Good to know
Good to Know
- Lisboa Card is genuinely cost-effective if visiting 2-3 paid attractions daily plus using public transport - even the 24-hour card often pays for itself
- Many major museums temporarily closed for renovation (as of mid-2026) - verify opening before traveling
- Museums nationwide close on Mondays; plan museum visits for Tuesday-Sunday to maximize access
- Belém district concentrates the most UNESCO sites and major museums within walking distance - consider spending full morning there
- Free first Sunday monthly and International Museum Day (May 18) offer significant savings for flexible travelers
- Tram 28 included with Lisboa Card but extremely crowded - use for scenic rides early/late, walk the route for better experience
- Many museums offer discounts with Portuguese resident ID or student cards even if not included in card
- Rooftop terraces at MAAT and elsewhere offer free sunset views with minimal café purchase
Passes And Practical Tips
Lisboa Card
- Activation
- Card activates on first use (transport or attraction entry), not at purchase. 24/48/72 hours begin from activation moment
- How To Buy
- Purchase online with instant email voucher; valid 28 days to redeem at Ask Me Lisboa desks at airport, Comércio Square, or other central locations
- Description
- Official city pass offering free entry to 51+ museums, monuments, and attractions plus unlimited public transport
Pricing
24 Hours
- 24 Hours
- €31
48 Hours
- 48 Hours
- €51
72 Hours
- 72 Hours
- €62
Included Benefits
- Free admission to 51+ museums and monuments including Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, São Jorge Castle, National Pantheon, and many more
- Unlimited public transport: metro, buses, trams, elevators, historic Tram 28
- Free train travel to Sintra, Cascais, Azambuja, and south Tagus margin
- Airport metro transfer included
- 5-50% discounts on tours, river cruises, restaurants, Fado shows, and shops
- Fast-track/skip-the-line access at major attractions
Museum Hours Notes
- Most museums closed on Mondays - plan accordingly
- Check individual museum websites before visiting for current hours and closures
- Several major museums temporarily closed for renovation as of June 2026: National Tile Museum, National Museum of Ancient Art, Belém Tower, National Costume Museum, National Museum of Archaeology
Best Times To Visit
- Early morning for major sites to avoid crowds
- Weekday mornings less crowded than weekends
- Avoid peak tourist season (July-August) if possible
- Tram 28 extremely crowded during peak hours - ride early morning or late afternoon
Free Entry Opportunities
- First Sunday of each month (10am-2pm) for residents and certain Portuguese citizens
- International Museum Day (typically May 18) - free for everyone at many museums
- Berardo Museum: free permanent collection; Saturdays free all day
- Some museums offer free entry certain hours for specific age groups or residents
- Many churches free except during services
Neighborhood Recommendations
- Belém: Largest concentration of must-see museums and monuments including Jerónimos, Belém Tower, Coach Museum, national museums
- Alfama: Historic district with viewpoints, churches, Fado Museum, São Jorge Castle, National Pantheon
- Chiado: Contemporary art scene, Museu do Chiado, artistic neighborhoods
- Baixa (Downtown): Central area with mix of museums and free attractions
Must See Museums And Sites
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
- Location
- Av. de Berna 45A, Avenidas Novas
- Admission
- €10
- Note
- Main building closed until July 2026 for renovation; Modern Art Centre (CAM) remains open
- Description
- World-class museum featuring over 6,000 pieces spanning 4,000 years of art history from ancient Egypt to modern European art, including masterpieces by Renoir, Degas, and Monet
National Museum of Ancient Art (MNAA)
- Location
- Rua das Janelas Verdes, Lapa
- Admission When Open
- €11
- Note
- Currently closed for renovation; reopening date uncertain as of September 2025
- Description
- Housed in a 17th-century palace in Lapa, features European and Asian paintings and decorative arts from the 14th century to present, including Nuno Gonçalves' Panels of São Vicente
National Tile Museum (Museu Nacional Do Azulejo)
- Location
- Convento da Madre de Deus
- Admission When Open
- €5.00
- Note
- Currently closed for restoration; check reopening status
- Description
