MAAT Lisbon: The Riverside Museum and Roof Walk

MAAT, the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, is one of Lisbon’s most striking buildings: a low, wave-like structure on the riverside in Belém, covered in white tiles that shimmer in the light. You can walk over its roof for river views, and next door is a red-brick former power station. Here’s how to visit.

Quick answer: MAAT is on the riverfront between Cais do Sodré and Belém. Tickets cost around €11, but the roof walk is free. It’s closed on Tuesdays. Allow 1 to 2 hours, then walk along the river to the Belém monuments.

Why go

MAAT opened in 2016 and is run by the EDP Foundation, the cultural arm of Portugal’s main power company. It was designed by the British architect Amanda Levete. Even if contemporary art isn’t your thing, the building is worth seeing, and the roof is one of the best free viewpoints on the river. Inside, the shows change several times a year, so there’s often something new.

What to see

• The building: a curving structure clad in about 15,000 three-dimensional white tiles. Walk up and over the roof for views of the Tagus and the 25 de Abril Bridge. Allow 15 to 20 minutes.
• Exhibitions: changing shows of contemporary art, architecture and technology in the galleries under the wave. The large oval gallery is often used for one big installation.
• The power station (Central Tejo): a brick electricity plant that supplied much of Lisbon’s power in the first half of the 20th century. You walk among the original boilers, turbines and control rooms, and it also hosts exhibitions. Allow 45 minutes to an hour.

Tickets and opening hours

• Tickets: about €11 for adults, with reduced prices for young people and over-65s, and free entry for young children. One ticket covers both the new building and the power station.
• Hours: usually 10am to 7pm, every day except Tuesday. It also closes on a few public holidays, including 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
• Lisboa Card: holders usually get free entry. See is the Lisboa Card worth it.
• Check first: galleries sometimes close between exhibitions, so look at the museum’s website before you go.

Getting there

Take tram 15 or the Cascais line train to Belém (or Alcântara-Mar), or walk or cycle along the river. From Belém station it’s a short walk east along the waterfront. Trains on the Cascais line leave from Cais do Sodré. See Lisbon public transport.

How long to spend

Allow 1 to 2 hours for both buildings, or 20 minutes if you only walk over the roof. MAAT fits well into a riverside half day.

A half-day route

• Morning: start at LX Factory for coffee and a browse of the shops.
• Late morning: walk west along the river to MAAT and the power station.
• Lunch: carry on to Belém for a pastel de nata.
• Afternoon: visit Jerónimos or the Belém Tower.

Combine with

• Belém: Jerónimos, the Belém Tower and the custard tarts. See Belém.
• LX Factory: a short walk east. See LX Factory.
• Sunset: the roof is a lovely sunset spot.

Practical tips

• Tuesday plans: MAAT is shut, but many national museums in Belém close on Mondays instead, so plan your days around both.
• Sun and wind: the white roof reflects a lot of light, so bring sunglasses. It can be breezy by the river.
• Cycling: the riverside path is flat and easy, and bike hire is available in the city.
• Rainy days: the power station makes a good indoor stop. See Lisbon on a rainy day.

More: the best museums in Lisbon and free things to do in Lisbon.

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