Teatro Nacional de São Carlos
9 R. Serpa Pinto, Lisboa, Portugal, 1200-442
The Teatro Nacional de São Carlos is a national monument and the only theater in Portugal devoted to producing opera, choral, and symphonic music. The Portuguese Symphony Orchestra and the Choir of the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos perform here, as well as visiting artists. It’s a great place to catch a concert in Lisbon or to admire its neoclassical facade during sightseeing tours.
The basics
The Teatro Nacional de São Carlos was inspired by Venice's opera house, La Fenice, and is a popular stop on walking tours of Lisbon. If you can see the building's interior, you'll find private boxes lining the sides in five rows, and the royal box flanked by gold statues. Visiting the theater for an opera or orchestral performance is the perfect reason to get dressed up for a night on the town.
Things to know before you go
The on-site ticket office is open on weekday afternoons, or you can buy tickets online.
Children under age 3 are not permitted at performances.
Photographs and audio recordings are prohibited during performances.
How to get there
The Teatro Nacional de São Carlos is located in Lisbon's historic Chiado district, easily walkable to many of the city's top monuments and tourist sites. The Baixa-Chiado metro station is just two blocks north and is served by the Blue and Green Lines. Walk one block west to reach the Chiado tram stop.
When to get there
The Teatro Nacional de São Carlos is open for ticket sales on weekday afternoons. It's a good idea to arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of the start time for performances to allow time to find your seats and admire the interior. Guests arriving late may not be seated immediately. Allow extra time for traffic when traveling around the city.
Other theaters in Lisbon
In addition to the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, there are many other historic theaters in Lisbon where you can enjoy the city's vibrant performing arts scene. One block from the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos is the Teatro São Luiz, while just a few blocks north, you'll find the Teatro da Trindade Inatel.
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