An Art Lover’s Guide to Lisbon

A dramatic departure from the historical architecture in Lisbon’s center, the Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology (MAAT) sets the tone for its collection of modern artworks with its cutting-edge contemporary architecture on the banks of the Tagus River. Permanent and rotating exhibitions spearhead contemporary art in Lisbon, with topics ranging from mental health and language to energy and electricity. Once you’ve admired the galleries inside, admire the magnificent museum from the outside on a sunset cruise with Portuguese wine.

Blue and white azulejo tiles are synonymous with Portugal—you’ll find them everywhere, from the inside of churches to the floors of bathrooms. Housed in a beautifully baroque former convent, the National Tile Museum traces the history of this ceramic cultural expression from the 15th century and displays tile artworks depicting scenes from Portuguese history. To level up your love of azulejo, create your own tiles during a hands-on tile workshop with an expert artist.

Occupying four rooms in Lisbon’s 800-year-old cathedral, the Treasury Museum at Sé de Lisboa is a treasure trove of religious art and artifacts. Paintings and sculptures highlight Christian miracles and mysteries, and a grand, golden patriarchal tiara and throne are on display. There are also intricate examples of goldsmithing and brightly-colored clothing worn for important Catholic events. If you’ve not got time to head inside, you can still admire the cathedral’s aesthetically pleasing exterior on a tuk-tuk or electric bike tour.

Not all Lisbon art exhibitions are indoors, and UNESCO-listed Sintra is a prime example of architecture as art. Just an hour from the city center, this colorful enclave boasts the candy-colored Pena National Palace, a heady mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Egyptian elements; the Castle of the Moors, which reigns supreme from its hilltop perch; and Quinta da Regaleira, a grand palace famous for its mysterious spiral-shaped well. Sintra tours are an ideal choice for art lovers and photography enthusiasts, as they cover the logistics and leave you free to soak up the beauty of the buildings.

If you’re seeking immersive art experiences in Lisbon, look no further than Mãe D'água das Amoreiras, an aqueduct which is now a National Monument and water museum. But there’s more: the complex also hosts visual feasts, including light and sound shows that bring to life different artists or eras in history. The latest performances are centered around Salvador Dali and Ancient Egypt and bring art and history to life using virtual reality headsets and digital art. It’s an ideal pick for younger travelers.

Dedicated to Portuguese art from the 19th century to the present day, the National Museum of Contemporary Art (Museu do Chiado) explores romantic, naturalist, and contemporary art from Portuguese pioneers such as José de Brito and Carlos Botelho. Plus, its convenient location in the history-rich enclave of Chiado means it's the perfect place to lose yourself among cobbled streets and miradors on a Lisbon walking tour of other districts such as Alfama and Bairro Alto.

When it comes to the highest concentration of artistic landmarks in Lisbon, the riverfront district of Belem is a clear winner. Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) and the Monastery of St. Jerome (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) are both UNESCO World Heritage sites, while the Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) is a ship-shaped masterpiece of sculpture. And the delights don't end there—this neighborhood is famous for the city's best custard tarts, which you can find at Pastéis de Belem. Tick off all of the highlights with ease on a Belem walking tour.

The stunning scope of the collection at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum sends it straight to the top of the list of must-visit art galleries in Lisbon. More than a thousand pieces take you from ancient Egypt and Roman eras to the Far East and the Islamic Orient. Highlights include porcelain and jade from Japan and China, 18th-century French furniture, paintings by Manet and Rembrandt, and tapestries from 17th-century Persia.

Portugal's democratic revolution in 1974 saw a surge in Lisbon street art when locals expressed themselves and their political leanings with murals and graffiti. Today, the tradition stays strong; you'll find the most outdoor art in the bohemian Bairro Alto, where antique stores and quaint cafés rub shoulders with colorful depictions. However, street art can be a little harder to find in other parts of the capital—Lisbon art tours lead you to all of the best hidden art gems in Lisbon, down alleys and lanes home to photogenic street art you might otherwise have missed.