While it seems that reviews tend to go over both CAM and the gulbenkian Museum, this is just about the CAM (since the museum was closed for renovation anyway).
I thoroughly enjoy the gardens, the restaurant from the museum is excellent (better then the one in the CAM, in terms of staff friendliness, offer and the excellent terrace with a view to the garden as well as the occasional visit from one of the resident duck families), the new building is quite nice with an enjoyable sphere. The temporary exhibition I went to see was quite disappointing, while I quite enjoy Paula Rêgo, the connecting line they tried to make with Adriana Varejão was far-fetched to say the least... just following a standard WOKE way of thinking which is quite honestly nauseating. Aside from that, the ticket service was just appaling... standing a rather short queue of 5 people in front of me, had to wait about 15 minutes until I was next in line... a colleague of the single ticket cashier was doing something on the computer in the next ticket selling point and instead of helping was just asking questions and making comments further delaying the ticket processing of the only working cashier, after that she spent some minutes looking at her phone and finally said "next", unfortunately when "next" was me... two people were processed before the other cashier came to help my cashier, taking some further minutes... and in the end she told me the price and simply said thank you... I know this might sound snobbish to the new entitled generations, but I expected at least an apology for the waiting time (regardless if it was her fault or not) and a smile... Appalling staff and organization.
To reiterate, never had such complaints from older staff or from the gulbenkian...
Read moreReally lovely manageable fine arts museum in Lisbon. Less hectic makes more enjoyment! This museum has a really nice feel. Rather than the overwhelming anxiety one might feel in the Musee D’Orsay walking bot like through room after room of mind numbing impressionist masterpieces; that experience reminding you of the desperation you felt to find the exit at the IKEA store after you foolishly went to the 3rd floor for the pancakes and lingonberries. Worry not! the Gulbenkian is in a modern, one story building, not an old train station. And the space flows with semi private rooms featuring groupings of exquisite representational pieces of a particular place, time and type of object. Mr Gulbenkian collected a wide array of art, and rather than specializing on a particular era or medium, his collection features a few examples of exceptional quality. From Middle Eastern garments, to Chinese porcelain, to Rodin sculptures to mideval Madonna and Child portraits, it is very easy to move around the museum to focus on those works that you’re most interested in. The openness of the space helps one feel less claustrophobic. There’s also a beautiful picnicking area outside, and the architecture of the museum building itself is impressive. As I’ve said, I believe the Gulbenkian Fine Arts Museum, a gift to Lisbon from an Armenian Immigrant, is the “leading fine arts museum You’ve never heard of.” Well, now you...
Read moreI always have this interest in being around artistic spaces. Went there with a friend of mine. Right next to sao sebastiao station. Get off the station and will probably take 3 minutes walk ato reach there. It's best if you buy the full tour tickets. I think it was 12 euros each. I enjoyed the creation of small island and the rock and use the headphones for the sound and some background information. Also they usually have different exhibitions going on. So keep an eye on which one is going on at what time. Also one side of the museum is closed for now hopefully they will open soon. Loved the British collection gallery. It was fun and unique. They have a cafe or more like a rest pastelaria. Foods I have seen usually around 8 to 10 euros. Also there's some other cafes and restaurants with outdoor sitting. Great for a coffee and cigarette. Don't miss the tv room inside the British gallery collection. It's something I found...
Read more