Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
Being there
One of the best museums in Lisbon. Created from the personal collection of the art and artifact collector Calouste Gulbenkian. The collection include Egyptian artefacts; Islamic and oriental art; paintings by masters such as Rembrandt, Manet, Monet, Renoir, and Cassat; and a large collection of objects made by the Art Nouveau jeweler René Lalique. Gulbenkian was an Armenian born in the Ottoman Empire who, through his investments in Iraqi oil, became one of the wealthiest men of his time. During a journey he fell ill and had to seek medical attention in Lisbon. He fell in love with the city and decided live out his final days there. After his death his immense collections were organized into this museum. The Gulbenkian Gardens which surround the museums and foundation building are worth a visit in and of themselves, as a little oasis in the middle of downtown Lisbon. They're free and open sunrise to sunset.
The story
Lisbon's Calouste Gulbenkian Museum houses one of the world's most important private art collections. It includes works from Ancient Egypt to the early 20th century, spanning the arts of the Islamic World, China and Japan, as well as French decorative arts. It also features the jewellery of René Lalique and works by some of the most important painters of all time, such as Rembrandt, Monet, Rubens, Manet, Renoir, Degas and Turner. The Museum was founded by Armenian Portugal-based oil magnate Calouste Gulbenkian. The Gulbenkian Museum closed for renovation until July 2026, and reopened on 18 July 2026.