The Museu de Marinha (Lisbon Maritime Museum) is one of the best places in Lisbon to understand why Portugal became a global sea power. Located in Belém at Praça do Império, inside the architectural complex of the Jerónimos Monastery, the museum covers Portuguese navigation, exploration, and naval history through ships, models, instruments, maps, and royal vessels.

If you’re visiting Belém for Jerónimos Monastery or the riverside monuments, this museum is an easy and highly rewarding add—especially for families, history lovers, and anyone interested in the Age of Discoveries.

Quick visitor info

  • Official name: Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum)
  • Address: Praça do Império – Belém, 1400-206 Lisboa
  • Official website: Direção Cultural da Marinha (Museu de Marinha)
  • Nearest metro: No metro stop listed in the museum’s official directions — the official “How to get there” page lists bus, tram, train, and ferry instead.

Tickets (official prices)

According to the official ticket list, current prices are:

  • Child (0–3): Free
  • Child (4–12): €4.00
  • Adult (13–64): €8.00
  • Senior (65+ / +64): €4.00
  • Family (2 adults + 2 children): €21.00

Combo tickets (Museum + Planetarium)

The official ticket page also lists a combined ticket “Museu + Planetário” (same-day, subject to seat availability for the Planetarium session; children up to 3 are not allowed in the Planetarium).

Free entry times (official)

The museum’s ticket page lists several free-access rules, including:

  • 1st Sunday of each month, until 14:00 (applies to Museu de Marinha)
  • Other free days are also listed (e.g., International Museum Day, Navy Day, etc.).

Opening hours (official)

The official schedule is seasonal:

Summer (1 May to 30 Sep)

  • Every day: 10:00–18:00
  • Last entry: 17:30

Winter (1 Oct to 30 Apr)

  • Every day: 10:00–17:00
  • Last entry: 16:30

Closures (important)

  • Closed: Jan 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, Dec 25
  • Winter Mondays (Oct 1–May 31): the official schedule notes the museum is closed on Monday mornings and reopens at 13:00.

What to see inside Museu de Marinha

This is not a “small room museum”—plan time to explore. While exhibits change over time, the museum’s core theme is constant: Portugal’s relationship with the sea (navigation, ships, discovery routes, and maritime technology).

1) The “Age of Discoveries” context (why Belém matters)

Belém is Lisbon’s historical waterfront of departures—ships, explorers, and state power flowed through this area. Visiting the museum right next to Jerónimos makes the story feel grounded: you’re standing in the same district that symbolized ocean travel and empire.

2) Ships, models, and craftsmanship

Maritime museums excel at scale: from full-size vessels to intricate models. Even if you’re not a “naval history” person, you’ll enjoy the engineering details—rigging, hull design, and tools that made long-distance navigation possible.

3) Navigation tools and “how they found the way”

Expect sections that explain the practical side of exploration: instruments, maps, and the logic of seafaring. This is the part that makes the museum surprisingly modern-feeling—navigation is basically “analog GPS,” and it’s fascinating to see how it was done.

4) Why the museum exists (a stable historical note)

An educational museum document published by the institution explains that King D. Luís I founded the museum in 1863 (historical background).

How to get there (tram, buses, train, ferry)

The museum’s official “How to get there” page lists these transport options:

Tram

  • Tram 15 (often shown as 15E in tourist materials)

Bus (Carris)

  • 714, 727, 28, 729, 751, 201

Train

  • Belém train station (Cascais line area)

Ferry

  • Belém river station (Transtejo)

Practical tip: If you’re staying in the historic center (Baixa/Chiado), the usual easy routes are tram to Belém or train toward Belém station, then a short walk.

Best time to visit (so it feels smooth)

  • Weekday mornings: quieter galleries and easier photos
  • Hot afternoons: museum interiors are a great break from the Belém waterfront sun
  • Plan around last entry: 17:30 (summer) / 16:30 (winter)

How long to plan

  • 60–90 minutes: highlights only
  • 2 hours: comfortable visit (recommended)
  • 3 hours: museum + Planetarium combo day

Nearby sights to combine (easy Belém itinerary)

Because of its location at Praça do Império, the museum is naturally paired with:

  • Jerónimos Monastery (next door area)
  • Belém riverside monuments (Tower, Padrão dos Descobrimentos)
  • Pastéis de Belém (classic snack stop)

(You already have content for these—this museum fits perfectly into that Belém cluster.)

FAQ: Museu de Marinha Lisbon

How much are tickets?
Adults €8, children 4–12 €4, seniors €4, children 0–3 free, family ticket €21 (official).

What are the opening hours?
Summer: 10:00–18:00; Winter: 10:00–17:00. Last entry 17:30 / 16:30 (official).

Is it closed on Mondays?
The official schedule notes Monday morning closure in the winter period (Oct 1–May 31), reopening at 13:00, and special holiday closures (Jan 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, Dec 25).

Is there a metro station at the museum?
The museum’s official directions list tram, buses, train, and ferry (no metro station is mentioned in those directions).

Official links (copy/paste)

Museum main page (Direção Cultural da Marinha): https://cultura.marinha.pt/pt/museu
Official tickets: https://cultura.marinha.pt/pt/museu/planearvisita/bilhetes
Official opening hours: https://cultura.marinha.pt/pt/museumarinha_web/planearvisita_web/Paginas/horarios.aspx
How to get there (transport + address): https://cultura.marinha.pt/pt/museu/sobrenos/comochegar
Visit Lisboa listing: https://www.visitlisboa.com/en/places/maritime-museum

Categorized in:

BlogEUROPEPortugal