History Museums in Lisbon

THE 10 BEST Lisbon History Museums

History Museums in Lisbon

Types of Attractions
Museums
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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What travellers are saying

  • Ken P
    41 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing city,loved every minute
    Castle, Tram 28 ,patisserie superb,best cakes
    Trip to Stadio National .
    Trip to Benfica football match
    Stunning My story hotel figueira
    Written 2 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Gareth
    Ripley, UK23 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A really interesting collection of artefacts. All well displayed and with informative signage in multiple languages. Discounted entry with a Lisbon Card
    Written 1 February 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Thomas V
    Oakland, CA19,070 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    You will find this unique museum in the Belem area, a place that is easily reached by street car or train from Lisbon. This is a large building displaying royal coaches from several centuries, some very ornate. Good place to imagine what it would have been like to ride in one of these grand vehicles.
    Written 5 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • PolyglotTraveller
    Laval, Canada183 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We really enjoyed our guided tour of the archaeological museum housed in the Millennium BCP bank. Isabel was our guide and she was so knowledgeable of the history and artifacts on display. The interactive recreation really brought to life what must have occurred hundreds even a thousand years ago. It was informative without being overwhelming. The fact that this tour is also free is just amazing. It was easy to book our tour via email, just by indicating a date and preference for afternoon. The entrance is at the back of the bank, easy to find. Number above the arch of the door. We would highly recommend this tour, and if you’re lucky enough to get Isabel, you’ll be in good hands.
    Written 25 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Maria
    Lincoln, UK96 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Glad we visited. There is ALOT of information and it’s text heavy, however don’t let that put you off. There is enough English translation to give a good overview for a visitor and a QR code for a download more info. I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t know anything of Portugal’s political history - a new democracy on my doorstep in my lifetime. The museum succeeded in conveying the fear and pain so many endured and the reminder that democracy is hard fought but lost easily when dictatorship and censorship are only round the corner. It’s a chilling reminder there are people who will take it away so those who care about it can’t take it for granted.
    Written 23 November 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • lookingforanswers
    Montreal, Canada294 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had a few hours to kill and looked for a museum in the Belem area and stumbled upon this museum. I found the price a little steep at 10 euros as the museum is quite small but we did get to see some beautiful pieces.
    Written 17 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • gavin h
    Derry, UK26 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting 1 hour history tour of city.
    Earthquake story was really well done.
    7.5 euros is reasonable price as audio guide is included.
    You have a better understanding of the labour of the city after the tour.
    Written 23 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Thomas V
    Oakland, CA19,070 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    She was the big star, the iconic voice of fado music. She toured the world with her performances. She is more than a star in Portugal, sort of a goddess. This museum is in her Lisbon home and it is interesting to see how she lived, her kitchen, her clothes, her furniture. And it is a lovely house.
    Written 11 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • starlightShanghai
    Victoria, Canada4,609 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A 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 17 July 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tommo
    Melbourne, Australia57,101 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    This museum is located in a historic barracks in the Chiado district and next door to the Convento do Carmo.

    The Museum is dedicated to the history of the GNR and contains both a library and archive..

    Members of the GNR are military personnel and have served overseas in peacekeeping roles.

    The building had been well maintained and painted in cream with heritage green doors.
    Written 29 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • DadandCab
    Coffs Harbour, Australia1,328 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    I didn’t enjoy this museum as much as I’d hoped. It was easy to get to with several buses and a tram going straight past the door and it wasn’t busy, but it was let down a little by access to the exhibits and the presence of a tour group with a guide that blocked several exhibits for ten to fifteen minutes at a time preventing anyone else getting a look in. As the displays are designed to be sequential on each floor starting at the bottom and going up, the tour group blocking access to the first two exhibits meant I had to start elsewhere and then go back once they’d moved. I also had to listen to their guide drone on at length the entire time I was in that area. In addition, the information is on a low shelf in between where you stand and where the items are able to be viewed. This means they are up to half a metre or more away sometimes making it difficult to see the detail and you need to keep bending over to read the accompanying notes at around knee level. Not very user friendly. Upstairs there are interactive displays and mirrored cabinets enabling much better viewing of the detail of the items displayed. These methods would definitely have enhanced viewing of the jewellery on display, even if just the key pieces. Still worth a visit and the café at the top has a great view.
    Written 23 December 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Becky H
    Hastings, UK376 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The highlight of the museum is the remains of the Roman Theatre which is just outside the main museum and free to visit from the street. However, the museum itself is worth a visit as it showcases items found as part of excavations and details the history of Lisbon's Roman past. The museum is very reasonably priced and takes between 1 and 2 hours to visit.
    Written 2 April 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rochelle F
    Randolph, NJ1,240 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We read that this building from the 1500 had an interesting facade and walked there on our way down from the Castela do Sao Jorge. It is most interesting to view the building
    Written 16 January 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sarah Frances P
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    As Americans who had been near the end of our trip and were tired of the art museums... this was one of the most educational and entertaining parts of our time in Lisbon. Our guide was extremely enthused that we were from the United States, and we got a free tour of the museum, that while is in need of a facelift and better signage, was a hidden gem. The artifacts from Africa, Brazil, China, and India are extremely interesting, and our conversation with the tour guide was a certain highlight. If you have fidgety kids this may not be for you, but if you want an interesting experience and to learn about Portugal's history of conquest, this is the place to be. Could not recommend enough, make sure to write in the book after you're done!
    Written 25 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Leann S
    9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Such a unique place, not too far from the Lisbon city center! We were interested in the palace and coordinated the visit with Maria Louisa. What a great experience! Maria Louisa not only showed us the beautiful highlights of the palace but also shared the history of the Portuguese Red Cross and gave us a tour of the museum. It was a great learning experience and would highly recommend!
    Written 2 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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