What to do in May in Lisbon: amazing plans for all tastes and preferences

Embark on a boat tour to explore the Bugio Lighthouse and visit the interior of the historic São Lourenço da Cabeça Seca Fort.

The boat trip heads straight to the exact spot where the Tagus River meets the Atlantic Ocean, leaving the city’s usual routes behind. Once there, you’ll enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the coast of Cascais, Oeiras, Lisbon, and the entire south bank. In addition to showcasing the centuries-old naval defense structure, participating in this experience actively contributes to efforts to preserve and restore this heritage site.

The Avenida Association is hosting the 4th edition of Avenida Open Week, opening the doors of 21 venues along Avenida da Liberdade to the public.

The event unveils the interiors of palaces, stately homes, house-museums, and the backstage areas of iconic performance venues through exclusive guided tours that explore the history and dynamics of the area. The program blends culture, gastronomy, fashion, and wellness with dozens of hands-on activities. Visitors can participate in cocktail-making masterclasses, Port wine tastings , and workshops to recreate iconic dishes. In the realm of beauty and relaxation, the schedule includes open Pilates classes, personalized styling consultations , and presentations of innovative approaches to hair care.

The Coala Festival returns to Portugal for its third edition, once again choosing the Manuel Possolo Racetrack in Cascais as its main stage.

Born in Brazil, this cultural event has established itself as a major celebration of music in the Portuguese language, bringing together established and emerging artists from the Portuguese-speaking world. The festival’s main purpose is to foster connections between Brazil, Portugal, and Africa, uniting generations through music, culture, and Portuguese-speaking identity. In addition to a strong lineup, the venue will offer exclusive dining options , different stages (including the Main Stage and the Super Bock Club Electronic Stage), and an immersive experience that blends music, nature, and art in an inclusive and relaxed atmosphere, just minutes from the beach.

Somersby Out Jazz celebrates 20 years of live music with a lineup that blends contemporary jazz with soul, funk, and hip-hop.

The commemorative edition introduces new formats to the lineup, expanding the festival beyond its usual gardens. The organization now occupies several squares in the municipality of Oeiras with additional performances and launches the Out Market, a market integrated into the end-of-month events. Parque dos Poetas kicks off the season, featuring artists such as Ricardo Pinto & Miguel Martins Quarteto, Jazzafari, and Tobyone on the lineup. The event maintains its focus on sustainability, asking the public to use public transportation and to bring reusable cups from previous editions.

The MOGA Festival returns to Costa da Caparica to offer over 90 hours of electronic music and local culture.

The event’s lineup features House, Techno, and organic sounds, highlighting international acts such as Ben Böhmer, Ricardo Villalobos, and The Blaze. The organizers also ensure a strong focus on the Portuguese music scene, dedicating 30% of the program to local talent, including artists like the duo Vil & Cravo. The initiative complements the musical performances with a program centered on sustainabilityand various activities open to the public. The format creates a continuous immersive experience, uniting the seaside dance floor and promoting the region’s cultural development throughout the festival.

The Capitólio terrace transforms into an open-air movie theater with a view of the city.

The second edition of the event features a program curated by critic Rui Pedro Tendinha, which blends great classics, contemporary films, and series dedicated to renowned directors, including David Lynch, Christopher Nolan, and Tim Burton. The lineup revisits iconic titles such as Interstellar, Pulp Fiction, and Dead Poets Society, as well as dedicating a special section to 90s comedies and new Brazilian cinema.

Lourinhã once again celebrates one of the star products of its coast with another edition of the highly anticipated Octopus Gastronomic Fortnight.

For over two weeks, the municipality in the Western region becomes the destination of choice for lovers of this mollusk, highlighting the freshness and quality of locally caught octopus. In this 2026 edition, dozens of local restaurants are joining forces to present menus dedicated exclusively to this seafood, ranging from the most traditional and comforting recipes to more innovative and signature creations designed especially for the event.

The Convento da Graça, one of Lisbon’s most imposing and historic monuments, hides one of the most spectacular (and still relatively quiet) spots to watch the sunset in the capital.

In addition to the famous and always crowded Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen Viewpoint, located right across the street, you can climb up to the terrace and the church’s dome for a much more immersive experience. From up there, you’ll be treated to an unobstructed 360-degree panoramic view of the city, stretching from São Jorge Castle and Mouraria to the Tagus River and the 25 de Abril Bridge. It’s the perfect plan for a romantic late afternoon or to impress anyone visiting the city.

ARCOlisboa returns to Cordoaria Nacional to mark its ninth edition and a decade in the city, bringing together 84 galleries from 18 countries.

The international fair transforms the capital into a hub of contemporary art, organizing the venue into the General Program, the Opening Lisboa section dedicated to new artistic languages, and this year’s major new feature: the Archipelago of Art Stories project, focused on creative practices and inherited knowledge. The fair’s program complements the book market through ArtsLibris, which brings together 60 specialized publishers at Torreão Nascente and promotes ongoing discussions with the Millennium Art Talks. The event also debuts “The Living Room,” a conceptual lounge designed by Lisbon Design Week for visitors to relax, while Lisboa Cultura and the EDP Foundation present two major anthological exhibitions in the building’s towers.

The YARD Festival expands to four days this year and brings a strong lineup of electronic music to the Setúbal region.

Headliners like Jamie Jones, Seth Troxler, and Chris Stussy take the stage alongside live performances by Bonobo, RY X, and Monolink. The event is spread across various locations in the area, allowing the public to move between a historic castle, a coastal park, and outdoor dance floors next to the Arrábida Natural Park. In addition to the music, the program features large-scale art installations integrated directly into the landscape, with this edition also introducing two Burning Man camps in the Areia Branca Mountains: Favela, focused on the sounds and atmosphere of Brazil, and Tierra Bomba, dedicated to celebrating Latin culture.

TEDxMarvila is setting up at Pátio da Galé for its second edition with the theme “What Is Love?”, standing out as the only event in the network in Portugal held entirely in English.

The event blends innovation, culture, and social impact, offering a concrete reflection on how people relate to one another, care for their communities, and shape the future, moving away from a purely romantic view of the subject. The program alternates between multidisciplinary talks and performance segments, ensuring a variety of rhythms throughout the day. The panel of speakers reflects a diversity of fields of study and creativity, bringing together very distinct personalities on the same stage, ranging from musician Haddaway and singer Carolina Deslandes to neuroscientist Ari Peralta and cardiothoracic surgeon José I. G. Fragata.

InArt – Community Arts Festival brings together national and international artists to explore new approaches to contemporary art.

The diverse program spans various venues between Lisbon and Amadora, featuring performances, hands-on workshops, live creative processes, and film screenings. The event serves as an active platform for multidisciplinary exchange, fostering direct dialogue about current artistic trends.

The Palácio do Correio-Mor hosts X-TON, an immersive and sensory cultural experience that transports participants into the world of Bridgerton.

Medusa-X designed this limited-edition event to blend live music, performance, gastronomy, and social interaction through a multi-room format. The experience includes a culinary offering inspired by the Regency era, accompanied by an open bar and signature cocktails. Throughout the event, characters with their own stories circulate among the audience, recreating the dynamic of an elegant, cinematic society in constant motion. The guest list features names such as Cuca Roseta, Simão Sabrosa, Vava Rebelo, Maria Queiroz, and Vivi Rocha. The evening’s program culminates with an exclusive final reveal for attendees, bringing the event’s narrative to a close.