Museu Nacional dos Coches

Type: Art & Culture, Attractions, Cultural Venues, Family Friendly, Local Picks, Museums, Uniquely Here

10Best Says

The Museu Nacional dos Coches (National Coach Museum) holds the largest collection of historic coaches and carriages in the world, and is certainly the finest museum of its kind in Europe. The coaches, comprising state and promenade vehicles from Portugal, Italy, France, Austria and Spain, span from the 16th to the 19th centuries and provide an outstanding exhibit of the technical and artistic evolution of horse-drawn transportation used by the Church and the Courts of Europe. Many are simply sumptuous in design, with interiors lined with red velvet and exteriors of intricately carved and decorated gilded wood. Look out for the oldest coach in the collection, dating from 1619 and which once belonged to Filipe II of Spain. In addition to the carriages, there are related items on show such as harnesses, lamps, whips and riding crops and saddle chairs.

Address:

Avenida da India 136
Lisbon, 1300-300

Phone:

+351 21 073 2319

Website:

museudoscoches.gov.pt

EXPERT TIPS BY: Paul Bernhardt
Lisbon Local Expert

Best Attractions & Activities: "The museum complements an older museum that still houses a number of coaches, and you can purchase a combined ticket to visit both."
Museums: "The museum complements a nearby older museum that still houses a number of similarly historic coaches. You can purchase a combined ticket to visit both."

Recommended as Best Attractions & Activities Because: This is the largest collection of traditional coaches and carriages in world, which is housed in modern, a purpose built facility.
Best for Museums Because: The collection of coaches and carriages connected to the equestrian arts housed in the Museu Nacional dos Coches is the most comprehensive in the world.