Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga
Portugal's leading public museum, housed in the Palácio Alvor, with more than 40,000 works of painting, sculpture, goldsmith work and decorative arts.
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About the museum
The Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga was founded in 1884 and has been housed since its foundation in the palace built at the end of the 17th century by the 1st Count of Alvor, D. Francisco de Távora, after his return from India, where he had served as viceroy. The building passed through several hands, including the diamond contractor Daniel Gildemeester and the family of the Marquis of Pombal, until the State bought it in 1883 to house the National Museum of Fine Arts.
The museum was extended over time, with the incorporation of the chapel of the former Convent of Santo Alberto, covered in gilded woodcarving and azulejo tiles, the construction of the western annex in the 1930s and 1940s, and modernisation works in 1983 and in 1992-1994.
The collection comprises more than 40,000 items and includes the largest number of works classified by the State as “national treasures”, among them the Panels of São Vicente by Nuno Gonçalves. The museum has been closed since 29 September 2025 for works under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), which cover the north façade, the roofs of the wing of the former Palácio Alvor, the floor of the international decorative arts, the restoration of the Capela das Albertas and the renovation of the auditorium. Reopening is scheduled for 21 November 2026.
Highlights
- Panels of São Vicente by Nuno Gonçalves
- More than 40,000 works, including paintings, sculpture, goldsmith work and decorative arts
- Art of the Expansion, with pieces from Africa and the East
- Capela das Albertas, covered in gilded woodcarving and azulejo tiles
- Palácio Alvor, dating from the 17th century, with painted ceilings and rocaille stucco
- Restaurant with terrace
Permanent exhibition
- Coleção permanente do Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga – European painting, sculpture, goldsmith work and decorative arts, as well as works from Africa and the East, from the Middle Ages to the beginning of the contemporary period.
- Founded
- 1884
- Operated by
- Museus e Monumentos de Portugal
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €15 |
|---|
Free admission: Free admission from 21 November to 1 December 2026 inclusive.
From 2 December 2026 the museum's usual tariffs apply.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Buses 713, 714 and 727 (Rua das Janelas Verdes); buses 728, 732 and 760 and trams 15E and 18E (Avenida 24 de Julho); tram 25E (Largo de Santos).
GPS coordinates provided by the museum: 38.705034, -9.161389.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
Restaurant with terrace and shop.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The museum offers a venue hire service and has an auditorium.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The museum has an education service and offers quick visit routes of 60 minutes and of 4 hours. |
