Tattoos are an expression of freedom, much like travel. So what better way to commemorate your trip abroad than with some new body art? Ink lovers, if you’re heading to Portugal’s hilly and coastal capital, you’re in luck. Lisbon is the perfect city to get a tattoo and these shops are the place to do it.
Lisbon might be best known for its colonial history and architecture, but this means the city is inherently artistic. From the fine art galleries to the sidewalk murals, artists claim the streets of Lisbon. Tradition meets contemporary, cutting-edge meets unrefined, and the same can be said for the tattoo scene.
Tattoos are a big commitment, so you’re in the right place when it comes to researching your next ink, and fortunately, Lisbon is home to some of Portugal’s best artists. There are plenty of outstanding parlours in Lisbon waiting to leave their mark on you, and here are just a few. Let’s get into it.
El Diablo Tattoo Club, Chiado
Opened in 1990, El Diablo is one of Lisbon’s most highly regarded tattoo parlours. Founder, Franciso Mascarenhas, is known as the pioneer of tattoos in Portugal, and his work, among the work of other artists, has been consistently recognized for its mastery and professionalism.
There are over 150,000 designs for visitors to browse through at the shop, but the parlour takes all kinds of requests from neo-traditional, to Japanese, fine line, and portraiture. The parlour itself demonstrates a traditional front and interior, with warm, welcoming colors and edgy wall art.
Mascarenhas discovered the world of tattooing at just eighteen years old when he moved to Paris. Since opening El Diablo, he has presented at numerous international conventions; made several TV appearances; received first prize at the first International Tattoo Convention in Valencia; was the first Portuguese to be considered one of Europe’s best artists by the Tattoo Revue Magazine, and has even published his own book with the participation of other world-renowned artists. How’s that for a list of lifetime achievements?
Mascarenhas now resides in Norway where he operates La Familia El Diablo Tattoo Club, but still tattoos in Lisbon twice a year. Be sure to book far in advance for a chance to be tattooed by a world-great.
Rating: 4.7/5
Address: Largo Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro 30A, 1200-369 Lisboa, Portugal
Opening Times: Monday to Saturday, 11 am to 8 pm
Contact: +351 21 347 6126
Alla Prima, Rua Conde
Described as the “ultimate tattoo experience”, Alla Prima takes a contemporary approach to tattooing, specializing in fine line and black and gray tattoos from the heart of Lisboa. Daniel Almeida is the man behind the parlour. Almeida cares just as much about the shop environment as he does his intricate designs. Alla Prima is all about sophistication, ambiance, and positivity.
The friendly team and sharp, gallery-feel of the interior will streamline the tattooing process and enhance all the positive aspects of your new body art to forget the pain. Visitors are encouraged to chat with the artists, enjoy a cup of coffee, and relax while they finalize their design or prepare for their sometimes hours of tattooing.
Almeida favors original designs and specializes in the human form, animals, esotericism, and classical art. Another in-house artist, Hugo Marques, is known for his flash designs that see traditional motifs combined with everyday objects and plants, while Jéssica Graismati is the woman to turn to for oriental pieces and female figures.
Alla Prima is a clean and industrial space, filled with light and plants. You can find the studio on Rua Conde among the trendy cafés and brasseries of central Lisbon.
Rating: 4.9/5
Address: Alla Prima Lisboa, 18 Rua Conde, Lisboa, 1200, Portugal
Opening Times: Monday to Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm
Contact: +351 21 583 2824, [email protected]
Queen of Hearts Tattoos, Bairro Alto
With over 15 years in the business, Queen of Hearts is a traditional parlour group with an energetic and welcoming feel. With three shops dotted around Lisbon, the shop’s success is a testament to its customer satisfaction and ability to keep up with the times.
Specializing in portraiture, script, and realism in their Bairro Alto parlour, fine line, and neoclassical tattoos in their Chiado shop, and flash art in their LX factory pop-up store, there’s something for everyone. Queen of Hearts also prides itself on sustainability, being advocates for environmental change and exclusively using vegan ink.
The shops also keep things classic, welcoming walk-ins and hosting regular guest artists from all around the world that has revelers lining up the streets of Lisbon. You can stay up to date with their schedules on Instagram and scroll through the thousands of unique designs.
Rating: 4.8/5
Address: Rua da Rosa 73 a 75, 1200-382 Lisboa, Portugal
Opening Times: Monday to Saturday, 11 am to 8 pm
Contact: +351 21 342 3732
Nobre Tattoo Shop, Alfama y Castillo
Nobre Tattoo is the place to go for skill and expertise within a laidback and familial environment. Both resident artists possess over 20 years of experience and you’ll leave the parlour feeling like family. Nobre Tattoo specializes in classical tattoos from tribal, portraiture, color, and oriental designs, you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands here.
Founder and tattoo master, Ricardo Nobre, excels in realism, black and gray portraiture, and cover-ups. He is joined by Susana Lhorca, a tattooist, and piercer who has been with the shop since its inception in the 1990s. The small and traditional parlour is all about fine design without the fuss. They even retail specialist vegan and eco-friendly aftercare products for their customers.
You can find the team just minutes from the 11th-century Castelo de Saint Jorge in downtown Lisbon. These hilltop fortifications boast palace ruins and an archaeological museum. What better way to end a day of sightseeing with a permanent souvenir to remember it by? But bear in mind, the artists at Nobre Tattoo only work by appointment so be sure to get in touch beforehand.
