Six Lisbon museums you must see

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Art aboard! Don’t miss the boat.

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

One of the 40 wealthiest charitable foundations in the world, the Gulbenkian has plunged billions into the art and antiquities world, to Lisbon’s benefit. The museum is a greatest hits of art history, from antiquity to present, situated on a leafy street near the Avenida da Liberdade.

MAAT

The Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology is an architectural marvel, with sleek, silver skin extending towards the Tagus River designed by Amanda Levete. Rotating exhibitions instruct and entertain all ages.

Museu Coleção Berardo

Lisbon’s premier contemporary museum is a true fave – its sprawling campus sits next to the Jeronimo Monastery in Belem. The Berardo spotlights international, as well as local greats. Aficionados will appreciate the chronological story of Modern Art, from Cubism to Pop.

Museu Nacional De Arte Contemporâneo Do Chiado

The place to go for the best collection of modern and contemporary Portuguese art, from the late 1800s to present.

Museu Nacional do Azulejo

After falling out of favor among the elites in the early 20th century, azulejos have come roaring back in popularity. Discover the fascinating history of these decorative Arabic tiles, as well as some of their most beautiful examples.

Museo do Fado

The well-curated Museu do Fado provides a glimpse into the national psyche with this uniquely Portuguese art form. Explanations abound, but the most instructive feature is the chance to listen and sample dozens of different musicians from the past hundred years of Fado, the plaintive song of fate.

 

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