Museums in Lisbon

Best Museums in Lisbon

Lisbon's museum landscape spans centuries of history and diverse disciplines. The National Coach Museum preserves one of the world's most significant collections of royal carriages, while the National Museum of Ancient Art houses Portuguese masterpieces and European works. Visitors can explore the ruins of the Carmo Convent at the Archaeological Museum or discover marine biodiversity at the Lisbon Oceanarium. From the interactive science exhibits at the Pavilion of Knowledge to the contemporary fashion collections at MUDE, the city offers specialized insights into military history, currency, and water infrastructure.

Best Museums in Lisbon — Map

Daniel VILLAFRUELA / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

São Roque Church

Historic baroque church and museum featuring religious art and significant cultural heritage. Known for its Jesuit origins and notable architecture by Filippo Terzi.

Allie_Caulfield / CC BY 2.0

B

Lisbon Oceanarium

Europe's largest indoor aquarium featuring over 8,000 sea creatures from four major ocean habitats. It includes educational exhibits and a vast central tank showcasing diverse marine species.

Cherub51 / CC BY-SA 4.0

C

National Coach Museum

Up until 2015, the whole collection of National Coach Museum was situated in a former riding arena which served as a museum.

Fulviusbsas / CC-BY-SA-3.0

D

National Museum of Ancient Art

National Museum of Ancient Art houses works of the most important Portuguese and other European artists.

João Marques de Oliveira / Public domain

E

National Museum of Contemporary Art of Chiado

The National Museum of Contemporary Art of Chiado is an art museum located in the Chiado neighbourhood of Lisbon, Portugal.

Antónia Lobato / CC BY 2.0

F

Museu Militar de Lisboa

Located in an 18th-century arsenal, this museum showcases Portuguese military history through weaponry, armor, and artillery. The interior is notable for its ornate Baroque ceilings and tiled panels depicting historic battles.

[2] / CC BY-SA 2.0

G

Museu Arqueológico do Carmo

Housed in the roofless ruins of the 14th-century Carmo Convent, which was destroyed during the 1755 earthquake. The collection includes Roman inscriptions, medieval tombs, and Pre-Columbian mummies.

Nicola / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

Reservatório da Patriarcal

A 19th-century subterranean water reservoir located beneath the Príncipe Real Garden. This octagonal stone structure features 31 pillars and served as a central hub for Lisbon's historic water distribution system.

Mister No / CC BY 3.0

I

Museum of Natural History and Science

The National Museum of Natural History and Science in Lisbon, Portugal is the country's main museum focusing on nature.

J

Museu do Dinheiro

Set in the former São Julião Church, this interactive museum explores the history and evolution of currency. It also preserves a rare section of the 13th-century King Dinis Wall.

Cat / CC BY 2.0

K

Belém National Palace

Historic baroque and mannerist palace that serves as the official residence of the Portuguese president and houses a museum reflecting Portugal's royal heritage.

Orlane Delpierre / CC-BY-SA

L

Pavilhão do Conhecimento

An interactive science and technology museum in the Parque das Nações district. Housed in a modernist building from Expo '98, it features hands-on exhibits focused on physics, mathematics, and engineering.

Gilmar Santos / CC-BY-SA

M

Museu de Lisboa - Torreão Poente

Located in the west tower of Praça do Comércio, this branch of the Museum of Lisbon hosts temporary exhibitions dedicated to the city’s architectural evolution and historical urban planning.

Sharon Hahn Darlin / CC BY 2.0

N

Museu do Design e da Moda, Coleção Francisco Capelo

Situated in a former bank building in Baixa, this museum houses the Francisco Capelo Collection. It features over 2,500 items of 20th and 21st-century fashion and industrial design.

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