The Mediterranean Insider

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon’s 5 best museums (and what to see)

The Mediterranean • See & do • Lisbon’s 5 best museums (and what to see)

A museum lover’s guide to Lisbon

Portugal’s capital Lisbon, in the Lisboa region, is quietly redefining Portugal’s cultural landscape. The city’s museum and design scene feels more active than ever, with new openings and thoughtful reinventions drawing attention to its creative pulse. What stands out is not just the sheer variety but the way spaces here balance history with innovation, offering a fresh perspective on everything from industrial heritage to contemporary design. Strolling through Lisbon, you sense a city embracing its role as a meeting point for ideas and aesthetics. There’s a lot happening and it’s not about chasing trends, but rather exploring a unique, evolving narrative that feels distinctly Lisbon.

Top photography courtesy of Francisco Nogueira and Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia

Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian

Set within Vladimir Djurovic’s thoughtfully reimagined garden, Lisbon’s Centro de Arte Moderna – Modern Art Centre, also known as CAM – is a celebration of modern and contemporary creativity. Originally conceived in 1983 and recently redesigned by Kengo Kuma, it’s a striking fusion of architecture and art. We love how its expansive collection – the most comprehensive showcase of 20th and 21st-century Portuguese artists – invites visitors to trace the evolution of Portugal’s artistic voice. Beyond the galleries, CAM champions emerging talent with spaces like Open Storage and its innovative sound art gallery. For us, the new Live Arts programme was a highlight, blending disciplines in a way that feels both experimental and approachable.

Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian
Rua Marquês de Fronteira 2
Lisbon
Portugal

Photography courtesy of Fernando Guerra and Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian

Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia

Set on Lisbon’s historic waterfront in Belém, the MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology – is a striking intersection of creativity and heritage. The museum’s dual spaces – a repurposed early 20th-century power station and Amanda Levete’s sinuous, futuristic gallery – reflect a dialogue between past and future. Inside, the EDP Foundation Art Collection is captivating, with no less than 2,500 works showcasing generations of Portuguese artists, from trailblazers of the 1960s to contemporary innovators. The Electricity Factory exhibition, housed in the original Tejo Power Station, offers a fascinating glimpse into Portugal’s industrial past. For us, MAAT’s ability to connect art, energy and sustainability feels inspiring as a space that challenges as much as it delights.

Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia
Av. Brasília
Lisbon
Portugal

Photography courtesy of Francisco Nogueira and Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia

Museu de Arte Contemporânea

Lisbon’s Museum of Contemporary Art – Centro Cultural de Belém (MAC/CCB), opened in October 2023, offers a compelling exploration of modern and contemporary art. Located within the Centro Cultural de Belém, it presents works from well known collections, including the State Contemporary Art Collection and the Berardo Collection. Highlights include pieces by iconic artists like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Andy Warhol, alongside Portuguese talents. The museum’s ability to seamlessly blend global and local perspectives is quite interesting and creates a dialogue that feels fresh and relevant.

Museu de Arte Contemporânea
Praça do Império
Lisbon
Portugal

Photography courtesy of Museu de Arte Contemporânea

Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga

Located in Lisbon’s historic Santos district, the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga – National Museum of Ancient Art – is a treasure trove of artistic heritage, home to roughly 40 000 items. Housed in the 17th-century Palácio Alvor, the MNAA museum boasts an extensive collection spanning the Middle Ages to the early 19th century. The Saint Vincent Panels, a 15th-century masterpiece attributed to Nuno Gonçalves, which offers a profound glimpse into Portugal’s past. The museum’s diverse exhibits, from European paintings to intricate Asian artifacts, provide a diverse tapestry of global art history. Its tranquil garden café, overlooking the Tagus River, offers a perfect respite after exploring the galleries.

Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga
R. das Janelas Verdes
Lisbon
Portugal

Photography courtesy of Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga

Museu do Design

Set in Lisbon’s historic Baixa district, the Museu do Design e da Moda – MUDE, or Museum of Design and Fashion, is a haven for design enthusiasts. Following an extensive eight-year renovation, MUDE reopened in October 2024, unveiling a refreshed space that blends its history with contemporary aesthetics. The impressive Para que servem as coisas? (What are things for?) exhibition, offers a thought-provoking exploration of design’s evolution from 1900 to 2020. MUDE’s dynamic programming and thoughtfully curated collections make it a must-visit for anyone passionate about design and fashion.