Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and one of Europe's most famous tourist attractions. This wonderful metropolis has numerous intriguing sites that are worth visiting. Lisbon is proud of its amazing collection of museums; the Portuguese capital is home to dozens of cultural institutions covering a wide variety of themes.
Lisbon has long been recognized for its rich and vibrant culture, as seen by these world-class museums. Former palaces have been turned into museums, and galleries hold works by some of the most famous names in ancient and modern art. Take a look at our top selections for the greatest museums in Lisbon to get a true sense of what the city has to offer.
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What not to miss?
Museum Pavilhao do Conhecimento
The Pavilho do Conhecimento, a highly interactive science museum that is perfect for families with young children and teens, is located next to the Lisbon Oceanarium. It is best to check the website for the schedule of the time you want to come because the exhibitions are constantly changed. Or just believe us and go - it's one of Lisbon's most intriguing and instructive attractions, and it's enjoyable for people of all ages.
Take advantage of the chance to engage in robotics, shoemaking, 3D item printing, and other activities if there is time. You may experience being a (little) scientist!
Museu do Fado
The Museu do Fado, which is solely dedicated to the world of Lisbon's urban music, first welcomed visitors on September 25, 1998, honoring the exceptional value of fado as an emblem of the City of Lisbon, its deep ties to the tradition and history of the nation, its place in the declaration of cultural identity, and its significance as a source of inspiration and intercultural exchange between people and communities.
Comur - Conserveira de Portugal
Comur, which was once focused solely on the export of eels, today meticulously crafts over thirty different kinds of tinned foods with the help of over a hundred women. They make delights out of the flavors of the sea.
National Museum of Natural History and Science
The Museums section of the University of Lisbon, established in October 2011, is known as MUHNAC - National Museum of Natural History and Science. This Museum replaces the National Museum of Natural History and the Science Museum of the University of Lisbon, including its collections, the ancient Polytechnic School buildings, the Lisbon Botanical Garden, and the Lisbon Astronomical Observatory (from July 2012).
MAAT - Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology
The MAAT - Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology - is a new cultural initiative for Lisbon. A museum that merges these three disciplines into a venue for discussion, exploration, critical thinking, and international engagement. An unique proposal that combines a new building designed by Amanda Levete with the Tejo Power Station, an example of Portuguese industrial architecture from the first half of the twentieth century and one of the country's most visited museums.
What else to visit?
Museu da Marioneta
Museum da Marioneta has the finest selection of masks and puppets in Lisbon! Discover a wonderful world of storytelling, fantasy, and emotion by visiting the Puppet Museum!
Museu de Oriente
The Museu do Oriente, which opened in 2008 in a distinctive structure on Lisbon's riverfront, bills itself as a multicultural museum that safeguards the material and immaterial heritage of several Asian nations through the testimonies of its two collections: Portuguese presence in Asia and Kwok On.
Along with economic interactions, the Portuguese presence in eastern regions (including India, Sri Lanka, China, Macau, Japan, and East Timor) led to cultural, experiential, scientific, technological, and religious interactions that allowed for the discovery of previously unexplored realms.
The obvious cultural difference shows that there is a fruitful and interesting debate going on between the West and the East.
Carmo Archaeological Museum
The Carmo Archaeological Museum is housed among the remains of the former Santa Maria do Carmo Church, which was founded in 1389 by D. Nuno Alvares Pereira. This church was regarded as one of the most magnificent Gothic temples in Lisbon until the earthquake of 1755, which severely damaged the structure and lost nearly all of its religious-artistic contents.
Quake - Lisbon Earthquake Centre
Quake is a themed experience that immerses us in the Great Lisbon Earthquake. It is an invitation, in the form of a time travel, to learn more about the 1755 Earthquake, the Age of Enlightenment, Lisbon, and seismic occurrences. Quake is all about being better prepared for a new earthquake.
Rua dos Correeiros Archaeological Nucleus
The Lisbon headquarters of Millennium bcp Bank are comprised of a complex of buildings that occupy nearly a whole block near the Rua Augusta triumphal arch. The Rua dos Correeiros Archeological Site, usually known by the initials NARC, is located on the basement level of these buildings and is an important archeological site for understanding the history of Lisbon and its habitation over the years.
NARC was designated a National Monument in 2015 (Decree-law no. 7/2015 issued by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and published in Diário da Repblica 1st Series - No. 75 - April 17, 2015).
Geological Museum of Portugal
The Geological Commission of the Kingdom established itself at the Convent of Nossa Senhora de Jesus da Ordem Terceira de S. Francisco in 1859, which is when the Geological Museum first opened.
The specimens gathered by the Geological Commissions, afterwards the Geological Services of Portugal, the Geological and Mining Institute, and today the National Laboratory of Energy and Geology constitute the foundation of the Museum.
The following individuals stand out as forerunners in Portuguese geology: Carlos Ribeiro, Nery Delgado, and Paul Choffat, whose work gave rise to the reference collections that are currently available to the scientific community.
Museu de Lisboa - Teatro Romano
This site museum, located in the city's historic district, exhibits one of Felicitas Iulia Olisipo's most prominent monuments: its theatre, the visible structures of which originate from the 1st century AD.
The Museu de Lisboa - Teatro Romano includes a long-term exhibition area installed in two buildings from different eras, in addition to the archaeological field, where the basement of the proscaenium (stage delimitation wall) and the orchestra part (area reserved for the urban elite) are visible.
The south structure comes from the 17th century, with renovations made during the industrial era when a floor was erected and a luggage factory ran, whilst the north property dates from the end of the 19th century. XIX. Both were rescued and modified for the museum, which opened in 2001.
3D Fun Art Museum Lisboa
Take a break from regular touring in Lisbon and enjoy an afternoon at the 3D Fun Art Museum. You may have fun with over 40 different situations, including optical illusions and 3D pictures, at the museum. During your time in Lisbon, use your imagination to take unique photos and create enjoyable memories.
We've reached the end of the article about Interesting Museums in Lisbon. This city has up to 100 excellent museums. However, we have chosen to show only a few of the most interesting and iconic ones; we believe you will love this article as much as we did! In the meantime, you can read other articles on our blog such as What to visit in Lisbon, Parks to visit in Lisbon and many more . Remember to follow us @thewalkingparrot to be continuously updated on the new releases. We will be back soon with a new article!