Olaias is one of Lisbon Metro’s most artistic stations, described as an underground museum rather than a simple stop. The station on the Red Line opened in May 1998 as part of the expansion for Expo 98, and Was designed by Tomás Taveira with the help of 5 artists: Tomás Taveira, Pedro Cabrita Reis, Graça Pereira Coutinho, Pedro Calapez and Rui Sanchez.

Passengers can experience several artworks as they move through the station: Pedro Cabrita Reis’s black‑and‑white metal sculpture “Ascensão” in the atrium, Graça Pereira Coutinho’s sandy‑textured bas‑relief handprints on the walls leading to the platforms, and Pedro Calapez’s two‑layer ceramic panel. It is recognised as one of the most beautiful metro stations in Lisbon, as it is filled with vibrant colours, geometric shapes, and it gives a sense of greatness that few others manage to.

Have you visited Metro Olaias? How did it feel to walk around this living piece of art?