Art Museums – Gems of Lisbon

Last Updated on December 15, 2025

An art lover’s view of the city museums

For a medium-sized capital city, Lisbon has a proliferation of public art collections. The art museums in Lisbon should be better known. One of the most significant private collections in the world is housed in central Lisbon’s Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, which has graced the city since 1969. The western suburbs of Lisbon are particularly worth visiting for those interested in contemporary art. The modern and contemporary art collection of José Berardo opened in 2007 in a purpose-built MAC/CCB (Museum of Contemporary Art and Architecture Centre), in the neighbourhood of Belém. Not far from here is the most recently opened private art collection, at MACAM.  There is also much to be seen in smaller museums that showcase the impact of particular artists on the history of Lisbon. One such is Almada Negreiros, whose murals can be seen at The Interpretative Centre, which comprises two maritime stations where the murals are located. Those with an interest in jewellery will be richly rewarded with a visit to the outstanding collection at the Royal Treasure Museum in the Palácio Nacional da Ajuda. I was fortunate to be shown around some of the art gems of Lisbon as a guest of Visit Lisboa.

Museu de Arte Contemporânea Armando Martins (MACAM)

The newest kid on the block, this is the private art collection of Armando Martins, who is known for his businesses in property development, hotels and services. He owns Lisbon’s Palácio Condes de Ribeira Grande, which has been converted into MACAM. Located in a neighbourhood on the western side of Lisbon near Belém, this beautiful refurbishment has an art museum on one side and a hotel on the other. Some of the gallery spaces retain original features of the building. Particularly atmospheric rooms have vaulted brick ceilings, which create an interesting juxtaposition with the contemporary sculptures that are located beneath.

The museum’s permanent exhibition is entitled A Collection in Two Stages and comprises an array of artworks showcasing both Portuguese and international artworks. Armando Martins began his collection in 1974, and the first part of his collection focuses exclusively on Portuguese artists, predominantly 20th-century works. It is curated chronologically, which enables visitors to follow movements in Portuguese art from Romanticism in the late 19^th century, through Naturalism, New Figuration and Abstractionism. The second phase of the collection features international artists and focuses on works from the late 20th and 21st centuries. Here, there are multimedia works and installations, with an interaction between local and international artists. One of the rooms is devoted to temporary exhibitions that continue this dialogue.

MACAM has a newly built extension across the garden, housing part of the collection. This light-filled, glass structure has views over the Palácio, which was hosting a wedding during my visit, and it is certainly an atmospheric and photogenic environment. A restaurant and pool deck have up-close views of the Ponte de 25 Avril, the suspension bridge over the Tagus River that made me think I had teleported to San Francisco, so closely does it resemble the Golden Gate.

Museu de Arte Contemporânea Armando Martins (MACAM) Rua da Junqueira, 66 1300-343 Lisboa. Open daily 10.00 – 19.00

Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian  – Modern Art Centre

Oftentimes, contemporary art museums are housed in buildings that are as interesting architecturally as the artworks on show. Originally opened in 1983, the modern art museum (CAM) that forms part of the Fondaҫão Calouste Gulbenkian, has undergone an extensive refurbishment. It reopened a year ago and now sports a stunning entrance designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. On approaching the museum, you are met by an undulating roof of silver tiles. Once below this extensive 100-meter-long canopy, the wooden underside is revealed. The ground floor is a light-filled space that includes a restaurant (I am told on good authority that the dinner here is very good) and a well-stocked gift shop. A large gallery space, perfect for temporary installations, has a glass wall overlooking the beautiful Gulbenkian garden with a lake, amphitheatre, proliferation of trees and bird life.

In the basement galleries of this Lisbon art museum, I enjoyed a new exhibition, ‘Sheherazade, the Never-ending Collection of CAM’, which showcases works from the permanent CAM collection. Most of the works were by Portuguese artists – there is a stunning Paula Rego oil and a couple of works by Almada Negreiros. Visiting contemporary art museums in foreign cities allows one to learn about artists not encountered before and appreciate their cultural context and aesthetic. One can easily devote half a day to CAM.  The Fondaҫão Calouste Gulbenkian has graced the city for decades – it houses a world-famous collection of art from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greco-Roman, the Islamic Orient, Armenia and the Far East. The collection is currently closed while the building undergoes renovations, and it will reopen in July 2026. Once it is open to visit, a full day with lunch booked in and a tour of the garden would be most satisfying.

Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian (CAM) Rua Marquès de Fronteira, no.2, 1070-295 Lisbon. Open Sun – Fri 10.00 – 18.00, Sat 10.00 – 21.00. Closed Tuesdays.

