Art & Cultural places
Lisbon is a city that effortlessly blends history with modernity, making it a vibrant cultural hub for art lovers. Whether you’re wandering through ancient museums or exploring cutting-edge galleries, the city offers a rich tapestry of artistic expression and a huge programmation of events in the art and cultural scene.
To have a look at all the events in Lisbon, visit the site of EGEAC where you have a list of cultural centers in Lisbon to visit and Agenda Lx, that you can also find in paper, free of charge, in several spaces around Lisbon (bars, cafés, association). There is also a website Ambito Cultural where you can find the full programmation.
Here at Viral Agenda you can also find programmed events such as concerts, festivals, conferences, and art expositions in the Lisbon district.
Here are some of the best places in Lisbon to experience its diverse arts and culture scene:
Berardo Collection Museum (Museu Coleção Berardo)
For those with a passion for modern and contemporary art, the Berardo Collection Museum is a true gem. Situated in the cultural heart of Lisbon, the museum is home to an impressive array of works from some of the most influential artists of the 20th century, including Picasso, Warhol, and Dalí. The collection spans a variety of styles, from pop art to surrealism, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the evolution of art during this transformative period.
Gulbenkian Modern Art Center (Centro de Arte Moderna)
The Gulbenkian Modern Art Center, designed by the celebrated Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, is another highlight of Lisbon’s cultural landscape. This modern space combines architecture with nature, creating an environment that enhances the viewing experience of contemporary art. The center regularly hosts exhibitions that showcase both Portuguese and international artists, contributing to Lisbon’s thriving contemporary art scene.
Azulejo Museum (Museu Nacional do Azulejo)
One of Lisbon’s most unique cultural institutions, the Azulejo Museum is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of the traditional Portuguese tile, known as azulejos. These decorative ceramic tiles have been a defining feature of Portuguese architecture for centuries. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into their history, craftsmanship, and artistic significance. It’s the perfect place to learn about one of the most iconic art forms in Portuguese culture.
Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery:
Both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) was built in the early 16th century to guard the entrance to the harbor. It has an intricate design, with Moorish and Manueline influences.
Nearby, the Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) is an architectural marvel, once home to the Order of St. Jerome.
Both were built due to the resources explored in the colonized countries.
Padrão dos Descobrimentos:
The current monument (built in 1960) is a recreation of an earlier temporary version from 1940, commissioned by the authoritarian Estado Novo regime. Its purpose was not just to honor history but to reinforce nationalist propaganda during a time when Portugal was desperately clinging to its African colonies (Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau) against rising anti-colonial movements.
The regime used the monument to craft a narrative of Portugal as a benevolent, pioneering nation, ignoring the violence of slavery, conquest, and exploitation that accompanied maritime expansion.
The Centro Cultural de Belém is Portugal’s biggest art complex, with over 100,000 sqm (1,000,000 sqft) playing host to jazz and opera concerts, dance performances, and art exhibitions. The standout section is the Berardo Collection of modern and contemporary art, which showcases work from the likes of Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Francis Bacon, and seminal subculture photographer Nan Goldin. Once you’ve had your creative fill, head to the terrace café on the first floor, which overlooks the river.
Edu Hub Lisbon is an innovative educational campus located in the Marvila district, just minutes from Lisbon’s historic center. At the heart of the project is the United Lisbon International School, an international institution for students aged 3 to 18, recognized as an International Baccalaureate World School and part of the Microsoft Showcase School network.
The campus is housed in a former Philips factory, originally inaugurated in 1953, which has been renovated into a cutting-edge learning environment. Edu Hub is not just an educational center but also a hub for events, exhibitions, and collaborations between students, educators, and businesses.
MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology
Inaugurated in October 2016 within the framework of EDP Foundation’s long-running policy of cultural patronage, MAAT is an international institution dedicated to arouse critical discourse and creative practice with the intent of sparking new understandings about the historical present and a responsible commitment to the future.
LX Factory
Once an industrial complex, LX Factory has been transformed into one of Lisbon’s most exciting creative spaces. Located along the Tagus River, this trendy area is home to art galleries, design stores, and hip cafés, making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike. LX Factory also hosts a variety of cultural events, from art exhibitions to live performances, making it a dynamic center for Lisbon’s creative community.
Cinemas in the historic and cultural scene
Cinema São Jorge
The São Jorge Cinema is one of Lisbon’s most iconic, located along the elegant Avenida da Liberdade. Opened in 1950 with Powell and Pressburger’s film The Red Shoes, the building was designed by architect Fernando Silva and won the Municipal Architecture Prize. This historic cinema is one of the few remaining in operation in the city and consists of three large theaters. The facility preserves historical elements from Hollywood’s golden age and features unique architectural details.
It offers other cultural activities such as concerts, theater and dance performances in addition to screenings. Cinema São Jorge is known to be the “home of film festivals” in Lisbon, hosting events such as IndieLisboa, MONSTRA, DocLisboa, Queer Lisboa, and the French Film Festival.
Barrio Alto Theater
The history of this important theater, located on Rua Tenente Raúl Cascais, begins in the first half of the 18th century with the staging of satirical plays by António José da Silva, who was later executed at the behest of the Inquisition.This important venue was then known as “Casa dos Bonecos” and hosted puppet shows and popular plays in the Portuguese language.
Over time, the TBA has undergone several transformations. Today it is a space dedicated to innovative artistic projects, ranging from theater, dance, music and experimental performance.
Capitólio
Designed by architect Luís Cristino da Silva, the Capitólio, inaugurated in 1931, played an important role in the city’s cultural activity until the 1980s, hosting comedy, jazz, fado, operetta, and film shows on its stage, performed by renowned artists. It reopened to the public in 2016 after extensive renovations. Inside is the Capitólio Performance Hall, a space that hosts multidisciplinary art projects of interest to the city and all audiences. A hall dedicated to performing arts and entertainment.
