Top History Museums in Lisbon, Portugal
History Museums in Lisbon
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22 places sorted by traveler favorites
Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Chiado & Carmo
Military Museums • History Museums
Belém
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Baixa, Rossio & Restauradores
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Belém
Ancient Ruins • History Museums
Baixa, Rossio & Restauradores
Science Museums • History Museums
Bairro Alto, Bica & Cais do Sodré
Military Museums • Speciality Museums
Chiado & Carmo
Art Museums • History Museums
Baixa, Rossio & Restauradores
Speciality Museums • History Museums
History Museums
Baixa, Rossio & Restauradores
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Belém
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Lessons & Workshops • History Museums
Baixa, Rossio & Restauradores
Admission tickets from $7.08
What travelers are saying
- Thomas VOakland, CA12,740 contributionsOne of the best museum experiences in Lisbon. Come and see what remains of one of the great religious structures pre-earthquake and come see some special treasures. History and art. And then have a coffee in the square outside.Written May 3, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- SteviefullKidderminster, UK1,345 contributionsAs part of our hidden gems tour we visited here with its many chapels, which were certainly something to look at. Not exactly subtly adorned with all manor of gold and cherubs they are certainly an acquired taste.
Worth it for the photos but 10-15 mins is probably enough time.Written May 21, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - gd6noobDelta, Canada293 contributionsMy wife took me here because she knows I love ships. I play both older sail battleships and the more modern motor battleships. Tons of historical ships and I spent a lot of time reading everything, the wife on the other hand, haha not so much into ships but she was happy to see me enjoying it here.
Definitely would recommend here for those who love ships.Written May 8, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - AmarilisVosJabbeke, Belgium2,017 contributionsThis museum tells the story of what people who were against the dictatorship had to endure. There is a lot of text to read, but you will get a good impression. They even reconstructed the jails they had to survive in.Written April 17, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Autumn leavesUnited States812 contributionsCapture the voice of Portugal in this former home now made into a loving museum. While Amalia Rodrigues sings in the background you get to experience a personal side of this great singer who recreated Fado with her elegant jewelry and dresses. Our guide Isabelle was enthusiastic and a wealth of information. We thoroughly enjoyed walking through the house with her guidance and commentary. We learned so much and found out there is the lovely addition of Fado on Tues and Fri. Earlier in the evening by reservation. We met the famous Chico, her 29 yr old parrot out in the garden. There is a cute cafe with drinks and goodies available as well as beautiful artifacts for sale. We had a wonderful morning and look forward to a return to hear the live Fado.Written January 21, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Trekker_AlTadley, UK154 contributionsThe carriages are very interesting and there is a lot of history behind them. Great to fill a couple of hours on a rainy day. Very reasonable price as well. We all really enjoyed this museum.Written April 23, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- 3waytieforlastPortland, OR288 contributionsfascinating glimpse of a portion of Lisboa over nearly three millennia with recent technological upgrades....Written May 23, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- starlightShanghaiVictoria, Canada3,540 contributionsA very good museum providing a comprehensive coverage of pharmaceuticals over a 5,000 year period. Very pleasant staff, especially the young lady at the ticket counter.
The exhibits themselves are well laid out and, for the most part, have labels in both Portuguese and English. Very similar to its sister museum in Porto.
Has a very fine tribute to Dr. Odette Ferreira and an acknowledgment of her research that ultimately led to the identification of HIV-2.
The one criticism I have is that ‘expanded information’ seems to be available only in Portuguese or through the ubiquitous QR codes. Not all of us are addicted to the world of apps, so we lose out on the QR information.
Other than that, this museum is well worth a visit!Written July 17, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Amy KWicklow, Ireland7 contributionsSmall exhibits with some interesting pieces.
