20 best museums in Lisbon – list, photo, description, prices 2021, map
Traveling to Portugal allows you to get a wonderful beach holiday, take part in a versatile cultural program, see the beautiful landscapes of the islands created by ancient volcanoes. All these opportunities are realized during the arrival in the capital city of Lisbon. The city, founded by the Phoenicians, has many architectural sights. Museums of Lisbon, galleries, ancient palaces, monasteries. The history of the life of the Portuguese kings is represented by the preserved artifacts exhibited in the original buildings belonging to different rulers in past eras.
Castle of Saint George
In the center of the city, on a high hill rises a majestic building called the historical heart of the city. It is visible from anywhere in Lisbon. In ancient times, the castle was a fortress for the Romans, Visigoths, Moors. It was conquered by the first king of Portugal in 1147. Since then, the castle began to be called in honor of George the Victorious. Since 1255, when the city became the capital of Portugal, the castle has been the residence of the kings. Then it housed a prison, the headquarters of the child protection service. Since 1910, it has been included in the lists of national monuments.
After the earthquake, the damaged building was partially restored, a garden was laid out, along which peacocks calmly walk, and several viewing platforms were organized. Restoration work was carried out in 1940 and 1990. Inside the building there is an exhibition telling about the history of the city. On the territory of the castle there are small cafes, a restaurant. Visiting the castle of St. George is offered from 9 to 18 hours (from November to February 28) and from 9 to 21 hours (from March to the end of October).
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Galust Gulbenkian Museum
The private heritage from the collection of the famous oil tycoon consists of 6 thousand exhibits. Of these, about a thousand occupy a place in the permanent exhibition. In its main part there are huge collections of ancient objects from Egypt, Greece, Rome. Among them are famous vases, tombs, rare jewelry from Persia. The second section of the exhibition contains artifacts of European art from different times, objects of the Middle Ages. Manuscripts, books of different centuries are placed in a separate room.
The collection of European paintings is adorned with paintings bought during the sale of the Hermitage wealth in 1930. Here it is proposed to see several works by Rubens, Rembrandt, Eyck's baths, sculptures by Houdon. Separate rooms are occupied by paintings by the Impressionists Renoir, Monet, Degas, a collection of antique furniture, gold and silver items. Dishes, watches, coins and many other rare items.
The art museum opened in 1969. In terms of the richness of its collections, it surpasses the collections of many state institutions. It often hosts temporary exhibitions on various thematic areas. Work continues from 10 am to 6 pm daily. Day off on Tuesday.
Maritime Museum
Over 20,000 exhibits (of which 6,000 are elements of the permanent exhibition) show the smallest details of the history of the development of navigation in Portugal (thanks to the activities of the Portuguese monarch in 1863). There are ancient maps, simple and complex navigation devices, ship models, portraits of great admirals. Interesting exhibitions reflect the era of great geographical discoveries made during sea voyages. There are expositions in the wing of the building of the Manuelist monastery of the Hieronymites.
The late Gothic architectural monument is a UNESCO protected heritage site. According to legend, Vasco de Gamo prayed within the walls of this monastery before traveling to India. The wooden figurine of the Archangel Raphael, who accompanied him on his sea voyage, is considered one of the oldest exhibits in the exhibition. After a fire in 1916, the work of the institution was restored in 1948.
Many exhibits of the first collection have been lost, instead of them there are models of modern ships from Portugal and other countries. Two ancient globes were found, the furnishings of the king's cabin, portraits, personal belongings of famous sailors were reproduced. The frigate Fragata D.Fernando II e Gloria is moored and open to visitors on the Tagus River. You can get acquainted with the historical past of the art of navigation of the country from 10 am to 17 pm. Day off on Monday.
National Carriage Museum
Looking at the old carts, beautiful carriages, openwork carriages, you want to sit in them and drive along the travel roads of the royal families of Portugal. The collection of unique carriages was created by Queen Donna Amelia in 1905 and has become the most visited museum in the country. It is located in the building of the arena (built in the 18th century) for training in horseback riding for members of the royal family. The building itself, painted with paintings of an amazing interior created over 40 years, serves as a beautiful backdrop for unusual exhibits. There are 7 carriages in the front hall of the arena.
