Historical monuments and the architecture of buildings already make Portugal a special open-air museum. Add to that a contemporary and impressive Street Art scene and all the ingredients are there for an unforgettable open-air trip through Portugal. Well-known street artists from home and abroad travel to places in Portugal to connect the old with the new with their art. Many of the works are intertwined with the culture and history of the region. During a tour of Portugal you will discover that these 'open-air galleries' are not only limited to the most famous cities.
WOOL_BordaloII, Covilhã | ©Credits Visitportugal.com
Centro de Portugal
Centro de Portugal is one of the most surprising street art regions of Portugal. Not only have international artists been brought in to bring more life to the tranquil environment, but the local population 65+ has also been inspired to create impressive art with laser cutting, stencils and the spray gun. This is how the collective 'graffiti grandparents' was created, which is now active throughout Portugal.
The city of Covilhã is undoubtedly the center of urban art in the Centro de Portugal region thanks to the creative action of 'Wool Fest - Covilhã Art Festival'. This festival honors Covilhã's glorious past as one of the most important wool-producing cities in Portugal and aims to be an important reference for urban art in the country. Wool Fest regularly hosts events and fills the city's walls with colorful paints closely related to the wool theme.
The city of Fundão is known for the lace creations of Polish artist NeSpoon who have put Fundão on the street art map in Portugal! This artist's work consists of printing traditional lace, either in clay or on walls. In her view, lace works contain a genetic code, deeply embedded in every culture. We find symmetry in all laces, a kind of order and harmony.
https://www.centerofportugal.com/tour/street-art-route/
NeSpoon, Fundao | ©TdP
Azores
Anyone who only expects tropical jungles, tea plantations and vast nature reserves will be surprised in the Azores. In São Miguel, in addition to a lively island with nice restaurants and cozy bars, there is also a lot of street art. The 'Walk &Talk Urban Art Festival' is organized every year, which is completely devoted to street art. The Walk and Talk Urban Art Festival transforms buildings and houses into works of art. After the festival, the artworks can be admired for another year.
Vhils, Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel | ©TdP
Lisboa
The city of Lisbon is a work of art in itself. Narrow alleys, steep streets, the special trams, special buildings and many colorful murals. The street art scene in Lisbon is one of the most active in Europe. In 2010 the 'Crono project' was started with the aim of converting old dilapidated buildings in the financial district into an urban art project.
Especially the former textile factory 'LX Factory' at the foot of the bridge 25 de Abril is full of creativity. It is an industrial factory site that has been revived by young entrepreneurs. It is the cultural hotspot where many creatives spend their free time. In addition to hotspots and design shops and space for local bands to perform, there is a lot of street art here. Lots of different murals and graffiti artwork. The atmosphere is very relaxed. New and upcoming is the trendy street art area in cities such as Almada, Seixal and Barreiro on the banks of the Tagus. Here, former industrial areas are now increasingly the stage for various street art exhibitions.
Odeith_Rebobina, Setubal | ©Credits Visitportugal.com
Algarve
In the Algarve, Lagos is especially the place to visit if you are looking for street art. This is mainly thanks to the LAC, an association that has been organizing the 'Artistas Unidos em Residência' since 2011. This project brings together Europe's most famous street artists in Lagos. For example, there is a majestic 'Tempus Fugit' work by the Spanish street artist Aryz.
In the town of Olhão, part of history is told through a mural that draws many people to Largo da Fábrica Velha. The series of murals are reproductions of some old photographs of the city, including factory workers, fishermen or men in taverns. Art is omnipresent in Olhão.
Street Art Lab, Lagos | ©Joana Gomes
Madeira
Street Art in Funchal is another major attraction of Madeira Island. In addition to finding street art in the painted doors of Rua de Santa Maria in the old town, there are other excellent pieces scattered throughout the city. The old town (“Zona Velha”) is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Funchal thanks to the initiative of a number of local artists. The local government supported a restoration project and supplied paint supplies to artists, who started the journey to 'bring life' to this amazing area. The project was called 'Art of the Open Doors'. Less than 10 years later, Funchal's Old Town is a very different place. In addition to the great street art, you will also find many good restaurants, bars, shops with handmade crafts and art galleries.
Funchal – Zona velha | ©Turismo da Madeira
Porto and Northern Portugal
It is mainly in the historic center of Porto where special street art by renowned artists can be admired. Although the famous 'azulejos' are known worldwide as an art form, in Porto most of the street art can be found in Rua de Miguel Bombarda and the Lapa metro station. In Vila Nova de Gaia you cannot ignore the works of the worldwide known Portuguese street artist Bordalo II. He creates new works with discarded materials. With his statement 'one person's waste is another's treasure', he wants to relate his works to sustainability and social awareness.
Nobre e Leal (Mr. Dheo), Porto | ©Turismo do Porto e Norte
Alentejo
The historic center of Évora in Alentejo, a World Heritage Site, had its first street art scoop a year ago. The mural, 'Cabeçudo in the clouds', is the first in the UNESCO-listed historic center.
Once voted one of the five most beautiful murals in the world, Bordalo II's 'Portu-galo' is located in Beja. The rooster of Portugal is made from reusable waste. It is the signature of the maker.
Workers and farmers are seen as the soul of Comporta. They shape the character, the culture and the lifestyle. Thanks to artist Vhils, they are now not only an intrinsic, but also a visible part of the story. Layer by layer, Vhils cut into the walls an echo of the local community that inspires daily at Quinta da Comporta.
'Portu-galo' by Bordalo II, Beja | ©Turismo do Alentejo
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