Portuguese street art: Eye-popping graffiti and elegant azulejos

Lisbon and its surrounding coastal towns are a riot of vividly coloured buildings, buzzing nightlife, and hip cultural vibes. For me, one of the great pleasures of wandering these streets is the fabulous smorgasbord of street art on display. I had the feeling I was coming across a new masterpiece around each corner – whether it was vibrant and ingenious graffiti or the exquisite images of past and present life portrayed on glazed tiles, the ‘azulejos’ the region is famous for. Magnificent art, old and new. Unlike in many of Lisbon’s expensive museums, it won’t cost you a cent to appreciate these masterworks that I consider to be equal to that in any gallery or rammed tourist hotspot. I’ll let the art do the rest of the talking…

A tiled scene depicting the retaking of Lisbon from the Moors. Alfama, Lisbon
Another scene of the city under siege. Alfama, Lisbon
Fabulous Mr. Fox, Setúbal
A thoughtful navigator, Setúbal
The plaza that isn’t there. An amazing optical illusion, Ericeira
Another part of the same magic!
Don’t lose your head, next to the Theatro Romano, Alfama, Lisbon
Fishing life, Setúbal
The pilot, Setúbal
Twenty thousand leagues under the seas! Setúbal
Looking back at you! Amora
Taking to the skies, Setúbal
Traditional Portuguese fishing boat, Setúbal market
Beware the fish… Setúbal
Village life, Setúbal market
Poseidon’s domain, Setúbal
I couldn’t agree more! Street art from Setúbal

For more articles on European Adventures visit:

Dolphins, dinosaurs and wild coast – The Setúbal Peninsula – The Lacandongringo

Land of the Lynx: a weekend of hope and despair in Doñana – The Lacandongringo

Cabo de Gata – Between Mediterranean Heaven and Plastic Hell – The Lacandongringo

Getting high in the Catalan Pyrenees! Part 1: Espot and Sant Maurici – The Lacandongringo

Getting high in the Catalan Pyrenees! PART 2: Emerald lakes and vanishing glaciers – The Lacandongringo

A Paradise of Birds and Wild, Windswept Beaches – The Ebro Delta – The Lacandongringo

Also, for more info on Lisbon street art, check out:

Exploring Lisbon’s best street art – Lonely Planet – Lonely Planet

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