- Unique collection of hand-painted tiles (azulejos) from 15th century to present, housed in a 16th-century convent. Highlight: 23-metre-long panorama of Lisbon before the 1755 earthquake
MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology)
- Location
- Av. Brasília, Belém
- Admission
- €8.00
- Description
- Contemporary art museum with striking wave-like architecture designed by Amanda Levete. Features rotating exhibitions blending contemporary art, architecture, and technology with rooftop terrace overlooking Tagus River
Museu De Arte Contemporânea (MAC/Berardo Collection)
- Location
- Centro Cultural de Belém
- Admission
- Free for permanent collection
- Note
- Free admission on Saturdays
- Description
- Major modern and contemporary art collection featuring pop art, surrealism, and conceptual art with works by Picasso, Dalí, Warhol, and Pollock. Permanent collection is free; temporary exhibitions may charge admission
Jerónimos Monastery
- Location
- Belém
- Admission
- €10
- Description
- UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing Portugal's Golden Age, featuring tomb of Vasco da Gama and exceptional Manueline architecture
Belém Tower
- Location
- Belém riverside
- Admission When Open
- €6.00
- Note
- Currently closed for restoration; check reopening status
- Description
- UNESCO World Heritage Site, iconic 16th-century tower on the Tagus River, once protected Portugal's maritime empire
São Jorge Castle (Castelo De São Jorge)
- Location
- Alfama district
- Admission
- €10
- Description
- Moorish castle high above Alfama with panoramic views of Lisbon, historic ramparts and museum exhibits
National Coach Museum (Museu Nacional Dos Coches)
- Location
- Belém
- Admission
- €10
- Description
- Coaches from 1500s to 19th century including Philip III of Spain's carriage and Italian Baroque coaches from 1716 for Pope Clement XI
Museum of Lisbon (Museu De Lisboa)
- Admission
- €3.00
- Note
- Joint ticket for multiple sites €6
- Description
- Multi-site museum dedicated to city history from prehistoric times through Romans, Visigoths, Moors to present day. Multiple locations including Pimenta Palace, Saint Anthony, Roman Theatre, and Casa dos Bicos
Museu Do Fado
- Location
- Largo do Chafariz de Dentro, Alfama
- Admission
- €5.00
- Description
- Tribute to Portugal's UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage fado music, tracing from 19th-century popular origins to contemporary performers with interactive exhibits
National Pantheon (Panthéão Nacional)
- Location
- Alfama
- Admission
- €5.00
- Description
- Baroque monument in Igreja de Santa Engrácia honoring Portugal's most iconic figures including Vasco da Gama, Luís de Camões, and Amália Rodrigues
Museu Nacional De Arqueologia
- Location
- Jerónimos Monastery, Belém
- Admission
- €10
- Description
- Main museum dedicated to Portuguese archaeology founded in 1893, located in Jerónimos Monastery. Exhibits settlement history from origins to Middle Ages
Quake - Lisbon Earthquake Museum
- Location
- Terreiro do Paço area
- Admission
- €12
- Description
- Immersive experience simulating the 1755 Great Earthquake with replica church and audiovisual presentation. Winner of Europe's Leading New Tourist Attraction 2023
Orient Museum
- Admission
- €5.00
- Description
- Collection of Oriental art and cultural artifacts from Asia including masks, puppets, traditional toys, religious objects, silk screens, and festival costumes
National Museum of Contemporary Art/Chiado Museum (Museu Do Chiado)
- Admission
- €11
- Description
- Comprehensive overview of contemporary Portuguese art covering Romanticism, Naturalism, Modernism, Symbolism, and other movements. Also features foreign artists including Rodin
Aljube Museum (Museu Do Aljube - Resistência E Liberdade)
- Location
- Alfama
- Admission
- €4.00
- Description
- Former notorious prison now memorial to political prisoners who fought against 20th-century fascist regime. Exhibits explore fight for freedom and democracy with rooftop views
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this history, museums & sightseeing research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.lisboacard.org
- 2.lisboacard.org
- 3.lisboncard.com
- 4.shop.visitlisboa.com
- 5.timetravelturtle.com
- 6.thecooltours.com
- 7.machupicchu.org
- 8.lostinlisbon.com
- 9.lisbonguru.com
- 10.viator.com
- 11.timeout.com
- 12.atlaslisboa.com
- 13.museudelisboa.pt
- 14.museudoaljube.pt
- 15.xe.com
- 16.investing.com
- 17.tradingeconomics.com
- 18.lostinlisbon.com
- 19.xe.com
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.