At Praça do Comércio, right in the center of Lisbon, you’ll find the Museu do Bacalhau. It’s a small, interactive museum dedicated entirely to codfish – and to the significant role this fish plays in Portuguese history and culture.
We visited the museum as two adults, and both of us immediately felt like we were stepping into something special. For just 4 euros, you enter a light, modern space. What immediately catches your eye are the famous paintings on the walls – but with a twist: the people depicted have been given codfish heads. This adds a playful touch to the visit.
A visual journey through history
At the center of the space is a beautiful large book telling the story of the cod fishermen. With visual effects and videos, it becomes clear how Portuguese fishermen would sail from large ships in small boats into the icy waters of the North Sea, heading toward the cold waters around Norway. A life that revolved around hard work in extreme conditions.
One of the highlights for us was the rowing simulator. In a cold room, we climbed into a boat that began gently rocking. Around us were projections of a grey sea and a harsh sky. This gave us a good sense of how tough and cold life at sea must have been, with temperatures sometimes dropping to minus fifteen degrees.
Cod on the table and at the heart of the culture
On the upper floor, we discovered how cod was not only a dish on the table but also became a national symbol. Portugal has over a thousand ways to prepare cod – far more than the well-known “one for every day.”
At the end of our visit, we dressed up as fishermen, complete with oilskins and sou’wester hats, and stepped into an old fishing boat for a photo. A lighthearted ending to a surprisingly educational visit.
Even if you’re not a fan of cod, the Museu do Bacalhau is absolutely worth the visit. It’s about much more than fish: it’s about history, adventure, and culture. A small museum, but big in atmosphere and stories.
Why cod is so important to Portugal
Cod, or bacalhau, has been seen for centuries as a reliable food source because the fish can be dried and stored easily. Portuguese explorers took dried cod with them on their long sea expeditions. During the 20th century, Salazar’s regime also used cod as a symbol of national strength and self-sufficiency. Over the centuries, cod became a staple in Portuguese cuisine, with hundreds of traditional recipes. To this day, bacalhau is inseparable from Portuguese identity, especially during holidays and family gatherings.
You can buy tickets for the Museu do Bacalhau at Ask Me Lisboa, the city’s official tourist office. The shop itself is worth a visit, with an enticing collection of Lisbon-themed goodies. From stylish posters to original souvenirs – you’ll easily walk out with something extra.
