Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon is one of Portugal's most important art museums. It houses the private collection of Armenian oil magnate Calouste Gulbenkian, spanning roughly five thousand years of art, from ancient Egypt to the early twentieth century.

How did the museum come about?

Gulbenkian died in 1955 and left instructions in his will that his collection be opened to the public. The newly created Gulbenkian Foundation became the owner of the works, and the museum opened in 1969. The modernist building, designed by Portuguese architects, sits in a park of about 7.5 hectares on Avenida de Berna, near Praça de Espanha and a short ride from the city centre.

What can you see?

The collection holds more than six thousand objects, yet the visit stays easy to follow because the galleries are organised roughly by period and region.

• Ancient art: Egyptian statuettes and other objects from the Old Kingdom to the Roman era, plus Greek and Roman pieces.
• Islamic and Eastern art: carpets, ceramics, textiles and manuscripts from the Middle East and the Far East.
• European art: paintings by Rembrandt, Monet, Renoir, Degas and Turner, along with furniture, tapestries, ivories and glass.
• René Lalique jewellery: a large group of Art Nouveau jewels and glass, often named among the collection's finest treasures.

The park and modern art

Greenery surrounds the museum, offering a calm place to rest after the galleries. The foundation grounds also include the Modern Art Centre (CAM), which shows contemporary work, so one trip can pair the old masters with newer movements.

How much time to allow

Plan 2.5 to 3 hours for the founder's collection, 60 to 90 minutes more for CAM, and about an hour for the gardens. A full afternoon therefore runs four to five hours.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the museum? In Lisbon, in a park on Avenida de Berna, close to Praça de Espanha.

When did it open? In 1969, following the will of Calouste Gulbenkian.

When is it open? Reported hours are Wednesday to Monday, usually 10:00 to 18:00, with closures on Tuesdays and major holidays. Hours can change, so check the museum's website before you go.

Is there anything for Impressionism fans? Yes, the collection includes works by Monet, Renoir and Degas.

Is it suitable for children? The park is a good place for a break, and the Egyptian objects and jewellery can appeal to younger visitors too.

It works well as a rainy-day plan in Lisbon, and in good weather it combines art with an easy walk through a green park.