Blog

Some people think that culture in Portugal is expensive. It’s always quite subjective to decide whether something is expensive or cheap, and it depends on the priorities of each one, but the truth is that there are places for paid visits with very affordable prices. And there are others that are FREE!!! Yes, it’s true! Schedule your trip to Lisbon and visit one, two, three or even all these places, one at a time or all at once!

 

MONEY MUSEUM

The Money Museum opened in 2016. It is a museum dedicated, as the name suggests, to money, its history, and evolution over time. It bets heavily on interactivity, so it involves the visitors in practical activities related to the theme. It is very interesting to visit with children, as the visit is designed to be captivating, also for the little ones.

Address: Old São Julião Church, at Largo de São Julião

Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL NUCLEUS IN RUA DOS CORREEIROS

Between 1991 and 1995, remodeling and requalification works took place in Rua dos Correeiros, in the space that we know today as the Millennium bcp building. It so happens that ruins were discovered dating back more than 2500 years, from the Punic period to the Pombaline period. The Millennium bcp Foundation decided, in an act of altruism and respect for the culture of a people, that this venue should be accessible to all. Therefore, you can visit this place that, besides being very interesting, is very well organized, in order to provide the best visiting experience. You will find Roman traces such as ceramics, tanks, and even roads. You will also be able to see the famous Pombaline wooden stakes, and an 18th century bread oven.

Address: Rua dos Correeiros 21, downtown

Hours: Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a previous appointment by phone (+351 211 131 004).

 

MUSEUM OF DESIGN AND FASHION (MUDE)

This museum opened in 2009, based on Francisco Capelo's fashion design collection, which was acquired by the Municipality of Lisbon. It identifies as a place for debate and sharing, where everyone can participate with freedom of expression, on behalf of the arts and culture. Here, you will be able to find works by national and international artists, such as Christian Lacroix or Martin Margiela.

Note: Currently the museum is being renovated, but watch out, as soon as it reopens be sure to visit!

Address: Rua Augusta, 24

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL NUCLEUS – CASA DOS BICOS

Casa dos Bicos is the headquarters of the José Saramago Foundation. There are areas where you have to pay to enter, which is not the case of the archaeological nucleus, inaugurated in 2014. It is located on the 1st floor, where you can find pieces of the Roman wall of Lisbon, cetarias and elements of a Roman factory unit for fish preparations and condiments, mostly destined for export.

Address: Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, 10 

Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

NATIONAL SPORTS MUSEUM

The National Sports Museum was opened in 2012, the year in which Portugal celebrated 100 years of participation in the Olympic Games. It portrays, in essence, the history of Portuguese sports. It also houses the National Sports Library, which has a collection of about 60,000 recorded items. During your visit you will find the work of personalities such as Dr. António Augusto da Silva Martins or Professor Moniz Pereira, important names in national sport. The museum also has a room for temporary exhibitions, so there will be no lack of diversity!

Address: Palácio Foz, Praça dos Restauradores, 24/45

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

HEALTH MUSEUM

It was with the exhibition "800 Years of Health in Portugal", in 2017, that the Health Museum was inaugurated. It has around 400 pieces from various institutions, such as the Portuguese Red Cross and the Museum of Natural History and Science, which can be seen on a permanent basis. It also has temporary thematic exhibitions in the facilities of the National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge and partner institutions.

Address: Alameda de Santo António dos Capuchos 

Hours: Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., by appointment

 

LUÍS SERRA MUSEOLOGICAL NUCLEUS

The Luís Serra Museological Nucleus is located in the Folklore and Ethnography Group "Os Ceifeiros da Bemposta", in Bucelas. Here, you can see costumes, implements, agricultural transports, tools, crockery and other objects collected over 30 years ago by the Folklore and Ethnography Group "Os Ceifeiros da Bemposta". The man who gives his name to this center was one of its founders, hence the tribute. In addition, there are other visiting options that you will not want to miss, such as the Sala da Vida da Coletividade (Hall of Life of the Collectivity), and the Sala de Troféus (Trophy Room).

Address: Rua da Capela, 1 - Bemposta 

Hours: Monday to Friday, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. | Saturday and Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.

 

THE ELECTRICITY MUSEUM

The Electricity Museum is located in the old thermoelectric power plant "Central Tejo", responsible for lighting the capital for over 40 years. It opened as a museum in 1990, however, it underwent some remodeling and, in 2006, reopened in all its splendor. Today it is a reference in national museology for its interactivity, for the differentiation in the type of activities it develops, especially for the little ones, and also for the events it promotes. Here you will be able to understand how the thermoelectric worked, the working environment lived at that time, what the main energy sources were, the most important scientists in the history of the evolution of electric energy production, among many other things. A must-see during your visit to Lisbon!

Address: Avenida Brasília

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

MUSEOLOGICAL NUCLEUS OF THE MFA COMMAND POST

This museum was created in 2001 by the Municipality of Odivelas. It aims to preserve and to make known to the public the historical memory associated with the place where the Command Post of the Armed Forces Movement was assembled, responsible for conducting the military operations against the dictatorial regime that remained in Portugal until April 25, 1974. It is assumed, therefore, that it was from here that the Carnation Revolution was commanded. It is assumed, therefore, that it was from here that the Carnation Revolution was commanded. Marcelo Caetano, Silva Pais (director of PIDE) and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ruy Patrício, were also imprisoned here. In this museum you can see the "Operations Room", which displays radios, telephones, transmitters, weapons and maps, a true recreation of the context of the Revolution.

Address: Estrada da Pontinha, Quartel

Hours: Visits may require an appointment through the telephone number +351 219 320 800

 

COLEÇÃO BERARDO MUSEUM

The Coleção Berardo Museum is within the facilities of the Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB), however, these are completely different institutions. In this museum you can find programs in the field of modern and contemporary art, with more than 70 artistic trends, in a collection of more than 900 works by authors as varied as Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst, Piet Mondrian, Joan Miró, among many, many others.

Address: Praça do Império

Hours: Saturdays all day

 

ABOUT CÁTIA RODRIGUES

Born in Sesimbra, tourism professional and passionate about Portugal, its history and its culture. She has been active in the field of vocational training and customer service. In her spare times she likes to read books and watch inspiring movies, swim and walk by the sea. Writing is, such, and only, the way she found to combine everything she loves most. You can find her on LinkedIn.