Things to do in Algarve, Portugal: The Best History Museums

September 23, 2021 Jasper Kershner

The Algarve's sunny shores offer perfect escapes for all types, from those seeking the hot nightlife of flashy, energetic Lagos to those desiring secluded stays in rambling Sagres. Portugal's most southerly region offers historical attractions in former Moorish capital Silves and fascinating Tavira, great golf, fabulous beaches from Praia da Luz to Armacao de Pera, thermal springs at Caldas de Monchique, and miles of limestone caves and grottoes, cliffs and bays along its rugged coastline.
Restaurants in Algarve

1. Cerro da Vila

Vilamoura, Quarteira Portugal +351 289 312 153 http://www.marinadevilamoura.com/en/vilamoura/cerro-da-vila-museum
Excellent
45%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 382 reviews

Cerro da Vila

Reviewed By rhonaiainf - Glasgow, United Kingdom

Never been to the Algarve, never been to Vilamoura. Only new it for Marina, golf & where footballers of the 80/90s hung out! So pleasantly surprised to find one of the best kept archeological sites we have visited, and we have visited a few! ( just ask the kids????) For only €3 per person you are given free range to walk around the dig site & small museum. The Roman bath unearthed is probably the best seen outside of Bath in terms of not being a pile of stones!!

2. Igreja do Antigo Convento de Santo Antonio dos Capuchos

Rua de Santo Antonio, Tavira 8800-000 Portugal +351 969 103 485 [email protected]
Excellent
27%
Good
73%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Igreja do Antigo Convento de Santo Antonio dos Capuchos

The former convent of Santo António dos Capuchos appeared in 1612 when the friars of the Order of Santo António dos Capuchos settled in the same place where existed an hermitage dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Esperança. This church has the typical 17th century "chã" architecture with a simple rectangular plant, a single nave and a main chapel. During the second half of the 18th century the main façade was remodeled. On the inside is possible to admire a remarkable 18th century clay ensemble with the representation of Santo António`s life. It`s also possible to contemplate carved altarpieces and examples of painting and religious imagery from the 17th to 19th centuries.

3. Museu Municipal Dr. Jose Formosinho

Rua General Alberto da Silveira, Lagos 8600-594 Portugal +351 282 762 301 [email protected] http://www.cm-lagos.pt
Excellent
25%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
33%
Poor
5%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 119 reviews

Museu Municipal Dr. Jose Formosinho

4. Museu Municipal de Faro

Praca Dom Afonso III 14 Centro Histórico, Faro 8000-167 Portugal +351 289 870 827 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/museumunicipaldefaro
Excellent
41%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 263 reviews

Museu Municipal de Faro

The Museum's archaeological collection is displayed in three rooms. The Roman period is represent in the Paths of Roman Algarve Exhibition, starting in the Southwest Writing (Iron Age), going through the Latin epigraphy and the mosaic of Oceanus room; the Islamic room shows objects of the Muslim daily life. The visitor can also see two other permanent exhibitions, the Ancient Painting (from 16th to 19th century) and the Enchanted Algarve by Carlos Porfirio.

Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This is a small and very interesting museum! Located at the old "Convento de Nossa Senhora da Assunção" ("Convent of Our Lady of Assumption", in English), the "Museu Municipal do Faro" displays collections concerning the Roman times in "Ossonoba" (as the city of Faro was named by them in the 1st century), the Moorish years in "Santa María" (as Faro was known from the 10th to the 13th centuries) and fine classical paintings from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The highlights are the Roman mosaics portraying "Oceanus", their patron god for seas and oceans. Two last hints: 1) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, "Fado" singers and players perform live in this lovely museum at 11:30 AM, 2:30 PM, 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM. Check the schedule before going; and 2) check also their temporary exhibitions, always bringing important artists to Faro's cultural scene. Unmissable! Enjoy!

5. Museu municipal d'Aljezur

Rua Joao Dias Mendes 48, Aljezur 8670-086 Portugal +351 282 990 010
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 2 reviews

Museu municipal d'Aljezur

6. Archaeological Museum

Alcoutim Portugal +351 281 540 509 http://www.alcoutimuncovered.com/
Excellent
28%
Good
53%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 76 reviews

Archaeological Museum

7. Portuguese Discoveries Wax Museum

Marina de Lagos Marina de Lagos - Edificio Astrolabio Loja 3, Lagos 8600-780 Portugal +351 282 039 650 [email protected] http://www.museuceradescobrimentos.com
Excellent
29%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
5%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 114 reviews

Portuguese Discoveries Wax Museum

The Wax Museum of the Portuguese Discoveries tells us about a spectacular and exciting journey through time: the History of the Discoveries in 16 different scenarios, in an educational but also entertaining way. This is done through a thematic approach starting with the Battle of Aljubarrota, the marriage of King John I and Philippa of Lancaster (The Treaty of Windsor), the Conquest of Ceuta, the

Reviewed By inman1 - Lagos, Portugal

This small but very informative museum gives a great overview of the period of the Portuguese discoverers. I have lived and worked in some former Portuguese colonies and I now live in the vicinity of Lagos, so I know a thing or two about Portuguese history, and to see it here all nicely summarized is great. Plus I love concise but well organized museums.

8. Sacred Art Museum

Rua Jose Bernardino de Sousa São Sebastião Church, Albufeira 8200-146 Portugal http://www.albufeira.pt/museus
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 51 reviews

Sacred Art Museum

9. Museu Municipal de Olhao

Praca da Restauracao, Olhao 8700-350 Portugal +351 289 700 103 https://www.facebook.com/MMOlhao
Excellent
25%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
39%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 36 reviews

Museu Municipal de Olhao

10. Museu Municipal Loule

Rua Dom Paio Peres Correia 19, Loule 8100-564 Portugal +351 289 400 860
Excellent
35%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
9%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 34 reviews

Museu Municipal Loule

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.