Lisboa Story Centre
Lisboa Story Centre
4
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
Lisboa Story CentreMemories of the CityBuilt on the hills bathed by the Tagus, and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Lisboa is a fascinating mosaic of memories, stories and influences that still mark the urban landscape of this unique city.The various events that make up its history and some of its protagonists are now presented at Lisboa Story Centre, where all who visit the Portuguese capital are invited to make a trip back in time and discover memories of Lisboa, since its foundation until present day.Located in Terreiro do Paco, this interactive technology-based facility relates the main events in the city from past to present.In a playful and interactive way whilst respecting the historical accuracy that a city with Lisboa's past deserves, this interpretation centre takes visitors on a 60 minute journey through space and time with an audio guide system presenting historically accurate events and dramatic scenes of the city's different eras.The tour is organized into six main sections: Lisboa: Myths and Realities, which covers the River, Land, Sea, Sky, Early mythology, settlers and conquerors and the City Walls.This is followed by the section Lisboa: Global City, which presents the Cosmopolitan City, the Warehouse of the World, Beyond the Horizon, the Flying Priest, Magnificent City, Death and Politics and the Church. The section focusing on November 1755, All Saints Day, addresses the earthquake and the city in ruins, passing on to the core vision of Pombal, who introduces Modern City Planning in the postearthquake period and the Reconstruction of the City. And finally, the Terreiro do Paco section, which focuses on the Public Square: Politics and Leisure.The 1755 earthquake is shown in a sensory theatre experience that captivates all visitors.You can extend your tour with a visit to the 1st floor where visitors can play with an interactive scale model that recreates the centre of Lisboa, allowing you to visualise predetermined events and the places where they occurred.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
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Neighborhood: Baixa, Rossio & Restauradores
A pending candidate to become a World Heritage Site, Lisbon's downtown (the "Baixa Pombalina", or simply "Baixa") is a perfect example of anti-earthquake construction, having been rebuilt following the 1755 earthquake by the famous Marquês de Pombal (hence its name). Its offer is vast: restaurants and cafes in Rossio and Restauradores, outlets and shops in the Áurea, Augusta, Prata and other famous streets, the imponent Praça do Comércio and its Arch, the luxury shops along the Avenida da Liberdade, this is the beating heart of the city center. The Baixa also grants easy access to trains leading to Sintra, the trams that go around the Castle hill, old neighborhoods or even take you to Belém, and Lisbon's traditional restaurants and cafes. Considering a visit to the Fashion and Design Museum (free entrance) and don't forget to try the famous liquor, "ginjinha"!
How to get there
- Terreiro do Paço • 3 min walk
- Baixa/Chiado • 6 min walk
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See what travelers are saying
- Vincent C469 contributionsUnexpectedly GreatFrom my initial understanding it was not going to be exciting but the audio guide that took us around was very interesting and informative. Only issue is some of the audio spots were not as clear as to where we stand in the museum. But this is a really cool place to go and learn more about Lisbon.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 26, 2024
- BrummieWelshBirmingham, United Kingdom283 contributionsBasic history of LisbonVisited as it was included in the Lisboa Card. Audio guide that takes you through the history of Lisbon in a fairly basic way. You simply walk around the various exhibits while listening to the story. There is a specific section on the earthquake that is not on the audio guide and you sit and watch It was Ok as we were first time visitors and it was part of our pass but not sure we would have paid €7 each otherwiseVisited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 27, 2024
- ChrisYXULondon, Canada162 contributionsGreat ExhibitStopped in during our stay in Lisbon. This is a great museum outlining the history of the city. The audio guide provides an easy to follow flow to the exhibit. Great detail from the sights, sounds and even smells. It is part of the Lisboa card and I would encourage anyone to visit.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 7, 2024
- Gemma D191 contributionsInteresting and enjoyableAnother of Lisbon's excellent visitor attractions that uses technology to help bring things to life. The story of the city is told via a headset, with multiple la guafe options, as you walk around. The exhibits themselves are very limited - some tv screens and a few props, but the storytelling is captivating.Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 6, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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The Hoglet
Durham, UK111 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
This is a great example of trying to dumb down a subject to make it accesible and devaluing your precious subject.
