The insider’s guide to Campo Pequeno
This arty Lisbon neighbourhood is famed for its restaurants, culture and vast entertainment offering
Sponsored by:
Round Hill Capital
Known for its gorgeous architecture, buzzy food scene, world-class culture and proximity to Lisbon’s business and tourism districts, there are few neighbourhoods better suited for exploring the city than Campo Pequeno. Whether you’re just in town for the weekend or are looking to set up a permanent base in Lisbon, here’s our guide to making the most of this exciting area.
The history: Campo Pequeno
The most famous site in the neighbourhood, the Campo Pequeno arena was designed by António José Dias da Silva in the early 1890s. Taking its inspiration from the grand ampitheatre of Madrid, it is considered one of Europe’s finest examples of Neo-Arabic architecture and the design was carefully preserved when it reopened as a multi-purpose venue in 2009. Today the Campo Pequeno arena is home to a shopping centre, restaurants and a large venue for live music and theatre, meaning you’ll never be short of entertainment options.
The homes: Lumino
We’re confident that, after a few days spent in Campo Pequeno, you’ll be desperate to return on a more permanent basis. Luckily, the new luxury Lumino development is here to help. Spanning 39,000 square metres in a prime location moments from Lisbon’s university and business district, the first 97 apartments will be ready to move into in early 2023 – with many offering views over the arena itself. A collaborative development between Round Hill Capital and TPG Real Estate, Lumino will also offer residents access to a range of high-end amenities, including a 15-metre rooftop pool and lush courtyard, from which to soak up the tranquil Portuguese sunshine.
The entertainment: Cinema City
Located within the Campo Pequeno arena, this modern cinema is the place to go to catch the latest blockbuster releases, as well as special film events. Boasting eight screens showing the latest Hollywood films, indie flicks and plenty of options for children, Cinema City is also home to the Oscars-themed City Bar, which offers a range of fine wines, cocktails and snacks perfect for taking your cinema experience to the next level.
The culture: Culturgest
First opened in 1993, and offering venues in both Lisbon and Porto, Culturgest is Portugal’s premier destination for contemporary art, theatre, music and cinema. Its permanent collection includes important works from Portugal, Brazil, Mozambique, Angola and Cape Verde, largely dating from the 1960s onwards, while a regularly changing roster of exhibitions, performances, lectures and screenings means there is always something new to discover. Upcoming events include a performance of Alexander Zeldin’s Love by the UK’s National Theatre, an exhibition of works by Malawian artist Samson Kambalu and the 14th annual Italian Film Festival.
The art: Museu Calouste Gulbenkian
Built to offer public access to the collection of Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, the Armenian entrepreneur, art collector and philanthropist who lived in Lisbon from 1942 until his death in 1955, the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian opened in 1969 and has been showcasing one of the world’s most important private art collections ever since. The permanent galleries span 5,000 years of fine art, with pieces dating from the Egyptian and Greco-Roman eras sitting alongside works by Rubens, Rembrandt, Rodin and Lalique. Elsewhere, the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian also hosts regularly changing special exhibitions, with current and past focuses including Boticelli’s interpretations of Dante’s Inferno and Divine Comedy (borrowed from the Vatican Library), the Golden Age of French furniture and how modern casting techniques are transforming the work of sculptors.
The restaurant: Nómada Avenidas Novas
Campo Pequeno is so full of interesting and exceptional eateries that it’s difficult to highlight just one but, if you do only have time to visit one, make it Nómada Avenidas Novas. Overseen by chef Francisco Bessone, this modern fusion restaurant combines Asian flavours with traditional European cooking techniques and fine Portuguese ingredients to create some truly impressive plates. Sushi, ceviche and sashimi dominate the menu, with highlights including Nómada’s signature tuna, salmon and shrimp rolls, crab tempura and chocolate and wasabi dessert.