To display the real wealth from the vaults, a new building designed by architect Paulo Mendez was built. Among the exhibits are royal chaises, two-wheeled cabriolets, landau. Here you can see the old carriage of King Philip II, made of wood, upholstered in red leather. The carriage is famous for its seat with a hole in the center for use when needed. The only protection from rain, wind, sun were heavy curtains.
Golden “Carriage of the Bride”, “Carriage of the Oceans”, striking in luxury, wealth, sculptural representation of sea discoveries. They were made by the country when laying sea routes that connected two oceans: the Indian and the Atlantic. The central part is occupied by the figure of a Lisbon girl (translated from Portuguese, this means a young lady). You can visit the beautiful exhibition halls in the two buildings on any day of the week (except Monday) from 10 am to 6 pm.
National Museum of Ancient Art
The collection of art treasures of Portugal of the XIV – XIX centuries since 1884 was housed in the monastery of St. Francis. The number of exhibits increased rapidly and required a larger area for optimal placement of the building. It was built in the 90s of the past century on the site of an ancient monastery. Huge galleries on different floors of the new building housed thousands of paintings, graphics, sculptures, antique furniture, rare jewelry, and ceramics. Among the famous paintings are the works of Albrecht Dürer, Raphael, Bosch, Velazquez, etc.
The first floor is occupied by expositions of works by European masters. On the second floor, it is proposed to see Asian and African art. The third floor is given to the works of the creators of Portugal. Endless streams of tourists pass next to the famous work of Bosch “The Temptation of St. Anthony.” The Old Art Gallery is the largest in Portugal and is popular with tourists. The institution operates on Tuesdays from 14:00 to 18:00. Day off on Monday. From Wednesday to Sunday, the halls are open for visits from 10 am to 6 pm.
Azulejo Museum
The traditional craft of the Portuguese has no analogues in other countries of the world. The art of creating pictures from tiles based on beautiful tiles was born here many centuries ago. The word Azulejo means ceramic product made from glazed tiles. In the beautiful chapel of the Monastery of the Mother of God, the first exposition of elements of the ancient art form appeared. Its roots go back to the period of Moorish traditions, which brought them from the Arab culture.
Starting from the 15th century, the first panels appeared in Portugal, paintings imitating luxurious carpets. The first tiles were made under the guidance of Flemish craftsmen. Already at the beginning of the 18th century, Lisbon began to be called the center for the manufacture of azulejos. The canvases consisted of decorative floral patterns, paintings on religious themes. There is a unique 16th century altar decorated with ancient tiles. Monasteries, churches, estates, palaces are gradually decorated with tiles painted in different colors, with complex ornaments.
Permanent exhibitions, exhibitions tell about the history of azulejos in Portugal. Many works were destroyed during the earthquake. A unique panel with a panorama of the city before destruction has been created. It is offered to see him, take part in tile-making workshops from 10 am to 6 pm on any day except Monday.
Museum of the Orient
In the colonies of Portugal, located in the East, a long difficult life passed. At this time, the Portuguese presence was reflected in art, clothing, furniture, religious objects. At the same time, many local customs were borrowed and introduced into the life of the Portuguese. A huge number of artifacts of this time were brought to the country and made up the rich collections of many galleries, exhibitions, and permanent expositions.
Paintings, masks, textiles from China, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, India are housed in the former building of the salt cod warehouse. In 2008 it was restored and converted into a museum. It has many rooms. For example, a room dedicated to the gods of Asia. Documents related to the colonial period (maps, diagrams), items in the form of antique jewelry from different countries.
On the territory there is a school on Asian culture, customs, cuisine. The top floor of the building is occupied by a restaurant with a menu of European and Asian cuisines. Cafe, souvenir shop are located next to the entrance on the ground floor. Works from 10 am to 6 pm with a day off on Monday.
Shiadu Museum
In the oldest district of Lisbon, many buildings damaged by the 1987 fire have been restored. The buildings of the Franciscan monastery housed a confectionery factory, an academy of arts, a library, and the National Gallery of Modern Art. A successful overhaul designed by the architect Jean Michel Wilmot made it possible to place here rich expositions from the collections of modern paintings of Portuguese art. They cover the period from 1850 to 1960, combining works of romanticism, modernism, abstractionism, surrealism.
