Portuguese painters may not be as revered as those from the northern reaches of the continent, but that dœesn’t mean Lisbon has not developed an appreciation for fine arts. Lisbon’s tourist offices offer multi-saver ‘Lisboa Welcome Cards’ which give access to selected museums at reduced prices of free of charge, for periods of 24, 48 and 72 hours.

National Museum of Ancient Art: set in an old 18th century palace and convent, this stunning collection includes mostly paintings but also sculptures, textiles and even furniture dating back to the Middle Ages with an emphasis on Portuguese art.

Gulbenkian Museum: this fascinating and varied collection was put together according to the wishes of Calouste Gulbenkian, an Armenian Philanthropist that died in the middle of the 20th century leaving his extensive art collection behind.

It includes works from his native Armenia along with pieces from the Orient, Europe and the Middle East from the 11th century. Rembrandt, Monet and Renoir pieces worth millions of Euros are included, as are pieces in ivory and Egyptian artefacts all housed in a building surrounded by a landscaped garden.
Corner of Avenue de Berna and Avenue Antonio Augusto de Aguiar. Open: 10:00 to 17:45, Tuesday to Sun.

Museu dos Azulejos: a unique place of interest, this museums features coloured tiles, tools, images and ceramics. The museum carries nearly 8000 coloured tiles alone, forming intricate patterns and designs with a distinctly Portuguese flavour dating back to the 15th century.
Rua da Madre de Deus 4. Open: 10:00 to 18:00, Tuesday to Sunday (afternoons only on Tuesdays).

The National Coach Museum: featuring the largest collection of horse-drawn coaches anywhere in the world, this museum is a tribute to the classic opulence in which the aristocracy of Europe was once transported. This array of coaches, sedan chairs and lots more were made as far back as the 16th century.
Praca Afonso de Albuquerque. Open: 10:00 to 18:00, Tuesday to Sun.