As someone who is intrigued by history and travel I had looked forward to visiting the Lisboa Story. I was so disappointed. It felt like someone had tried to dumb down the subject and ensure people have to make no effort to read anything or use their brains. This revolves around the use of unhygienic audio guides. There is no choice but to use the audio guides as the whole thing is based on listening to boring, amateurish audio that is thin on content, whilst looking at terrible visual loops on tv screens.
The best museums understand that one size does not fit all and provide different exhibit areas that will appeal to different people. This is definitely not one of those.
We walked out after 20 minutes of tedious boredom. Such a waste of money.
As someone who is intrigued by history and travel I had looked forward to visiting the Lisboa Story. I was so disappointed. It felt like someone had tried to dumb down the subject and ensure people have to make no effort to read anything or use their brains. This revolves around the use of unhygienic audio guides. There is no choice but to use the audio guides as the whole thing is based on listening to boring, amateurish audio that is thin on content, whilst looking at terrible visual loops on tv screens.
The best museums understand that one size does not fit all and provide different exhibit areas that will appeal to different people. This is definitely not one of those.
We walked out after 20 minutes of tedious boredom. Such a waste of money.
Written September 14, 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.
Vincent C
469 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
From my initial understanding it was not going to be exciting but the audio guide that took us around was very interesting and informative. Only issue is some of the audio spots were not as clear as to where we stand in the museum. But this is a really cool place to go and learn more about Lisbon.
Written March 26, 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.
ChrisYXU
London, Canada162 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
Stopped in during our stay in Lisbon. This is a great museum outlining the history of the city. The audio guide provides an easy to follow flow to the exhibit. Great detail from the sights, sounds and even smells. It is part of the Lisboa card and I would encourage anyone to visit.
Written July 7, 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.
Gemma D
191 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Another of Lisbon's excellent visitor attractions that uses technology to help bring things to life.
The story of the city is told via a headset, with multiple la guafe options, as you walk around. The exhibits themselves are very limited - some tv screens and a few props, but the storytelling is captivating.
The story of the city is told via a headset, with multiple la guafe options, as you walk around. The exhibits themselves are very limited - some tv screens and a few props, but the storytelling is captivating.
Written September 6, 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.
Jeff K
Pittsburgh, PA2,353 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
The Center has various exhibits that cover the history of Lisbon. You access them via an audio guide system.
The audio guide explanations are good but most are too long. After a while the the explanations get pretty tedious. I rarely listened to any in their entirety. The exhibit on the Lisbon earthquake was well done, however, and is probably the highlight of the tour.
The Center is free with the Lisboa Card.
The audio guide explanations are good but most are too long. After a while the the explanations get pretty tedious. I rarely listened to any in their entirety. The exhibit on the Lisbon earthquake was well done, however, and is probably the highlight of the tour.
The Center is free with the Lisboa Card.
Written September 21, 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.
Loriane
France101 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
Good museum on the history of Lisbon, there are Audio Guide in French. The explanations are a bit long but very interesting. The toilet is in progress (step 6), which I don’t find very practical because we have the Audio Guide. Earthquake simulation can be hard for small because there is blood and a lot of noise/vibration 🔊
Automatically translated
Written July 25, 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.
Rodolfo Freire
Sintra Municipality, Portugal9 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
I am Portuguese and I know the basics of Lisbon city history. After visiting Lisbon Story Centre my knowledge about Lisbon history remained unchanged. Obviously this is not a good sign.
The description says this is an interactive experience but there is no interaction here. We are given a audiobook that starts playing automatically when we pass through the rooms, there are some screens on those rooms, and that’s all. There is not even a single button to push to interact with anything!
In the first rooms, the audio is not synched with the video on the screen, so you are listening to one thing and watching another thing, which is very confusing!
In the last rooms, the audio and the video are synched, but when you enter the rooms you start listening and watching in the middle of the content, so you need to wait the content to finish and then finally watch it from the beginning.
Normally when I visit museums or exhibitions about history, the first thing I get is a chronology bar, with the main events and periods marked. This one has none.