The permanent exhibitions are made according to thematic areas and demonstrate the development of sculpture and painting by the masters of Portugal. Among the famous works are exhibits created by the artist Columbanu Bordal Piñero (he was the director of the institution for a long time). Temporary exhibitions are held in a separate room. Often change and present the work of artists from different countries. You can visit the gallery from 10 am to 6 pm every day (Monday is a day off).
MAAT Museum
It is impossible not to notice the amazing architectural structure on the embankment of the Tagus River. I would like not only to walk along its roof, hanging over the river, but also to look into the spacious, bright halls. Learn all about the interesting exhibits standing there. It was opened on the site of an old power plant that honestly served the city for many years. Her equipment took a place among the unique exhibits next to devices created by new technologies, designed by designers at the level of works of art. The main idea of creating expositions with this name was the desire to combine art with the possibilities of modern technologies.
At numerous exhibitions held regularly throughout the year, interesting new developments are presented, including using interactive methods. For example, the world of robotics amazes with unexpected solutions, real systems implemented in various branches of mechanical engineering. Sometimes it seems that they are almost people and will soon learn to think. You can visit IAAT exhibitions from 12:00 to 20:00 daily. Day off Monday.
National Archaeological Museum
After the abolition of the monasteries in 1834, numerous items from churches, temples, and monasteries came under the jurisdiction of the state. The decision to create an interesting gallery and place it in the premises of the Jeronimos Monastery was implemented in 1893 by a well-known ethnographer of the country. The expositions represent various stages of people's lives in Portugal: the inhabitants of the Mesolithic, Megalithic, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs. The collections contain works by famous painters of Portugal and Europe. Among them are the works of Dürer, Bosch. Holbein, Velazquez, Rafael.
Exhibits brought from Africa and Asia during sea voyages are placed separately. Separately exhibited numismatic, jewelry, epigraphic collections. During the tour, interesting stories are told about the jewelry of the Iron and Bronze centuries, sculptural exhibits of the Middle Ages with Christmas nativity scenes. Furniture, ceramics, porcelain, textiles, silverware are part of the permanent exhibitions. You can see them daily from 10 am to 6 pm (Monday is a day off).
National Costume and Fashion Museum
The old building, surrounded by a botanical park, houses expositions filled with magnificent outfits from different eras. Among them are women's, men's, children‘s dresses belonging to different segments of the population of Portugal. Exhibited models of clothes are authentic historical costumes of the period of the XVII-XXI centuries of residents of different countries of Western Europe. The decision to create it was made in 1977 after the passage of an exhibition in 1976 showing the royal wardrobe.
The collection was replenished by gratuitous transfer of items from private collections. The expositions are placed in different halls according to the thematic focus. Rococo style models are presented on the ground floor. Complex frames, numerous frills made of lace, embroidery, corsets are essential elements in men's and women's clothing. At the beginning of the 19th century, they completely disappear. Empire style comes into fashion. Instead of brocade, velvet, the first place is given to light muslin.
Gradually, fancy-shaped sleeves, borrowed from the Renaissance, appear in fashionable elements (they were called “leg of lamb”, “ham”). The modern period is represented by the classic Chanel suit, sundresses, disco of the 80s. In separate rooms, underwear, corsets, frames, pillows and other accessories are presented. Home textiles in the form of lace curtains, tablecloths, Victorian bedding. There is a restaurant, a library and a gift shop on site. The institution opens at 10 am and is open until 6 pm. Day off on Monday.
water museum
An invaluable gift of nature, drinking water has always played a special role in the choice of a place for settlement and the development of cities. The history of water supply begins from the time of the first aqueducts, the creation of the necessary equipment, methods of purification, and water quality control. Each century has brought its own new developments, discoveries in the improvement of the processes of delivering water to cities. In 1987, the Water Museum was opened, which received an award from the Council of Europe.
It includes four ancient objects: an aqueduct of 1746, two reservoirs, a pumping station. The station building (in an old monastery), erected in 1880, is used to organize exhibitions and permanent exhibitions. Here you can see the first steam engines, pumps that delivered water from various objects of the aqueduct. The hall with permanent exhibitions presents models, installations, demonstrating the history of water supply and sanitation in Lisbon.
