In this post, you’ll find all the best events and things to see and do in Lisbon this May.
We include nighttime, family-friendly, and free things to do. We also have a post on the weather in May.
Here is our list of the top 10 concerts, games, festivals, and other things to do in Lisbon this month.
Don't forget to check out our other popular Lisbon posts:
- Top 25 Things to Do in Lisbon
- Where to Store Your Luggage
- Tourist Attraction Discount Passes
- Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tours
1) Attend a Concert
If you're looking for some big-name touring artists, there are a few you can find in Lisbon this May.
Also, the younger crowd will LOVE knowing Harry Styles from One Direction is making a tour stop here!
- Yes | TBD
- Camilla Faustino | May 2nd
You can find all the concerts in Lisbon here.
2) Catch a Sporting Event
Lisbon locals are loyal to their home teams, which include Benfica and Sporting Lisboa.
This month, the two home teams will be competing against each other. The crowds are sure to be rowdy for this local rivalry.
There are a few home games in May to attend:
Find all the sporting events in Lisbon here.
3) Out Jazz Festival
May brings with it the beginning of Lisbon's summer jazz festival. Out Jazz is a free jazz concert every Sunday evening at 17:00 (5:00 pm).
And each month of the summer, the concerts are held in a different iconic Lisbon location.
You can find programming details and announcements on the Out Jazz page.
NOTE: The festival has eliminated the use of plastic straws, but offers reusable cups for sale at €1.
4) Visit Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Belém
Belém is one of the historic districts of the city and sits on the Tagus River.
It holds the Gothic Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, which is one of the top attractions in Lisbon for its architecture and history.
It's gorgeous and is also featured in quite a few Instagram shots.
So if you're working on your photography or want to post a fun social media picture, you might want to make a stop here.
After the monastery, we suggest wandering through the rest of the district.
Pastéis de Belém has been in operation since 1837 and is one of the best places to try a Pastéis de Nata, a traditional Portuguese cream pastry.
5) Save More with a City Pass
If you're planning on seeing more than one historical attraction or taking several tours, you could purchase a city pass to save both time and money.
Depending on which pass you choose and how you use it, you should be able to save between 20% – 40% off retail admission prices.
From ancient art and bus tours to history and architecture, if you're looking to pack your days with interesting activities, you should consider getting a discount card!
For more information, please read our post covering Lisbon tourist passes.
6) Celebrate Mother's Day with Brunch
Portugal celebrates Mother's Day on the first Sunday in May, which makes it the perfect time to celebrate!
If you aren't traveling with any family, it's still a great reason to have a delicious brunch.
If you're looking for high-rated brunch spots, try one of these:
If you're looking for a sensational brunch experience that you can enjoy on Mother's Day or any Sunday of the month, why not go to a Drag Brunch?
This brunch buffet features bottomless mimosas and a drag queen show.
You can find tickets on their page here.
7) Visit the São Jorge Castle
If you're looking for the best views of the city, you should definitely make time for the São Jorge Castle.
History buffs will love this attraction, too!
It is one of the most historic sites in the city and still features evidence of the Moorish occupation and medieval times.
One of the best tour options that include more than just the castle is The Downhill Lisbon Tour, it includes admission to São Jorge Castle, Sé Cathedral, and the Cathedral Bell Tower.
You could also get a skip-the-line castle ticket that includes a short guided intro before leaving you to enjoy the rest of the experience at your own pace.
8) IndieLisboa 2023 Festival
IndieLisboa, the city’s International Film Festival, runs April 27 - May 07, 2023.
The festival will be screening almost 300 films, awarding the best indie submissions in multiple film categories, and offering industry workshops.
You don’t have to be part of the film industry to enjoy the screenings and a few other activities.
IndieLisboa’s aim is to give more exposure to deserving cinemas, which means the public can purchase screening tickets. In fact, last year there were over 42,000 spectators!
IndieJunior is the portion of the festival aimed at audiences aged 3 - 15. Family programming offers weekend screenings from Apr 27 - May 07, 2023.
Find more information and tickets here.
9) Explore Local Cuisine with a Secret Food Tour
One of the most fun (and delicious) ways to learn about a city's culture and history is through its food scene.
Secret Food Tours will show you the best local foodie spots, which include approximately 5 - 7 stops and samples such as local cheeses, meats, fish, and pastries.
This tour also includes drinks, including wine, beer, and a special Portuguese liqueur.
This 3.5-hour walking tour will give you lots of insight into the local culture thanks to their food!
Purchase the Lisbon Secret Food Tour or learn more.
10) Sightseeing Tours
Having a guide in Lisbon means you won’t miss any of the biggest sights or attractions!
This is why hop-on-hop-off bus tours are popular - in addition to an audio guide in many languages, you have the chance to jump off and spend as much time as you want at each of the stops.
There are also hop-on-hop-off cruises, allowing you to see the maritime city from the water.
Since May brings with it much warmer weather, it's the perfect time to start striking out on foot with a street art tour or maybe a tour by e-bike.
Don’t forget - you’ll be sure to find several sightseeing tours on the Lisbon city passes!
If you’re exploring Lisbon on a budget, take a look at these pay-what-you-like tours of the city.
We list multiple walks through the city centre as well as specific neighborhoods in English, German, and Spanish.
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