National Coach Museum

Museum · Zona Interdita ·

National Coach Museum

Museum · Zona Interdita ·

Collection of 16th-19th century royal horse-drawn coaches

Information

Av. da Índia 136, 1300-300 Lisboa, Portugal Get directions

@cntraveler

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10 Best Museums in Lisbon | Condé Nast Traveler

"Horse-drawn coaches symbolize a lost, beautiful art form, but they get the limelight at the National Coach Museum in Belém. The historic collection, featuring examples from around the world, makes it one of Lisbon’s most sought-after cultural sites. World, state, and promenade vehicles from the 16th to 19th centuries chronicle the evolution of coaches in the pre-automobile era. Peer at such fanciful creations as Queen Maria Francisca of Savoy-Nemour’s circa-17th century ceremonial ride and the more modern 19th-century sedan chair, typically carried by footmen via leather straps." - Alia Akkam

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-museums-in-lisbon

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National Coach Museum

@cntraveler

42,481 Postcards · 5,683 Cities

National Coach Museum, Lisbon, Portugal - Museum Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? Horse-drawn coaches symbolize a lost, beautiful art form, but they get the limelight at this Belém museum. The historic collection, featuring examples from around the world, makes it one of Lisbon’s most sought-after cultural sites. Coaches? Interesting. Well, what kinds will we see here? World, state, and promenade vehicles from the 16th to 19th centuries chronicle the evolution of coaches in the pre-automobile era. Peer at such fanciful creations as Queen Maria Francisca of Savoy-Nemour’s circa-17th century ceremonial ride and the more modern 19th-century sedan chair, typically carried by footmen via leather straps. That's pretty cool, actually. Is it strictly limited to automobiles? Beyond the carriages, there are a number of other artifacts, including an 18th-century war drum of the Royal House, glass-globe lamps capped in royal crowns and affixed to wooden poles that accompanied vehicles, and no-frills portable beds that came to the rescue on long hauls. The new building housing this weighty collection is also notable: it was designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha. For another taste of the old, pay a visit to the nearby Royal Riding School, the museum’s old home, which dates back to 1726. Will do. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? Be sure to look for King Filipe’s vehicle; used during his visit to Portugal in 1619, it’s the oldest relic in the museum’s collection. Some of the 18th-century examples, like the one ordered by King João V for the Portuguese Royal House, feature paintings and rich, gilded details. Pope Clement XI’s is especially ornate." - Alia Akkam

https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/lisbon/national-coach-museum

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National Coach Museum

@ricksteves

706 Postcards · 220 Cities

Lisbon Travel Guide Resources & Trip Planning Info by Rick Steves

"▲▲ Dozens of carriages, from simple to opulent, displaying the evolution of coaches from 1600 on." - Rick Steves' Europe

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/portugal/lisbon

National Coach Museum

Msharma

Google

National Coach Museum (Museu Nacional dos Coches), Lisbon is a fascinating and beautifully maintained museum that showcases one of the finest collections of historic royal coaches in the world. The museum displays magnificent coaches from the 17th and 18th centuries, and each coach has its own detailed history, explaining its royal use, craftsmanship, and ceremonial importance. The artwork, gold detailing, and preservation of the coaches are truly impressive and give a deep insight into Portugal’s royal past. The entire museum area is neat, clean, and very well organized, making it easy and enjoyable to explore. Entry is free with the Lisboa Card, which is a great benefit, and regular tickets are reasonably priced otherwise. Washrooms are available on site, adding to visitor comfort. Overall, it’s a must-visit museum in Lisbon for history lovers, first-time visitors, and anyone interested in royal heritage and craftsmanship.

Murillo P.

Google

The Museu dos Coches is a truly beautiful museum in Lisbon. It showcases a fascinating era from before the invention of gas-powered cars. The collection includes an impressive variety of historic carriages and early vehicles, each with its own unique charm and craftsmanship. The building itself is worth a visit — a striking example of modern architecture that contrasts beautifully with the museum’s antique exhibits. I highly recommend visiting this museum if you’re in Lisbon! It’s both educational and visually stunning.

G M.

Google

This is one of the largest collections of historical coaches in the world. They are beautifully preserved and restored. The collection is broad and ranges from children’s vehicles to a portable jail, mail coach and coronation coaches. The sculptural details on these coaches is absolutely amazing. A great place to visit and right next to the station. There is a small shop as well.

* B.

Google

The National Coach Museum boasts an exceptional collection of gala and touring vehicles from the 16th to the 19th centuries. These vehicles were mostly used by the Portuguese Royal Household. Additionally, the collection includes vehicles from Church assets and private collections. It is a unique and fascinating collection that offers a glimpse into the past. The exhibit provides a comprehensive display of the technical and artistic evolution of animal-drawn transportation used by European courts up to the emergence of motor vehicles. Regular ticket is 15 euro, buy lisboa pass, skip line, safe time and money on pass

Hailey J.

Google

We decided to visit this coach museum at the last minute, and it turned out to be well worth it. The carriages were massive, elaborate, and truly extravagant. It was a very educational experience and such a unique opportunity to see historical carriages up close. We had no trouble getting tickets at the booth on the spot, and no advance booking was necessary. It also wasn’t too crowded, which made the visit even more enjoyable.

Andrey M

Google

A fantastic museum and a must-see in Lisbon! The National Coach Museum is truly impressive. The collection of royal coaches and carriages is absolutely stunning — each one is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and history. What I appreciated most is the way they are displayed in the new modern building: bright, spacious, and minimalist, so nothing distracts from the beauty of the exhibits. Another big advantage — there are not too many visitors. You can walk around calmly, take your time, and enjoy the details without feeling crowded. This makes the whole experience much more pleasant compared to other popular attractions in Lisbon. Highly recommended if you want to see something unique and avoid the tourist masses!

VCZ

Google

This is one of those fringe museums where visitors are passionate about the topic or something adjacent, here to pass the time, to keep a significant other company —how kind of you!— or generally curious. This is a well-explained museum with a curated set of carriages, all of them in good shape thanks to quality restoration and conservation work. Great job! French translations and the chronological order are an appreciated touch to witness the evolution of the craft in history and its consequences in today’s car-centric world. The temporary and side exposition expand on the topic but are non-necessary and may stray away too much from the topic at hand.

2bearbear Tom L.

Google

To get to the National Coach Museum, we took the train and changed to bus before a short walk over. The Museum of Coach was located on the 1st floor and once we entered, we could see 2 rows of coaches from the 1700s to 1900s. There were coaches of different functions as well. We saw coaches for the royal family, for the nobles, for everyday transport as well as for processions. There’s even a coach for delivering mails... For the full review and details of our 5 months Round The World RTW travels, visit 2bearbear today!