Museu Calouste Gulbenkian
Quick answer
Museu Calouste Gulbenkian in Lisbon, Portugal — the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian holds the personal art collection of Armenian-British oil magnate Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian (1869–1955), who spent his life acquiring exceptional works across every major collecting category. Open Wednesday–Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; closed Tuesdays. Admission: €10 standard adult admission; free on Sundays after 2:00 PM. Allow 2–3 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Museu Calouste Gulbenkian at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Wednesday–Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Tuesdays |
| Admission | €10 standard adult admission; free on Sundays after 2:00 PM |
| Free or reduced entry | Free on Sundays after 2:00 PM |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Sunday after 2 PM for free admission, or weekday mornings at 10 AM opening for the quietest galleries. |
| Getting there | Metro: Praça de Espanha or São Sebastião (Blue and Red lines) — 5-minute walk through the Gulbenkian garden |
| Address | Av. de Berna 45A, 1067-001 Lisbon, Portugal |
| Official website | gulbenkian.pt |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Museu Calouste Gulbenkian known for?
The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian holds the personal art collection of Armenian-British oil magnate Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian (1869–1955), who spent his life acquiring exceptional works across every major collecting category. He bought from the Hermitage when the Soviet government sold tsarist treasures in the 1930s.
The collection of approximately 6,000 works spans 4,000 years: ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman objects; Islamic manuscripts; Chinese and Japanese art; Flemish and Italian painting; Dutch and Flemish masters; French decorative arts; and an unparalleled group of Impressionist paintings.
The entire collection of jewellery by René Lalique — 169 pieces, the largest in the world — was commissioned directly from the artist over many years. Rembrandt's Portrait of an Old Man and Monet's Boats on the Seine anchor the painting galleries.
The museum building, designed by Ruy Jervis d'Athouguia and opened in 1969, sits in a garden setting in central Lisbon — a 10-minute metro ride from the city centre. Free admission on Sundays after 2 PM.
Best for: Art Lovers · First-timers · Rainy-day visits
How long do you need at Museu Calouste Gulbenkian?
Allow 2–3 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Museu Calouste Gulbenkian without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Portrait of an Old Man
📍 European Painting gallery
A late Rembrandt portrait of an elderly man in a fur-lined coat — extraordinary brushwork and psychological depth from the artist's mature period.
- 2
Dragonfly Woman Corsage Ornament
📍 Lalique jewellery gallery
A gold and enamel dragonfly-woman brooch with opal wings — among the finest pieces in Gulbenkian's 169-work Lalique collection, the most comprehensive in the world.
- 3
Boats on the Seine
📍 Impressionist gallery
Monet's view of boats moored on the Seine near Argenteuil — acquired from the Hermitage's Impressionist holdings when Soviet authorities sold tsarist collections.
- 4
Figure of a Young Egyptian Nobleman
📍 Egyptian art gallery
A painted limestone statue from the Old Kingdom — part of Gulbenkian's exceptional ancient Egyptian collection spanning four millennia.
What are the must-see works at Museu Calouste Gulbenkian?
4 highlights that define the collection: Portrait of an Old Man, Dragonfly Woman Corsage Ornament, Boats on the Seine and more.
Portrait of an Old Man
Rembrandt · 1645
📍 European Painting gallery
A late Rembrandt portrait of an elderly man in a fur-lined coat — extraordinary brushwork and psychological depth from the artist's mature period.
Dragonfly Woman Corsage Ornament
René Lalique · c. 1897–1898
📍 Lalique jewellery gallery
A gold and enamel dragonfly-woman brooch with opal wings — among the finest pieces in Gulbenkian's 169-work Lalique collection, the most comprehensive in the world.
Boats on the Seine
Claude Monet · 1874
📍 Impressionist gallery
Monet's view of boats moored on the Seine near Argenteuil — acquired from the Hermitage's Impressionist holdings when Soviet authorities sold tsarist collections.
