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Gulbenkian Museum Lisbon & Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian (CAM)
A stop at a museum is always a great idea, and the collection at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is fabulous! Enjoy history, culture, and modern art all under one roof! It’s one of my favourite museums in Lisbon, and I regularly visit new exhibitions.
Please note that the Lisbon Gulbenkian Museum is closed for renovations until July 2026. Part of the Great Works exhibition is displayed at Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian (CAM). The CAM is open, and the new museum has stunning exhibitions and gallery spaces. This is why it’s still worth visiting the Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon today!
The Gulbenkian Museum houses one of the best collections in Portugal. It contains artworks from Egypt, Greece, Turkey, and Syria and paintings by Dutch and Flemish masters such as Rembrandt and Rubens. CAM has modern exhibitions that change regularly.
After the museum, you can enjoy the beautiful surrounding garden, Jardim da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian. It’s a relaxing area with a pond, many ducks, and stunning plants and flowers. There are some seats and benches, and you can enjoy a picnic in the grass.
Discover the fabulous Gulbenkian Collection
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The history of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, or Museu Calouste Gulbenkian in Portuguese, is part of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. The Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian Collection will take you back through 5,000 years of masterpieces. That is some history!
The tour starts with Egyptian decorative pieces and continues with a modern collection from the 20th century. It is one of the most renowned museums in Portugal and is enjoyed by many. You’ll enjoy European paintings by Van Dyck, Frans Hals, British painter Thomas Gainsborough, Cima da Conegliano, and Monet. But there are also French decorative arts and jewellery.
The collector Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian was born in Üsküdar, Türkiye. He was of Armenian origin and was born during the Ottoman Empire. During the persecution of the Armenian community, Gulbenkian left Türkiye and moved to London with his family and later to Paris, France. During World War II, he moved to Lisbon, where he stayed until his death in 1955.
From an early age, Gulbenkian was interested in art. Throughout his life and travels, he collected all sorts of art. The collection contains a whopping 6,000 pieces from all over the world! His favourite was a sculpture of the famous Diana by Houdon, an original marble piece he purchased in 1930.
Before his death, it was decided that the entire collection should be housed in Portugal. From 1965 to 1969, it was located at the Palace of the Marquises of Pombal (Oeiras) until the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum opened its doors in 1969. Gulbenkian’s Foundation Museum was designed by architects Ruy Jervis d’Athouguia, Pedro Cid and Alberto Pessoa (1969).
What to see at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
The building has many galleries showcasing different aspects of historical art. The permanent exhibitions run in chronological and geographical order, so it is easy to find the various collections. Discover the sculpture of the official Bes in the Egyptian Art room or see the collection of Greek coins.
The Far East collection includes Chinese porcelain and Japanese art. Eastern Islamic Art contains ceramics, textiles, glass, and manuscripts from Central Asia, Syria, Türkiye, Ancient Persia, and other countries in the Islamic world.
But there is more! Greco-Roman, Mesopotamian, and Armenian art pieces are well presented, and you can spend hours in the decorative arts, sculptures, and paintings. Unsurprisingly, the collection is one of the most important private collections of international art worldwide!
The second circuit contains a substantial collection of European paintings. You can enjoy masterpieces by Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Renoir, Monet, Francesco Guardi, and Pieter Paul Rubens. Seeing a painting by these masters is incredible! Here, you will also find impressive sculptures by Carpeaux and Rodin.
The decorative arts are also present, and the remarkable furniture is stunning. In the last section, you’ll discover beautiful jewellery and accessories and a collection by René Lalique. This area will create a completely different experience from the rest of the exhibition.
The collection at Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian (CAM)
Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian, or CAM, opened its doors in 2024. Architect Kengo Kuma designed the new building in collaboration with landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic. The result? A modern museum that blends in with the outdoor park. It’s beautiful!
The building is not new, as its first inauguration was in 1983. The new reconfiguration establishes a beautiful connection between it and the Gulbenkian Garden. You’ll cross the gardens to reach CAM from the Gulbenkian Museum.
As the name suggests, CAM boasts incredible modern art by Portuguese and international artists. I saw the Paula Rego and Adriana Varejão exhibition Between Your Teeth during my visit.
On the lower ground, I saw Julianknxx’s solo exhibition, Chorus in Rememory of Flight, audiovisual installations, and much more. The museum is always changing, which makes every visit unique. Before visiting, check the CAM and Gulbenkian Museum websites to discover which art display or collection can be seen.
How long do I need to see the Gulbenkian Lisbon Museum?
It is easy to spend 3 to 5 hours at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum and CAM, and there are several services under two roofs. You can take a break at the cafeteria inside the museum, there are toilets, and you can take a look at the gift shop. Here, you can buy postcards, textiles, art books, and other memorable items you’ve seen in the galleries.
Tickets for the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum Lisbon
The Gulbenkian Museum is a highlight for many museum lovers visiting Lisbon, so book your entrance in advance. All-inclusive admission is € 14,00 per person, and it gives you access to all exhibitions.
🎟️ Book your tickets online to skip the queue!
Please remember that the museum is closed until July 2026 and that only CAM is open to the public. Tickets for Coleção do CAM and all temporary exhibitions cost € 12,00 per person. To see the temporary exhibitions at CAM only, you pay € 8,00.
You will also receive a free Gulbenkian Museum audio guide app to learn more about the extraordinary collection. If you want to see the temporary exhibits as well, you can pay the difference in price when picking up your voucher at the museum.
