This is the month of spring par excellence! That’s why our proposals for what to do in Lisbon in May will take you to incredible places, many of them indoors, but some of them with the outdoors in mind.
The milder days and the arrival of summer bring a wide variety of plans to the city and our list has been prepared with all age groups in mind, from the little ones to large families.
As always, we’ll offer you the best suggestions for plays, exhibitions , experiences and musical events.
You only have one decision to make: which of these plans do you want to take advantage of first?
Table Of Contents
Experiences, Attractions and Games
Have you heard of the 360º viewpoint in Parque das Nações?
After 25 years, Lisbon ‘ s newest viewpoint reopened last year. It is one of the most incredible viewpoints, with one of the most spectacular 360º views over the city.
The Vasco da Gama Tower viewpoint is called Babylon 360º, but there is much more news about this renewed ex-libris in the city.
Address: Cais das Naus, Lote 2.21.01 (Parque das Nações)
Opening hours: every day from 10 a.m.; Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays until midnight; Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 2 a.m.
Tickets: between €5 and €15, at the box office or online at
Immersive exhibition “Living Van Gogh”
Van Gogh‘s fantastic world arrived in Lisbon at the end of October 2024, with 360º paintings, virtual reality and interactive installations, following its success in Porto, where it welcomed thousands of visitors.
In “Living Van Gogh” you will have the opportunity to travel through the fantastic world of one of the greatest painters of all time. However, if you don’t want to wait until then, you can book your place here.
Theater, Cinema, Comedy and Shows
At the Tivoli BBVA Theater
Every month there are new shows at one of Lisbon’s most iconic venues, the Teatro Tivoli BBVA. Let’s take a look at this month’s program:
- Tasting Fado (experience): Fridays and Saturdays
- A Peça que Dá para o Torto (theater): Wednesday to Sunday
- Matrioska | Guilherme Duarte (stand up comedy): May 6 and 13
- Yesterday | Tribute to the Beatles (music): May 27 and 28
- Mimi Froes | Live and at risk (music): May 29th
- Disney in Concert | Magical Music from the Movies (music): May 30
Address: Avenida da Liberdade 182A
Schedule: various
Tickets: on the website
Exhibitions, Art and Fashion
ORGANISM by MARAÑA
For the first time in Portugal, this is a show that invites you to explore a world where sound, space and sensation merge into a truly unforgettable journey. Hurry to buy your tickets because there are only four sessions scheduled in May.
“Interdimensional Landscape” by Okuda San Miguel
The Underdogs gallery is hosting the exhibition “Interdimensional Landscape” by Okuda San Miguel, with 17 new works created with the support of artificial intelligence. The show highlights color as a symbol of diversity and allows visitors to create digital art using an innovative tool developed by the artist himself.
Open Gardens Festival
Lisbon’s most incredible secret gardens open their gates once again. Among secret spaces, rare collections, community projects and vegetable gardens, this edition will feature guided tours, workshops and many other activities.
Xxiado Art Project
One shopping center downtown is once again hosting free art exhibitions as a way of promoting culture for everyone in the city: Armazéns do Chiado is bringing back the Arte Xxiado project.
“Rainlight” by Irma de Vries
There’s a new immersive “instagrammable” installation at Amoreiras Shopping Center. For the first time in Portugal, the renowned Dutch artist Irma de Vries, from Studio Irma, is presenting “Rainlight”, a sensory installation that can be visited until almost the end of May.
Worten Mock Fest
In its debut edition, the Worten Mock Fest will bring together the best-known comedians from streaming platforms with the big names in national comedy, as well as new comedy talents. Guilherme Geirinhas, the event’s host, is the first confirmed comedian.
IndieLisboa
The 22nd edition of the IndieLisboa international film festival returns to the city’s main cinemas for 11 non-stop days of cinema, showcasing the latest national and international premieres. It’s an eclectic festival with more than 250 films, so there’s something for everyone. You can check out the full program on the website.
