Street Art in Lisbon: What you need to know and where to find It
My guilty pleasure? Street art. I just didn’t realise Lisbon had so much street art to offer. Wow, what a discovery! The city feels like one big open-air gallery. Wherever you look, you’ll spot a painting, big or small. On a façade, a wall, by a flight of stairs or just around a corner. It makes Lisbon even more colourful.
Lisbon Gives Street Art Plenty of Space
The great thing about Lisbon is that the local council actively supports street art. Artists are given permission to paint large walls in various locations. As a result, you come across huge murals all over the city.
You can book a street art tour and learn some interesting background information about the artists and their works. But to be honest, I also enjoy exploring on my own first and letting my imagination run wild. What is the artist trying to say with this piece? I looked up my photos later at home and made a number of fascinating discoveries as a result. It turns out there’s much more to some of these works than you might think at first glance.
Caracol de Graça: Lisbon’s Street Art Stairway
This steep passage connects the Mouraria neighbourhood with the higher-lying Graça district. It’s a real treat to walk up there, as the street art is bursting with vibrancy. The stairs are quite a climb, but the remarkable murals make it feel a lot less strenuous. And once you’re at the top, you’re rewarded with a stunning view of the city from the Miradouro da Graça.
Here, for example, I saw a piece of art with the words ‘You are not alone’. It’s part of the international art project ‘You Are Not Alone Murals’. This street art aims to raise awareness of mental health and the importance of connection.
This message really strikes a chord with me. You can’t miss the artwork, it’s that big. But now that I know what it means, it suddenly means so much more.
Two Pelicans with a Message
Near the Santa Justa Lift, I came across another striking work of art: two pelicans. It turns out to be the work of Bordalo II. This Portuguese artist creates art from rubbish and discarded materials. In doing so, he draws attention to overconsumption, waste and their consequences for nature.
And suddenly, you do look at these two pelicans differently. They aren’t just colourful birds on a wall, but a work of art with a clear message.
LX Factory: bare walls covered in street art
Another place where you’ll find plenty of street art is LX Factory, a raw, industrial site in Lisbon. It’s a creative hub where artists are given free space to express themselves, and where, alongside street art, you’ll also find galleries, shops and lovely places to eat.
Here, the artists really let their creativity run wild. The old industrial walls have been brightened up with colourful and imaginative works of art. Sometimes you can’t quite guess what the artist is getting at, but that’s part of the fun. Of course, you can also just let your own imagination run wild.
Alfama: “We Are Fire. We Are Light.”
In Alfama, the historic heart of Lisbon, I came across this striking piece of street art: “We are fire, we are light.”
The image of two people embracing seems to tie in beautifully with the text. Love, connection, warmth and human strength. I love the fact that it gives you a moment to reflect on it yourself. What exactly is the artist trying to say, and what does it mean to you?
Incidentally, there is a clear difference between graffiti and street art. Graffiti often revolves around tags, letters and names, whilst street art is usually more focused on imagery and a message. In Lisbon, you’ll come across both, but with many works it’s clear that a great deal of thought has gone into the design and the location.
A lovely base in Alfama
Have you been inspired to visit Lisbon and discover its street art for yourself? If so, I’ve also got a great hotel tip for you, right in the heart of the historic Alfama district: Hotel Casa Teva.
A charming boutique hotel in the heart of atmospheric Alfama. The stylish lounge-style décor, warm atmosphere and little touches ensure you’ll feel right at home. In the morning, you can enjoy a delicious breakfast before heading out into the steep streets of Alfama.
And when you return from your stroll through the city, tasty snacks and drinks will be waiting for you at the Honesty Bar. A lovely spot to lounge about and relax.
And my tip? Keep your eyes open when exploring Lisbon, pay attention to the façades and, above all, look up. You never know what colourful surprise you might discover. Above all, enjoy the wonderful street art that makes Lisbon even more exciting to explore.
Published on Reisleven.nl on September 18th, 2026
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