We went here mostly for the Histories of an Empire temporary exhibition, as we have a keen interest in the intersection of Portugal and Asia. It was a decently curated exhibition with some spectacular items and quite a variety of objects on display. The presentation could be better, as there were many places where the text had no lighting on it at all, which in addition to the small font made it difficult to read. I think the museum would greatly benefit from an audio guide for its permanent exhibitions. The Chinese opera exhibition was also very interesting, and it made me want to read some of the Chinese classic novels that some of these operas are based on.

I was dying to know how European colonization back then was portrayed in an European country. After visiting this museum, I was a bit disappointed to know that they didn't have any showcases of their time during their colonization period in Indonesia, Malacca, and other southeast asian regions.

Shocking lack of acknowledgment (let alone critical reflection) of the history of violence of the Portuguese colonial empire, which is dubious given the museum’s topic. Portuguese presence in Asia is depicted as friendly trading and exploration (!). There are some pretty pieces, but the collection lacks any sort of storytelling/ museography and seems to be put together randomly. Hardly an educational experience. The floor about Chinese opera stands out as the most unique and for me the most interesting.

Everything is good except this fan, it’s definitely from china, because it has a signature of a Chinese calligrapher, and it is written, given from (the place name). I can tell it is not Japanese kanji but Chinese Hanzi, and the paint is Chinese style as well

Amazing place! I was so happy visiting this museum! Nice atmosphere, beautiful and rich exhibition ❤️ Highly recommend to go there especially if you are interested in Asian culture and art. I spent here more than 2 hours! 😱 and it is free entrance every Friday evening. Worth to see

The Museum of the Orient, one of the most fascinating museums to visit in Lisbon, hosts a wonderful permanent collection and temporary exhibitions related to Eastern culture. The museum's permanent collection consists of two parts. The first part focuses on Portugal's presence in Asia. While admiring these exquisite pieces, you also get to see concrete examples of colonialism, which unfortunately reflect Portugal's current perspective. For instance, some explanations may seem ridiculous, like they claim that there were no wardrobe in India before the Portuguese. The other part of the permanent collection focuses on the performing arts of Eastern culture. Founded by a Chinese banker named Kwok On, this collection, comprising 600 objects at its inception, now includes over 15,000 items, ranging from musical instruments to puppets, costumes, paintings, prints, sculptures, and ritual objects from Turkey to Japan. During our visit, some of the temporary exhibitions were also quite fascinating. The temporary exhibition titled "Japan: Festivities and Rites," which will run throughout 2024, was one of the best exhibitions I've seen. Exploring the exhibition "Treasures in the Palm of the Hand," featuring a collection of snuff bottles, and examining the great art in tiny objects was also enjoyable. The Foundation Oriente, which operates the museum, utilizes a building dating back to the 1940s. The museum building works, which started in 1993, were completed in 15 years, and the museum was opened in 2008. I generally liked the use and presentation of the museum building. They showcase modern museum practices, and considering its establishment date, I believe it could be one of the pioneering examples in this regard.

I came to the museum as it was free from Friday 6pm to 8pm, and they have the tapestry from the temple near my grandparents old house in Macau. The permanent collection is okay, not sure if it will worth the €6 entrance fee. The fan exhibition is also alright. However, it made both of us uncomfortable when the staff there were very rude to us. I got lost on the fourth floor by the elevator and attracted by the Macau room because Macau is my birthplace; however the guard saw me and expelled me in quite a rude manner and told me to go back to the first and second floor. I understand that they might not speak very good English, but I don’t feel welcome in the space. My partner was resting at the lobby and she didn’t get the ticket (even thought if was free during the hours) because she was exhausted. The couch at the lobby was quite crowded and she back hurt sitting on the seat ao she had to sit on the floor next to the couch to stretch a bit. I understand it might not be very ideal, but another guard came and threatened to expel her from the property if she continued the behaviour. To be honest, won’t recommend it but give three stars for the items they have.

Very interesting museum with a rich collection of asian artifacts, mainly coming from Macau but also from Japan, Timor est and India. The area dedicated to the chinese opera is just amazing with an incredible set of authentic chinese masks and costumes. Also don't miss the chance to enter for free every Friday evening!!

Really enjoyed smooching about this museum. Very well maintained and in pristine condition, though the façade and entrance into the building could do with sprucing up. Was fascinated by the exhibits. So much detail, very well displayed. I went on a Thursday around noon and spent a few hours there. It was quiet and felt I had the exhibit rooms al to my sweet self. Definitely worth visiting.

Nice permanent collections and changing exhibitions. Well designed building and interior space. The museum was very dark, presumably to conserve the collections, but it make reading the English language placards and item descriptions almost impossible.

Took our time and made it through the whole museum in 2 hrs. Enjoyed a beer in the 5th floor cafe (reasonable prices). Permanent collection has large exhibit of Chinese opera theater and pieces from Goa, Macau, Timor, and throughout the Portuguese empire.

€6 entrance and provide you with the arts and crafts from some Asian countries and regions: mainly China, Macau, Japan, India and Timor-leste. Like mentioned in many reviews, lots of improvements and adjustments are needed on these hospital-like stairs and dark gloomy background, the collections are very extensive demonstrating different cultures in Asia and their collision and fusion with Portuguese cultures. Especially, the show of Ana Aragao with the name “NO PLAN FOR JAPAN’ she created a world which mixed of 千と千尋の神隠し(a voyage of Chihiro) and Lost in Tokyo, the viewers are getting lost in their own imagination when they face those portraits.  Another amazing thing, you can download an APP called  Atrivive, scan the portraits by Atrivive then you can see things inside alive………end on 13 Feb so   DO NOT MISS IT.

