Lisbon, Portugal Hotels and City Guide

Lisbon - Going Out

Lisbon Entertainment

Lisbon is one of those cities that not only has something for everyone, but enough of it to keep you entertained for days, no matter the weather.

For culture and art enthusiasts, there are several world class art galleries, palaces and museums to be seen, including the Berardo Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Belém Cultural Centre which houses artworks by Picasso, Dali, and Andy Warhol. For a ful listing of the museums and cultural sites in Lisbon see our Attractions and Sightseeing page. Lisbon is also home to many busy bars and nightclubs, and has an after dark culture which keeps going until the early hours of the morning. Families will enjoy the plentiful parks, gardens and the zoo, all of which are a joy to explore in the warmer months.

As an international capital, Lisbon also hosts many internatonal events during the year, from pop and rock concerts to world-class ballet and opera. Lisbon has several theatres devoted to opera and classical performances.   

Lisbon Annual Events

Festivals of every kind take place throughout the year in Lisbon:

January
- Festival of Kadampa Buddhism

February
- Fado festival throughout the city
- Lisbon Carnival, street parties and parades
- International Festival of Classic Guitar

March
- King Juan Carlos’ Cup – early March to late April; sailing regatta
- Lisbon Half Marathon

April
- 25 April, anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, sees a colourful parade on the Avenida de Liberdade
- Indie Lisboa Portuguese Film Festival
- Golf Coast festival – early April to May
- International Triathlon
- Moda Lisboa fashion show

May
- Estorial Open (tennis)
- Bullfighting season – May-September
- Feira do Livro (book fair) – May to June

June
- Alkantara Festival - exciting visual arts festival
- Lisbon Village Film Festival
- Procissao de Santo António–13 June, a religious procession around Alfama
- European Wave Freestyle Funboard Championship / PWA World Cup Guincho Wave Contest atGuincho Beach, near Sintra
- SuperBock Super Rock – a festival of open-air rock and pop concerts in various parks
- Cascais International Sailing Week
- Festa dos Tabuleiros (Festival of the Trays) - late June/July held once every four years. Hundreds of young girls parade through the streets of nearby Tomarbalancing flowers andother items on their heads

July
- Semanas de MúsicadoEstoril (Estoril Music Festival) - famous symphony orchestras and leading choirs from Portugal and beyond
- Baix Anima Street Festival
- Festival de Sintra (Sintra Music Festival)
- Jazz Festival
- LisboaMágica - late July/early August. World magicians wave their wands
- Estoril Crafts Fair - late July/early September

August
- Jazz in August -open-air jazz concerts at the Gulbenkian Gardens and many other nearby venues
- Estoril Coast International Canine Expo

September
- Festival Regional de Gaastronomia de Leiria, the best of Portuguese cuisine on offer
- Lisbon Gay & Lesbian festival

October
- Great World Orchestras – October/May
- Moda Lisboa fashion show

November
- Estoril and Sintra International Golf Week
- National Horse Fair

December
- Lisbon Marathon
- Christmas markets throughout the streets
- New Year’s Eve party with fireworks

Culture: Lisbon Theatres

Teatro Nacional de São Carlos
Rua Serpa Pinto 9
Tel: (21) 325-30-45 

The 18th century Neoclassical Opera House stages operas from September to June. It is home to the Sinfonietta de Lisboa and the Orquestra Metropolitan de Lisboa.

Teatro Camões
Parque das Nações
Tel: (21) 892-34-70

The Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa is based at this theatre as is the Companhia Nacionalde Bailado.

Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian
Avenida de Berna 45A
Tel: (21) 782-37-00

The Gulbenkian Orchestra and Gulbenkian choir perform at the concert halls and amphitheatre which also host various dance performances.

Coliseu dos Recreios
Rua das Portas Santo Antão 92
Tel: (21) 324-05-85

This is a major music and show venue, with diverse range of performance types including pop bands, salsa dance shows, and ballet.

Teatro Nacional Dona Maria II
Praça Dom Pedro IV, Rossio
Tel: (21) 325-08-35

This is one of Lisbon’s most attractive theatres.

Lisbon After Dark: Bars and Nightlife

As Lisbon is one of Europe’s trendiest cities, it has a vibrant and varied nightlife with most venues only closing between 02.00-04.00. Young Europeans flock to the city for its renowned nightlife consisting of bars, dance clubs, music clubs, nightclubs and fado houses (try Senhor Vinho) scattered throughout the city, many concentrated in Bairro Alto, Alfama (where street parties are part of the scene) and the docks area.

Arguably the most stylish and fashionable club (partly owned by Hollywood actor John Malkovich), is Lux at Avenida Infante Dom Henrique, Doca do Jardim do Tabaco, Alfama. Watch the dawn from the rooftop terrace.

Hotels in Lisbon, Portugal