National Museum of Natural History and Science, Lisbon

Portugal's main museum devoted to nature occupies the former Polytechnic School building in central Lisbon, which later housed the School of Science. Known locally as the Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência, or MUHNAC, it is run as a department of the University of Lisbon.

Its collections trace back to the 18th century and reflect more than 250 years of gathering and study across zoology, anthropology, geology and botany. The museum shares its grounds with the Lisbon Botanical Gardens. It also oversees several sites in the west of the city: the Lisbon Astronomical Observatory in Tapada da Ajuda, and the Tropical Botanical Gardens and Calheta Palace in Belém.

Beyond its collections, the museum regularly organises activities that promote natural history and science. Its spaces host artistic exhibitions, conferences, debates, workshops and courses, which makes it well suited to visitors with a curiosity about the natural world and the history of scientific study in Portugal.