Figure of a Young Egyptian Nobleman
Ancient Egyptian · c. 2400 BCE
📍 Egyptian art gallery
A painted limestone statue from the Old Kingdom — part of Gulbenkian's exceptional ancient Egyptian collection spanning four millennia.
Collections and highlights
- • Rembrandt, Rubens, and Dutch Golden Age painting
- • René Lalique jewellery — 169 pieces, the world's largest collection
- • Monet, Renoir, Degas Impressionist paintings from Hermitage provenance
- • Islamic art and illuminated manuscripts
- • Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities
- • Chinese and Japanese ceramics and lacquer
- • 18th-century French decorative arts and furniture
Tips for visiting Museu Calouste Gulbenkian
- 1.
Best time to visit
Sunday after 2 PM for free admission, or weekday mornings at 10 AM opening for the quietest galleries.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Moderate — the Lalique and Impressionist rooms draw the longest visits. Closed Tuesdays.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
€10 standard; free Sundays after 2 PM. Book at gulbenkian.pt for special exhibitions.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Museum café overlooking the garden; restaurants on Av. de Berna and near Praça de Espanha.
- 5.
Accessibility
Fully accessible with elevators. Wheelchairs available at reception.
How do you get to Museu Calouste Gulbenkian?
- metro Praça de Espanha or São Sebastião (Blue and Red lines) — 5-minute walk through the Gulbenkian garden
- bus Multiple Carris lines stop at Av. de Berna near the museum entrance
- walk 15 minutes from Eduardo VII Park along Av. de Berna
Address: Av. de Berna 45A, 1067-001 Lisbon, Portugal
Museu Calouste Gulbenkian: frequently asked questions
Is the Gulbenkian collection really the work of one person?
Yes — every object in the museum was personally chosen by Calouste Gulbenkian himself. He was one of history's great connoisseurs, and the collection reflects a single, sustained vision of quality across widely different fields and cultures. This coherence makes it one of the most satisfying collections to visit.
What makes the Lalique collection special?
Gulbenkian became the principal patron of Art Nouveau jeweller René Lalique, commissioning directly from the artist over many years. The museum holds 169 pieces — the largest and most comprehensive Lalique jewellery collection in the world.
Is it free on Sundays?
Free admission is offered on Sundays from 2:00 PM onward. The museum is located in a quiet residential area of Lisbon, a 10-minute metro ride from the city centre.
How long should I spend at Museu Calouste Gulbenkian?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights of Museu Calouste Gulbenkian. Our 4-stop route — Portrait of an Old Man, Dragonfly Woman Corsage Ornament, Boats on the Seine and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Museu Calouste Gulbenkian best known for?
The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian holds the personal art collection of Armenian-British oil magnate Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian (1869–1955), who spent his life acquiring exceptional works across every major collecting category. His taste was extraordinary: he bought from the Hermitage when the Soviet government sold off tsarist treasures in the 1930s, and assembled one of the most internally balanced private collections ever formed. Key highlights include Rembrandt's Portrait of an Old Man and Figure of an Oriental — two extraordinary late works, The world's most complete collection of jewellery by René Lalique, Monet, Renoir, Degas — acquired from the Hermitage's Impressionist holdings.
How do I get tickets for Museu Calouste Gulbenkian?
Admission: €10 standard adult admission; free on Sundays after 2:00 PM. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://gulbenkian.pt/museu/en/
Is the entire collection the work of one person?
Yes — every object was personally chosen by Calouste Gulbenkian himself over decades of collecting. He was one of history's great connoisseurs, and the coherence of quality across civilisations makes it one of the most satisfying collections to visit.
Can I visit the garden for free?
The Gulbenkian garden is free and open to the public. The museum itself requires admission except on Sunday afternoons after 2 PM.
Is Museu Calouste Gulbenkian open on Tuesdays?
No — Museu Calouste Gulbenkian is closed every Tuesday. It is open Wednesday–Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Museu Calouste Gulbenkian's opening hours?
Museu Calouste Gulbenkian is open Wednesday–Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, and closed Tuesdays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.