Undoubtedly, this is a side of the city not to be missed: Lisbon's nightlife is generally considered to be amongst the best in Europe - the night in Lisbon starts at sunset and goes on till dawn. People in Lisbon love going out, and the city has different areas with various styles of restaurants and bars where one can go to. Lisbon's bars, theatres and discos add spice to life in the city after dark. At night, the city's old quarters come alive with the sound of fado singing and guitar-playing, the musical expression of the soul of Lisbon's inhabitants. The Fado Houses, where one can savor the excellent local cooking and listen to the emotional music of Lisbon, are unique. And yet, down the hill at the open air cafés, bars and discos reflect their lights in the calm waters of the River Tagus. Usually, a night out lasts until the next morning, given that most bars don't close until 2am and discos are open until 6am or even later. The options and offers for a night out vary according to the individual's taste, but quality and fun are always guaranteed.

There are four major areas you must consider when going out at night: Av. 24 de Julho (Alcântara, mainly bars and discos), Bairro Alto (plenty of restaurants, bars and discos) , Docas (Doca de Alcântara, plenty of restaurants, bars and discos) and Parque das Nações (mainly restaurants and bars).

Av. 24 de Julho is a long Avenue with many bars and discos, usually very busy at night and not very far from Docas. Bairro Alto has always been a favorite among nightlife lovers, and it has cultivated its own unique style over the years, which distinguishes it from other nightlife areas around the city especially because it is located in the oldest part of Lisbon. Here you will find restaurants that stay open until quite late, with a huge selection of typical Portuguese and international cuisine. Docas, is one of the liveliest nightlife areas in Lisbon. The scenario is beautiful and the many restaurants, bars, street cafés and discos by the river make a night out in Lisbon something really special. Finally, Parque das Nações, where the Expo 98 has been organized, is the most modern part of the city, with futuristic buildings and a great view to the river. Here you can find many trendy restaurants and bars with portuguese and international cuisine. On this zone of the city there is also one disco.