Portugal has introduced a new cultural access initiative, effective August 1, 2024, allowing citizens and residents to visit 37 cultural sites free of charge for 52 days annually. This policy, implemented by Minister of Culture Dalila Rodrigues, expands free access beyond just Sundays and holidays to any day of the week.
Visitors can explore multiple locations on a single free day by presenting their Citizen Card and tax number at each site’s ticket office. The process involves initial registration and subsequent presentations to track usage of the 52 free days.
The participating cultural institutions include:
Lisbon and Surroundings
- Jerónimos Monastery, Lisbon (30m from Cascais) – A UNESCO World Heritage site, this monastery is a prime example of Manueline architecture, built in the 16th century to honor the Age of Discovery.
- Museum of Popular Art, Lisbon (30m from Cascais) – Showcasing traditional Portuguese arts and crafts, this museum celebrates the country’s rich cultural heritage.
- National Music Museum, Mafra (30m from Cascais) – Home to a vast collection of musical instruments, this museum spans several centuries of music history in Portugal.
- National Museum of Resistance and Freedom, Peniche (1h from Cascais) – Located in a former political prison, this museum honors those who fought for freedom during Portugal’s Estado Novo dictatorship.
- National Museum of Archaeology, Lisbon (30m from Cascais) – Portugal’s largest museum dedicated to archaeology, featuring artifacts from prehistoric to medieval times.
- National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon (30m from Cascais) – Housing a rich collection of European and Oriental art, this museum is one of the most important in Portugal.
- National Museum of Contemporary Art — Chiado Museum, Lisbon (30m from Cascais) – Dedicated to Portuguese contemporary art from the 19th century onwards, this museum highlights the evolution of modern art in the country.
- National Museum of Ethnology, Lisbon (30m from Cascais) – Exhibiting cultural artifacts from around the world, with a focus on Portuguese and Lusophone communities.
- National Tile Museum, Lisbon (30m from Cascais) – Specializing in traditional Portuguese tiles (azulejos), this museum traces the history of this unique art form.
- National Museum of Theatre and Dance, Lisbon (30m from Cascais) – A museum dedicated to the performing arts, showcasing costumes, set designs, and memorabilia from Portuguese theater and dance.
- National Costume Museum, Lisbon (30m from Cascais) – Focuses on the history of fashion and costumes in Portugal, featuring garments from the 18th century to modern times.
- National Coach Museum and Royal Riding School, Lisbon (30m from Cascais) – Houses one of the world’s finest collections of historical carriages, used by Portuguese royalty and nobility.
- Ajuda National Palace, Lisbon (30m from Cascais) – A former royal residence, this palace now displays luxurious interiors and a rich collection of decorative arts.
- Mafra National Palace (30m from Cascais) – This grand Baroque palace is one of the largest in Portugal, featuring a library, basilica, and royal apartments.
- National Pantheon, Lisbon (30m from Cascais) – A monumental building that serves as the burial place for many of Portugal’s most important historical figures.
- Belém Tower, Lisbon (30m from Cascais) – Another UNESCO World Heritage site, this iconic tower is a symbol of Portugal’s maritime history.
- Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves House-Museum, Lisbon (30m from Cascais) – The former residence of a prominent Portuguese doctor and art collector, now showcasing his extensive collection.
North Portugal
- Alberto Sampaio Museum and Palacete de Santiago extension, Guimarães (3h 30m from Cascais) – Exhibits religious art and artifacts from the medieval period, highlighting the history of Guimarães.
- Palace of the Dukes, Guimarães Castle, and Church of Saint Michael of the Castle, Guimarães (3h 30m from Cascais) – A historic complex that includes the majestic Palace of the Dukes, the ancient Guimarães Castle, and the small Romanesque church of Saint Michael.
- Soares dos Reis National Museum and Fernando de Castro House-Museum, Porto (3h 15m from Cascais) – Portugal’s first public art museum, featuring works by national artists, as well as decorative arts.
- D. Diogo de Sousa Museum, Braga (3h 40m from Cascais) – Focuses on the archaeology of Braga and the surrounding region, with collections from the Paleolithic to the Roman period.
- Biscainhos Museum, Braga (3h 40m from Cascais) – Located in an 18th-century palace, this museum offers insights into the lifestyle of the Portuguese nobility.
- Museum of the Land of Miranda, Miranda do Douro (4h 45m from Cascais) – Dedicated to the cultural heritage of the Miranda region, including the unique Mirandese language and traditions.
- Museum of the Abbot of Baçal, Bragança (4h 30m from Cascais) – Showcases regional art and ethnography, with a focus on the history and culture of the Trás-os-Montes region.
- Lamego Museum (3h 45m from Cascais) – Known for its rich collection of religious art, including works by prominent Portuguese artists.
- Grão Vasco National Museum, Viseu (3h from Cascais) – Named after the Renaissance painter Grão Vasco, this museum is home to an impressive collection of his works and other religious art.
Central Portugal
- Convent of Christ, Tomar (1h 40m from Cascais) – A UNESCO World Heritage site, this convent was originally a Templar stronghold and is an architectural masterpiece of the Renaissance period.
- Monastery of Alcobaça (1h 30m from Cascais) – Another UNESCO site, this Cistercian monastery is one of Portugal’s most important medieval monuments, known for its Gothic architecture.
- Monastery of Saint Mary of Victory, Batalha (1h 30m from Cascais) – A UNESCO World Heritage site, this monastery commemorates the Portuguese victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385.
- National Museum of Conímbriga, Condeixa-a-Nova (2h from Cascais) – Located at one of the most important Roman ruins in Portugal, this museum showcases ancient Roman artifacts and offers a glimpse into the lives of its early settlers.
- National Museum of Machado de Castro, Coimbra (2h from Cascais) – Housed in a former bishop’s palace, this museum features Roman remains and an extensive collection of Portuguese sculpture and art, including works from the medieval period to the present.
- Dr. Joaquim Manso Museum, Nazaré (1h 30m from Cascais) – A cultural museum dedicated to the traditional life and heritage of the coastal town of Nazaré, including its famous fishing culture and religious festivals.
- José Malhoa Museum, Caldas da Rainha (1h from Cascais) – This museum highlights the works of José Malhoa, a prominent Portuguese realist painter, along with other notable 19th and 20th-century artists.
- Ceramics Museum, Caldas da Rainha (1h from Cascais) – Set in a 19th-century manor, this museum focuses on the region’s rich tradition of ceramics, displaying various styles from traditional to contemporary pieces.
South Portugal
- Sagres Fortress, Vila do Bispo (3h 10m from Cascais) – An iconic maritime fortress linked to Prince Henry the Navigator, offering panoramic views of the Algarve coastline and insights into Portugal’s Age of Discoveries.
- Frei Manuel do Cenáculo National Museum and Church of Mercês, Évora (1h 40m from Cascais) – Located in the historic city of Évora, this museum features a wide range of archaeological artifacts, paintings, and religious art from the region.
- Queen D. Leonor Museum and Church of Santo Amaro extension, Beja (2h 30m from Cascais) – This museum is set in a former convent and offers a rich collection of regional artifacts, including Roman mosaics, medieval paintings, and ethnographic displays.
This initiative aims to enhance cultural accessibility and engagement across Portugal’s diverse historical and artistic heritage.