Located on the Atlantic coast, Portugal is a land of historical discoveries, greatly influenced by the various civilizations of the past. It has become a platform for exploring the new age world. Being the oldest nation in Europe, Portugal is a place of rich cultural heritage where you will find a mix of cultures from countries like Africa, Asia and America. From exquisite architecture to monuments and structural buildings, everything is a work of art. we lined up 12 museums in portugal Which are worth seeing.
12 Best Museums in Portugal
For all those who are lovers of art and curious about different cultures, you must visit these 12 museums in Portugal. They are worth seeing at least once:
1. Alkewa Lake Observatory
It is an astronomical observatory located close to the medieval village of Monsraj. At OLA you can visit the amazing night sky of Monsaraz. They also help you identify the constellations and learn more about the legends and myths behind them. After this tour, you will be able to associate stellar colors with their ages. In addition, with the help of telescopes you can observe star clusters, giant nebulae and distant galaxies. The museum also promotes courses and workshops for young budding students, senior citizens and all those who have their heart set on outer space.
Place: Cm 1127, Monsaraz 7200-175, Portugal
Google Rating: 5
Must read: Portugal travel guide: Here’s everything you need to know about this beautiful Iberian country
2. Monte da Ravasqueira
This place is located in Arreolos and is an hour’s drive from Lisbon. The place has belonged to the José de Mello family for centuries. There are 29 plots of vines in Alentejo that produce some of the most delicious wines in the entire world. They are the result of favorable geological and climatic conditions. They have invested large amounts of money in meteorological and plant-health facilities, in installing vines and modern wine-making equipment.
Place: Monte da Ravasqueira, Santana do Campão, Arreiros 7040-121, Portugal
Google Rating: 4.5
3. Caravel Arts Center
The arts center showcases creative and charitable projects and exhibitions. It also includes educational services, dance and music evenings and features group and family routes for intelligent tourism. With captivating paintings viewed through 3D glasses, you will see some of the finest artworks from local artisans and artists and truly understand the essence of Portugal.
Place: Rua Dom Carlos, Rua de Santa Maria, 60, Funchal, Madeira 9060-051, Portugal
Google Rating: 4.5
Read suggestions: 10 lakes in Portugal: relax in beautiful Portuguese surroundings
4. National Tile Museum
Located in the Monastery of the Madre Deus, this museum features ancient tiles that date back to the 15th century. This museum exhibits ceramic tile work which is a must to know if you visit this museum. Moreover, if you are someone who is interested in knowing about the specialty of this field, then this is the perfect place for you. Here you’ll find azulejo – painted, tin-glazed, ceramic tiles that were brought to Portugal by The Moors and are mostly found in churches, palaces, homes and even railway stations. This museum displays the traditional artifacts of Portugal through their art forms. The chapel is decorated with gold ornaments, precious gems and amazing carvings and is worth a visit.
Place: Rua Madre de Deus 4, Lisbon 1900-312, Portugal
Google Rating: 4.5
5. National Museum of Ancient Art
This museum has a huge collection of artefacts. As you walk through the museum you will see paintings, sculptures, textiles, furniture, paintings and other decorative arts hanging on the walls. It has been found that these unique pieces date back to the 15th and 19th centuries. Here you will find widespread influence of European and Asian art and culture everywhere. Pay special attention to the large panels depicting members of medieval Portuguese society paying respects to St. Vincent, the patron saint of Lisbon. This work represents one of the first group portraits in European art and is attributed to Nuno Gonçalves, one of the most innovative artists of his time.
Place: Rua das Generales Verdes 1249 017, Lisbon 1249-017, Portugal
Google Rating: 4.5
Read suggestions: 10 fascinating castles in Portugal that are worth visiting
6. Maritime Museum
The museum offers a historical perspective of Portugal’s maritime achievements by displaying more than 17,000 maritime objects. It reflects the country’s dominance over the sea during the age of discoveries. Reconstruction of royal yachts, 17th century globes, sailing ships and fire engines are some of the major attractions of this place. A wooden statue of the Archangel Raphael which Vasco da Gama took with him during his visit to India is another tourist attraction of this place.
