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Lisbon has always felt cinematic to me — the way light hits the rooftops, the curves of its streets, and the color of its tiled façades make it easy to imagine scenes unfolding on film. Over the years, I’ve watched movies set in the city and retraced locations in person, noting how directors capture its energy and charm. From iconic international productions to Portuguese classics, Lisbon has played many roles on screen.
In this guide, I’m sharing ten famous movies filmed in or featuring Lisbon — films I’ve personally seen, locations I’ve visited, and insights into how the city adds its own character to each story.
Famous Lisbon
Lisbon, the radiant capital of Portugal, has long been a favorite among filmmakers. With its golden light, historic neighborhoods, dramatic viewpoints, and soulful soundtrack of fado music, the city offers an atmosphere that feels cinematic even without a camera rolling.
Over the decades, directors from Europe and Hollywood alike have used Lisbon filming locations to tell stories of romance, mystery, music, politics, and even high-octane action. In this guide, we explore 10 famous movies filmed in Lisbon (plus one unexpected blockbuster), while also showing you how to experience these locations in real life.
Whether you’re a film lover, a cultural traveler, or planning your first trip to Portugal, this list will help you see Lisbon through a cinematic lens.
10 Famous Movies Filmed in Lisbon or Featuring the City
1. Lisbon Story (1994)
Few films capture the soul of a city like Lisbon Story. Directed by Wim Wenders, this cult classic follows a sound engineer wandering through Lisbon in search of a missing filmmaker. What unfolds is a slow, poetic exploration of sound, memory, and place.
Lisbon isn’t just a backdrop here — it is the story. The film lingers on crumbling facades, tram bells, distant voices, and everyday moments that feel deeply authentic.
Key Lisbon Locations: Alfama, Belém Tower, Tram 28
2. The Ninth Gate (1999)
Roman Polanski’s The Ninth Gate, starring Johnny Depp, leans into Lisbon’s darker, more mysterious side. The city’s old churches, hidden courtyards, and shadowy streets provide the perfect setting for a story about rare books, secret societies, and supernatural intrigue.
Lisbon’s historic layers — Roman, Moorish, medieval — quietly amplify the film’s unsettling tone.
Key Lisbon Locations: Igreja do Carmo, Baixa, Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
3. Night Train to Lisbon (2013)
Based on Pascal Mercier’s bestselling novel, Night Train to Lisbon presents the city as reflective, intellectual, and quietly emotional. Jeremy Irons’ character discovers a forgotten story from Portugal’s past, and Lisbon’s streets feel heavy with memory and meaning.
The film beautifully captures viewpoints at dawn, tiled façades, and the stillness of Lisbon’s older quarters.
Key Lisbon Locations: Rossio Square, São Vicente de Fora, Alfama, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
4. James Bond: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)
Long before Lisbon became trendy, it played host to spies — both real and fictional. In On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, James Bond visits Portugal during the Cold War era, when Lisbon was a neutral crossroads for diplomats, exiles, and intelligence agents.
Scenes were filmed near Estoril, while the story’s atmosphere closely mirrors Lisbon’s real WWII history.
⭐ Avenida Palace: Lisbon’s Real Spy Hotel
Just steps from Rossio Square, Hotel Avenida Palace was a legendary meeting place for spies during World War II. British, German, and American agents stayed under the same roof, quietly exchanging information in its elegant salons.
5. The House of the Spirits (1993)
Although set in Chile, The House of the Spirits used Lisbon’s historic streets and viewpoints to recreate another continent entirely. Its sloping streets, old staircases, and grand viewpoints helped transport audiences across time and geography.
Key Lisbon Locations: Rua da Bica, São Pedro de Alcântara Viewpoint
6. Fados (2007)
No list of movies filmed in Lisbon would be complete without Fados. Directed by Carlos Saura, this film is a love letter to Lisbon’s most emotional art form. Shot in real fado houses and neighborhoods, it captures the city’s voice — raw, melancholic, and deeply human.
Key Lisbon Locations: Alfama, Mouraria, traditional fado houses
7. Amália: The Movie (2008)
This biographical film tells the story of Amália Rodrigues, the undisputed Queen of Fado. Lisbon appears as both a stage and a muse, shaping her life and career.
Key Lisbon Locations: Casa Museu Amália Rodrigues, Bairro Alto
8. Somewhere in Lisbon (Alguém Como Eu) (2017)
A modern romantic comedy, Somewhere in Lisbon highlights the city’s lighter side — colorful streets, sunlit plazas, and the excitement of starting fresh in a new place.
Key Lisbon Locations: Praça do Comércio, Rua Augusta, Santa Justa Elevator
👉 These are perfect for a walking tour — Viator offers several excellent small-group options.
9. Sostiene Pereira (According to Pereira) (1995)
Set during Portugal’s dictatorship, this thoughtful drama shows a quieter, more restrained Lisbon. Elegant cafés, wide avenues, and old apartments reflect the tension of the era.
Key Lisbon Locations: Avenida da Liberdade, historic cafés
10. A Foreign Affair (2003)
This lighthearted romantic comedy showcases Lisbon as relaxed, sociable, and full of life — especially along the riverfront and downtown areas.
Key Lisbon Locations: Baixa-Chiado, Tagus River Walk
11. Fast X (Fast & Furious 10) — Lisbon Goes Blockbuster
Yes — Fast X was partly filmed in Lisbon and Portugal, bringing the Fast & Furious franchise to Portuguese streets. While much of the action spans the country, Lisbon features as part of the film’s urban energy and European backdrop.
Why Lisbon Keeps Attracting Filmmakers
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Visual diversity within short distances
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Timeless architecture that doubles for multiple eras
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Natural light that filmmakers adore
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Cultural depth (music, politics, romance, history)
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Excellent value compared to other European capitals
Planning Your Own Cinematic Lisbon Trip
👉 Here’s how to turn this list into a real itinerary:
👉 Book a centrally located hotel in Alfama, Baixa, or Avenida da Liberdade
👉 Add at least one guided walking tour for historical and film context
👉 Experience live fado in Alfama or Bairro Alto
👉 Include a day trip to Sintra & Cascais for Bond vibes
👉 Leave time to wander — Lisbon’s magic often happens between landmarks
Final Thoughts
From arthouse classics to global blockbusters, movies filmed in Lisbon reveal the city’s many personalities. Watch these films before your trip — or after — and you’ll see Lisbon differently each time.
For me, spotting Lisbon on film adds a layer of magic to exploring the city in real life. Knowing a scene was shot just around the corner makes streets feel familiar yet cinematic at the same time.
I hope this guide inspires you to see Lisbon through both a traveler’s eyes and a filmmaker’s lens. After all, the city is one of the few places where reality feels just as enchanting as the movies.
👉 Ready to experience it yourself? Start planning, book smart, and let Lisbon be your next great movie scene.
About the author
I’m Duncan, a Lisbon-based guide and writer who’s lived here for 11 years and taken hundreds of visitors around the city. I created Lisbon Listicles to share everything you need to know about Lisbon in clear, practical lists — from iconic sights to hidden gems — so you can plan your trip easily and make the most of your time here.
All recommendations are based on personal experience and the questions I hear most often from visitors.
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