Lisbon Art Galleries

Our Expert Guide to Discovering Lisbon's Museums and Galleries

As you wander through the cobbled streets and soak in the picturesque views of the Tagus River, don't miss the city's cultural side. Portugal has a largely unsung trove of cultural palaces, museums and galleries waiting to be discovered. From the Flemish-influenced Golden Age of Portuguese art to modern masters, enchanting crafts and cutting-edge new disciples that reflect the Portuguese diaspora, you will be surprised at the level of creativity in Lisbon.

The National Museum of Ancient Art (MNAA)

Situated in an opulent 17th-century palace, the MNAA is the city’s principal temple of fine arts, spanning the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Religious works play a major part, from Hieronymus Bosch's masterpiece ‘The Temptation of Saint Anthony’ to carved altarpieces, and silver and gold chalices and tapestries. Portuguese tile and ceramic crafts, locally known as azulejos are also predominant, in striking objects and charming blue and white murals commissioned by the city’s ruling classes after the devastating earthquake of 1755.

Museu Nacional do Azulejo

Speaking of azulejos, if you have been mesmerised by the enchanting culture of Portuguese-painted tiles, be prepared to be swept away at the Museu Nacional do Azulejo. Housed in a former convent, this museum hosts vibrant displays that narrate the country's history and culture through meticulously crafted tiles. Don't miss the stunning 18th-century chapel adorned with intricate tile panels and wood carvings.

Museu Calouste Gulbenkian

Every European city boasts at least one museum bequeathed by an eccentric collector. In Lisbon it’s the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian. Named after the Armenian oil magnate and philanthropist Calouste Gulbenkian (nicknamed ‘Mr. Five-percent’) his private art collection is legendary, leading Life magazine to state in 1950 that ‘Never in modern history has one man owned so much.’ Although his bequest is now scattered in museums around the world, the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian holds the largest number of pieces. From Egyptian artefacts to European paintings and many masterpieces acquired from the Soviet’s sell-off of the Hermitage collection, this museum is an electrifying journey through a lifetime of art.

Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT)

Lisbon’s most avant-garde arts space takes shape in a sensual, undulating structure on the banks of the Tagus River; an award-winning work by Welsh architect Amanda Levete. Inside, the rotating works on display are no less boundary-pushing and touch on nearly every aspect of modern society. Expect to see large-scale multimedia installations, homages to contemporary Portuguese artists, performance art, and plenty more to entice debate and reflection for the entire family.

Casa-Museu Amália Rodrigues

If the lilting melodies of fado have been haunting you on your holiday in Lisbon, take a pilgrimage to the home-museum of one of its most famous stars. Known as the ‘Queen of Fado’, Amália Rodrigues is credited with taking the music beyond the shores of Portugal to the greatest concert halls in the world. This intimate museum is located in her former Lisbon residence, where she died in 1979. It preserves her memory along with personal artefacts, costumes, and awards offering a glimpse into the life and career of this cultural, and often very political, Portuguese icon.

Lisbon Museum of Design and Fashion (MUDE)

While Portuguese fashion designers may not have the international reputation of their French, or even Spanish, counterparts, there is still plenty to admire here for the design lover. From fashion and jewellery to objects and crafts, this museum acts as a showcase for Portuguese creativity, with a particular emphasis on urban trends and local style icons.

National Coach Museum

Step into the sumptuous world of the Portuguese monarchy at the National Coach Collection. The perfect outing for make-believe princes and princesses of any age, this museum, situated in the historic neighbourhood of Belém, displays an extensive collection of regal coaches, sedans and carriages considered to be the finest of their kind in the world. (A fact that is somewhat incongruous with the museum’s rather bland, modern facade.) Rare items include a 16th-century coach used by King Phillipe III of Spain when travelling between the two countries.

Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea do Chiado (MNAC)

For a dose of cutting-edge art, head to the MNAC, where contemporary Portuguese artists take centre stage. Housed in a former convent with modern annexes, the museum showcases a diverse range of exhibits dating from 1850 to the present day. From early formal and romantic paintings and portraiture to contemporary mixed media and installations. The exhibits aim to explore social themes and cultural movements and offer a thought-provoking experience that reflects Portugal’s recent history and colonial legacy.

Museu Coleção Berardo

Another museum born of a private collection, the Museu Coleção Berardo showcases the sizable bequest of millionaire businessman José Berardo’s impressive collection of modern and contemporary art. Over 900 works take you on a spectacular journey of the who’s who of 20th-century art and its movements, from the surrealism of Marcel Duchamp to the cubism of Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol’s exuberant pop art portraits. An hour north of Lisbon, the Buddha Eden sculpture garden is another of José Berardo’s gifts to the city - an enormous parkland displaying large-scale, mostly religious-themed statues from Asia and Africa.
As you can see, Lisbon's cultural scene offers something for everyone. To make the most of your Lisbon holiday, contact our Concierge services. For art and architecture lovers, we can book specialist guides that will give you insight and context, along with leading you to some unsung gems and secret art spots.
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