06 Dec Must go museums in Lisbon I

Lisbon’s museums let you dive into the rich cultural heritage of Portugal – from historic palaces to buildings designed by contemporary architects. There is a lot of unmissable places for you to know, but here it comes our little help – these are some of our favorite ones 😊

1. Calouste Gulbenkian Museum 

This museum is one of the main art institutions in Lisbon and consists of two distinct collections housed in an extensive cultural center: The Founder’s Collection is among the best private art collections in the world, with pieces dating from antiquity to the beginning of the 20th century. The Modern Collection focuses on venerable Portuguese artists like Almada Negreiros, Vieira da Silva and Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso.

2. Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT)

The MAAT —a modern cross-cultural hub that brings together visual arts, urban affairs, technology, and science—it’s an undulating building covered in white ceramic tiles and capped with a rooftop terrace. Although MAAT has a permanent collection, its dynamic program of temporary exhibitions and events makes it one of the most interesting cultural institutions in Lisbon.

3. Berardo Collection Museum 

Next to the Jeronimo’s Monastery, the Berardo Collection Museum is in Belém Cultural Center. The museum celebrates art from Minimalism and Conceptualism to Cubism and Surrealism with works by Marcel Duchamp, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Andy Warhol and many other great artists.

4. Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga

Treasures abound at the National Museum of Ancient Art, where paintings, sculptures, furniture, ceramics, textiles, gold, and silverware capture Portugal’s history from the Middle Ages through the 19th century. While here, check out the garden restaurant with a terrace overlooking the River Tejo. 😊

5. Júlio Pomar’s Atelier-Museum

The Júlio Pomar’s atelier-museum is one of the places in Lisbon that art and architecture lovers cannot miss. Júlio Pomar was one of the most remarkable Portuguese artists of the 20th century. The atelier-museum celebrates his work mostly in painting and drawing, but also in engraving, sculpture and assemblage, illustration, ceramics and glass, tapestry and many other forms of art. 

6. Museu Nacional do Azulejo

Azulejos – or hand-painted tiles, play a big role in Portugal’s cultural history, as you might notice around the streets of Lisbon. This museum is housed in a former convent over 500 years old and tells the fascinating history of Portuguese tile from the 15th century to the present day. Portugal’s longest azulejo featuring a 40-meter-long panorama of Lisbon is a must-see. 😊 

If you are staying in Lisbon, check our article to meet the 6 SUSTAINABLE PLACES TO EAT