Many of the devices are in working order and used for informational lectures. They help to find out interesting information about the interconnected work of all objects of the city's water system. Like underground aqueducts, water enters 30 fountains in Lisbon. The facility is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
Archaeological Museum at Karmu Monastery
The first liturgy in the ancient monastery, built on the site of a Carmelite church on top of a mountain, was held in 1407. Beautiful Gothic towers, decorated with numerous lancet windows, soared high into the sky. Residential buildings for monks appeared. Gradually, a rare collection of folios was formed in a huge library, the sarcophagus of Nuno Pereiri was carefully kept. He transferred his fortune to the monastery. Life flowed with its customs and traditions.
Everything changed in one moment in 1755. A powerful earthquake destroyed almost all the buildings of the monastery. The monks settled in other places. The remaining buildings were betrayed in 1864 by the Association of Archaeologists. Since that time, the accumulation of archaeological artifacts began, telling about life in this amazing place. The entrance to the expositions is organized through the portal of the preserved walls of the Gothic church. The famous rosette is half destroyed. Having examined the central part of the church, you immediately find yourself in the courtyard, decorated with ancient stone bowls, images of ancient family coats of arms.
In the closed part of the church, artifacts from many periods of life in Portugal are collected: prehistoric tools, azulejo tiles, architectural structures in the form of fountains, and stucco. Unusual mummies from Peru, Egyptian sarcophagus. In front of the walls of the monastery there is a cozy cafe. To get to the top of the mountain to the ruined monastery with sad evidence of destruction, oblivion is offered on a special Santa Justa elevator from Monday to Saturday (from 10 to 19 hours). Day off on Sunday.
House Museum of Medeiros and Almeida
Since 1973, the house of the collector Dr. António Medeiros y Almeida has housed a rich exhibition from the collections of the owner of the house. They were created by the owner of the house in the 70s of the last century. 25 halls with an unusual interior are filled with paintings, sculpture, furniture, tapestries, ceramics. Three permanent collections include: 225 watch models made in the period from the 16th to the 20th centuries. A collection of rare pottery items from the Han Dynasty of China up to the 18th century. Silver jewelry made in England, Portugal by famous masters of the 15th and 16th centuries.
210 fans of the 16th–18th centuries. The house was built in 1672 as a hunting estate. Gradually, it turned into a luxurious palace surrounded by a Renaissance-style park. The exterior of the building resembles a small painted jewelry box. The walls and facades amaze with the beauty of the tiles made by the masters of Holland and Portugal. You want to see it from the outside and be sure to enter the inner chambers. You can do this from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and from 1 pm to 5.30 pm from Tuesday to Friday.
Bank of Portugal Money Museum
The Church of Saint Julian, built in 1810, was taken over by the Bank of Portugal in 1930. The original baroque style, complemented by elements of modern design, is successfully used to organize unique expositions of the numismatic collection. On four levels there are convenient stands with ingots, coins, banknotes, items that acted as money in ancient times. The expositions reflect the evolution of money that has left its mark on the history of trade and everyday life in many European countries.
The building contains a rich collection from the time of the great geographical discoveries to the present day. The main exhibition is called “Money of the West of the Iberian Peninsula”. During the tour, it is proposed to find out how the country's coin was created under the European program of 2004. The main requirement for its release is compliance with the theme approved by the European Union, the application of the logo from the Euro Star series. View collections, learn the history of banking, see a gold bar valued at half a million € is offered from 10 am to 6 pm any day from Wednesday to Saturday.
City Museum
Collections, consisting of elements of the country's cultural, historical, political heritage over several centuries of life, are located in chronological order in the main building of the Piment Palace of the 18th century. The whole history of the city is reflected in interesting expositions of paintings (there are over 1400 of them and belong to different genres), sculptures, ceramics, archaeological finds (some of them date back to 300,000-100,000 BC). Among the paintings there are images of the city before the earthquake. There are many books, icons, maps, tombstones, handmade tapestries, drawings, important documents of different times.
