Set on the banks of the Tagus in the historic district of Belém, MAAT, the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, is an unclassifiable place. This complex stands out for its futuristic silhouette, in dialogue with an old power station from the early 20th century. Behind thespectacular architecture lies a surprising journey through Portugal’s industrial history and contemporary art.
In this article, you’ll find our photos and tips for making the most of your visit to MAAT in Lisbon.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why visit MAAT?
Is MAAT worth it? Our review
Yes, without hesitation. MAAT offers an experience off the beaten track! The architecture alone is worth the trip: the contemporary building, designed by Amanda Levete, is a feat of engineering that can be discovered from the outside as well as the inside, with its accessible roof that becomes an urban promenade.
The old power station impresses with its perfectly preserved original machinery, which tells the story of a century of Portuguese energy history. And if you come across a good temporary exhibition of contemporary art, that’s the bonus that makes the visit even more memorable. Allow 2 to 3 hours on site!
Why is MAAT famous?
MAAT has quickly gained international renown for its bold architecture, making it one of Lisbon’s most photographed buildings. Its hybrid approach – combining industrial heritage and contemporary creation – sets it apart from traditional cultural institutions. Its program of temporary exhibitions of contemporary art attracts an international audience and contributes to the cultural influence of the Portuguese capital.
Our favorite
We loved Ernesto Neto’s immersive installation Nosso Barco Tambor Terra, which you can enter and walk around. This monumental sculpture, halfway between a ship and a forest, envelops visitors in an organic universe of soft shapes, cocoons and crocheted trunks. As you move through this living work, you sense the profound dimension imagined by the artist: a gesture of spiritual alignment with nature as much as an idea of universal connection to others. A real discovery!
History in brief
- 1908: Construction of the Central Tagus thermoelectric power station
- 1909-1972: The plant operates continuously, and from 1951 onwards, it is used as a back-up power station to complement hydroelectric plants.
- 1975: The plant is decommissioned, leaving behind its entire original production system.
- 1986: Classification of the building as an Asset of Public Interest, in recognition of its architectural and heritage importance.
- 1990: Opening to the public as the Musée de l’Électricité, the first phase in the cultural conversion of the former factory.
- 2016: Inauguration of MAAT with the opening of the Gallery designed by Amanda Levete (AL_A)
- 2023: Inauguration of the new “L’Histoire de l’énergie” exhibition space dedicated to energy transition and sustainable development.
WHERE TO STAY IN lisbon
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Baixa district in the heart of Lisbon
Hotel da Baixa – See prices, photos and availability
Dare Lisbon House Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
Alfama district, the oldest and most charming
Hotel Poussada Alfama – See prices, photos and availability
Chiado district, the most elegant
Art Legacy Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
Access : MAAT, Lisbon
Where is MAAT?
MAAT is located on the banks of the Tagus in the historic Belém district, west of central Lisbon.
The exact address is Avenida Brasília, in an area that concentrates several major monuments such as the Hieronymites Monasteryand the Belem Tower.
The museum enjoys a spectacular riverside location, with the modern building standing out from the urban landscape.
How do I get there?
There are several options for joining MAAT:
- By streetcar: Tramway 15E serves Belém directly from downtown (Praça da Figueira, Praça do Comércio). Get off at the “Centro Cultural de Belém” or “Altinho” stop, and MAAT is just a few minutes’ walk along the Tagus to the west.
- By train: From Cais do Sodré station, take the Cascais line train and get off at “Belém” station. The journey takes 12 minutes.
- By bus: Several lines serve Belém, including 727, 28, 729 and 714. The “Centro Cultural de Belém” stop is a 20-minute walk from MAAT.
- By bike: A cycle path runs along the Tagus from the city center to Belém, offering a pleasant ride of around 6-7 km. The district has several self-service bicycle stations.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Portugal
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Don’t take a car that’s too wide, as old towns have narrow streets and small parking spaces.
- For more choice, book early.
Read our tips (coming soon)
Parking
The Descrobimentos public parking lot is an 18-minute walk from MAAT. Parking in adjacent streets is also possible, but uncertain.
FUN around Lisbon: activities
Lisbon by electric bike
Excursion to Sintra from Lisbon
Dolphin watching
Kayaking in Arrabida
Surfing in Cascais
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings offer a quieter experience, with fewer school groups flocking to the former power station. If you’ve come for the architecture and the views, choose late afternoons when the low-angled light sublimates Amanda Levete’s building and its reflections on the Tagus.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow 2 hours for a complete visit, including both buildings, the garden and a break on the roof promenade. If you’re an art enthusiast, or if you take the time to read the labels in the electricity exhibition, you should easily allow 3 to 4 hours for your visit.
The entire museum is accessible to PRM visitors (toilets, ramps, lift), but please note that the spaces are quite large. This can lead to slight fatigue.
