Gulbenkian Museum

Gulbenkian Museum

Search flights

Visit this museum to admire many ancient treasures including art and artifacts from Greece, Rome and the Far East.

The Gulbenkian Museum houses about 6,000 pieces of mostly ancient artifacts and artworks. Discover Greek vases and coins, Roman glass, eastern Islamic tiles and carpets and sculptures by European masters.            

The permanent exhibition galleries are arranged in chronological and geographical order to create two circuits. The first circuit is composed of oriental and classical art representing Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Mesopotamian and Eastern Islamic cultures. The second circuit covers European art with sections dedicated to the art of the book, sculpture, painting and the decorative arts.

The European decorative arts section includes beautiful woven tapestries, delicate mustard pots and dish covers, painted wooden bookcases and ornate brass clocks. The Art of the Book is an interesting exhibit made up of a series of Flemish, French, Dutch, English, Italian and German manuscripts with colourful illustrations and decorative covers. These books date from the 13th century through the 16th century.

Complete both circuits within a few hours. If you want to learn the details behind the artworks, rent an audio guide for a small fee. There’s a gift shop to buy artistic souvenirs. If you’re visiting from October to June, check the museum’s official website for a schedule of concerts, recitals and ballet performances that take place here during the summer. 

Stop to eat lunch in the museum cafeteria or in one of the many restaurants in the area.

The Gulbenkian Museum is located in the city centre on major bus and tram routes. It’s open daily except Mondays and on January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, and December 25. There is an entrance fee, although children under 12 get in free. Sunday is Museum Day in Lisbon and admission is free for the general public.

Reviews of Gulbenkian Museum

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
107
" "5 - Excellent 57.219251336898395%
4 - Good
60
" "4 - Good 32.0855614973262%
3 - Okay
19
" "3 - Okay 10.16042780748663%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.5347593582887701%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
20 Nov 2019

Just go and prepare to be amazed.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
5 Nov 2019

The main museum has a brilliant cafe/restaurant looking onto garden.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller
10 Oct 2019

Access was impossible after walking round the gardens following the signs for 1 hour! We only wanted to visit one section but couldn't get in. We paid for entry but did not get in anywhere and we were not alone.The main restaurant was packed and the one we visited was not appealing as far as the food/drink was concerned.

4/5 - Good

SteveH
14 Sep 2019

The Founders' Collection is full of older museum pieces / sculptures / paintings etc and is superb, though everything is laid out in an excessive amount of space - two or three times as many items could easily have been fitted into the same space! The Modern Collection was a huge disappointment. Admittedly I'm not a fan of modern art, though I've enjoyed Tate Modern, but the general quality of items on display here seemed well below Tate's offering to me.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
1 Jul 2019

Beautiful tranquil gardens even if you don’t go in the museum.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
26 Jun 2019

The Gulbenkian is a must-see. Lovely gardens that are free, 10 Euros to access both the Main Collection and Modern Art Museum and there is an audioguide you can play via an app on your phone or 2 euro deposit for their equipment. Beautifully preserved collection, well presented with excellent accompanying information.

Popular places to visit


Top Gulbenkian Museum Hotel Deals

ibis Lisboa José Malhoa
ibis Lisboa José Malhoa
2 out of 5
Avenida Jose Malhoa 10, Lisbon
ibis Lisboa José Malhoa
Holiday Inn Lisbon Continental, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Lisbon Continental, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
Rua Laura Alves 9, Lisbon
Holiday Inn Lisbon Continental, an IHG Hotel
EPIC SANA Marques Hotel
EPIC SANA Marques Hotel
5 out of 5
Avenida Fontes de Pereira de Melo, 8, Lisbon
EPIC SANA Marques Hotel
InterContinental Lisbon, an IHG Hotel
InterContinental Lisbon, an IHG Hotel
5 out of 5
Rua Castilho, 149, Lisbon
InterContinental Lisbon, an IHG Hotel
Jupiter Lisboa Hotel
Jupiter Lisboa Hotel
4 out of 5
Avenida da Republica, 46, Lisbon
Jupiter Lisboa Hotel
Luzeiros Suites
Luzeiros Suites
3 out of 5
Avenida da Republica, 77, Lisbon
Luzeiros Suites
Radisson Blu Hotel
Radisson Blu Hotel
4 out of 5
Avenida Marechal Craveiro Lopes, 390, Campo Grande, Lisbon
Radisson Blu Hotel
Hotel 3K Barcelona
Hotel 3K Barcelona
4 out of 5
Rua Laura Alves 10, Lisbon
Hotel 3K Barcelona
EPIC SANA Lisboa Hotel
EPIC SANA Lisboa Hotel
5 out of 5
Av. Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco 15, Lisbon
EPIC SANA Lisboa Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.