National Museum of Natural History and Science
National Museum of Natural History and Science
National Museum of Natural History and Science
3.5
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- Rato • 5 min walk
- Avenida • 7 min walk
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5,388 within 3 miles
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1,032 within 6 miles
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- HuaxtecaOinville-sur-Montcient, France11 contributionsIt is not a must but to do on a long stay: very rich museum, several small exhibitions to peck. The rooms on the Portuguese landscapes are very nice, the passage through the chemistry room and the amphi is worth a look. We spent 1h30 but we could have spent twice as much. The botanical garden is also nice, as well take the 20€ family pass to museum + garden (2 adults and 2 children under 17 years)Visited February 2025Traveled with familyWritten February 20, 2025
- jaseatonSilver Spring, Maryland2,762 contributionsAs our first destination at the start of a two-week trip to Portugal, this tour of the history museum gave us an invaluable feel for the country's history. Lots of kings, seafaring, riches from the spice, sugar and cocoa trades. Turns out Portugal is the source for all sorts of words you wouldn't expect: e.g. port and starboard for sailors? The Portuguese when sailing south along the African coast called the left side the port side, because the land (and ports) was always to their left; stars and sky were to the right, hence starboard. Bit there are so many .ore our guide pointed out! A lovely, low-key start to a wonderful trip!Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 18, 2024
- Kevin G2 contributionsThis is a world class museum, housed in a grand historic building. The displays are informative and interesting to all ages, using multi-media in a creative way. The museum themes appeal to all ages, especially the Landscapes of Portugal room, covering the fauna and flora of the country.Visited September 2024Traveled soloWritten September 13, 2024
- Nellie858Minneapolis, Minnesota96 contributionsThe museum is well done but … I made the mistake of spending a lot of time in the ground floor, which was just so/so. Then I went upstairs and the displays there were excellent. I had a bit of overload at that point so I missed a bit of the top floor.Visited October 2024Traveled soloWritten October 21, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
395 reviews
Excellent
102
Very good
112
Average
90
Poor
59
Terrible
32
Anita C
Province of Pavia, Italy101 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
I wouldn't suggest this museum: the cost is of 8 euros (including the botanical garden, you can also buy only the museum ticket) but you don't find much inside. Just some small rooms with geological rocks, an area recreating the flora and fauna of the portuguese regions and some spaces with different animal species. There is also a temporary exhibition.
We visited it because we usually visit natural science museums in the cities... but this one is very disappointing.
The botanical garden doesn't even show a great variety of species...
Moreover the staff wasn't helpful in any way.
We visited it because we usually visit natural science museums in the cities... but this one is very disappointing.
The botanical garden doesn't even show a great variety of species...
Moreover the staff wasn't helpful in any way.
Written August 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harold E
Buffalo, NY24 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
To be fair, I only saw a limited number of exhibits.
However, what I did see was a huge disappointment for me as a tourist.
1. Many of the exhibits only had information in Portuguese not English. Of course, this is not a criticism of the museum in terms of the quality of the exhibits, but it does limited limit its appeal to tourists who do not speak Portuguese.
2. The “botanical Garden“ was merely a big grass lawn. No flowers, trees, nothing.
3. The paintings in the dinosaur exhibit did not always show the dinosaurs whose fossils were displayed and described. I find this especially strange. It’s a great idea to have paintings showing the environment of the dinosaurs, but I do not understand why they wouldn’t include all the dinosaurs displayed.
However, what I did see was a huge disappointment for me as a tourist.
1. Many of the exhibits only had information in Portuguese not English. Of course, this is not a criticism of the museum in terms of the quality of the exhibits, but it does limited limit its appeal to tourists who do not speak Portuguese.
2. The “botanical Garden“ was merely a big grass lawn. No flowers, trees, nothing.
3. The paintings in the dinosaur exhibit did not always show the dinosaurs whose fossils were displayed and described. I find this especially strange. It’s a great idea to have paintings showing the environment of the dinosaurs, but I do not understand why they wouldn’t include all the dinosaurs displayed.
Written June 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
starlightShanghai
Victoria, Canada4,610 contributions
Aug 2021
I can’t seem to get my head around how many reviewers have rated this museum as ‘terrible’ or ‘poor’! Maybe it’s a function of age, individual interests, unrealistic expectations or ??
I thought this museum was great! For me, the hallmark of a good museum is that it teaches me something I didn’t know beforehand, and certainly this museum did just that.
Particularly interesting to me was the section on Plants and People.
The sections on geology, botany, and zoology were particularly well set out. There’s also a ‘multi-sensory’ section on the evolution of Portugal in terms of its geography and wildlife.
And, of course, there’s a dinosaur section, which certainly appealed to the kids who were there the day I was there.
