Lisbon’s 7 best museums (and what to see)

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.

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.