Place: Work Imperio, Lisbon 1400-206, Portugal
Google Rating: 4
7. Universe of Memories João Carlos Abreu
One of the most welcoming places in Funchal, it opens you up to a great new universe. Old in origin but modern in its stories, this place is quite unexpectedly quirky. Each room is furnished and decorated with memorabilia, anything and everything. It is a personal collection of everything extraordinary in Madeira rather than a museum. You will have a wonderful guide, never short of anecdotes and wonderful stories, which will enrich your experience every step of the way.
Place: Calcada Pico 2, Centro Civico e Cultural de Santa Clara, Funchal, Madeira 9000-206, Portugal
Google Rating: 4.5
Read suggestions: Haunted Places in Portugal: 10 Places That Will Shook Your Soul
8. Fado Museum
The museum is entirely dedicated to the Portuguese musical tradition, featuring nostalgic songs originating from Alfama, audio-visual presentations and a large collection of musical archives and a recreated workshop for guitars. They also feature multilingual audio guides, recordings and biographies of fado contributors. For an experience beyond your visual needs, this amazing and luxurious place caters to all your senses.
Place: Largo do Chaffreys de Dentro 1, 1100-139 Lisbon, Portugal
Google Rating: 4
9. Church of Sao Roque
The place is known for its luxurious, Baroque-inspired interiors. It originated in the 16th century and is therefore considered one of the oldest churches in the world. As soon as you enter the church, you will be mesmerized by the awe-inspiring view of the numerous chapels decorated with gold, marble and precious stones. The walls and ceilings of this grand church are decorated with colorful mosaics, sculptures and religious paintings.
Place: Largo Trindade Coelho, Bairro Alto, Lisbon 1200-470, Portugal
Google Rating: 4
Read suggestions: Summer in Portugal: Gorgeous landscapes and scenery to explore on your next holiday!
10. Serralves Museum
This building is decorated in the most minimal way possible, but it is a haven for all things artistic. Being the most visited museum in Portugal, the venue features a major European contemporary circuit. It is built on 18 hectares of land. Featuring modern sculptures, the complex includes a 14-gallery museum, farms, a shop, a bookshop and several cafés.
Place: R. Dom Joao de Castro 210, 4150-417 Porto, Portugal
Google Rating: 4
11. Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
The place is famous for its excellent artefacts which are displayed in this museum. This museum is a haven of treasures from both East and West. Here, you’ll find Chinese porcelain, Western masterpieces, and spectacular Egyptian relics. You will get to see galleries of paintings, jewellery, furniture, sculptures and what not! A museum in all its extraordinary glory, this place will make your visit totally worth it with cultures from around the world and ancient beauties with captivating intricacies and colours.
Place: Of. de Berna 45a, 1067-001 Libsoa, Portugal
Google Rating: 4.5
Read suggestions: Top 5 Adventure Safaris in Portugal to Dive into the Rich Portuguese Biodiversity
12. Karmo Archaeological Museum
This museum is unique in itself. It is the only church in Lisbon built in the Gothic style. The entire church was built in 1423 and was considered the grandest at that time. Here you can see findings from the Roman and Visigoth periods dating back to 3500 BC. It contains the tombs of notable individuals such as King Ferdinand I and Spanish-Moorish tiles. It shows you the true history, from the rulers to the serving class, from the colonizers to the endless wars, it gives you records about the kings and their actions, their kingdoms, their rules and everything in between.
Place: Largo do Carmo, 1200-092, Lisbon 1200-092, Portugal
Google Rating: 4.5
read ahead: 10 cafes in Portugal to visit with friends and enjoy the goodness
Portugal is famous for its awe-inspiring natural scenery such as gently sloping hills, deep valleys, beautiful mountains and scattered islands. In total there are 18 Portuguese features that have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Portugal’s long history tells the story of countless cultural and traditional events that date back many centuries. If you are someone who is curious about culture, history and art, then the museums of Portugal are no less than heaven for you. So what are you waiting for? Book a trip to Portugal now.
Are you looking to book an international holiday?
Book memorable holidays on TourTravelHotels with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.