My only criticism is the dearth of information in English. Some exhibits had info in English; others did not, although I suppose one could have made a reasonable guess as to meaning.
The big surprise for me here was the number of visitors! At most other museums I’ve been to in Lisbon, I’ve been the only visitor there at the given time. Not so with this museum: families, couples, and solos, all seeming to enjoy the many exhibits.
Closest metro station: Rato (yellow line)
Entry to the museum is through the gate to the museum’s botanical gardens.
Closed Mondays and holidays.
I thought this museum was great! For me, the hallmark of a good museum is that it teaches me something I didn’t know beforehand, and certainly this museum did just that.
Particularly interesting to me was the section on Plants and People.
The sections on geology, botany, and zoology were particularly well set out. There’s also a ‘multi-sensory’ section on the evolution of Portugal in terms of its geography and wildlife.
And, of course, there’s a dinosaur section, which certainly appealed to the kids who were there the day I was there.
My only criticism is the dearth of information in English. Some exhibits had info in English; others did not, although I suppose one could have made a reasonable guess as to meaning.
The big surprise for me here was the number of visitors! At most other museums I’ve been to in Lisbon, I’ve been the only visitor there at the given time. Not so with this museum: families, couples, and solos, all seeming to enjoy the many exhibits.
Closest metro station: Rato (yellow line)
Entry to the museum is through the gate to the museum’s botanical gardens.
Closed Mondays and holidays.
Written August 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MorisJay
Copenhagen, Denmark48 contributions
Feb 2020
I've been to other Natural History Museums around Europe, and I was pleasantly surprised by this one. The exhibitions are of excellent quality with a lot of scientific information through different mediums. This NHM brings you back to 19th century academia with it's original labs and auditorium. Each room is carefully adapted for each exhibition. There is also an old school physics experimental lab upstairs, with activities for children and adults alike.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katie S
Gloucestershire, UK15 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
We are really hard to please and this was without question one of the highlights of our 3 day trip to Lisbon. We're in our 30s and love gardens/culture/design and these did not disappoint. Costs 2 Euro each to get in (bargain) and we were probably there for 3 hours. Amazing tropical plants from Portugal's ex colonies (and examples of tropical botany that you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the world) and lots of beautiful old (and crumbling) Portugese buildings and exquisite ceramic tiles. It all has a really inspiring colonial feel to it. We felt totally transported to a different age. If you like gardens, plants and history don't miss this.
Written August 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel B
Hawarden, UK46 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
So we visited the gardens in September and decided to ignore the graffiti in the toilets at the entrance that said that these were the sorriest gardens ever and to save you money for and get yourself a pie! Ignored this and paid the €2 entry fee. Hmm it's not the best botanical gardens (and I've visited some great ones) there's nothing but trees that don't look to be soon so we'll, messy paths that need a good sweep and a steep slope to the bottom. Thankfully not too expensive a mistake - hope they can put our €4 to use in tidying the place up a little.
Written September 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AngelaCB935
Elgin, UK57 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
This garden must have been good many years ago.Unfortunately it is sadly unloved and unlooked after.No water in the ponds and huge trees and flower beds untended.Of course if no-one visits there will be no income.There are homeless people camping at one gateway. There is a good little cafe across the road to get over the uphill climb and disappointment of the garden.
Written April 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
drhodes56
Kendal, UK113 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
This is only a few steps from the wonderful Pasteis de Belem shop/bakery, but a world away from the hustle and bustle. The entry fee of €2 is well worth it for a gentle stroll through some amazing trees and shrubs to walk off the Pasteis. There are plenty of places to sit and enjoy a bit of peace and quiet away from the strains of tourism!
Written February 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cosmos_Estrela
Boston, MA35 contributions
Jul 2011 • Couples
Lisbon’s Jardim Botânico is a small oasis and especially on warm days offers the perfect opportunity to get away from the heat and to enjoy the shade of this beautiful park. It is located in the Principe Real area so it is within walking distance from the main tourist attractions. I can definitely advise anyone that visits Lisbon to go here, because it is unlike any botanical garden I have ever seen.
Written June 21, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BAHPANTS
St Helens, UK501 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We visited the museum and gardens on our last day of our city break to Lisbon.
The museum is definitely somewhere to go to if the weather is poor, they had many fascinating exhibitions, the staff were helpful and your learnt different things that your would in a British museum at home.
The garden was a pleasure to walk around, although it is mainly trees and cactus plants, rather than flowers. There is some opportunity for good photos.
The museum is definitely somewhere to go to if the weather is poor, they had many fascinating exhibitions, the staff were helpful and your learnt different things that your would in a British museum at home.
The garden was a pleasure to walk around, although it is mainly trees and cactus plants, rather than flowers. There is some opportunity for good photos.
Written July 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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