Museum lovers unite! We have the best of the best to show you today. The list you have been waiting for is here! Lisbon has so many museums to choose from and they are all amazing. We have visited them all and have picked out the best of the best that we think you should see. The history and the splendor of Portugal await you behind these doors, so let’s go take a look.
Top 15 museums in Lisbon
1. Orient Museum (“Museu do Oriente”)
The Orient Museum represents the historic connection between Portugal and Asia, as the Portuguese were one of the first Europeans to settle in Asia. The museum houses collections from India, China, Japan and several far eastern countries with some pieces dating back to the age of discovery. There is also a great roof-top terrace with sumptuous views. Worth visiting! Address: Avenida Brasília 352, Lisbon. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Closing time on Friday is 10pm. Ticket price: Adults: €6 and for those who are 65 years old or above it is only €3.50. From 6pm to 10pm on Fridays, admission is free.
2. Gulbenkian Museum
The Gulbenkian Museum houses a magnificent collection of ancient and modern art from the East and West. A highlight of the collection is René Lalique’s works considered to be unique in the world. The museum and the surrounding gardens are a very nice place to spend an afternoon whilst adoring art from all over the world. Address: Avenida De Berna 45A, Lisbon. Opening hours: Daily from 10am to 6pm. Closed on Tuesdays. Ticket price: Adults: from €3 depending on the exhibitions.
3. National Tile Museum (“Museu Nacional do Azulejo”)
The Portuguese Tiles (azulejos) are a very important part of Portugal’s history and this is exemplified by the National Tile Museum, a museum dedicated to tiles. The museum is a distinctive artistic expression of Portuguese culture and is set in the historic Madre de Deus Convent. The collections take you through the evolution, art and production of tiles from the 15th century to the present day. It is a charming museum that surely deserves your visit because it is a visual feast especially if you are interested in design and ceramic tiles. The convent is also quite spectacular and you can enjoy a coffee and a cake in their outdoor garden café. Address: Rua da Madre de Deus 4, Lisbon. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Ticket price: Adults: €5 and for 65 years or above: €2.50. Make a day of it with a friend at a tile-making workshop and full tour of the museum at Get Your Guide.
4. MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology)
The MAAT building itself is an architectural masterpiece designed by Amanda Levete. It is nicely positioned on the shores of Tagus River and houses two museums; the Electricity museum and the contemporary art museum. The MAAT presents curatorial views on the private art collection of the EDP foundation as well as being host to international exhibitions with contributions from contemporary artists and architects. And for picture lovers, the surroundings of the MAAT make it a great place to take awesome pictures in Lisbon and catch mind-blowing sunsets too. Address: Avenida Brasília, Lisbon. Opening hours: Daily from 11am until 7pm. Closed on Tuesdays. Ticket price: Adults: from €5.
5. Berardo Collection Museum (“Museu Coleção Berardo”)
The Museu Coleção Berardo is owned by Joe Berardo, a Portuguese multi-millionaire, who spent a fortune collecting artworks and showcasing them at the museum in Belém. Berardo Collection Museum of modern and contemporary art is one of the largest private modern art collections in Portugal. There you will find paintings from both national and internationally renowned artists like Picasso, Magritte, Paula Rego, Andy Warhol, Francis Bacon and Duchamp amongst others. From time to time, there are temporary exhibitions with lots of variety. If you love modern art, do not miss the impeccable Berardo Collection. Address: Praça do Império, Lisbon. Opening hours: Daily from 10am until 7pm. Ticket price: Adults: €5 and 65 or above: €2.50. Free admission on Saturday.
6. National Museum of Ancient Art (“Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga”)
The National Museum of Ancient Art is in the Alvor Palace and the museum is also commonly called Portugal’s National Gallery. It houses the largest collection of Portuguese paintings from the age of discovery. Some of the collections include European paintings, sculpture, metalwork, textiles, furniture, drawings and other decorative art forms from the middle ages. Behind the museum is a beautiful garden where you can relax and catch a stunning view of 25th of April Bridge (“Ponte 25 de abril”). Generally, the National Museum of Ancient Art offers deep insights into the historical wealth of Portugal. Address: Rua das Janelas Verdes, Lisbon. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am until 6pm. Ticket price: Adults: €6 and 65 years or above: €3
7. MUDE Museu do Design e da Moda
Located close to the historic centre of the city is Lisbon’s fashion and design museum, MUDE Museu do Design e da Moda. With collections from Francisco Capelo and a host of other designers from all over the world, they present the history of fashion and design from the 1930s to the present day. Address: Rua Augusta 24, Lisbon. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 6pm. Ticket price: Free entrance!