Submerged Forests by Takashi Amano” exhibition
The exhibition “Florestas Submersas by Takashi Amano” is one of the most popular in Lisbon. It has been at the Oceanário de Lisboa for eight years, when it was only supposed to be there for three.
Address: Oceanário de Lisboa, on the D. Carlos I Esplanade
Opening hours: no end date
Tickets: between €15 and €22 (includes visit to the entire oceanarium)
Puppet Museum: the art of storytelling
In the Madragoa neighborhood you’ll find a space that allows you to travel the world through the history of puppets. A museum that deserves to be visited, whatever your age.
Address: Rua da Esperança 146, Convento das Bernardas (Santos)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. (last entry at 5:30 p.m.)
Tickets: adults 5€; 13 to 25 year olds (non-Lisbon residents) 2.5€; over 65s 4.3€; or check other prices
At the Museum of Contemporary Art
MAC-CCB is the new abbreviation for Museum of Contemporary Art Centro Cultural de Belém, which in 2023 began occupying the space of the former Berardo Museum. It opened at the end of October.
Every month there are new activities and exhibitions in the renovated cultural space on the banks of the Tagus. Let’s take a look at this month’s program:
- Berardo Collection (exhibition): permanent
- Object, Body and Space (exhibition): permanent
- An Atlantic drift. The arts of the 20th century from the Berardo Collection (exhibition): permanent
- Interspecies (temporary exhibition): until August 31st
- Chantal Akerman. Travelling (temporary exhibition): until September 7
- Posters without Censorship | April 25th and the “Hot Summer” Revolution (temporary exhibition): until September 28th
At the Gulbenkian Museum + Modern Art Center (CAM)
Every month there are new exhibitions and projects at one of Lisbon’s best-known museums, the Gulbenkian Museum, and also at the Modern Art Center. Let’s take a look at this month’s program.
NOTE: The Gulbenkian Museum is temporarily closed.
At the Modern Art Center (CAM):
- H BOX (Video): permanent
- Visitable Reserves: until May 11, 2026
- Tristany Mundu | City around the City (exhibition): until May 5
- Linha de Maré (CAM Collection): until May 11, 2026
- Francisca Rocha Gonçalves | Interferências no Tejo (exhibition): until May 19
- Julianknxx | Choir in Remembrance of a Flight (exhibition): until June 2
- British Art (exhibition): until July 21
- Diana Policarpo | Cigatera (exhibition): until July 28
- Paula Rego and Adriana Varejão (exhibition): from April 11 to September 22
- Mikhail Karikis | Sounds of a Revolution (exhibition): from May 16 to September 22
Address: Avenida da Liberdade 182A
Opening hours: various
Tickets: on the website
At MAAT
Lisbon’s most modern museum has new exhibitions almost every month, and we’ll share the highlights with you:
- The Electricity Factory (exhibition): permanent
- Rui Moreira | Transe (exhibition): until June 2
- Ana Léon | Gestos (exhibition): until June 2
- New Artists Award (exhibition): until September 8
Address: Avenida Brasília (Belém)
Opening times: various
Tickets: on the website
At the Orient Museum
Every month there are new exhibitions, courses, conferences and shows at the Museu do Oriente. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of this month’s program:
- Portuguese Presence in Asia (exhibition): permanent
- Chinese export porcelain | Former Cunha Alves Collection: permanent
- Goa ivories (exhibition): permanent
- Winds of Freedom (exhibition): until May 19
- Treasures in the Palm of Your Hand (exhibition): until September 1st
- Japan: Festivals and Rituals (temporary exhibition): until December 31st
Address: Av. Brasília (Doca de Alcantara, North)
Opening times: various
Tickets: on the website
At the National Coach Museum
Every month there are exciting exhibitions at the National Coach Museum. Let’s take a look at this month’s program:
- The Exchange of Princesses – 1729 (temporary exhibition): no end date
- The Queen’s Tournament: solidarity of the Portuguese people (temporary exhibition): from December 19th
- 12 Signs of the Zodiac (temporary exhibition): no end date
Address: Avenida da Índia 136 (Belém)
Opening hours: various
Tickets: on site
At the Communications Museum
Every month there are staged visits, exhibitions and many other events for the whole family at the Museum of Communications . Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of this month’s program:
- Submarine cables (exhibition): until 2050
- The Postillion visits the Communications Museum (staged visit): until June 29th
Address: Rua do Instituto Industrial 16 (Santos)
Times: various
Tickets: on the website
Concerts, Parties and Festivals
Spring Candlelight Concerts
Candlelight concerts have a new version this spring, the Candlelight Spring Concerts, with a schedule of spring concerts where hundreds of flowers join the candles to brighten up these shows in the city, which already has some concerts scheduled for this month.
