Albuquerque Foundation

Known for:

Chinese porcelain, ceramics, art, architecture

Time needed:

1–1.5 hours

From Lisbon:

30 minutes by car

Must do:

explore the exceptional collection of Chinese porcelain; stay for coffee at the bakery

Visit nearby:

Albú Coffee, Sintra, Pena Palace

Fun fact(s):

Nearly 2,600 pieces were collected over six decades by one passionate collector. Some have been exhibited at the Met and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

About

Housed in the former Quinta de São João, the Albuquerque Foundation brings together one of the world's most important private collections of Chinese export porcelain, spanning six centuries and the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The collection tells the story of the centuries-old trade and cultural exchange between China and Europe, with Portugal playing an important role. Alongside the porcelain, the foundation hosts contemporary ceramics exhibitions, a concept store featuring Portuguese ceramicists, and a café with a terrace overlooking the gardens and Sintra hills.