27 Best Performing Arts in 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.

Opening its doors for the first time in 1920, this neoclassical theater is one of the city's architectural treasures. It hosts and produces a good range of classical and contemporary concerts and plays all year round.

Once a 14th-century chapel, this atmospheric spot in Coimbra's Jewish Quarter now hosts nightly fado performances. Though the food won't necessarily win prizes, there is an extensive range of Portuguese wines, and you can opt for either a fado show and dinner, or just the fado and a drink. Either way, book at least a day in advance.

Here you can enjoy traditional fado in a room that's dark except for the spotlight on the performer. Daily sessions begin at 6 pm with a short history lesson on fado, followed by performances of the genre's most famous songs. It's best to book in advance via the website.

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 is one of the biggest showrooms in Portugal, with nearly 3,000 seats. Countless Portuguese and international showbiz legends have appeared here, including Bob Dylan and legendary fado singer Amália Rodrigues.

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

Every year on the first weekend in March, Monchique hosts its annual cured-meats fair. The Sausage Fair is a high point on the locals' calendar and people travel from far and wide to sample cured meats, along with jams, dried fruits, liqueurs, and cheeses. It's all rounded off with traditional nightly entertainment.

The Festa da Flor da Madeira, which runs from late April to mid-May, brightens downtown Funchal with a carpet of flores (flowers), a parade, and a lot of music.

First held in 1957, Sintra's annual music and dance festival takes place during early fall (usually September or October) at the Centro Cultural Olga Cadaval as well as in the many palaces and gardens around Sintra and Queluz. The Gulbenkian Symphony Orchestra and the Gulbenkian Ballet company as well as other international groups perform. Buy tickets at the AskMe Sintra tourist information offices.

This annual festival is a must for those who are in the Algarve in mid-August. The event, which lasts four to six days, attracts top musicians, and the food on offer features renowned delicacies from the sea.

Also known as FOLIO, the International Literature Festival was launched as part of a broader initiative to establish Óbidos as a vila literária (literary town). The focus was at first on Portuguese-language writers, but organizers have branched out with guests such as Leïla Slimani and Porto resident Richard Zimler. This annual event is scheduled for late September or October.

In late October or early November, Santarém each year hosts the National Festival of Gastronomy, the longest-running in Portugal. It's held in the Casa do Campino, next to the bullfighting ring, where numerous restaurants from all over the country come to showcase the top best culinary delights of their area and establishment. The festival includes competitions in various categories of cuisine—often with the opportunity for you to try the winners' wares—and you are guaranteed to eat well here. There is also plenty of handicrafts, folk music, and dancing.

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.

Portimão stages its renowned Sardine Festival every year at the beginning of August. It's a must for anyone wanting to try the delicious little fish and sample local cuisine while enjoying the sights and sounds of a proper Algarvian party.

The local council goes all out to make sure the 10-day Silves Medieval Festival feels like a trip back in time. Food merchants and handicraft vendors dressed in traditional garb take over the city in August. Jousting displays and falconry shows are staged, along with fire-eating, traditional dancing, and medieval banquets. Silves' steep, narrow streets are packed during this event.

This neoclassical theater first opened its doors in 1888 and has been staging top-notch performances ever since. Outside it looks a little run-down, but inside the seating—across three levels—is bedecked in regal red and gold. The ceiling, painted to resemble the sky, is something to see.

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.