The best music, in the most incredible places in the city:
This month, you’ll also be able to attend a series of concerts and music festivals, in various halls and venues in Lisbon:
- The Lumineers: May 2, at MEO Arena
- Aurora: May 9, at Sagres Campo Pequeno
- Pixies: May 10, at Sagres Campo Pequeno
- Rod Stewart: May 13, at MEO Arena
- King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard: May 18, 19 and 20, at Coliseu dos Recreios
- Kali Malone: May 13, at CC
- Oscar Jerome: May 21, at B.Leza
- Ivete Sangalo: May 25, at MEO Arena
- Kiasmos: May 30, at LAV – Lisboa Ao Vivo
Passagens Festival
On May 17 and 18, Barreiro hosts the 4th edition of the Passagens Festival, promoted by the HuBB – Humans Before Borders collective.
The event, with free admission, stands out for giving visibility to the artistic creation of migrants and affirming the right to mobility, through a program built by those who live the migratory experience.
Concerts, debates, exhibitions and performances will occupy various spaces in the city, promoting intercultural dialogue and inclusion at a time when the political debate continues to marginalize migrants and refugees.
The City We Want” Festival
Taking place in Amadora from May 16 to 18, there will be free activities at Moinho da Juventude, in Cova da Moura, and at the Alfornelos Auditorium, where for three days you can still attend concerts, shows, debates and workshops that invite the community to reflect on fairer and more sustainable cities, combining culture, the environment and social justice.
The program also includes performances, creative workshops and debates on urban ecology and inclusion, with the participation of artists, scientists and activists.
Gastronomy, Travel and Leisure
Have you ever tried Taiwanese food?
We had never tried it until we went to Formosa, a nice restaurant that wants to give the Portuguese a taste of traditional Taiwanese cuisine.
The hunt for the best snails in Lisbon has begun
Every year it’s the same: May is the month to go in search of the best snail saucers in and around the city.
And our list of restaurants with this wonderful summer snack is becoming more and more complete with new places.
QOSQO is genuine Peruvian cuisine
And nothing better than one of the best chefs in Peruvian gastronomy to confirm it?
We interviewed Michelin-starred Chef Roberto Sihuay at Lisbon’s oldest Peruvian restaurant, QOSQO, which we love.
Owners & Paws Day – Cãopanheiros de Aventura
On May 3 and 4,the Santo Estêvão Dam, in Benavente, is hosting the “Day of Owners & Paws – Adventure Dogs” event , dedicated to dogs and their owners.
The program includes joint activities such as canoe and seagull rides, dog cookie workshops, yoga sessions, obedience training, hikes, dives and professional photo shoots.
The event takes place at Nautispot and all activities are included in the ticket, with prices ranging from €20 to €25. Dogs of potentially dangerous breeds are not allowed, thus ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants.
Espaço Bebé Congress
The 1st Espaço Bebé Congress will take place on May 17, from 9am to 6pm, at Casa da América Latina, and is dedicated to supporting families with children up to the age of 4 and future parents.
The event will bring together experts in conferences and practical workshops on emotional health, conscious parenting and family well-being.
In addition to the talks, there will be fun activities for children and moments of sharing between caregivers.
