Chiado’s Top 5 Art & Culture Hotspots: A Close Look

Chiado, located right in the heart of Lisbon, has rather become known as something of a treasure trove for those who have an interest in all things artistic and all things culture. It’s almost as if there is something at almost every corner that feeds your hunger for creativity and sparks some kind of feeling or emotion deep inside you. That said, it’s where old-fashioned charm meets more modern expressions of the soul; very fascinating I must say.

1. Teatro Nacional de São Carlos: A Grand Start

Teatro Nacional de São Carlos is very often viewed, quite rightly too I think, as one of Lisbon’s absolute gems. This rather magnificent opera house will typically make you feel as though you’ve somewhat traveled back in time. That is to say that it has been standing strong ever since way back in 1793! Now, what really is impressive, in my humble opinion, is not just the grand look of it, but also that it’s actually still very much in use! Very much indeed! People still visit to enjoy rather magical performances, you see. Imagine that: sitting in some red velvet seat, very much surrounded by these extravagant golden decorations, as if you’re transported into a completely different experience. The sound is seemingly perfect! I, for one, almost guarantee that attending an opera here would be more of an event, compared with merely catching a show, that is.

Oh, and if seeing an opera is not your thing, and I get that it really isn’t for everyone, then bear this in mind, too; the Teatro also does guided tours! It could be an excellent choice if you like to get an closer view and learn much more about all its history! It is located right on Rua Serpa Pinto. That alone makes it simple to find! Read our full review: Teatro Nacional de São Carlos Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Tickets and Info)

2. Museu do Chiado: Modern and Contemporary Portuguese Art

The Museu do Chiado, yet very different compared to an opera house, provides another look at Chiado’s devotion to art. In some respects, the location focuses specifically on Portuguese art. More accurately, it emphasizes what Portugal has contributed to art beginning from the latter half of the 1800s. That does happen to mean it provides, you see, a peek into the country’s ever-changing creative soul.

You see paintings, sculptures, too. In fact you see almost every artistic expression which displays modern, contemporary, ideas. You can sort of wander throughout halls that really tell the tale of creative progress, in that Portugal didn’t just stick with whatever had come before. No indeed! It seemed to embrace those modern concepts!

The Museu is actually very centrally located in Rua Serpa Pinto, right inside of what once was the Convent of São Francisco. It’s definitely worth looking up whenever you feel in the mood to indulge your inner artist. Read our full review: Museu do Chiado Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Tickets and Info)

3. A Brasileira: Coffee with a Side of History

A Brasileira isn’t your run-of-the-mill coffee shop at all. No! Yet it’s pretty much something of a Chiado institution. Way back since 1905, that particular place has actually been quite the gathering spot for a who’s-who of artists, thinkers and writers, as a matter of fact!

Fernando Pessoa, this very Portuguese poet, was arguably one of its most typical customers. If you pay the cafe a visit now, that is, you’ll also see a bronze statue sitting outside that invites you to sit down with Pessoa. So be sure to bring your camera!

The interior definitely brings an older, somewhat fancier, era into people’s minds. In fact, that makes enjoying your coffee even better I do find! While I would be careful with the prices that can be a bit much, just you spending a bit of your day there does sort of mean that you are sinking yourself within this rather unique piece of Lisbon history. Oh, you can discover it at Rua Garrett 122. Read our full review: A Brasileira Café Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Visit A Brasileira Café)

4. Bertrand Bookstore: The Oldest Bookstore in the World

Speaking of spots where literary souls almost feel some pull to visit, then just maybe Bertrand Bookstore almost cannot be missed either. Word has it, too, that it holds the honor to possibly being seen as being the oldest bookstore right across the entire world! What a fact!

Since its opening back in 1732, just about literally centuries worth of pages went right through its doors! Now, what I think is absolutely superb, so to speak, is the sense of walking in, knowing it’s more than basically some commercial space; you almost literally step inside literary history.

It can be discovered over at Rua Garrett 73-75; why not drop by, just wander its shelves, find old and/or newer books and be reminded just how essential reading is to literally every culture! Read our full review: Bertrand Bookstore Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Explore Bertrand Bookstore)

5. Igreja do Loreto: Italian Baroque Splendor

For maybe a quick culture fix that’s arguably rooted a bit more in things from years gone by, yet still really beautiful to see, have you maybe considered the Igreja do Loreto?

The church seems, almost naturally, to have taken its inspiration straight from the Italian Baroque style. Almost unsurprisingly since it actually was, yes, rebuilt through the Italian community which calls Lisbon home.

Its exterior might be seen as actually quite modest. Although on the inside you can arguably anticipate to have your mind literally blown! There’s really a stark, huge, difference when looking at these very elaborate details. Yet, these statues seem somehow to be capable of catching the soft light very well. Also too; you can be sure that every corner tends to exhibit incredible artistry. It is rather nestled in the Largo do Chiado, that could almost bring any visit you take full circle. Especially after perhaps appreciating some things more current nearby! Read our full review: Igreja do Loreto Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Visit Igreja do Loreto)

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