The grandiose model of Lisbon before the earthquake of 1788 shows the smallest details of architectural structures. The exhibition collection of azulejos and panels with the faces of saints based on the famous tiles is considered the largest in the country.
Separate pavilions (Black and White) were built for temporary exhibitions. A separate exposition is devoted to epigraphy (records made on stone, metal). Sculptures and ancient statues are installed in the garden next to the building. The collections reflect a large historical period from the Paleolithic to our time. They have been collected for centuries. Visiting the exposition is offered from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro Museum
The works of the famous cartoonist, ceramist of Portugal are widely known, are popular and loved by the inhabitants of the country. Living pictures reflect the period 1846-1905. In the garden there are interesting exhibitions from the works of Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro. Porcelain sculptures are created by the extraordinary imagination of the master. Huge snakes, lizards, toads, bees, mushrooms bask in the sun like real ones, rest in the shade of the garden.
In 1889, at the International Exhibition in Paris, the author was awarded a gold medal (at that time the famous Eiffel Tower was exhibited here). At a certain stage of his life, Pinheira was the editor of a humorous magazine, an employee of the Illustrated London News newspaper. In 1885, he opened a faience factory in Portugal, which became the most prestigious ceramics factory in Europe. Her products bear the trademark Bordalo Pinheiro. Many works are presented at exhibitions in the building of the villa, standing opposite the City Museum.
Today, almost all of Pinheiro's works have been collected. These are 1200 ceramic objects, 3500 sketches, 900 photographs, over 3000 publications, about 3000 paintings. Popular among the inhabitants of the city is a caricature of a small man who came from the provinces. The figure is called “Z'e Povinho”. You can go to the garden with the works of the master from Tuesday to Monday from 10 am to 6 pm. At the same time, visit the library, take part in thematic conferences, seminars, visit a souvenir shop.
Roman Theater Museum
Lisbon was called Olissipo two thousand years ago and was part of the Roman Empire. In the ancient city, already in the first half of the 1st century AD, a large theater was functioning, designed for 5 thousand spectators. Its ruins were opened to the attention of the inhabitants after the devastating earthquake of 1775. Archaeological excavations began in 1965. As a result, the stands, the stage, the orchestra area, part of the pink marble floor, fragments of mosaic paintings, and decorative elements made by craftsmen of the ancient period were restored.
This site was included as an interesting exposition of the modern archaeological museum. A new building was erected over the ruins and various exhibits found during excavations were placed in it. Nearby is a site with archaeological research of other ancient buildings. Expositions telling about the history of the Roman theater are located in the neighboring building, which belonged to the bishops of the city (it was built in the 18th century). Among them are many elements from the ancient theater. Visiting the exhibition is offered from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm.
Electricity Museum
For the third decade, this place has been loved by children, especially boys. Here are the current exhibits that you can twist, study. Interactive stands are located in the building of the thermal station that generated electricity for the city. Many of the devices are in working order and are of interest for educational purposes. The expositions present schemes, documents, educational materials on electricity.
The building of the first power plant itself is considered an example of the industrial architecture of the country. Now it is an important scientific and cultural center. There are solemn thematic events, concerts, conferences. These are, for example, the Sunny, Children's festivals, the month of science, the Solar Rally holiday. The building is located in the Belenya area. Open for visits from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.
National Museum of Natural History and Science
Since 2011, a state institution has begun to work, uniting several museums in Lisbon. The huge collection, created over 250 years, is of interest to people of all ages. The expositions are divided into several thematic areas. One of them offers to get acquainted with the wonderful world of animals that lived in different eras on our planet.
Dinosaurs, fossils, ancient fish, the real size of extinct animals are of particular interest to children. As a recreation, children can watch the popular cartoon “Ice Age”. Astronomy lovers have the opportunity to observe the stars in a luxurious planetarium. Botanical masterpieces have been given the status of a national monument.
Of particular interest is the collection of butterflies in a special room of the museum. Dracaena rises in the garden, which is over 400 years old and many plants brought from different countries of the world. Interesting exhibitions, seminars, conferences in many scientific areas are often held on the territory: zoology, botany, anthropology (there are about 1700 human skeletons here). You can visit an interesting place every day, except Monday from 10 am to 5 pm.