Museu de Marinha | Marine Museum | Lisbon Museums

Lisbon sightseeing trips are a treasure trove of rich history, with the Portuguese maritime and naval seafaring enterprises at the fore. If you wish to learn more about Portugal’s flamboyant history, visiting monuments like Padrão dos Descobrimentos, Torre Vasco da Gama or simply visiting the many Lisbon Museums like the Museu de Marinha here in Belém, will see you sorted. 

Museu de Marinha or the Naval Museum is located in the western wing of Jeronimos Monastery along with the National Museum of Archaeology.

King D. Luis commissioned the museum in 1863 with the intention of promoting the Portuguese naval adventures from the period of Great Discoveries to the nineteenth century. It is to be noted that he himself was a learned oceanographer and navigator in his life too. You can see plenty of artifacts, old maps, collectors’ items like old sailor’s items and more.

Spread across an area of 50000 sq meters, the Museu de Marinha has a permanent exhibition going on displaying arms and uniforms along with the tools used in navigation and maritime communication.

Do not miss on Vasco da Gama’s personal wooden altar that was also portable. In addition, look out for the private quarters of the UK-based yacht of Amelia. Along with these, you can also check out the Fairey III Santa Cruz that had crossed Atlantic in 1923. There are oil paintings and other memorabilia appealing to the young and old alike for you to contemplate and enjoy.

Take time to check out the FBA Type B Aircraft that was the first aircraft of the Portuguese Navy on display here. The Museu de Marinha is open from 10am to 5pm. However, the timing schedule varies during different holidays of the year, so please check the time out before you schedule your visit!

Up for some more Lisbon Sightseeing or Lisbon Museums?

Lisbon is not short of spots to visit with some more nearby attractions for you below.

• Jeronimos Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is very nearby being actually playing host to the Museum.
• Tower of Belem Belém Tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Lisbon that played a key role in Europe’s Age of Discoveries, since it served both as a fortress and as a port!
• Padrão dos Descobrimentos is a monument on the northern bank of the Tagus River estuary, in the civil parish of Santa Maria de Belém.
• Take a look at some other great tourist attractions on your Lisbon sightseeing expedition .