Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
8.2Friend Score / 10#2 of 8 Museums in Lisbon
Known formuseumart museumlaliquerembrandt
One of Europe's great small museums, a superb private collection running from Egyptian and Islamic art to Rembrandt and a dazzling Lalique room, set in serene modernist galleries and gardens. A friend's top pick for a calmer, world-class day. Note: it reopens July 18, 2026 after a major renovation, so confirm before you go.
Key facts
| Hours | Wed–Mon 10:00–18:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Metro blue/red line to São Sebastião, or blue line to Praça de Espanha |
| Time needed | 2-3 hours, plus the free gardens |
| Best time to go | Weekday mornings; free Sunday afternoons for residents |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.2/10- Value8.5
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.1
- Crowd level6.5
- Authenticity8.5
- Accessibility7.5
Frequently asked questions
- Are the Gulbenkian gardens worth visiting?
- Very much so, the surrounding gardens are a free, tranquil green oasis with ponds and shade, loved by locals for a quiet break. You can enjoy them without a museum ticket, which makes the whole complex a lovely half-day.
- What are the Gulbenkian Museum's opening hours?
- It's open 10:00 to 18:00 and closed on Tuesdays, plus Jan 1, Easter Sunday, May 1 and Dec 24-25. Last entry is a bit before closing, so don't arrive too late in the afternoon.
- What's special about the Gulbenkian collection?
- It's the personal collection of oil magnate Calouste Gulbenkian, spanning ancient Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Islamic and East Asian art through European painting by Rembrandt and Van Dyck, capped by an astonishing room of René Lalique jewelry and glass. The quality-to-crowd ratio is one of the best in the city.
- How much are Gulbenkian Museum tickets?
- General admission is around €10 for the Founder's and Modern collections together, or about €14 including temporary exhibitions. There's free entry for Lisbon residents on Sunday afternoons and for under-30s on Saturday evenings.
- Is the Gulbenkian Museum open right now?
- The main museum reopens on 18 July 2026 after a roughly year-and-a-half renovation, so if you're visiting right around now, confirm the date on the official site. The gardens and the modern collection area remained the go-to during the closure.
- How long should I spend at the Gulbenkian?
- Two to three hours does the collections comfortably, more if you linger in the Lalique room or add a temporary show. Tack on time for the gardens, especially in good weather.
- Is the Gulbenkian good for kids?
- It's calm and not overwhelming, and older kids interested in art or ancient Egypt do well, but it's not a hands-on children's museum. The gardens are a nice release valve for younger ones between galleries.
- How do I get to the Gulbenkian Museum?
- Take the metro to São Sebastião (blue and red lines) or Praça de Espanha (blue line), both a short walk away. It sits just off the main avenues north of the center, easy to reach.
Nearby in Ask Lisbon
- Jardim da Fundação Calouste GulbenkianPark0.08 km · 1 min walk
- Museu Calouste GulbenkianAttraction0.1 km · 1 min walk
- Day Trips from Lisbon: Sintra, Cascais, and BeyondAttraction0.36 km · 4 min walk
- Mercado de EntrecamposMarket0.96 km · 12 min walk
- Eduardo VII Park (Parque Eduardo VII)Park1.04 km · 13 min walk
Where to stay near Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
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