National Coach Museum
In Belém, the world's most important collection of gala coaches, founded by Queen Amélia in 1905, in Paulo Mendes da Rocha's building.
National Coach Museum
The National Coach Museum holds what is considered the most important collection of gala vehicles in the world. It was created in 1905 by Queen Amélia of Orléans and opened on 23 May that year as the Royal Coach Museum, in the hall of the former Royal Riding School in Belém, built in 1787 by the Italian architect Giacomo Azzolini; it took its present name in 1911. Since 2015 the collection has been housed in the building designed by the Brazilian architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha, winner of the Pritzker Prize, together with Ricardo Bak Gordon: a large white nave raised on pillars beside Avenida da Índia. Seventy gala and travelling vehicles from the 16th to the 19th centuries are on display – berlins, litters, sedan chairs and coaches –, highlighted by the coaches of the embassy sent by King João V to Pope Clement XI in 1716, such as the Coach of the Oceans, true Baroque sculptures in gilded wood. The Royal Riding School has been closed for works since September 2025, and its most important pieces have moved to the new building.
Located at: Museu Nacional dos Coches
Address: Avenida da Índia 136, 1300-300 Lisboa
Opening hours: 10:00-18:00 (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +351 210 732 319
Coordinates: 38.6968643, -9.1979875
Buses: 714, 727, 751, 728, 729
Tram: 15E
Train: Cascais Line, Belém Station
Boat: Belém River Station
Opened: 1905 (121 years)
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