Rating: 4.9/5
Address: Largo de São tomé, Travessa do Açougue 10, 1100-005 Lisboa, Portugal
Opening Times: By appointment through email, Facebook, Instagram or telephone.
Contact: +351 21 888 5783, [email protected]
Route Lisbon Tattoo Shop, Bairro Alto
With a classical and grunge aesthetic, Route Lisbon is your one-stop-shop for traditional tattoos executed by masters in their art. Located in downtown Lisbon, you’ll find a friendly crew of hardcore bikers-come-tattooists within the shop’s gothic decor kitted out with antiques and edgy artwork.
At Route Lisbon, they specialize in neo-traditional, color, mauri, and tile tattoos. Exclusive to resident artist Fabiano Bernardo, the “azulejo” style, meaning “tile” in English, is inspired by Portuguese architecture and mosaics. Bernardo’s designs are characteristic of Route Lisbon and his gallery of hundreds of unique tile tattoos can be browsed online.
Other in-house artists include Toni Neto, Daniel Andrade, and Jonathon Azevedo, all cradling their own niches from neo-flashes to tribal portraiture and cover-ups. Route Lisbon also offers body piercing from resident body modification artist Ana Bernardo, with locally made jewelry on sale for clients making another perfect souvenir.
The shop welcomes walk-ins so drop by and flick through the pages of flash designs and intricate colored works midday till late, Monday to Saturday.
Rating: 4.7/5
Address: Rua de Sao Paulo 144, 1200-429 Lisboa, Portugal
Opening Times: Monday to Friday, 11 am to 8 pm, Saturday, 12 pm to 7 pm
Contact: +351 21 342 1199, [email protected]
Lisboa Ink, Príncipe Real
Tattooing the people of Lisbon since 2007, Lisboa Ink is a piece of the furniture in the center of the city. Creator and resident artist, Cristian Barcelos, has been a tattooist for over 20 years with international experience and notoriety. The studio is a self-professed “alternative space” for “lovers of body modification” and where “old school” traditions meet contemporary demands.
Keeping up with the pace, Lisboa Ink is all about the personalized tattoo experience. The parlour is a hygienic and modern studio located within an edgy and neo-traditional shop setting. On top of Barcelos’ realism, portraiture, and tribal designs, you’ll find intricate fine lines, trendy stamps, and flash art within the artist’s gallery.
Lisboa Ink accepts walk-in appointments, Monday to Saturday, and you can find them just a few minutes’ walk from the Campo dos Mártires da Pátria Park in the heart of Lisbon.
Rating: 4.9/5
Address: Rua do Telhal 8C, 1150-346 Lisboa, Portugal
Opening Times: Monday to Friday, 11 am to 8 pm, Saturday, 11 am to 7 pm
Contact: +351 21 346 2181, [email protected]
Carlos Amorim Tattoo Shop, Cais Do Sobre
This shop might just have a few years in the business, but Amorim’s family-run tattoo parlour in Crucifixo, downtown Lisbon, is not to be underestimated. Headed by studio namesake, Carlos Amorim, who has years of experience, the artists here specialize in oriental, Japanese traditional, neo-traditional, and fine line figures, all unique and tailored to the customer.
Amorim Tattoo regularly hosts international guest artists and prides itself on its expertise. The parlour itself boasts a mid-century interior with a unique gallery-style feel that creates a creative, warm, and refined environment.
Walk-ins are welcomed and new customers can also claim 10 percent off their first tattoo – perfect for tattoo tourists on their first visit to the city. Find them just a few streets away from the triumphal Arco da Rua Augusta on the edge of central Lisbon.
Rating: 4.9/5
Address: Red Building, Rua do Crucifixo 28, 1100-183 Lisboa, Portugal
Opening Times: Monday to Friday, 12 pm to 8 pm, Saturday, 12 pm to 7 pm
Contact: [email protected]
Is Lisbon a good place to get a tattoo?
Like many major European cities, Lisbon is an artistic and creative place. As a busy capital, the best artists in Portugal locate themselves here and it trumps anywhere else in the country for tattooing experience. Lisbon’s tattoo artists and parlours have presented at international conventions, been featured in tattoo magazines and some even gained world notoriety. Lisbon is a great place to get a tattoo if you do your research, and you’ll find much more competitive pricing than in other capitals like London.
How old do you have to be to get a tattoo in Portugal?
Unlike in the United Kingdom, you only need to be 16 to get a tattoo in Portugal, although some artists may ask for parental consent if you’re not yet 18. The same goes for France, Slovakia, Sweden, Germany, Cyprus, and Poland, although regulation enforcement varies.
How much do tattoos cost in Lisbon?
Like anywhere in the world, the price of a tattoo can differ greatly depending on size, artist, detail, and design. More money doesn’t always mean a better tattoo, but most acclaimed artists will charge a premium for their designs, especially if it’s unique. In Lisbon, you can expect to pay €30 ($32) to €50 ($54) for a small design or single-word tattoo. But it could cost you a minimum of €150 ($164), and €200 ($219) an hour thereafter to get tattooed by one of Lisbon’s top artists. Big pieces average between €450 ($493) to €700 ($766).
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
The peak season in Lisbon, when temperatures are at their highest and skies are blue, lasts from June to August, but summer holiday crowds can be hard to navigate. Alternatively, March to May or September and October are the best times to visit Portugal’s capital because the weather remains warm, but you’ll avoid the tourist crowds. You’ll also find discounts all across the city during the low season and this includes tattoos.