Advice on how to visit
We recommend starting at the old power station (MAAT Central), which houses the permanent exhibition on electricity. This part of the site is packed with information, so visiting it first will keep you focused. Afterwards, we recommend taking a break outside to enjoy the view and the architecture.
You can then move on to the modern building (Galerie MAAT) to discover the temporary exhibitions that interest you. Finally, if the weather permits, take a stroll through the gardens on the banks of the Tagus.
Here’s a map to help you find your way around:
Visiting with children
MAAT works well with children, particularly thanks to the old power station, which impresses the youngest visitors with its gigantic machines.
The “History of Energy” exhibition offers an interactive approach to the energy transition, with lots of elements to handle and test.
Depending on the exhibition, children will also be delighted to discover monumental works of art.
Last but not least, the rooftop promenade is a very pleasant experience for the whole family.
Schedules and rates
MAAT is open daily from 10am to 7pm (closed Tuesdays).
Adult tickets cost €15 and give access to the entire complex.
Reduced rates are available for students, senior citizens and families.
Check the latest rates on the official website here.
And don’t miss one of the museum’s well-stocked and colorful boutiques.
Guided tours
Every day, MAAT offers 30-minute guided tours in Portuguese and English to explore the temporary exhibitions in greater depth. Times vary according to the exhibition, and meeting points are indicated in the halls. The museum also offers a wide range of creative workshops. Find the program on the official website here.
Catering
MAAT Café & Kitchenis ideal for a break with a view. Prices are right for a cultural venue, and the menu offers light options (sandwiches, salads) and drinks.
The Belém district also offers a wealth of dining options, which you’ll soon discover in our article Where to eat in Lisbon.
Spectacular architecture between river and city
Contemporary building: a wave of ceramics on the banks of the Tagus River
MAAT impresses on approach with its contemporary building designed by Amanda Levete (AL_A). Its undulating shape, covered with 15,000 three-dimensional ceramic tiles, reflects the light of the Tagus, creating a unique visual interplay between water, sky and architecture. Conceived as an extension of the landscape, the building perfectly embodies the meeting of art, architecture and technology.
Its accessible roof extends the public space, offering one of the finest panoramic views of Lisbon, the Pont du 25-Avril, the river, the quays and the waterfront. A suspended walkway and pedestrian bridge link the city directly to the museum, making MAAT not only a cultural venue, but also a must-see urban belvedere.
The Tagus power plant: an industrial monument
Opposite the contemporary building, the former power station (MAAT Central), built between 1908 and the 1940s, offers a striking contrast. Classified as an Asset of Public Interest, it has preserved its red-brick facades, metal structures and original machinery, transformed into veritable industrial sculptures. Carefully restored, it provides a spectacular backdrop for understanding Portugal’s energy history.
Inside, walkways and metal frameworks immerse visitors in the atmosphere of a real engine room, creating a powerful dialogue between industrial heritage and contemporary architecture.
L’Usine électrique: a journey through the history of energy
A spectacular, unspoilt power plant
MAAT Central houses the permanent exhibition “The Electric Factory”, which traces the operation of the former thermoelectric power station that supplied Lisbon from 1909 to 1972. Boilers, turbines, generators and control panels are preserved in their original state, offering a rare immersion in the country’s industrial history.
The authenticity of the site, which has remained intact since it was decommissioned, makes it one of Portugal’s most educational museums, particularly popular with schools.
An educational route to renewable energies
The museum exhibits almost 3,500 objects linked to the history of electricity: scientific instruments, meters, lighting fixtures, domestic appliances… A new area, “The History of Energy” (2023), addresses the current issues of energy transition and sustainable development.
Claire’s simple, clear presentation enables everyone – children and adults alike – to understand how our energy production and consumption patterns are changing.
An exceptional contemporary art program
International programming in spectacular spaces
Galerie MAAT hosts ambitious temporary exhibitions combining photography, video, installation, sculpture and digital art. The 3,000 sq. m. of modular exhibition space means that very large-scale works can be presented in optimal conditions. In Galerie Ovale, for example, we really enjoyed discovering the work of French artist Nicolas Le Floc’h, a renowned photographer of the marine world. His monumental fresco of 408 photographs on the colors of Tagus water and his spectacular images of the seabed lead us towards an ecological conscience.
The program is based on the EDP Foundation’s art collection (over 2,000 works by 300 artists), which has focused on the contemporary Portuguese scene since the 1960s, and is regularly open to international artists. We loved the unexpected dialogues created between the works, and the good thing is that the programming changes often!
A living museum between heritage and creation
In addition to the exhibitions, Jardin MAAT, designed by landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic, stretches 225m along the Tagus and features monumental outdoor sculptures.
It’s this hybridization of architecture, history and contemporary art that makes every visit to MAAT unique, and makes you want to come back again and again to discover new exhibitions.
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information and addresses you need to make your stay in Portugal a success will soon be available in a single ebook!
If you would like to be informed when our guide to Portugal is published, please register:
