Being a citizen or resident of Portugal now comes with free access to 37 museums, monuments, and palaces across the country for 52 days a year. And the best part is? You get to choose the days.
Wider Access to Culture
In an effort to promote cultural heritage and accessibility, the Portuguese government has just announced this new initiative, effective immediately. Previously, free access was restricted to Sundays and holidays, a policy implemented by the government of António Costa. The new government, led by LuÃs Montenegro, has expanded this initiative, allowing visits on any day of the week. This change aims to spread visitor numbers more evenly throughout the week, reducing weekend overcrowding and long queues.
How It Works
To benefit from this program, citizens and residents only need to present their citizen or resident card and NIF (tax identification number) at the ticket office of the museum or monument they wish to visit. This day will then be deducted from their annual quota of 52 free access days. Any free access day allows free access ALL day, which means that you can visit multiple museums and monuments for free on the same day.
See 16 Sites for Free in Lisbon
The Lisbon metropolitan area alone is home to 16 of these 37 cultural facilities. Notable sites include:
- Monastery of the Jerónimos
- Museum of Popular Art
- National Museum of Archaeology
- National Museum of Ancient Art
- Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea — Museu do Chiado
- Museum of Ethnology
- Museu Nacional do Azulejo
- National Museum of Theatre and Dance
- National Costume Museum
- Museu Nacional dos Coches and Picadeiro Real
- Ajuda National Palace
- National Pantheon
- Belém Tower
- House-Museum Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves
- National Palace of Mafra, Mafra
- National Museum of Music, Mafra
It’s important to note that this free access applies only to heritage sites managed by the central state. Many other museums and monuments, particularly those under municipal management, such as those overseen by Lisbon Cultura, have their own rules and tariffs. Lisbon Cultura, for example, offers free access through the Culture Pass for young people up to 23 years old and seniors over 65.
When You Can Visit Sintra for Free
Residents of Portugal will continue to enjoy free access to parks and monuments managed by Parques de Sintra on Sundays and holidays. To take advantage of this offer, visitors must present their citizen or resident card at the monument’s ticket office on the day of their visit. Parques de Sintra oversees the following sites:
- Pena National Palace
- The Moorish Castle
- National Palace of Sintra
- Monserrate Palace
- Capuchos Convent
- Queluz National Palace
- Chalet and Garden of the Countess of Edla
- Villa Sassetti
- Cabo da Roca Lighthouse
Other Sites You Can Now Visit for Free
- Convent of Christ in Tomar
- Sagres Fortress in Vila do Bispo
- Monastery of Alcobaça in Alcobaça
- Batalha Monastery (Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória) in Batalha
- Museum of Alberto Sampaio and extension at the Palacete de Santiago in Guimarães
- Museum of Lamego in Lamego
- José Malhoa Museum in Caldas da Rainha
- Museum of Ceramics in Caldas da Rainha
- National Museum of Resistance and Freedom in Peniche
- National Museum of ConÃmbriga in Condeixa-a-Velha
- National Museum of Machado de Castro in Coimbra
- National Museum of Soares dos Reis and Casa-Museum Fernando de Castro in Porto
- Frei Manuel do Cenáculo National Museum and Mercês Church in Évora
- Grão Vasco National Museum in Viseu
- The Queen D Museum. Leonor and extension in the Church of Santo Amaro in Beja
- Paço dos Duques, Guimarães Castle, and Church of São Miguel do Castelo in Guimarães
- The Museum D. Diogo de Sousa in Braga
- Museum of Biscainhos in Braga
- Museum of Terra de Miranda in Miranda Douro
- Abbot of Baçal Museum in Bragança
- Museum Dr. Joaquim Manso in Nazaré
Final Thoughts
The new Portugese government emphasized that free access is a cornerstone of the government’s cultural program. The goal is to increase the number of visits and allow wider access to Portugal’s cultural sites. While there are concerns about potential loss in revenue, the expectation is that the increase in tourists will help balance out the cutural investments. Citizens and residents of Portugal, we hope that you enjoy wider access to these incredible cultural sites. Now that you can visit for free, which museum are you going to visit first?
