Portugal · MUSEUMS
The 15 best museum visits you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason, so start there.
At Cálem Cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, you’ll spend 15 minutes with interactive Douro exhibits, then join a 30-minute guided cellar tour in English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese. Finish with Cálem Fine White and Special Reserve Tawny Port, with premium options sometimes available.
“Very interesting and informative and a guide with a sense of humour”
Tour Estádio da Luz, home of SL Benfica, with access to the away locker room, press room, pitch tunnel, field, eagle area, and panoramic viewpoints. Visit the Cosme Damião Museum, see Eusébio’s story, try the VR display, and receive a Benfica scarf. English and Portuguese assistance is available.
“Brilliant experience, the guide on the tour was very informative and helpful if anyone had questions. The stadium itself was impressive, however it was the museum that impressed me most as I have been to the majority of big stadiums in Western Europe and I would say this was the best museum I’ve seen. The VR experience and the stadium tour were similar to most big clubs in Europe but the museum stood out for me.”
Visit FC Porto Museum and Dragão Stadium for about two hours. Explore 27 interactive areas, see Champions League trophies, then visit the pitch, bench, Presidential Box, media room, and away dressing room. Audio guides and the FC Porto app are available in six languages.
“Way more than I expected! You actually get to see a lot of the backstage and lots of time to take pictures near the stadium lawn. Museum also worth a visit with lots of interactive activities.”
Visit Lisbon’s National Tile Museum in the former Madre Deus Convent. Follow Portuguese azulejos from the 15th century to today, then see ceramics, porcelain, a tiled church, cloister, chapel, gardens, and a city panorama. Plan about 90 minutes to two hours, plus time for the café.
“Highly recommend going! Excellent value for money experience! You will become obsessed with tiles by the end 😂”
Visit Museu Banksy in Lisbon for a self-guided look at more than 100 life-size reproductions, murals, canvases, projections, videos, and installations. See pieces from Banksy’s early work through recent art, with Portuguese, English, and Spanish assistance available. Allow 30 minutes to two hours.
“Overview: This exhibition is not officially sponsored or curated by Banksy, which makes sense given the nature of his anonymous and anti-establishment art. Pros: • A good introduction to Banksy’s work if you’re unfamiliar with it. • Affordable and suitable for a quick 30-minute visit. Cons: • The exhibition is small and located a bit outside the main tourist areas. • The artwork analyses are basic—you can find similar or better insights online or in documentaries. Tip: Best for casual art enthusiasts or if you have a short window of free time. If you’re a serious fan, you might find it underwhelming.”
Join a local English-speaking guide, often Mario, for a 3.5-hour walk through Belém. Visit Jerónimos Monastery and the National Coach Museum, taste an original Pastel de Belém, then ride by cab to Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries.
“We thoroughly enjoyed our morning tour with Mario. As others have noted, Mario is so passionate, interesting, quirky (in a fabulous, funny way) and made the history and facts come alive. He knowledge of all the details was fascinating. Besides Jeronimos, we loved seeing the Coach Museum (probably not something I would have done otherwise). The pastries called Pastéis de Belém were delicious. It was fun to go into the back room, away from the crowds, and see them making the treats. The rest stop to eat the natas and have the provided drink allowed us to chat with others in the group. We ended the tour seeing a visual…”
Use one ticket for MAAT Gallery and MAAT Central in Belém. See changing contemporary art, the original thermal power station, outdoor sculptures, and Tagus River views. Free guided tours are available on site, and the museum is wheelchair accessible.
“Great place, you feel in touch with the exhibitions.”
Meet at Lisbon’s 3D Fun Art Museum and explore 40 colorful scenes at your own pace. Pose as Van Gogh’s doctor, take a safari, meet a dinosaur, and enter the infinity mirror room. This is a self-guided visit with Portuguese and English-speaking staff, and a camera is essential.
“Gostei do resultado final das fotos. Mas penso que não vi tudo, devo ter me perdido algures , pq vejo outras coisas nos sites que não vi. 😓”
At WOW’s Wine Experience in Porto, you’ll follow wine from soil and vine through fermentation and bottling, explore Portugal’s wine regions, and finish with guided tastings of red, white, and port. Audio guides are available in six languages, with a nonalcoholic option.
“Great experience. Very few staff as we were out of season but the wine tasting was great!”
Visit Estádio da Luz at your chosen time for a self-guided stadium and museum tour in English. See the locker rooms, press room, executive seats, pitch, live eagle mascots, immersive experience, and 29-area Benfica museum. The ticket includes an official Benfica scarf.
“If you’re interested in football- this is the place to go . Fabulous guide & wow factor stadium. Photo opportunities are great .”
At Porto’s 3D Fun Art Museum, you use your phone to become part of painted scenes, from Titanic and King Kong to Superman, a ballerina, an angel, and a demon. The museum is self-guided, open for a one-day visit, and offers Portuguese, English, and Spanish support.
“Sympa mais certains tableaux ne sont pas trop 3D.”
Visit FC Porto’s modern museum and Dragão Stadium for about $20.42. Browse freely, then join a scheduled stadium visit covering the pitch, press room, presidential area, and changing facilities. Tours use English, Portuguese, French, Spanish, German, or Italian apps and audio guides at extra cost.
“Visiting Portugal 🇵🇹 with friends and visited FC Porto. Good tour, I enjoyed the stadium, museum and gift shop. I bought a jersey and hat…🥳😁”
At Funchal’s 3D Fun Art Museum, you can pose with dinosaurs, step into upside-down scenes, join a safari, fly through space, and share wine with God in Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam. Plan for about an hour, bring a camera, and ask the helpful staff for posing tips.
“My two sisters and I are from Connecticut, USA and we are all over the age of 60years. We had a blast interacting with each presentation and were surprised with laughter at the imagination of the whole museum. Great, unexpected fun and recommend this museum for every age.”
At Funchal’s 3D Fun Art Museum, you step into about 40 painted scenes and optical illusions. Pose as Van Gogh’s doctor, keep a dinosaur, fly through space, or drink wine served by God. Plan on 1 to 2 hours, bring a phone, and let the staff help with camera angles.
“An engaging experience that was loads of fun. Not too busy so was able to take time redoing my pics to get them just right. It was brilliant that for solo travellers they offer a tripod and remote button so that I could take my own photos and enjoy the experience on my own. Fun way to spend time in Funchal.”
Trace Ronaldo’s Madeira story with a private guide, usually Marco, from the Barcelos viewpoint and his childhood neighborhood to Andorinha Football Stadium and the CR7 Museum. Hotel or cruise-port pickup, private transport, museum entry, and guides in four languages are included.
“Marcus’ knowledge of Cristiano Ronaldo would take some beating, he covered so much with us and pointed out the important parts of Ronaldo’s life Explaining not just his childhood struggles but his current endeavours and involvement in projects around the world Marcus was friendly and invoked our 6 year old in his interactive way of giving us a biography of Ronaldo’s life I highly recommend booking this tour and my only hope is that you get Marcus as your tour guide”
Pick a coast, a cellar or a cliff.
