1 Largo da Graça
Throughout June, every old quarter is packed with revelers in sardine hats, singing Portuguese pop, and savoring street food. Local shops and clubs take over squares like Largo da Graça, setting up massive grills, booming sound systems, and bars – expect crowds, not quiet nights.
If you’re arriving on 12 June, brace yourself: traffic usually shuts down in Graça from late afternoon to around midnight, and getting from the airport to your hotel can be a challenge.
2 Vila Berta
Don’t miss the legendary Arraial da Vila Berta, just behind Largo da Graça. For over a century, this hidden gem has served up sardines and caldo verde in one of Lisbon’s prettiest streets – tables are snapped up by locals, so just soak in the atmosphere, the music and the old houses dressed up for the festas.
Even if you don’t manage to sit down, walking up and down Vila Berta on the 12th is a small Santo António ritual in itself.
3 Penha de França
With parties springing up in every parish, you’ll find several arraiais within an easy 800‑meter stroll from Graça alone, including Penha de França up the hill. Here the Festas dos Santos Populares keep the same local flavor: simple food, loud music, kids running around and neighbours meeting friends they only see once a year.
While the festas are all about local mood, there are also more official events – exhibitions, talks and guided tours – organized by museums and cultural institutions across the city.
