Maritime Museum

The Lisbon Maritime Museum holds a vast collection of objects related to seafaring. Its origins, though it has undergone changes over time, date back to 1863.

King D. Luís, who had himself commanded ships, was the first to take an interest in documenting the history of the Portuguese navy. On 22 July 1863, he decreed the establishment of a collection of records related to Portuguese maritime activity, which would become the earliest archives of the museum that opened more than a century later.

In 1962, the maritime museum was officially opened in the north wing of the Jerónimos Monastery, where a large pavilion was also built to display vessels.

The museum is a great experience for those interested in the art of navigation, the history of the various discoveries, and advances in the maritime world.

Scale naval models

Several scale models of different types of Portuguese ships are on display, along with maps and navigational instruments from Portuguese maritime history.

Also on display is a wooden figure of the Archangel Raphael, which accompanied Vasco da Gama on his voyage to India, and the largest collection of astrolabes in the world.

Bookshop and archive of the Naval Museum

You can also visit a bookshop with more than 10,000 books related to naval topics.

Its photographic archive includes negatives dating back to the mid-19th century.

There is a café and a shop selling nautical souvenirs, ships in bottles, and reproductions of antique maps from the Age of Discovery.

Belém

The museum is located in the area of Lisbon known as Belém, alongside the most important museums and landmarks to see in Lisbon.

It is also just a short distance from other Lisbon museums: the National Coach Museum and the Belém Cultural Centre (CCB) (which houses the Berardo Museum of Contemporary Art).

And while you're here, don't leave without trying the famous pastéis de nata from Belém.

Price

Standard ticket €6.50 / €4.00 with the Lisbon Card / Free on the first Sunday of the month

Address

Praça do Imperio, Belém

Opening hours

October–March 10:00–18:00; April–September 10:00–18:00, Tuesday to Sunday

How to get there?

Train to Belém from Cais do Sodré, or buses 28, 714, 727, 751