For me was a waste of time and money visiting this exhibition the way it is. Hope it can improve a lot and be a really story telling of Lisbon. I do not recommend it as it is today.
The description says this is an interactive experience but there is no interaction here. We are given a audiobook that starts playing automatically when we pass through the rooms, there are some screens on those rooms, and that’s all. There is not even a single button to push to interact with anything!
In the first rooms, the audio is not synched with the video on the screen, so you are listening to one thing and watching another thing, which is very confusing!
In the last rooms, the audio and the video are synched, but when you enter the rooms you start listening and watching in the middle of the content, so you need to wait the content to finish and then finally watch it from the beginning.
Normally when I visit museums or exhibitions about history, the first thing I get is a chronology bar, with the main events and periods marked. This one has none.
For me was a waste of time and money visiting this exhibition the way it is. Hope it can improve a lot and be a really story telling of Lisbon. I do not recommend it as it is today.
Written September 13, 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.
jordane45160
Ardon, France679 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Very nice museum like we've never seen like it before. Experience of about an hour without seeing the past which traces the history of the city over time. Very very few people at the end of the day in February. Plus it’s free with the Lisboa card.
Written February 4, 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.
Delbe M
Joshua800 contributions
Jul 2019
The Lisbon Story Center is a museum dedicated to the history of Lisbon. It is primarily geared for children or youth. It will take less than an hour to visit. It also spends a great deal of time on the great Lisbon Earthquake 11/1/1755. The museum is located at the epi center of the earth quake area near the Triumphal arch. It is open daily from 10 am - 8 pm (last entrance is at 7 pm). It is free with the Lisboa card. If you do not have the Lisboa card, it cost 7 euros for adults, 5 euros for seniors, 3 euros for youth (ages 6-15. A family of 4 - (2 adults and 2 youth) can enter for 18 Euros and groups of 10 or more at 5 euros a piece.
Written September 18, 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.
skinneraachen
Aachen, Germany19 contributions
Oct 2018
The positive is that you are issued with a headset and can walk through the exhibition and listen to the commentary as you are walking, and according to the lady at the desk the headset works automatically on GPS so the commentary starts automatically wherever you are standing. What I found strange at times was trying to marry up the commentary to the exhibits that I was supposed to be looking at (which were at times pretty amateur to be honest). The commentary seemed to be aimed at children and I thought it could potentially be an excellent way to impart the history of the city in a short, entertaining 1-1,5 hour show. The problem was that the story jumped from one episode to the next without explanation and confused me, although I have some (but not a great) understanding of the history of Lisbon and I felt that children would become confused and bored and at the same time adults would find the commentary too superficial with the unfunny, stilted, supposedly humourful dialogue. And as some others have also pointed out there were some major events which were simply ignored and we suddenly jump a couple of hundred years or so straight into the next event, without any introduction. I sometimes thought I was walking the wrong way or had done something wrong with the audio-guide. The "interactive" earthquake room is certainly not interactive, you just sit and watch - but in terms of information was ok. It could maybe be frightening for younger children. One further criticism was of the personnel working there - a lady who finished the tour at the same time as me wanted to use the toilet and was informed that the toilet was in the middle of the exhibition. Since there were about 6 people sitting around not doing anything it would not be a problem for one of them to accompany the lady to the toilet or even just let her back in - I don't think the exhibition was so good that she was trying to sneak in again for a second look, rather than convey to the lady that is just about the biggest problem they have had all day. That disappointed me as I find the Portuguese to be pretty friendly and helpful. In summary I was very disappointed. I think that is sad that a potentially brilliant idea to show the history of Lisbon, especially to children, is put across so poorly. The only interaction I had was pressing the start/pause button on my audio-guide. My mum (bless her) used to get Reader's Digest and it was like they had done the abridged version of the History of Lisbon- but pretty much botched it. Sorry if this sounds so negative but I just thought so much more could have been achieved with the exhibit.
Written October 19, 2018
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.
Is this visit appropriate for a foreign group (22 persons - "company Direction board")?
Written November 21, 2019
Definitely, you can get audio specific to your language. You might have to split up the group at times since you won't all manage to see the exhibits properly if you're all huddled together.
Written December 10, 2019
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