best museums in Lisbon:
Located north of Avenida da Liberdade, many consider the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum to be the best museum in Lisbon, if not the best. It’s named after an Armenian philanthropist who bequeathed his vast fortune to Portugal. Using his wealth, the Gulbenkian Park was built, housing various buildings to display his extensive art collection. The museum has two major collections: “The Founder’s Collection” and the “Modern Collection.”
The Founder’s Collection includes Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Persian artifacts, along with paintings by European masters like Rembrandt, Renoir, and Rubens. The Modern Collection, housed in a separate building opened in 1983, showcases modern and contemporary Portuguese works. Keep in mind that this collection will be closed for renovations from 2020 to around 2022.
Opening Hours: The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is open from Wednesday to Tuesday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Ticket Price: General admission is €10, with a reduced rate of €5 for visitors under 29 or over 65. Admission is free on Sundays from 2:00 pm.
Located in Belém, the Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology (MAAT) is a must-see if you’re in this part of the city. Built in 2017 on the site of a former steam power plant, its contemporary design is absolutely stunning. The collection itself, backed by the Portuguese energy company EDP, is not particularly notable, and the museum’s entrance fee is somewhat steep. Most visitors come to admire the building’s exterior and snap photos of the nearby 25 de Abril Bridge (reminiscent of San Francisco’s Golden Gate).
Opening Hours: MAAT is open from Wednesday to Monday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Ticket Price: Admission is €5 (€2.50 for students and seniors over 65). Children under 10 get in free. A separate ticket to the power station costs €5, or €9 if you buy a combined ticket for both the museum and the power plant.
Our next stop is the National Museum of Ancient Art, located in the Estrela district to the west of central Lisbon. This gallery features over 40,000 works, primarily by Portuguese artists, along with a smaller collection of European painters like Van Dyck, Velázquez, and Zurbarán.
The museum also houses a significant collection of decorative arts, including textiles, goldsmithing, ceramics, and sculptures. In short, it’s a comprehensive museum that’s not too large—perfect for a two-hour visit. Plus, admission is free on Sundays!
Opening Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Ticket Price: General admission is €6, with a reduced rate of €3 for students and seniors over 65. Children under 12 get in free. Note: Admission is free every Sunday and on holidays until 2:00 pm, making it an excellent time to visit.
Alfama is one of our favorite areas in all of Lisbon. We always say the same: it’s that part of Lisbon that remains unchanged, timeless, and reveals the most authentic side of this enchanting city. Among its narrow streets and close to the Tagus River lies the Fado Museum.
This small museum was established to honor Fado, the quintessential Portuguese music genre, in the neighborhood where it originated: Alfama. It features a permanent collection and a series of rotating temporary exhibitions. Be sure to check their website to see what’s currently on display.
Opening Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Ticket Price: Admission is €5 (€2.50 for those under 25 and €4.30 for seniors over 65). Children under 13 get in free.
In addition to the MAAT, the other significant contemporary art museum in Lisbon is the Berardo Collection Museum, which many consider the best in the city. Located next to the Centro Cultural de Belém, it’s our favorite museum in Lisbon for modern art enthusiasts.
The Berardo Collection, one of Lisbon’s best for contemporary art, originates from art collector José Berardo, who signed an agreement with the Portuguese government to showcase his collection. It features a fascinating permanent collection with works by Salvador Dalí, Magritte, Francis Bacon, and Pablo Picasso, among others, and also hosts various temporary exhibitions.
Opening Hours: Open daily from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm. Admission is free on Saturdays.
Ticket Price: General admission is €5 (€2.50 for children over 7, students, and seniors over 65). Children under 6 enter free.
Less known than some of the other museums on this list, the National Tile Museum is located northeast of Alfama, between the neighborhoods of Penha de França and Alfama. This museum showcases the history of Portuguese tiles and the various techniques used to create them.
Opening Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm.
Ticket Price: General admission is €5, with a 50% discount for students and seniors over 65.
From Belém, Portuguese explorers such as the famous Vasco da Gama once set sail to explore the world. While we’re no longer in the Age of Discovery, the Maritime Museum preserves some of this rich history, displaying ship models, artifacts, and other maritime relics.
The museum was established by order of King Luís I of Portugal to collect and preserve Portugal’s maritime heritage. It’s a fascinating destination for history lovers.
Opening Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (10:00 am to 5:00 pm from October to April).
Ticket Price: General admission is €6.50 (€3.25 for young people and seniors over 65). Children under 4 get in free. The first Sunday of each month offers free admission.
If you’re short on time and want to see just one museum, we highly recommend the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum—easily the most comprehensive museum in Lisbon, especially once the modern collection reopens. On the other hand, if you enjoy contemporary art, don’t miss the Berardo Collection Museum.
If you plan to visit several museums on this list, consider purchasing the Lisboa Card, which offers discounts on many top attractions. Additionally, four of the seven recommended museums have free entry at specific times, so plan your visit accordingly to take advantage of these deals. Whether free or paid, we’re confident that each of these Lisbon museums will be worth your time!
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