MAAT Lisbon — the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology — is the city’s most striking modern building: a wave-shaped, white-tiled riverside structure designed by British architect Amanda Levete that opened in 2016. The complementary Tejo Power Station next door (a 1908 art-deco coal-fired plant) houses the museum’s permanent collection. Together they form one of Europe’s most architecturally interesting cultural venues.
This guide covers everything: tickets, hours, the contemporary exhibitions, the historic Power Station, the rooftop walk, and how to combine MAAT with the rest of Belém. Updated for 2026.
MAAT at a Glance
- Where: Avenida Brasília, Belém riverfront (between Belém Tower and the Discoveries Monument)
- Opened: 2016 (new building) / 1908 (Tejo Power Station)
- Architect: Amanda Levete (AL_A studio)
- Hours: 10 AM – 7 PM, closed Tuesdays
- Tickets: €11 adult, €5.50 youth/senior, free under 18
- Time required: 90 minutes – 2 hours
Tickets and Practical Info
Opening Hours
- Wednesday–Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (last entry 6:30 PM)
- Closed Tuesdays, January 1, May 1, December 25
Ticket Prices
- Standard adult: €11
- Youth (13–17) and senior (65+): €5.50
- Children under 13: Free
- Combined MAAT + Power Station: included in single ticket
- Lisboa Card holders: Free entry
Saturdays Free
The Berardo Museum (separate venue in Belém) offers free Saturday admission. MAAT does not, but offers reduced rates on Sundays for residents.
The MAAT Building (New Wing)
Amanda Levete’s wave-shaped structure is itself the museum’s most-photographed exhibit. The building is clad in 15,000 hand-cut three-dimensional ceramic tiles by Portuguese manufacturer Viúva Lamego — the same tile tradition the city has practised for 500 years, applied to a building that could not look less like the 16th century. A free public walkway runs underneath it; a staircase takes you to the top for sweeping Tagus views; inside, the Oval Gallery’s 1,000 m² main exhibition space handles large-scale contemporary installations. Non-ticketed visitors can walk around and over the building freely.
The Tejo Power Station (Permanent Collection)
Adjacent to the new wing, the Tejo Power Station is a beautifully preserved 1908 art-deco coal-fired electricity plant that powered Lisbon until 1975. It now houses MAAT’s permanent collection focused on energy, electricity, and Portuguese art. The original boiler room and 1900s-era industrial machinery remain in place; the soaring Boiler House gallery hosts large-scale installations that only work in a space this tall. The Portuguese contemporary art collection — Helena Almeida, Joana Vasconcelos, Pedro Cabrita Reis — is shown here alongside interactive displays on Portugal’s energy history. For travelers interested in industrial archaeology and Portuguese 20th-century art, the Power Station alone justifies the visit.
Recent and Upcoming Exhibitions
MAAT runs 4–6 major temporary exhibitions per year. The focus rotates between contemporary art (Portuguese and international), architecture and design, and technology and digital media. Past notable exhibitions have included Yto Barrada, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Tony Cragg, a Joana Vasconcelos solo show, and the Hidden Garden architectural installation. Check the official MAAT website for current programming before you visit.
How to Get to MAAT
By Tram (Tram 15E)
The most scenic route. Get off at the Belém / Centro Cultural stop, walk 2 minutes east along the riverfront. €1.80 with a Viva Viagem day pass.
By Train
The Cascais line stops at Belém station. 5-minute walk south to MAAT. €1.45 each way from Cais do Sodré.
By Foot from Jerónimos Monastery
10-minute walk west along the riverfront promenade. Pass the Discoveries Monument en route.
By Foot from Belém Tower
5-minute walk east along the riverside.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings (10–11 AM) are the quietest. Saturday afternoons are the busiest. Forty-five minutes before sundown is the best time for the rooftop walk — golden light over the 25 de Abril bridge. April–May and September–October offer the best weather and the thinnest crowds.
The Café and Restaurant
The MAAT café serves light Mediterranean fare on a riverside terrace. Mains €14–€22. Coffee, snacks, and full meals; open same hours as the museum. The terrace earns a visit on its own terms.
Combining MAAT with Belém
MAAT pairs naturally with Belém’s other major sights:
- Morning Jerónimos + noon Pastéis de Belém + afternoon MAAT = the full cultural Belém day
- Belém Tower + MAAT = the architecture-focused half-day
- MAAT + Discoveries Monument + sunset on the riverfront = a quieter half-day variant
See our Jerónimos guide and Belém Tower guide.
Photography
Photography permitted throughout. The roof walk is the most popular spot — white tiles, the bridge, the wave-form, the river. Best at golden hour (1 hour before sunset). Drones are not permitted.
Accessibility
Both buildings are fully wheelchair accessible with elevators, ramps, and accessible bathrooms. The roof walk has both stair and elevator access.
MAAT vs Other Lisbon Museums
| Museum | Focus | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| MAAT | Contemporary art, architecture, tech | Modern design lovers |
| Gulbenkian | 5,000-year private collection | Classical art lovers |
| National Tile Museum | 500 years of azulejo art | Portuguese culture enthusiasts |
| Berardo | 20th-century international art | Modern art with budget pricing |
See our Lisbon Museums pillar.
FAQ: MAAT Lisbon
Is MAAT worth visiting?
Yes for travelers interested in contemporary art, architecture, or design. The building is one of Lisbon’s most striking modern structures, and the rooftop walk is free.
How long do you need at MAAT?
90 minutes for the major exhibitions, plus 30 minutes for the rooftop and Power Station. Two hours is comfortable.
How much does MAAT cost?
€11 adult, €5.50 youth/senior, free under 13. Free for Lisboa Card holders.
Where is MAAT?
Avenida Brasília, in Belém, between the Discoveries Monument and Belém Tower. 10 minutes from Jerónimos Monastery.
Is the MAAT roof walk free?
Yes — the rooftop and the underbelly passage are free public spaces. Only the gallery interiors require tickets.
What is special about MAAT’s architecture?
The wave-shaped form, 15,000 hand-cut three-dimensional ceramic tiles, walkable roof, and free public passage underneath are all unique to the building. Architect Amanda Levete designed it to fit the river.
Is MAAT on the Lisboa Card?
Yes — Lisboa Card holders enter free.
Bottom Line
MAAT is one of Lisbon’s most architecturally significant cultural venues — a striking riverside structure paired with a beautifully preserved 1908 power station. Allow 2 hours, walk the roof at golden hour, and combine with Jerónimos and the Discoveries Monument for a complete Belém day.
Continue planning with our Lisbon Museums pillar, our Tile Museum guide, our Gulbenkian guide, and our Oceanarium guide.
