Lisbon Classical Nights: An Intimate Classical Guitar Concert in a Historic Church
A magical evening of music in Lisbon’s Igreja de São Paulo.
Dear Readers,
On a quiet Tuesday late summer evening in Lisbon, we stepped into the small square of São Paulo with friends while listening to the chatter of the surrounding cafés. Just beyond the square stands an elegant Pombaline-style church. Its twin bell towers frame the evening sky with its façade, telling stories of resilience, rebuilt after the devastating 1755 earthquake. Inside, tucked away in the church sacristy, only a handful of chairs are arranged in a semicircle. You take a seat. The air is hushed. And then, the first notes of a guitar ripple through the centuries-old stone.
This is Lisbon Classical Nights, an intimate concert series that feels less like a performance and more like a conversation between artist and audience.
A Venue Steeped in History.
The concerts take place in the sacristy of Saint Paul’s Church (Igreja de São Paulo), a jewel of Lisbon’s riverside neighborhood. Its serene architecture, shaped by the city’s rebirth after the earthquake, is the perfect setting for music that also carries the weight of tradition and renewal. Surrounded by wooden carvings and sacred art, you find yourself not in a crowded concert hall, but in a space where the history of Lisbon leans in to listen.
A Unique Concept.
Whenever possible, I try to look for the less-touristy things to do and see in Portugal to share with you. This one has been on my list for a while, so it was time to check it out.
Lisbon Classical Nights is not a grand, ticketed spectacle and you won’t find this venue in many tourist guides. It is deliberately small with no more than twenty-five guests invited each evening. This intimacy makes every seat feel like you are sitting in someone’s living room. The concerts are held 2-3 times a week, typically Tuesday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and last just under an hour.
Each program is thoughtfully designed, blending classical masterpieces with Portuguese and Brazilian compositions.
But these musicians don’t just play, they share stories. Between pieces, they explain the history, the composers, and sometimes the personal inspirations behind the works, speaking in Portuguese, English, or Spanish depending on the audience.
The Artists.
The heart of Lisbon Classical Nights lies with its musicians who are all incredibly talented classical guitarists. There is a rotation of artists that perform here and each evening concert features just one. Their playing has been described as “brilliant,” “emotional,” and “utterly captivating.”
The performance we attended featured a special guest guitarist who occasionally joins the series. Inês Martins de Sousa is a gifted artist known for her elegant technique and expressive interpretation. She has been playing guitar since the age of eight.
Originally from Portugal, she now resides in Austria where she is a guitar teacher at the Landesmusikschule Kremsmünster, Stadl-Paura and Gmunden and at Musikum Hallein. Inês completed her master's and postgraduate degrees in Performance at the Universität Mozarteum in July 2024.
Her performances add a new dimension to the program, weaving in her own artistry while remaining true to the spirit of the evening. This short video shows just how gifted she is.
Paul loves music and in his younger days, played guitar, so he has an appreciation for talent. He remarked to me that this artist was probably the best classical guitarist he has ever listened to. I would have to agree. This was one of the most enjoyable music experiences we have had in Portugal.
Where Music Meets Reflection.
In a city alive with music - fado spilling from tascas, and jazz and rock echoing from bars, Lisbon Classical Nights offers something different: a moment of reflection and intimacy. It is a reminder that classical music does not need grandeur to be powerful. Sometimes, the most moving experiences happen in small rooms with just a guitar, twenty-five listeners, and a centuries-old church keeping watch.
If You Visit:
Where: Sacristy of Saint Paul’s Church (Igreja de São Paulo), Lisbon - Praça São Paulo, 1200-425 Lisboa, Portugal.
When: Performances are usually held Tuesday to Saturday at 7:00 p.m. (check the website for the current schedule).
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the performance. Once the sacristy doors close and the performance begins, you may not be able to enter.
Duration: Approximately 50 minutes.
Audience: Intimate setting for about 25 guests (not recommended for young children).
Tickets & Info: Lisbon Classical Nights.
Photos and videos of the performance are allowed but please do not distract other members of the audience or the performer.
Be respectful of the church. This is a place of worship, not a concert hall or a museum. Please respect those who may be in church to worship.
More information about Inês Martins de Sousa.
More information about other Lisbon Classical Nights artists.
Nearby dining suggestion for after the concert:
Taberna Tosca – A modern twist on the Portuguese tasca with petiscos and excellent wine pairings. This is a short 1-minute walk across the praça (town square) from the church, and is just around the corner from the famous Pink Street area. After the performance, we dined there.
If you’re looking to spend an evening in Lisbon…
I can highly recommend H10 duque de loulé Boutique Hotel. It’s located in a less-touristy area of Lisbon and is about a 15-minute taxi/Uber ride to Lisbon Classical Nights. If you visit during the warmer months, check out the hotel’s rooftop Bar Terraza Limão for a view of the city and the Tejo River.
Thanks for being on this journey with me!
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Coming up Next on Our Portugal Journey…
Figs in Portugal: A Seasonal Journey Through Tradition and Culture. - Available on September 4th.
Until next time…
Obrigada!
Carol.
I didn’t know Inês before, but now that I’ve listened, I realize she’s a fantastic artist, very much in the style of Carlos Paredes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2X_7Gi5krs&list=RDW2X_7Gi5krs&start_radio=1
What a great experience