It was really good to visit this museum, to get to know about the time the Portuguese were in Aisa as well as to know kore about Aisa and Japanese things, so interesting.

Very interesting collection on the influence of the Orient on the Portugese trade and vice versa. Beautiful building, near the water.

We went on a Friday night when it was free. Great displays and not very busy.

Excellent collection of the Eastern culture. We also had a nice set lunch there

If I could, I would give this museum ten stars. It has such a beautiful and calming atmosphere, the exibits are great and it wasn't really crowded when I visited it (on Sunday in the morning). I went to see all exibitions and were really fascinated by Chou Ching Hui Animal Farm on the ground floor and by Peking Opera on the second floor. The costumes, the wigs, the images, makeup... You could see everything from artworks to historical and political background and context. Really amazing.

A small museum, but with a well-chosen exposition - from samurai armor to miniature bottles. Often there are very interesting additional exhibitions.

Only 1 permanent and 1 temporary exhibits available. Collection is small but fairly well represented and narrated. Staff was kind and helpful promptly offering senior discount tickets. Easy to find.

A well preserved, detailed collection from Asia on the first floor and also a cultural and festival exhibition about Japan on the 2nd floor. A complete visit can take 3 hours. There is a restaurant on the upper floor if you get hungry during the visit :)

Pretty good museum, well organized and interesting. On Fridays between 6-8 it's free entrance

Exceptional, first-rate museum. Beautifully laid-out exhibits, and nice explanations in English. An interesting way to learn both about cultures of East Asia and Portugal's colonial presence there. The temporary exhibition on Japan was truly excellent - as frequent visitors to Japan, we were bowled over by the number of fascinating artifacts and insights here.

A really great museum with lots of beautiful items and organized/curated in a very professional manner. The Japan exhibition is incredibly well done! Absolutely world-class presentation of Japanese culture/traditions/history/etc. So glad I decided to visit this museum!

Really beautiful museum. They are currently working on the top level though, so a part of the Japanese collection us not open at the moment. Still very highly recommended. Beautiful stuff.

It was ok. Some very beautiful pieces, but they lacked a lot of context and how they are related to the Portuguese history. Also, the second floor was not available when we went (the Matsuri exhibition), so I feel a bit disappointed. Getting there is a bit of an adventure. As there is no clear sign to where the entrance in the museum is. So we just circled the building. Also, if you’re there on your way to Belem tower or the Monastery, do not get off the tram. You’ll never be able to get back on, as they are always crowded. We waited for more than half an hour to find a bus to pick us up and take us further. (728) Try and see it on your way back, or late at night when there are not so many visitors on this traject.

Found this place by accident and came to see it the next day. Was very pleasantly surprised on the amount of artifacts from different parts of Asia. It was interesting to see how Portugal and other Asian countries influenced each other and we learned a lot. I especially loved all the ceramics and pottery.

Fabulous museum, so colourful, peaceful, and relating the history of Portugals presence in Asia. The restaurant on the top floor is such a gem too, very satisfying lunch after touring the museum, and great view over the river.

A treasure chest of somewhat random objects in glass boxes with tiny information cards, not giving many stories about the history of Portuguese-asian relations. Could be much more interesting if the objects where put into context. The museum building is not encouraging a visit. An exhibition on Chinese opera, without the music... Missed opportunities, because there are some very nice objecty.

A very nice museum! Recommend to visit

I adored this museum! Never ever have I ever had a museum to myself before. It's well done for what it is. Staff super friendly. Oh, the café upstairs has a great view, if industrial is your style (and go outside through that side door, the view is even better) The staff was adorbs!

The illumination on some of the pieces seems to be a problem still. Although it greatly contributes for the dramatic effect, most loose readability when it comes to detail, and even worse when it comes to the descriptive legend that is unreadable. If the lighting intensity over the pieces is to be kept, at least consider illumination the text from behind so it's easily accessible.

A pleasant experience though the permanent collections are 90% dedicated to China.

It's free after a certain time (check the website). They're also open late so you can work it into any itinerary. Lots of stuff from Macau, which was a Portuguese colony back in the day.

Well organized and clean exhibition of oriental art of different types. The first floor holds extraordinary pieces of work and the Chinese opera floor was surprising. The temporary exhibits were interesting but I much rather liked the architectural display of Sou Fujimoto's work.

Went there to see the Chinese Opera exhibition and the regular collection. The Museu Do Oriente is a perfectly sized (not too small, not too big – 2-4 hours for a visit), modern museum with good multilingual descriptions. Every object is very well presented and some of the exhibits are jaw-dropping. Unlike many other places in Lisbon, this museum also isn't overcrowded, which makes a visit quite a relaxing experience. Make sure to take a look at the museum store (Loja) as well, as it offers many nice gifts at a reasonable price.

Definetely undervalued by tourists here. A great museum about Portuguese presence in Asia and some temporary exhibition still about asian arts. If you are interested in knowing more about western and eastern connections, just go. The internal design of the museum is interesting too.

I was expecting a History museum and instead is more a Decorative Arts collection. However, the exhibited pieces, from China, Japan, India, East Timor, etc are wonderful. It is a pitty how hard It is to get here without car.

Content wise, the museum deserves 5 stars, but two small details made me lower it to 4: There are lots of interesting descriptions related to the displayed objects, however many of them are not lit well enough and that makes it hard to read them. Also, air conditioning in some places was way too strong, considering most people would be visiting in summer clothes. Me and my friend felt really cold in some places. We loved the exhibitions though!