Audio GuideCinemateca Portuguesa Museu do Cinema

Step through the grand doors of the Cinemateca Portuguesa – Museu do Cinema in Lisbon and you will find yourself in a world where the story of Portuguese cinema comes alive. Founded shortly after the Second World War by the passionate historian Manuel Félix Ribeiro, it began its journey with only a modest collection of film reels, cameras, and books. Today, it stands as a vibrant centre of culture, preserving over one hundred years of cinema and welcoming visitors from all corners of the world.

Beatriz Stefani

Inside, the warm glow of polished wood and the quiet comfort of red velvet seats instantly transport you back to the golden age of the picture house. In the main auditorium, which bears Ribeiro’s name and seats more than two hundred people, the flicker of classic films lights up the screen. There is also a cosy screening room for around fifty people—perfect for showing rare gems—and an inviting terrace where, in summer, films are shown under the stars with the city twinkling around you.

Tiago Resende

As you wander through the exhibitions, everything feels like an adventure in discovery. Explore the origins of cinema with ornate magic lanterns and early shadow theatres, then move on to displays of palm-sized cameras, antique projectors, equipment for sound and lighting, and even handwritten notes left by technicians of earlier generations. Every display is a piece of the puzzle—not just of technology, but of the inventors, film lovers, and pioneering directors who shaped the history of Portuguese film.

The Cinemateca’s National Moving Image Archive safeguards delicate reels and rare forgotten classics, ensuring that Portugal’s cinematic heritage is preserved for the future. Over the decades—whether under the strict censorship of the Estado Novo regime, when film was used for propaganda, or after the Carnation Revolution, when new freedoms inspired creative innovation—Portuguese filmmakers have continued to adapt and experiment. The Novo Cinema movement of the nineteen-sixties and seventies brought bold new visions to the screen, and the legacy of those times continues to inspire a new generation of directors.

But the Cinemateca Portuguesa is not just a museum. It is a living, breathing part of the city, buzzing with regular film festivals, curated themed programmes, and ever-changing exhibitions. There is a Cinemateca Júnior for children and families, offering engaging activities, as well as a superb library and a welcoming bookshop for enthusiasts and academics alike. When you need a break, there is a relaxed bar and restaurant on site serving Portuguese specialities, where the air is filled with the gentle hum of conversation and nostalgia from vintage film posters.

Whether you are a devoted cinephile or a curious visitor, the Cinemateca reveals the creative heart of Portugal, uniting past and present, artistry and community, right in the centre of Lisbon.