Staff were unfriendly however and made the trip a bit uncomfortable. Asking them a question was met with an abrupt response as they went back to chatting with their colleaguesWritten August 5, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Thomas VOakland, CA12,740 contributionsIt is worthwhile to come in here and see the vestiges of the Roman Empire. There was a real Roman city here once, quite large, but there is not much that remains, so come here on your tour.Written April 1, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- StephenCrossDublin, Ireland16,908 contributionsThis is the Portuguese Military muse me which is guarded by a solider armed with a sword in full military gear. Interesting.Written August 30, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Shuki RTLV115 contributionsThis small museum is off the pink Belem palace, which is Portugal's presidential residence, and within walking distance of all the major Belem attractions such as Jeronimos monastery. Entrance is very cheap. There's a portrait gallery with short bios of all of Portugal's presidents since the establishment of the republic in 1910, plus short videos for all the presidents since the Carnation revolution (1974). There's an interesting collection of gifts received by Portuguese presidents through the ages from foreign heads of state, some presidential memorabilia, and all the insignia for all of Portugal's orders of chivalry. All in all, worth while for people into thatWritten December 15, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Malgorzata11,025 contributionsCasa dos Bicos is a historic townhouse in Lisbon. It was built in 1523 and has an interesting Renaissance façade with elements showing the influence of the Manueline style. It is one of the few buildings that survived the 1755 earthquake. In 1960 the tenement house was bought by the city of Lisbon, and in 1980 Casa dos Bicos was restored and partially rebuilt. It belongs to the Lisbon Museum and is the current home of the Jose Saramago Foundation. The two upper floors of the facade were rebuilt based on drawings and paintings from before 1755. Casa dos Bicos is a unique building in Lisbon, the facade is decorated with diamond-shaped stones. Don't miss this awesome piece of Lisbon history.Written November 28, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- GianniFlushing, NY227 contributionsThere were only two rooms with exhibition. However, the artifacts were nice. If you use the Lisboa Card, use it on some other attraction first. Pay for this one when you come. It costs less than $2.00. for admission. You can take the local bus to get here...bus 714, 728,or 732. It stops by the museum.Written March 5, 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- starlightShanghaiVictoria, Canada3,540 contributionsI’m embarrassed to say that I passed by this place several times before I realised it was even there!
This is really a terrific museum, but unfortunately it doesn’t seem to garner a lot of TA reviews. I suspect that may be due to two things:
1. Its very plain, virtually nondescript, exterior. People simply don’t ‘see’ it.
2. Its rather cumbersome official name: Sociedade de Geografia de Lisboa (SGL). (Most visitors typically look for ‘museums’.)
The interior architecture of this museum is worth a visit just for its own sake. The lounge on the ground floor conjured up images of a British ‘old boys’ club’ - reminded me of the ‘WW1 officers’ lounge’ in Cairo’s Windsor Hotel.
Exhibits on the upper floors are very well set out, many with information labels in both Portuguese and English. The conference hall on the upper floor is an architectural delight.
Portugal’s colonial history is so well presented throughout the museum, especially through its treasury of artefacts, maps, globes, etc.
When I was there, there was only one other visitor, and I’d say that we were very fortunate in having a ‘private tour’ - in English - by the lady who was originally at the ticket booth. A lovely experience!
Location of this museum - very easy to miss:
If you can find the Casa de Alentejo - very close to St. Dominic’s Church - then you can find the Sociedade de Geografia de Lisboa (SGL). It’s about 100 metres northwest (with St. Dominic’s behind you) of Casa de Alentejo, on the same side of the street.
Hours open (at time of this review):
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Closed weekends.Written July 29, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lisbon
- These places are best for history museums in Lisbon:
- Carmo Archaeological Museum
- Igreja de São Roque
- Museu de Marinha
- Museu Do Aljube
- Fundacao Amalia Rodrigues Casa Museu
- These are the best places for kid-friendly history museums in Lisbon:
- National Coche Museum
- Carmo Archaeological Museum
- Museu de Marinha
- Guarda Nacional Republicana Museum
- Museu de Lisboa - Teatro Romano
- These are the best places for groups seeking history museums in Lisbon:See more history museums for groups in Lisbon on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for budget-friendly history museums in Lisbon:See more budget-friendly history museums in Lisbon on Tripadvisor
- These are the best hidden gems for history museums in Lisbon:See more hidden gem history museums in Lisbon on Tripadvisor