8. National Coach Museum (“Museu Nacional dos Coches”)
Visiting the National Coach Museum will take you back to the pre-automobile era, as there is a unique collection of coaches and carriages as old as four centuries ago. One of the coaches on display is the rare 17th-century coach used by King Filipe II of Spain for his visit to Portugal in 1619. You will also get to see different carriages from across Europe. It is one of the most visited museums in Lisbon. Address: Avenida Da Índia 136, Lisbon. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am until 6pm. Ticket price: Adults: €8.
9. Fado Museum (“Museu do Fado”)
There is a high chance you would have heard Fado music in some restaurant or bar in the Chiado or Alfama areas of Lisbon. To get to know more about the ‘music of Portugal’ (Fado) you should visit the Fado Museum and of course, it is in the home of Fado music in Alfama. In the museum, you will learn about the history of Fado and the cultural and political environment of Lisbon in the 20th century. There is also a restaurant in the museum where you can enjoy some Portuguese delicacies while watching live performances of Fado music. Address: Largo do Chafariz de Dentro 1, Lisbon. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am until 6pm. Ticket price: Adults: €5 and over 65 years: €4.30.
10. Maritime Museum (“Museu de Marinha”)
The Maritime Museum (website is in Portuguese) gives a detailed lesson on the nautical history of Portugal and explorations from the age of discoveries. It houses an enormous collection of boats with some as old as the 15th century, nautical instruments, Portugal old maps as well as the first plane that made the crossing of the South Atlantic in 1922. Address: Praça do Império, Lisbon. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am until 5pm. Ticket price: Adults: €6.50 and 65 years or above: €3.25.
11. Museu de Sao Roque
Museu de Sao Roque (website is in Portuguese) is a small museum which was first opened to the public in 1905 and houses some of the most important collection of religious pieces and art in Portugal. Usually, it takes around 30 minutes to see most things in the museum. On your visit to Museu de Sao Roque, you can also see the Sao Roque Church. Address: Largo Trindade Coelho, Lisbon. Opening hours: Mondays and Thursdays from 2pm until 9pm. Other days from 10am until 6pm. Ticket price: €2.50.
12. Lisbon Story Centre
Located close to Praca do Comercio is the Lisbon Story Centre, a multimedia museum which presents the history of the city through audiovisuals. It usually lasts 60 minutes taking you through the historical events such as the great earthquake of Lisbon and its aftermath, stories that shaped Lisbon and realities of this quaint city. A good stop to immerse yourself on some history lesson about Lisbon. Address: Praça do Comércio 78, Lisbon. Opening hours: Daily from 10am until 8pm. Ticket price: Adults: €7 and 65 years or above: €5. Get your ticket with an audio guide (in nine languages) from Get Your Guide.
13. Casa-Museu Medeiros e Almeida
Casa-Museu Medeiros e Almeida is a house-museum where António Medeiros e Almeida lived. During his lifetime, he collected so many historical pieces and due to his vast collections, it was made into a house-museum. It features a private collection of 200 pocket watches, a Chinese porcelain collection (some of the first from China to Europe), a collection of silverware, Portuguese and French furniture and numerous paintings. Address: Rua Rosa Araújo 41, Lisbon. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 10am until 5pm. Ticket price: Adults: €5 (Saturday morning is free until 1pm). 65 years or above: €3.
14. Pharmacy Museum (“Museu da Farmácia”)
The Pharmacy Museum is dedicated to the profession of pharmacy. It presents the history and evolution of medicine from the 15th century until the present with collections relating to practices from different parts of the world such as Egypt, Greece, Rome, China and South America. If you are interested in the history of pharmacy from a global perspective, then it is worth your time. Address: Rua Marechal Saldanha 1, Lisbon. Opening hours: Weekdays from 10am until 7pm. Saturdays from 2pm until 6pm. Closed on Sundays. Ticket price: Adults: €5 and 65 years or above: €3.50.
15. Museum of Bordalo Pinheiro (“Museu Bordalo Pinheiro”)
Museu Bordalo Pinheiro (website is in Portuguese) is a museum dedicated to the life and works of Bordalo, a famous cartoonist and ceramicist. He is also known for creating the popular cartoon character Zé Povinho. If you like glazed ceramics works, then this is for you. Address: Campo Grande 382, Lisbon. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 until 6pm. Ticket price: Adults: €3 and 65 years or above: €2.60.
Visit the best museums in Lisbon
With so many museums that take you into the history of Lisbon and Portugal, we hope this list helped you to decide on which ones you will consider adding to your itinerary for your visit to Lisbon. Did you have any more to add? Please let us know in the comments below.Never miss out on our news and information about everything Portugal. subscribe to our newsletter today. It’s 100% free!
