Lisbon may be known as one of Europe's sunniest capitals, but for many visitors it really comes to life when the sun goes down. In the summer months a series of open air festivals, street parties, rooftop bars and lively clubs are the place to make the most of the warm evenings in the City of Seven Hills. Here are some of the best options, old and new:

Check out Lisbon's answer to Shoreditch and the cantina that turns into a nightclub: Built out of colourful shipping containers (Tetris-style!), Village Underground Lisboa is Lisbon's answer to Shoreditch, combining a club with an arts space; while Ministerium overlooking Praça do Comércio, is a popular “cantina” during the week but on Saturday nights it transforms into an exclusive night club!

Watch the sun set from Lisbon's newest viewpoint: Open until 10pm until the end of August, “Amoreiras 360º Panoramic View” is a magical place to see Lisbon from a bird's-eye view. Opened in May, on the 18th floor of the iconic Amoreiras Shopping Center, it offers stunning 360º views over the city and the Tagus River at 174 metres high.

Jazz it up: The al fresco 'Jazz em Agosto' returns with a ten-day concert programme that will see the best of “the other side of jazz” performed at the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. Taking place from 4th to 14th August, artists performing this summer include Marc Ribot, Tim Berne, Eve Risser, Supersonic and Paal Nilssen-Love.   

Join a street party and paint the town pink: The previous down-at-heel suburb of Cais do Sodré is now one of the city's coolest neighbourhoods and a hub of great clubs, bars and original shops. Rua Nova do Carvalho (affectionately known as “Pink Street”) is the liveliest street for nightlife – closed to traffic, it is the ideal spot to enjoy a drink (or two) like a Lisboeta.

Cool off on the Tagus: Lisbon is one of Europe's best capitals to take to the water and explore by boat. You can enjoy a wine sunset cruise, take a sailing lesson and spend the night aboard, throw a night party with friends and DJ, or even pop the question as the sun goes down – all while enjoying the stunning views.

Cocktails with a view: Recognised by the UCity Guides as the “Best Rooftop Bar in the World”, Silk Club on the 7th floor of the listed Espaço Chiado building offers stunning 270o vistas over Lisbon. The boutique Bairro Alto Hotel opened in 2005 and a decade later it is still impossible to find a hotel in this part of the city that can claim better views. Its roof terrace bar, ever-popular with locals and visitors, is famous for its 37 different gin brands!

Discover Lisbon's new hip neighbourhood: During the day, Alcântara is a great place to relax by the river on the warm summer days. However, after sunset, the neighbourhood turns into a nightlife hub. At both Alcântara Docks and Santo Amaro Docks, visitors will find plenty of bars and restaurants in fashionable converted warehouses – including clubs closing at 6am at weekends!

Celebrate Festas do Mar in Cascais: From 15th to 24th August, this chic resort, just 30 minutes outside Lisbon, plays host to the Festas do Mar (Festivals of the Sea), which celebrates the special ties Cascais has developed with the sea over the centuries. There will be free music concerts every evening, folk dances and a fireworks display during the ten-day festival.