The art collection is free on Sundays after 2 PM. Minors up to 18 can also visit for free. If you have the Lisboa Card, you will get a 20% discount. Visitors under 30 receive a 25% discount; if you’re over 65, you enjoy a 10% discount.
Opening times of the Gulbenkian Museum & CAM
The Lisbon Gulbenkian Museum is currently closed until July 2026.
CAM is open from 10 AM until 6 PM and until 9 PM on Saturdays. The last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
The Gulbenkian Museum and CAM in Lisbon are closed on Tuesdays and holidays, such as January 1st, Easter Sunday, May 1st, and December 24th and 25th.
How to get to the Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon
The main entrance is located on Avenida De Berna 45 A in Lisbon, just west of El Corte Inglés and Parque Eduardo VII. The museum is very easy to get to. The nearest metro stations are São Sebastião (blue and red lines) and Praça de Espanha (blue line).
From both stations, it’s only a short walk west. You can also come by bus 713, 716, 726, 742, 746, or 756. Click here to read more about the public transport system in Lisbon.
The Gulbenkian gardens
The art museum and the masterpieces in the collection are already impressive, but the Gulbenkian Gardens are also loved! The park Jardim da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian (Parque de Santa Gertrudes) is an oasis of peace in Lisbon’s city centre.
Take a stroll in the park among the beautiful flowers and trees, or enjoy a drink and snack at the cafe Restaurante Ice Gourmet. Cafetaria do Museu Gulbenkian is a cafe within the museum, and you can find CAM’s Table in the modern building. Visiting the gardens is entirely free of charge.
Next door to the museum, you will find the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, or Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian in Portuguese. They organise several events throughout the month. On the other side of the park, you can find Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian (CAM), the Modern Art Museum.
This museum hosts modern and contemporary art from Portugal. In front of the building is also an outdoor arena, where events are held occasionally in summer.
Discover more Lisbon parks
Lisbon has many parks and gardens worth visiting! Discover them all and enjoy a moment of rest in these beautiful green spaces!
Things to do near the Lisbon Gulbenkian Museum
Besides the museum and the gardens, there are other fun things to do in the neighbourhood. If you enjoy shopping, you can visit the shops at El Corte Inglés. Or visit the 3D Fun Art Museum Lisboa with your children so they can enjoy a museum visit, too!
With nice weather, it’s fun to discover Parque Eduardo VII and the botanical gardens at Estufa Fria. If you’d like to grab a bite, the Japanese restaurant GoJuu and the Mexican restaurant Taqueria das Avenidas are great. You can also enjoy a Korean meal at URBAN上上签 or Seoul K BBQ.
Hotels near Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, Lisbon Portugal
The area around Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian is very residential and the perfect spot to stay if you prefer a quiet hotel and mingle with the locals. Check the map below for exceptional accommodations in Saldanha or enjoy the luxury hotels around Parque Eduardo VII. You’ll find places like the InterContinental Lisbon, the SANA Rex Hotel with amazing views and the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon.
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FAQ
How long does it take to see the Gulbenkian Museum and CAM?
You can easily spend three to five hours at the museum, including visiting the temporary and modern exhibitions. To see just the highlights, dedicate a minimum of two hours (one hour per building).
What is the history of the Gulbenkian Museum?
The Armenian collector Calouste Gulbenkian started collecting jewellery, paintings and art during his life. To house his project, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation was born. The building on Avenida de Berna soon became one of the most incredible museums in Portugal.
What famous art pieces can we find at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum?
The Gulbenkian collection includes some big names. Enjoy paintings by Rembrandt, Turner, Manet, and Monet. Discover jewelled objects by Lalique, French furniture and silver, and Greek coins from 460 BC!
Is the Gulbenkian Museum closed?
Yes, the Lisbon Gulbenkian Museum is currently closed for renovations. However, you can see part of the Great Works exhibition at Centro de Arte Moderna (MAC), the newly renovated and newly opened museum in the same park. Therefore, it’s still worth visiting the museum at this time.
Is Gulbenkian free on Sunday?
Yes, you can visit the museum for free after 2 PM on Sundays. If you are under 18, the entrance is also free. There are also discounted tickets for visitors under 30, over 65 and Lisbon Card holders.
Conclusion
As you can see, the Gulbenkian Museum and the MAC are special places to visit in Lisbon. A museum visit is a fantastic option if you enjoy art and culture, especially on a rainy day in Portugal. The buildings are already worth a visit, and it’s one of the city’s most prominent museums and attractions.
Enjoy seeing Greco-Roman art, 18th-century French art, a Rodin sculpture, or admiring Art Nouveau jewellery! The collection has it all, and art lovers can easily spend at least half a day here.
Discover other incredible museums!
- MAAT Lisbon – Discover the city’s favourite art museum in Belém
- Explore Portuguese heritage in the Popular Art Museum in Lisbon
- Visiting the National Tile Museum and Madre de Deus in Lisbon
- Lisbon’s fabulous Fado Museum in the heart of Alfama
- The National Coach Museum and the Old Royal Riding School in Belém
- Enjoy mesmerising historical art at the Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon
- Join the Lisbon Art Gallery Tour To Spark Your Imagination
- Quake Museum Lisbon: A shaky but groundbreaking and fantastic experience!
- Discover the ruins of the Carmo Convent in Lisbon
- Beautiful contemporary art at the Serralves Museum in Porto
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