With its hills opening onto the Tagus, azulejo-clad façades and iconic yellow trams, Lisbon brings historic character together with Atlantic living and a vibrant contemporary cultural scene. From the narrow streets of Alfama to the grand squares of Baixa and Chiado, and from the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery to the riverside, the city keeps Portugal’s maritime heritage woven into everyday life.
Lisbon’s contemporary side comes into focus in the design boutiques of PrÃncipe Real, the repurposed industrial spaces of Marvila and the cultural institutions around MAAT and MAC/CCB in Belém. The collection at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, contemporary galleries and independent design studios add further depth to the city’s cultural landscape, while its dining scene – from traditional tascas to Michelin-starred restaurants – brings Portuguese cuisine into dialogue with a new generation of culinary talent.
Art, fashion and design are becoming increasingly central to Lisbon’s international identity. Held each spring, Lisbon Design Week turns the city into a design trail spanning galleries, studios and showrooms. In 2026, as part of MAAT’s 10th-anniversary programme, VENUS – Valentino Garavani Through the Eyes of Joana Vasconcelos brings haute couture and contemporary art together in a single exhibition. Lisbon is a destination to explore throughout the year, where architecture, gastronomy, design and Atlantic life intersect at a pace that feels both relaxed and creatively charged.
