Portugal » Entertainment in Lisbon

The city of Lisbon is rich in architecture; Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Traditional Portuguese, Modern and Post-Modern constructions can be found all over the city. The city is also crossed by great boulevards and monuments along these main thoroughfares, particularly in the upper districts.

Lisbon's opera house, the Teatro Nacional São Carlos, hosts a relatively active cultural agenda, mainly in autumn and winter. Other important theatres and musical houses are the Centro Cultural de Belem, the Teatro D. Maria and the Gulbenkian Foundation.

The monument to Christ the King (Cristo Rei) stands on the left side of the river, in Almada. With open arms, overlooking the whole city, it resembles the Corcovado monument in Rio de Janeiro, and was built after World War II, as thanks for Portugal's being spared the horrors and destruction of the war.

Museums

Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian (1869-1955) was born in Istanbul to an armenian origin family. He was a petroleum magnate and an art lover, possessing a rich collection. In 1942, his residence was established in Lisbon. After his death, and by his will, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation was created and performs with great dynamism in several fields of the portuguese cultural life. The museum harbours Egyptian, Greek-Roman, Mesopotamian, Oriental art, European sculpture and paintings, as well as some works from René Lalique.

Nightlife

Expo

Since its creation, in 1998, much of the night action has moved here. The bars zone is close to the Portugal Tower (the tallest building in Expo, 105m, with a portuguese fag on top), south direction. From traditional bars to dancing ones, there is a great variety here. Some bars have external televisions where they display important football (soccer) matches. Several Restaurants also provide after hour meals.

Bairro Alto

Old buildings, fancy bars, different looking people, people grabbing a beer sitting on the floor, a smile on their face. This is the most searched place in Lisbbyon to go out at night. Beyond the bars, several Fado houses are spread around.