Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

One of Lisbon’s most important cultural institutions, where art, architecture, and tranquility come together

Established in 1956 by Calouste Gulbenkian, an Armenian philanthropist and oil magnate, the foundation was created to promote knowledge, education, and the arts. The foundation’s main building, a landmark of modernist architecture, is set within expansive gardens that serve as an urban oasis, where sculptures, water features, and shaded paths offer a peaceful environment to pause and reflect.

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What makes the Gulbenkian Foundation truly special is the balance it strikes between cultural richness and peaceful retreat. Beyond its permanent collection, it hosts a wide range of events — concerts, exhibitions, lectures — that reflect its mission of cultural exchange and learning. The lush gardens that surround the museum are more than a backdrop; they are an essential part of the experience. Visitors can spend hours wandering between art and nature, or simply pause beside a pond after a museum visit. It’s a place where you don’t just see art, you live it.

Notes
The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is centrally located near Praça de Espanha, Lisbon.
Easily accessible by metro (Praça de Espanha or São Sebastião), bus, or on foot from nearby areas such as Parque Eduardo VII.

Today, it’s home to the Gulbenkian Museum, which houses a remarkable and diverse art collection that spans millennia and cultures — from European painting and Islamic tapestries to ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman art. The Gulbenkian Museum’s treasures include two particularly captivating collections: the Lalique Collection, which showcases the exquisite glasswork of French master René Lalique, and the collection of illuminated manuscripts, which offer a window into the artistry of medieval and Renaissance scriptoria.

Meanwhile, the foundation’s contemporary art museum, the Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian, presents a rotating programme of exhibitions that bring together leading portuguese and international artists, ensuring that the Gulbenkian remains at the forefront of Lisbon’s vibrant cultural scene.

Whether you’re there to visit the museum, attend a concert, or stroll through the greenery, the Gulbenkian Foundation offers a space for discovery and calm right in the heart of Lisbon.