Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

The 15 Best Things to Do in Lisbon

"Located in the northern edge of Lisbon, Museu Calouste Gulbenkian feels like an art-filled oasis that travelers rarely visit. Tranquil gardens surround a brutalist building that houses world-class pieces spanning 5,000 years of history—think Egyptian sculptures, John Singer Sargent paintings, and Art Nouveau jewelry. The museum added sculptures around the garden, and it’s great to split the visit up between the indoor galleries with a stroll around the grounds." - Alia Akkam, Chadner Navarro

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum — Museum Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? Located in the northern edge of Lisbon , Museu Calouste Gulbenkian feels like an art-filled oasis that travelers rarely visit. Tranquil gardens surround a brutalist building that houses world-class pieces spanning 5,000 years of history. A museum’s permanent collection is its defining feature: How was this one? It’s not a big museum, but the collection is spectacular. There are Egyptian sculptures, John Singer Sargent paintings, and Art Nouveau jewelry. Exhibits keep us coming back. What can we expect? The museum does host temporary exhibits. There’s a fabulous one right now on Rembrandt on loan from the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid. The museum-going experience is good. There’s a lot to look at, but it never feels overwhelming. Plus, the fact that there’s fantastic outdoor spaces allow for a more easygoing ambiance. What did you make of the crowd? You see a lot of Portuguese families visiting. The collection here is truly world-class—rare in Portugal. So it attracts a variety of people, including serious art enthusiasts. On the practical tip, how were the facilities? There are access ramps and wheelchair elevators to accommodate those with mobility issues. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? The gift shop was pretty basic: books about the art you’ll find the galleries, logo-ed merch, and random jewelry. Is the cafe worth a stop? The cafe is pretty basic, but it does have a terrace that overlooks the gardens. The garden itself has a cute ice cream shop. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? The museum added sculptures around the garden, and it’s great to split the visit up between the indoor galleries with a stroll around the grounds." - Chadner Navarro

"Museu Calouste Gulbenkian’s heroic collection of Eastern and Western art is nearly incomparable in Europe. Hidden away in a complex inside leafy Gulbenkian Park, the museum is a chronological treasure trove of epic art that spans ancient Egypt , Mesopotamia, the Qing dynasty, and the Roman Empire, among others. In August, the institution throws Lisbon ’s premier jazz concert series, Jazz em Agosto—meaning that once you’ve had your fill of Egyptian mummy masks, fascinating Roman gold medallions, and René Lalique’s unearthly dragonfly brooch, you can chill on the expansive lawn for a little live music."

"Museu Calouste Gulbenkian’s heroic collection of Eastern and Western art is nearly incomparable in Europe. Hidden away in a complex inside leafy Gulbenkian Park, the museum is a chronological treasure trove of epic art that spans ancient Egypt , Mesopotamia, the Qing dynasty, and the Roman Empire, among others. In August, the institution throws Lisbon ’s premier jazz concert series, Jazz em Agosto—meaning that once you’ve had your fill of Egyptian mummy masks, fascinating Roman gold medallions, and René Lalique’s unearthly dragonfly brooch, you can chill on the expansive lawn for a little live music."

"Museu Calouste Gulbenkian’s heroic collection of Eastern and Western art is nearly incomparable in Europe. Hidden away in a complex inside leafy Gulbenkian Park, the museum is a chronological treasure trove of epic art that spans ancient Egypt , Mesopotamia, the Qing dynasty, and the Roman Empire, among others. In August, the institution throws Lisbon ’s premier jazz concert series, Jazz em Agosto—meaning that once you’ve had your fill of Egyptian mummy masks, fascinating Roman gold medallions, and René Lalique’s unearthly dragonfly brooch, you can chill on the expansive lawn for a little live music."