Murais Almada Gares Marítimas – The Almada Interpretative Centre

One of Portugal’s most renowned artists, Almada Negreiros, was a modernist who was commissioned to create 14 monumental murals that decorate two maritime stations located in the Lisbon port. The largest extant collection of 20th-century Portuguese murals is located at the historic Alcântra and Rocha do Conde de óbidos maritime stations, two 1940s buildings which are lovely examples of modernist architecture. They are 800 meters apart, with a shuttle bus operating between the two. The recently restored murals reopened for public view in February 2025.

I recommend beginning at the Alcântara station, as it houses a comprehensive exhibition about the life of Negreiros and the political and cultural context in which he worked. I learned not only about the history of Almada Negreiros, but also about the maritime stations and the part these buildings played during WW II, Portuguese emigration, departures for colonial wars and the decolonisation process. The photographs from these eras are fascinating. Completed during the era of the Estado Novo dictatorship, the eight murals here, which celebrate Portuguese identity and national mythology, controversially depict the gritty aspects of the ordinary lives of people who worked on the quays. This fell foul of the propagandist aims of the authoritarian regime that was determined to promote an idealised picture of Lisbon.  I found the murals very moving, especially having learned about the challenges the artist faced in making them. This is the sort of niche art museum that I enjoy, where you can take a deeper dive into a particular artist’s history. It gave me an added appreciation of the paintings and drawings by Negreiros, which I found in the MACAM and CAM collections.

Murais Almada Gares Marítimas, Gare Marítima de Alcântara 1350-355 Lisbon

Royal Treasure Museum

Another gem not far from Belém is the Royal Treasure Museum, an artwork in its own right. Housed in the Ajuda National Palace, the museum displays over one thousand items of Crown jewels and items of Portuguese royal jewellery. The palace, home to the last kings of Portugal, is located on a hill overlooking western Lisbon. It was built to replace the original Royal Palace in central Lisbon, which was destroyed during the 1755 earthquake that devastated the city. The jewellery is exquisite, and there is an outstanding collection of silver tableware, the likes of which I have never seen. It is beautifully displayed on large set tables, and I only wish I could have reached into the display cases to raise a lid on one of the silver cloches. The museum is laid out over three interconnecting floors within a massive gold vault, the interior of which is dark, with only the jewels, coins and medals illuminated, creating a theatrical experience with the jewellery taking centre stage.

Royal Treasure Museum, Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, Largo da Ajuda, 13449-021 Lisbon

Open daily from 10.00 – 18.00. Closed Christmas Day.

Other Lisbon museums I recommend

There are many more exciting venues to visit to explore art in Lisbon. Also in the Belém area is the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT), hosting temporary national and international exhibitions that bring together these three areas of interest. It is housed in a refurbished power station with a contemporary extension.

MAAT, Avenue Brasília, Central Tejo (Belém), 1300-598, Lisbon. Open Wed – Mon, 10.00 – 19.00. Closed Tuesdays.

While in the Belém area, I highly recommend a visit to MAC/CCB (Museum of Contemporary Art and Architecture Centre). Here you will find the outstanding Berardo collection of modern and contemporary art, showcasing both Portuguese and international artists. There is also a programme of temporary exhibitions. This museum is considered to be one of the foremost art museums in Portugal. It is housed in a purpose-built cultural centre, the Centro Cultural de Belém, where you will also find an auditorium for concerts and a host of cultural events. Check the website to see what’s on during your visit to Lisbon. The museum is close to the Tagus, and there is a lovely restaurant overlooking the water.

MAC/CCB, Praca do Imperio, 1449-003, Lisbon. The museum is open from Tues to Sun 10.00 – 18.30. Closed Mondays

Museu Nacional do Azulejo (National Tile Museum) is one of my favourite museums in Lisbon. Housed in a former 16th-century convent, it displays an exceptional collection of the traditional glazed tiles of Portugal that relate the history of the art form and the city. The church attached to the museum, formerly part of the convent, is exquisite and well worth visiting, too. Located on the eastern side of Lisbon, the National Tile Museum is accessible by bus. Set aside a morning to give yourself time to explore this museum fully. NOTE: The National Tile Museum closed temporarily for renovation in November 2025, and it is hoped that it will reopen in the second half of 2026. Check the website for details.

National Tile Museum, Rua da Madre de Deus,4, 1900-312, Lisbon

Not really an art museum, but definitely worth a visit, the LX factory, once a factory complex, is now a creative hub housing artists, boutique shops, restaurants and bars. It organises a range of activities and events. Check the website for opening hours of individual galleries, shops and restaurants. Usually open from early morning to evening.

LX Factory, Rua Rodrigues Faria, 103 1300-501 Lisbon.

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