The Best Museums in Lisbon (2026)

Lisbon has some excellent museums, from one of Europe’s finest private art collections to royal carriages, fado and cutting-edge architecture. A few big ones are closed for renovation in 2026, so here’s an up-to-date guide to the best museums in Lisbon.

Quick answer: don’t miss the Gulbenkian Museum (reopened in July 2026), the MAAT (€16 for visitors from abroad), the National Coach Museum (€15), the Museu do Fado (€5) and the roofless Carmo Convent. Note: the National Tile Museum and the National Museum of Ancient Art are closed for renovation in 2026, so check before you go.

Why go

Lisbon’s museums are small enough to enjoy in a couple of hours, and many sit in beautiful buildings: a Manueline monastery, a riverside power station, a Gothic ruin. They’re also your best friend on a hot afternoon or a wet winter day. Plan around closing days, as they vary from museum to museum.

The best museums

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

A world-class collection spanning Egyptian antiquities, Islamic art, European paintings and Lalique jewellery, reopened on 18 July 2026 after a renovation of about 16 months. It was left to Portugal by Calouste Gulbenkian, an Armenian oil magnate who lived in Lisbon from 1942 until his death in 1955. Next door, the CAM (Modern Art Centre, €12) has a striking new building by Kengo Kuma and lovely free gardens. Adult entry to the museum is about €10, young people pay less, and it’s free for everyone on Sundays from 2pm. Closed Tuesdays. Allow 2 to 3 hours. It’s near São Sebastião metro. See our Gulbenkian guide.

MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology)

A wave-shaped building by the river in Belém with contemporary exhibitions, plus the old Tejo power station next door, where you walk among the original boilers and turbines. In 2026 a ticket covering both costs €16 for visitors from abroad (€12 for Portugal residents); the roof walk is free and has great views of the 25 de Abril Bridge. Closed Tuesdays. Allow 1 to 2 hours.

National Coach Museum

Gilded royal carriages from the 17th to 19th centuries, one of the finest collections in the world. Look out for the open carriage in which King Carlos I was shot in 1908. €15. The old Royal Riding School has been closed for works since September 2025, and its coaches are shown in the main building. Usually open 10am to 6pm; closed Mondays. Allow about an hour.

Museu do Fado

The story of Lisbon’s soulful music, in Alfama, with old recordings to listen to, Portuguese guitars and portraits of the great singers. €5, and free for children. Usually open 10am to 6pm; closed Mondays. Allow about an hour. See fado in Lisbon.

Carmo Convent and Archaeological Museum

A Gothic church left roofless by the 1755 earthquake, its stone arches open to the sky. The small archaeology museum in the old chancel holds tombs, carvings and even mummies from Peru. Adult entry is about €7. Usually open 10am to 6pm (7pm from May to October); closed Sundays. Allow 45 minutes.

Jerónimos Monastery

Not strictly a museum, but its cloister (€18) is a highlight of any visit. The church, with Vasco da Gama’s tomb, is free. Closed Mondays. Go at opening to beat the queues. See Belém.

Palácio Nacional da Ajuda

A royal palace with lavish 19th-century interiors (€15), much quieter than the big sights. The Royal Treasury Museum in the new west wing shows crown jewels and royal silver, with a separate ticket. The palace is usually closed on Wednesdays. See Ajuda Palace.

MUDE (Design and Fashion Museum)

Reopened in July 2024 in a former bank on Rua Augusta, after years of works. It covers 20th-century furniture, objects and fashion, and the old vaults and rooftop are part of the visit. In 2026 the long-term exhibition costs €13, temporary shows €11 and a combined ticket €15 (under-12s free, half price with the Lisboa Card). It closes on Mondays.

Closed for renovation in 2026

• Museu Nacional do Azulejo (National Tile Museum): closed since November 2025 for major works on the old Madre de Deus convent. No reopening date had been announced by October 2026. See azulejos for other places to see tiles.
• Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga: closed since 29 September 2025 for work on the roof and façades. Reopening is expected in the last quarter of 2026, with the restored Panels of St Vincent as a highlight, but no date had been set. Check before you go.
• Museu Nacional de Arqueologia: in the west wing of the Jerónimos Monastery, closed since April 2022 for a major rebuild, with no reopening date.
• Also closed: the National Costume Museum and the National Theatre and Dance Museum, both in Lumiar.

For kids

The Oceanário (from €25.50) and the Pavilhão do Conhecimento science centre (€11 for adults, closed Mondays), both by Oriente metro. The Coach Museum also goes down well with younger children. See Parque das Nações and Lisbon with kids.

A museum day in Belém

Belém has the best cluster of museums, so it makes an easy full day. Take tram 15 or the Cascais line train from Cais do Sodré.

• 10am: Jerónimos cloister at opening.
• 11:30am: warm custard tarts at Pastéis de Belém, a few minutes’ walk away.
• Noon: the National Coach Museum.
• Afternoon: walk along the river to the MAAT and finish on its roof for sunset.

Remember the Coach Museum closes on Mondays and the MAAT on Tuesdays, so Wednesday to Sunday works best.

When to go

Weekday mornings are quietest everywhere. Summer afternoons are a good time to be indoors, and museums are the natural plan in the wetter months from November to February. See Lisbon in winter.

Tips

• Mondays and Tuesdays: many museums close on one of them, so check before you go.
• Free days at national museums are now mainly for residents.
• Children usually go free or pay a reduced price at most museums.
• The Lisboa Card covers many museums. See is it worth it?
• Book ahead for Jerónimos in summer, when the ticket queue can take over an hour.
• Rainy day? See Lisbon on a rainy day.

FAQ

Which Lisbon museums are closed in 2026?

The National Tile Museum, the National Museum of Ancient Art and the National Archaeology Museum in Belém are all closed for works. The Ancient Art Museum is expected back in late 2026, but none of the three had a firm reopening date in October 2026.

Is the Gulbenkian Museum free?

It’s free for everyone on Sundays from 2pm. At other times adults pay about €10. The gardens are always free, and the museum is closed on Tuesdays.

Which Lisbon museums are closed on Mondays?

The Coach Museum, the Museu do Fado and Jerónimos close on Mondays. The MAAT and the Gulbenkian close on Tuesdays, Ajuda Palace on Wednesdays and the Carmo museum on Sundays.

Tickets: you can book official entry tickets for Lisbon’s museums and sights in advance on Tiqets, with mobile tickets and free cancellation on many.

More: things to do in Lisbon.

See also: the Gulbenkian Museum guide, the MAAT guide, the National Coach Museum, the Carmo Convent, Estrela and Lapa and the Museu do Oriente.

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