13 Best Performing Arts Venues in Lisbon, Portugal

A contemporary art museum and live music venue set in a beautiful 18th-century building and surrounded by immaculately maintained grounds, Casa da Cerca more than merits the quick trip across the river. Permanent and visiting exhibitions and installations will appeal to art lovers, and a café-bar with outdoor seating offers incredible views across the Tagus and the 25 de Abril Bridge.

A good way to break the language barrier is to see a show at this vibrant venue, where contemporary clowning, circus acts, and physical theater dominate. There's also the pleasant Chapitô à Mesa restaurant with fine views of the city and the bohemian Bartô bar with a mix of live music and DJs.

This cinema in the Monumental mall has four screens. Expect a mixture of art films, commerical releases, and classics.

Inaugurated in 1793, this grand neoclassical theater was inspired by classics from Naples and Milan. You have to see the main hall to appreciate the building's splendor. The stage itself is rather plain, but the five tiers of private boxes on either side draw the eye to the domed royal box, awash with gold leaf and held aloft by soaring columns. Two cherubs hold aloft the royal coat of arms. Originally an opera house, the space is now home to the Portuguese Symphonic Orchestra and hosts music and dance performances. Book guided tours in advance.

Known to locals as CCB, this highly regarded cultural center offers a huge range of reasonably priced events, ranging from touring art exhibitions and performances from Lisbon Metropolitan Orchestra to outdoor DJ sessions and pilates classes.

Constructed in 1890, this circular concert hall is a Lisbon cultural landmark. The great acoustics have made it one of the city's most important venues for performances ranging from classical music to rock. The smaller Sala hosts more intimate events like stand-up comedy.

This convention center mounts a major concert and exhibition program, often of cutting-edge contemporary art.

Founded in Porto, this gallery moved to Lisbon and took over an old printing house. It presents works by Portuguese and Brazilian artists.

The country's biggest indoor arena is the main venue for rock concerts. It also hosts large-scale classical concerts, dance performances, and sporting events.

Founded in 1993 with the aim of fostering cultural exchange between artists in Portugal and Portuguese-speaking countries such as Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique, this gallery displays contemporary paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and jewelry.

These days this monumental structure hosts more rock concerts than bullfights. Holding up to 9,000 people, the Moorish-style auditorium hosts big names like Pixies and Arcade Fire. There's a multi-screen cinema here, too, often showing blockbuster family films in English with Portuguese subtitles.

Dominating the northern side of the Rossio, this Palladian-style building finished in 1846 is one of the city's crowning glories. The six ionic columns draw your eye upward to a carving of Apollo singing to the Muses. In addition to theatrical performances, there are regular art exhibits that are usually well worth a look. English-language guided tours are held every Monday (advance booking is required).

The latest in screen technology and extra-comfy seats are among the draws at this cinema underneath Lisbon's largest department store. Cheap-ticket night here is Wednesday.