National Archaeology Museum

The National Museum of Archaeology in Lisbon (Museu Nacional de Arqueologia) is the largest archaeological museum in Portugal and one of the leading institutions devoted to the ancient art of the Iberian Peninsula. It sits in the Belém district, in the western wing of the Jerónimos Monastery, facing Praça do Império.

How did the museum begin?

Archaeologist José Leite de Vasconcelos founded it in 1893 to gather and study finds from across the country. It opened officially to the public in 1906. From the start it has had a strong research focus, and it maintains the most important archaeological library in Portugal.

What will you see inside?

The collection is organised in two main departments: finds from Portugal and finds from Egypt. The Portuguese section takes you through the ages, from prehistoric tools and Roman mosaics and ornaments to Iron Age and Visigothic jewellery. There are also early 8th-century objects linked to the Moorish presence. A separate section covers Greco-Roman and Egyptian antiquities, with funerary art especially well represented.

The building

The museum occupies a large part of the monastery's western wing. Its facade on Praça do Império is built in the Neo-Manueline style, echoing the distinctive Portuguese architecture of the Age of Discoveries.

Planning your visit

Belém concentrates many of Lisbon's headline sights, so the museum fits naturally into a day spent exploring the district. It lies at roughly 38.697 N, 9.207 W. Combine it with a visit to the monastery and nearby monuments. Check opening hours and ticket prices on the official website before you go, as they can change.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the museum? In Lisbon's Belém district, in the western wing of the Jerónimos Monastery.

When was it founded? It was founded in 1893 and opened to the public in 1906.

Who founded it? The archaeologist José Leite de Vasconcelos.

What is in the collection? Finds from Portugal spanning prehistory to the Moorish period, plus Egyptian and Greco-Roman antiquities.

Is it the biggest archaeological museum in Portugal? Yes, it is the country's largest archaeological museum.

Who is it best for? Anyone interested in ancient history, funerary art and the early cultures of the Iberian Peninsula, and any visitor to Belém who wants to dig deeper into Portugal's past.