THE STREETS OF LISBON are an open-air museum, full of ephemeral creations that change faster than we think. You don’t need to go to the suburbs or abandoned places to enjoy amazing graffiti. These authentic pieces of art can be found even within the historical center of the Portuguese capital.

Although there has been graffiti in the city for decades, two important initiatives gave a boost to urban art: the creation of the GAU (Urban Art Gallery) in 2008 — a Lisbon City Hall project designed to regenerate the Bairro Alto, and the 2010 CRONO project. Some of the best international artists took part of CRONO, including Momo, Blu, Sam3, Os Gemeos, and Vhils. By now, several of the wonderful murals are gone, but you can still find some real gems.

The following pictures will make you want to go and explore this street art mecca… while drinking ginjinha and eating egg tarts.

1

Horse by Aryz, in Rua Sao Jose.

2

CRONO project with the collaboration of Os Gemeos and BLU, in Picoas

3

Lizard by Ericailcane, in Picoas

Intermission

4

Fado Vadio, project by Movimiento dos Amigos de Sao Cristovao in Mouraria

5
6

Bird by Lucy Mclauchlan, in Picoas

7

Pray for Portugal by Nomen, in Amoreiras

Intermission

8

Boy crying by Über, in Amoreiras

9

Merkel's puppets by Nomen, Slap, Kurtz, in Amoreiras

10

Seen in the Alcantara tunnels

11

Seen in the Alcantara tunnels

Intermission

12

Seen in the Alcantara tunnels

13

Mural by Isa Silva promoted by GAU, in Elevador of Gloria in Bairro Alto

14

Pixel Pancho and Vhils collaboration in Jardim do Tabacco

15

40 anos 40 murais project, in Elevador de Lavra

16

A lei do mais forte by Nomen, Slap, Kurtz, Exas, and Lukas, in Amoreiras

17

The Nightmare Before Christmas by Kurts, Styler, Slap, in Amoreiras