At the 2005 Venice Biennale, the Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos did something unprecedented: she crafted a chandelier from 14,000 tampons. She called it The Bride. Her installations—often woven from everyday consumer objects—pose a fundamental question: What makes high art?

Her approach resonated. In 2012, Vasconcelos became the first woman and youngest contemporary artist to show her work at the Palace of Versailles. Since then, her bold, theatrical installations have appeared in museums worldwide, from the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao to the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

Born in Paris in 1971, Vasconcelos moved to Lisbon at age three, after the 1974 Carnation Revolution, and has lived there ever since. As her latest exhibition takes over Madrid’s opulent Liria Palace, she shares her favorite places to stay, eat, and explore back home.

The dining room at Belcanto, in Lisbon.
  • BELCANTO
    With two Michelin stars, this restaurant is a must-visit for lovers of fine dining. (belcanto.pt)
  • O RELENTO
    A beloved marisqueira (seafood restaurant), perfect for family gatherings and savoring authentic Portuguese seafood.
  • BENARD
    A quintessential Portuguese café, ideal for a leisurely coffee break. (benard.pt)
  • LUXFRÁGIL
    The best spot in the city to dance the night away and experience Lisbon’s vibrant nightlife. (luxfragil.com)
The exterior of the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.
  • FUNDAÇÃO CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN
    An incredible museum with a newly renovated Modern Art Center, establishing it as a cultural haven in the city. (gulbenkian.pt)
A chapel inside the Museu Nacional do Azulejo.
  • MUSEU NACIONAL DO AZULEJO
    Discover the essence of Portuguese culture at this museum, which showcases gilded woodwork, marble craftsmanship, and stunning azulejos (ceramic tiles). (museunacionaldoazulejo.pt)
  • TORRE DE BELÉM
    A UNESCO World Heritage site and an iconic symbol of Lisbon’s maritime history. (museusemonumentos.pt)
The Palácio Nacional da Pena, in Sintra.
  • PALÁCIO NACIONAL DA PENA
    A magical place that embodies the Romantic era. A visit to Sintra, a town right outside Lisbon, is always worth it. This palace is its crown jewel. (palaciodapena-sintra.com)
  • A VIDA PORTUGUESA
    This shop preserves Portugal’s cultural heritage, offering traditional products that celebrate the country’s past. (avidaportuguesa.com)
  • CHIADO
    This historic neighborhood is always worth visiting, offering a blend of old-world charm and contemporary flair.
  • COSTA DA CAPARICA
    Home to some of the world’s most stunning beaches, Costa da Caparica is perfect for a day by the sea.
Photos: © Arlindo Camacho/Atelier Joana; Grupo José Avillez; StockPhotosArt/iStock Editorial/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images; Sylvain Sonnet/The Image Bank Unreleased/Getty Images; DaLiu/iStock Editorial/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images