Tag Archives: fun
The coolest time to visit Lisbon? Winter says yes!
From January onward, Lisbon settles into a cultural rhythm that rewards visitors looking for depth, elegance, and authenticity. With the festive crowds gone, the city opens its theaters, concert halls, and museums to a rich calendar of performances and exhibitions. January is when Lisbon’s cultural life feels most accessible, offering world-class events in comfortable indoor venues spread across the city.
1. Lisbon Film Orchestra Concert – 10 January 2026, MEO Arena
One of the most anticipated events of the winter season takes place on 10 January 2026, when the Lisbon Film Orchestra presents its concert Our Stories at the MEO Arena, located in Parque das Nações. This large-scale performance brings together live symphonic music and cinematic visuals, celebrating iconic soundtracks from film, television, and contemporary media.
The MEO Arena, Lisbon’s largest indoor venue, is easily accessible from the city center and offers modern facilities that make it ideal for winter events. This concert is particularly popular with international visitors, as it transcends language and delivers an emotional, immersive experience that sets the tone for Lisbon’s January cultural calendar.
2. Contemporary Art Exhibition at MAAT – From 10 January 2026, Belém
Also beginning on 10 January 2026, the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT) in Belém opens a major contemporary exhibition by Cerith Wyn Evans titled Forms in Space… by Light (in Time). Situated along the Tagus River, MAAT is one of Lisbon’s most striking cultural landmarks and a focal point for modern artistic expression.
The exhibition runs throughout January and beyond, making mid-month visits especially appealing due to the quieter atmosphere. Belém’s riverside setting allows visitors to combine art, architecture, and scenic winter walks, offering a slower and more reflective cultural experience that fits perfectly with Lisbon’s January mood.
3. Otaku Symphony Orchestra – 17 January 2026, Coliseu dos Recreios
On 17 January 2026, the Otaku Symphony Orchestra performs at the historic Coliseu dos Recreios, located near Rossio in Lisbon’s city center. This concert blends classical orchestral performance with music inspired by anime and video games, attracting a diverse audience that includes both classical music fans and younger generations.
The Coliseu dos Recreios, one of Lisbon’s most iconic venues, adds grandeur and history to the event. January’s cool evenings make this indoor performance especially appealing, offering a lively cultural night in one of the city’s most central and vibrant districts.
4. Classical Music Highlights – 18 January 2026, CCB and Coliseu dos Recreios
The 18 January 2026 is a particularly rich day for classical music lovers in Lisbon. At the Centro Cultural de Belém (CCB), audiences can attend a performance of Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, presented by a major orchestral ensemble in one of Portugal’s most respected concert halls.
On the same evening, the Coliseu dos Recreios hosts a Hollywood Symphony Orchestra tribute concert featuring the music of composers such as John Williams and Hans Zimmer. These parallel events highlight Lisbon’s ability to cater to both traditional classical audiences and fans of cinematic orchestral music, all within easy reach of the city center.
5. Rock and Alternative Music – 25 January 2026, MEO Arena (Sala Tejo)
Later in the month, on 25 January 2026, Lisbon’s live music scene shifts toward contemporary sounds with the arrival of Electric Callboy as part of their world tour. The concert takes place at Sala Tejo, a smaller hall within the MEO Arena complex in Parque das Nações.
This event demonstrates Lisbon’s versatility as a music destination, welcoming international tours even during the winter season. The modern infrastructure of Parque das Nações, combined with excellent transport connections, makes attending concerts here particularly convenient for visitors staying across the city.
6. End-of-Month Cultural Highlights – 31 January 2026, MEO Arena and MAAT
January concludes on a high note with major cultural events on 31 January 2026. On this date, renowned Portuguese artist Pedro Abrunhosa performs live at the MEO Arena, attracting a large national audience and offering visitors the chance to experience contemporary Portuguese music at its best.
The same day also features special performances and talks linked to the ongoing MAAT exhibition in Belém, including live artistic interventions connected to the contemporary art program. This convergence of music and visual art highlights Lisbon’s dynamic cultural landscape as the month comes to a close.
With events spread across areas such as Parque das Nações, Belém, and the historic city center, efficient transportation plays an important role in enjoying Lisbon’s January calendar. Winter evenings, late concert endings, and unfamiliar routes can make private transport a preferable option.
Lisbon Transfers offers a comfortable and reliable way to move between hotels, concert halls, and cultural venues. With professional drivers and door-to-door service, visitors can attend evening performances without worrying about public transport schedules or weather conditions, making the overall experience smoother and more enjoyable.
You’ve Been Doing Lisbon Wrong: These Hidden Gems Change Everything!
1. Palácio Nacional da Ajuda – The Quiet Stairways
While most visitors linger in the main halls, the magic lives in the quieter staircases and half-lit corridors. Marble bannisters cool beneath your hand, chandeliers floating like frozen constellations above you. You hear your own footsteps echo softly—suddenly aware that royalty once breathed in this same stillness. It feels intimate, almost tender.
2. Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga Gardens
Go past the museum rooms and step straight into a riverside dream. The garden is simple but impossibly graceful: stone balustrades overlooking the water, orange trees perfuming the air, and peacocks moving with theatrical slowness. Sit here with a pastry, watching the river trade glimmers with the late sun. Time dilates.
3. Rua das Farinhas in Mouraria
A narrow street where every day Lisbon reveals itself like a whispered secret. You’ll cross paths with neighbors chatting from window to window, a seamstress working by the door, the smell of home-cooked spices traveling softly behind you. The street is small, but it holds whole worlds of lives. Beautiful in its simplicity.
4. Jardim do Príncipe Real
A garden that feels like a sophisticated living room under the sky. At its center, an umbrella-shaped cedar stretches its arms like an ancient guardian, shading lovers, readers, and daydreamers. Around it, kiosks, cafés, and graceful buildings wrap the square in gentle elegance. On warm evenings, everything glows.
5. The Path from Cais do Sodré to Santos (Riverside Stroll)
Walk this path just before twilight. The river turns silver, the air becomes warm and salty, and Lisbon seems to hum in a deeper, slower register. People sit on the stone edge; cyclists slide past in soft blurs. The city doesn’t ask anything of you here—it just lets you drift beside the water.
Lisbon is a city best explored slowly, with room to notice the details—sun-warmed tiles, distant music, the way the river reflects the sky. And if you want to move between these beautiful corners with comfort and ease, Lisbon Taxi is an effortless way to glide through the city without breaking the spell. A smooth ride, a local touch, and more time to enjoy the moments that make Lisbon unforgettable.
Top 5 must-see places in Lisbon in August 2025!
Lisbon in August is a city bathed in sunlight. The golden rays bounce off terracotta rooftops, the Tagus sparkles like liquid silver and the beat of trams and fado music reverberate throughout the hills. For visitors arriving in August 2025, the Portuguese capital provides the ideal combination of history, culture and summer vitality.
1. Alfama – The Soul of Lisbon
Lisbon’s oldest district is a labyrinth of narrow alleys, whitewashed houses and flower-filled balconies. In August, Alfama is buzzing with life: neighbors chatting from doorsteps, the scent of sardines on the grill and fado melodies drifting from taverns as the sun sets. Don’t miss the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, where bougainvillea frames sweeping views of the Tagus.
2. Castelo de São Jorge – A Fortress Above the City
High on Lisbon’s tallest hill, the São Jorge Castle has watched over the city for centuries. Its sturdy ramparts and pine-shaded courtyards make it a welcome escape from the midday sun. From here, Lisbon unfurls beneath you: a sea of red rooftops tumbling towards the river, with the 25 de Abril Bridge arching across the horizon. It’s the city’s best vantage point, especially at sunset.
3. Jerónimos Monastery – A Monument to Discovery
In Belém, the Jerónimos Monastery tells the story of Portugal’s Golden Age. A masterpiece of Manueline architecture, its cloisters are intricately carved with maritime symbols: ropes, anchors and sea creatures. Inside rests Vasco da Gama, the great navigator who opened sea routes to India. After your visit, follow the scent of sugar to the famous Pastéis de Belém bakery, where locals and visitors alike queue for the city’s most beloved custard tarts.
4. Oceanário de Lisboa – A Dive into the Deep
August afternoons can be hot, making the Lisbon Oceanarium a refreshing escape. Located in the modern Parque das Nações, it’s one of Europe’s largest aquariums. Vast tanks recreate the world’s oceans, where rays glide effortlessly, sharks patrol with silent grace and playful penguins charm every visitor. A favorite for families, it’s also a soothing stop for adults who want to slow down and enjoy Lisbon’s modern side.
5. Praça do Comércio – Lisbon’s Grand Stage
At the edge of the river, Praça do Comércio dazzles with its yellow arcades and sweeping open space. Once the site of Lisbon’s royal palace, today it is the city’s living room — where musicians play violins, locals gather after work and travelers watch ferries glide across the Tagus. As twilight sets, the square glows in golden and violet hues, a breathtaking finale to any Lisbon day.
Exploring Lisbon’s hills and neighborhoods can be unforgettable — but also tiring in the summer heat. That’s why many visitors choose Lisbon Taxi
for reliable, comfortable and affordable transportation around the city. Whether you’re heading from the airport to your hotel, from Alfama to Belém, or planning day trips beyond Lisbon, their professional service ensures that your journey is as smooth as the city’s famous custard tarts.
So this August, let Lisbon capture your heart — and let Lisbon Taxi take care of the ride.
Top 5 events and festivals in July in Lisbon!
Lisbon in July is a lively mix of music, culture, and outdoor festivities. With long sunny days, warm evenings, and a vibrant atmosphere, the city comes alive with world-class festivals and one-of-a-kind cultural experiences. Whether you enjoy rock concerts, classical performances, jazz in the park, or spontaneous street entertainment, there is something for everyone. Here are the top five must-see events and festivals in Lisbon beginning on July 11, 2025.
