Portimão Museum
An excellent museum with much fascinating information about both prehistory and history.
Núcleo Museológico de São Pedro
Also known as: Núcleo Museológico da Igreja de São Pedro e Reservas An old church has been repurposed for the municipal archaeological museum, with information and exhibits detailing the occupation of the area from Paleolithic times to the 20th century. This museum was formed in 2021, using the building of …
Centro de Interpretação dos Concheiros de Muge
English name: Interpretation Centre of the Muge Shell Middens A museum about the “Concheiros de Muge,” or the Shell Middens of Muge: a group of mesolithic shell middens that are one of the most famous and important archaeological sites for the Mesolithic period. The middens themselves are not generally visitable, …
Núcleo Museológico de Arqueologia de Afife
English name: Afife Archaeology Museum Tucked away beside the Afife Casino (not a gambling hall, but the town’s social centre), is a small but fascinating archaeological museum. There are artefacts from the Paleolithic up through the Roman period, and information about the rich ancient history of the town and the …
Casa dos Nichos
This ancient building holds even more ancient contents inside. It’s the archaeological museum of Viana do Castelo, with information about the prehistory of the area from the Stone Age to the Roman era. Viana do Castelo’s archaeological museum (Núcleo de Arqueologia) has a small but impressive exhibit telling the story …
Museum of the Southwest Script
Portuguese: Museu da Escrita Sudoeste de Almodôvar (MESA) The characters tease you: they look familiar, and they obviously convey a message. What is it? It’s impossible to say. Someday we may decipher all the symbols, but for now they remain enigmatic, leaving us to wonder at the people who lived …
Museum of Vila do Bispo
In Portuguese: Museu de Vila do Bispo, also known as: Celeiro da História (“The Granary of History”) Come into this restored granary, and walk through the history of the region. From dinosaurs to the modern day, a carefully and artistically designed space guides you through the huge spaces of the …
Archaeological Museum of São Miguel de Odrinhas (MASMO)
Name in Portuguese: Museu Arqueológico de São Miguel de Odrinhas (MASMO) A beautiful museum, built around the ruins of a Roman villa, which houses a vast collection of artefacts. There are inscriptions and relics from the Roman period, as well as relics from more recent eras and others dating back …
Abrigo de Lagar Velho
Also known as: Vale de Lapedo Site of archaeological discovery: the Lapedo Child, or Lagar Velho 1. In Portuguese, o Menino do Lapedo or a Criança do Lapedo Walk along the valley floor, enjoying the sunshine and peacefulness of the sparsely populated road. The wind blows through the trees, adding …
Municipal Museum of Leonel Trindade
Just off the pleasant Jardim da Graça in central Torres Vedras stands the gorgeous convent of Nossa Senhora da Graça. Just to the right of the church and the clock tower, a large blue sign beckons you to visit the Museu Municipal Leonel Trindade. When you drag yourself away from …