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A little bit of history
The Popular Art Museum, or Museu de Arte Popular in Belรฉm, is well worth a visit if youโd like to learn more about the ethnology and history of Portugal. The Folk Art Museum opened its doors in 1948 and its location is in a former pavilion.
Architects Antรณnio Reis and Joรฃo Simรตes designed the building as part of the Exhibition of the Portuguese World in 1940. In the years to come, the building was adapted to use as a museum. Modernist elements, and beautiful murals were added on the walls. The walls are characterised by painters such as Carlos Botelho, Estrela Faria, Manual Lapa, Eduardo Anahory, and Paulo Ferreira.
Since 2012, the building on the shores of the Tagus has been a monument. And when you visit Belรฉm, it’s well worth having a look inside if you’re interested in folk art. The Popular Art Museum is closely linked to the National Museum of Ethnology, where you can find permanent collections of beautiful objects. The collection consists of ceramic, musical instruments, textiles, jewellery, costumes and many more. In the summer of 2022, the museum housed a basketry collection.
How to get to the Popular Art Museum
The Popular Art Museum is located in Belรฉm, and bus lines 714, 727, 728, 751, and 729 all stop close to Museu de Arte Popular. If you come by train from Cais de Sodrรฉ, you can exit the train at Belรฉm Station. Tram 15 also takes you to Belรฉm, and it’s only a short walk to the museum. For more information about Lisbon’s public transport, click here.
Opening hours
Museu de Arte Popular is open every Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am until 6 pm. Saturdays and Sundays, the museum is also closed between 1 pm and 2 pm. The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and national holidays.
Tickets for the Popular Art Museum
The admission price for the Popular Art Museum is only โฌ 2,50, and children under 12 can visit the exhibitions for free. For current exhibitions, you can check the museum website.
Other things to do in Belรฉm
When youโre on holiday in Lisbon, a day to Belรฉm is absolutely recommended. The Lisbon district is located in the western part of Lisbon, directly on the river Tagus.
Belรฉm is famous for its Pasteis de Belรฉm, the delicious pastel de Nata you can try. Donโt forget to visit the Jerรณnimos Monastery, where these fantastic creations were first made! With the Lisboa Card, entrance to the monastery and skip the line at the Belรฉm Tower are included.
Lisboa Card
Not far from Torre de Belรฉm, you can find the monument Padrรฃo dos Descobrimentosย and the Bom Sucesso Fortress. If youโd like to visit other museums in the area, Museu Coleรงรฃo Berardo, MAAT, Museu de Marinha, and the National Coach Museum are recommended. At the end of the day, you can take a beautiful sunset cruise on the river Tagus.
Belรฉm is a beautiful district with many excellent restaurants to discover. Why not stay overnight and discover the beautiful shores of the Tagus? Trips to Cascais and Lisbon’s city centre are easy to undertake, and there is a wide variety of hotels and B&Bs in Belรฉm. Check out the full guide of the best sights in Belรฉm to learn more.
Written by Marga
Content creator, travel writer and photographer
2 Responses
Museu de Arte Popular looks like an interesting place to visit.
If you like ethnography and handwork, I can highly recommend it!