MNAC, 2023 top guide | Mad About Lisbon

The National Museum of Contemporary Art (Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea - MNAC)

Lovers of modern art should add this interesting museum to their must-do list when in the Chiado. The Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea do Chiado - MNAC (National Museum of Contemporary Art) champions Portuguese art from the mid-19th century to the present day. Recent exhibits of note are the collection of pop-art inspired paintings of Sá Nogueira, pieces by Lisbon-based sculptor José Pedro Croft and the experimental video work of Alexandre Estrela.

Housed in the former São Francisco da Cidade monastery The National Museum of Contemporary Art first opened its doors in 1911 and was welcomed by the artistic community which frequented the Chiado district. It's home to almost 5,000 works by Portuguese artists dating from 1850 to the present day. There is some even older French sculpture from the late 1800s. Most of the works are composed of paintings, however, there are sculptures, photography, sketches and prints to marvel at.

The biggest names of Portuguese Modern art are represented here from Almada Negreiros to Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, Júlio Pomar, Mario Cesariny and Paula Rego. The collection is a unique insight into the art movements which have manifested during the turbulent history of Portugal. The building itself retains much of its original features and was extended in 2015 to house even more masterpieces.

Tuesdays to Sundays: 10h00 - 18h00, Mondays: CLOSED
Adult: €4.50, Concessionary: €2.25, Under 5: FREE