Best Things to do in Lisbon: Complete City Guide
Watch a magical sunset over whitewashed roofs, get lost in a medieval maze of streets, ride through narrow streets on a rickety tram, marvel at flamboyant palaces and learn about the Age of Discoveries. There are so many wonderful things to do in Lisbon, continue reading for our complete city guide.
Portugal’s coastal capital is definitely one of our favourite European cities! With its magical sunsets over whitewashed houses, flamboyant palaces and delicious desserts it very quickly stole our hearts.
Some of our other favourites are Krakow, with its medieval architecture, rich history and delicious food and Plovdiv with its enchanting narrow cobbled-lanes, quirky cafes and blend of modern architecture with ancient ruins.
There are so many wonderful things to do in Lisbon we’d recommend at least three nights to allow for enough time to cover them all and get the most out of the city.
In this guide, we’re going to cover the best things to do in Lisbon, where to stay and everything else you need to know before you go to make your trip as memorable as ours!
No time to read the best things to do in Lisbon now? Save it for later!
Contents
Watch a Magical Sunset
We’re going to kickstart this guide of best things to do in Lisbon with something the city is renowned for; its spectacular sunsets.
Lisbon is a city built on seven hills which, although maybe a nightmare on the legs, means it has a wealth of incredible vantage points over the city from where you can enjoy the sunset.
One of our favourites was Park Bar; a trendy and urban rooftop bar located on the sixth floor of a car park in Bairro Alto.
With incredible views over the city and out to landmarks including the Santa Catarina Church and the 25 April Bridge, you can easily spend a few hours on this cosy terrace sipping sangria enjoying the lovely laidback ambience and music.
Another fantastic place to enjoy the sunset is Miradouro das Portas do Sol, rewarding visitors with magnificent views over the whitewashed houses of Alfama and down to the Tagus River.
Come down early to grab a good seat in the Portas do Sol Cafe, enjoy a cocktail or soft drink and stay well into the night soaking up the atmosphere.
Drink and Dine in Bairro Alto
This picturesque district leads somewhat of a double life. Almost deserted in the day, once the sun goes down, the streets tell a completely different story.
During the day, fascinating historical sites, bright and colourful street art and delicious food from around the world line the streets of Bairro Alto.
In the evening, Bairro Alto transforms into one of Lisbon’s most vibrant nightlife areas. The narrow cobbled-lanes are full of life with people of all ages, backgrounds and lifestyles spilling out of the tiny bars enjoying the mild evenings, drink in hand.
You’ll also find a horde of traditional restaurants and Fado Houses in this area so if partying isn’t your thing, you can still experience a truly authentic side of Lisbon here.
If you’re visiting Lisbon for the nightlife, we’d definitely recommend staying in this area.
Ride a Rickety Tram
The quaint yellow rickety trams you see rattling and screeching through Lisbon’s narrow streets have become a symbol of Portugal’s coastal capital. Their unique aesthetic draws visitors aboard and riding on one of these is most definitely one of the best things to do in Lisbon.
The most famous and scenic route is Tram 28. This route passes through Alfama, Baixa and Chiado districts and connects the east and west sides of the city.
There are many iconic historical sites to tick off along this route so if you’re sick of walking Lisbon’s hills, get yourself on this tram! (Get here early, by mid-morning expect long queues.)
Our Top Tip: don’t attempt to buy a ticket on board; it’s more expensive and more hassle trying to get to the driver on a crowded tram. Purchase a 24-hour public transport ticket for €6.40 which includes all trams, metro, funicular, lifts and buses in the city (more on this at the end).
The reason Lisbon still uses the old trams is that the streets are too tight for the larger, longer trams. Most tram routes in other cities have wide turns and run on the flat.
However, Alfama’s tram tracks are the world’s steepest and even the single carriage turning corners only just misses the edges of the ancient buildings!
Day Trip to Sintra
One of the absolute top things to do in Lisbon is to take a day trip to Sintra; Portugal’s very own fairytale town.
Located in the cooling hills of the Serre de Sintra, you’ll find extravagant colourful palaces, ancient castles, breathtaking viewpoints, enchanting forests and so much more!
The highlight of any day trip to Sintra is Pena Palace. This flamboyant palace, that looks like it’s been plucked straight out of a fairytale, was commissioned by King Ferdinand II in 1842 as a summer residence to escape the heat from the lowlands.
It’s the most beautiful amalgamation of different design styles ranging from Gothic to Romanesque, Renaissance and Neoclassical.
Surrounding Pena Palace is Pena Park; or what looks and feels like, the enchanted forest. Make sure you allow for time to explore the shaded woodland and labyrinth of paths that make up the park. Even the ducks live in castles!
As you weave your way through the enchanted forest’s maze of paths, allow time to climb to the highest summit in the Serra de Sintra. Cruz Alta rewards visitors with wonderful views over the forest to the colourful assortment of towers protruding through the forest.
Visit the Fishing Village Cascais
Another must-do day trip from Lisbon is to the little fishing village Cascais. If your legs are in need of a break from all of Lisbon’s hills, Cascais is perfect as it’s pretty much flat! It’s also known for its beautiful sandy beaches and marina; the ideal place for some relaxation.
Within the town, there are some fascinating museums, glamorous 19th-century mansions and alluring parks. Cascais is also known for its seafood with an excellent choice of restaurants and cafes.
Our Top Tip: find a restaurant away from the main centre of the town; they’re considerably cheaper. We found the most adorable little restaurant on a side street with delicious seafood that cost next to nothing. With it, we had a carafe of wine that cost €3!!
While you’re here, something you should definitely make the effort to see is the powerful ‘Boca do Inferno’ (meaning ‘Hell’s Mouth’). This phenomenon earned its name from the vigorous waves that pound into the cave.
To get here, it’s a 1.5km walk along the coast from the lighthouse in town offering spectacular views of the rugged coastline.
Getting to Cascais from Lisbon is super easy. Take a direct 50-minute train from Cais do Sodre in Lisbon. A one-way ticket costs €2.25 and a return is double.
Get Lost in Alfama
Alfama is the oldest and most picturesque district in Lisbon with its labyrinth of elegant, narrow, cobblestone alleyways, captivating viewpoints and the sounds of Fado. Although today Alfama is one of the most desirable and fashionable districts, its past tells a different story.
Once situated outside the city walls, this was where the poor and desperate lived, then sailors and dock workers. Today, this village within a city maintains its rich heritage but has shrugged off its bleak reputation and transformed into a stylish and alluring neighbourhood.
You’ll undoubtedly get a little lost as you explore Alfama. This is the best way to experience this enigmatic area. The narrow maze of medieval streets are made up of small whitewashed houses, tiny squares and churches and are an absolute delight to amble about.
A photographers haven; the tiny cobbled slopes and staircases lead up to breathtaking viewpoints. One of the best is Miradouro das, Portas do Sol, with beautiful views over the red roofs out to the Tagus river; a magical place to watch the sunset.
Our Top Tip: jump on tram 28 to avoid the hills. Rattling and screeching through the tiny streets; this provides an alternative way of seeing the postcard-perfect views. Popular with locals and tourists, this route is a tourist attraction so expect long queues!
Ride a Funicular
The fact that Lisbon has six trams, three funiculars and one vertical lift just proves how hilly this city is! As well as riding the rickety trams, make sure you ride at least one (if not all three) funiculars.
These funiculars look more like normal trams, except they just climb upwards and downwards pulling one another up and down. The funiculars are used by both locals and tourists alike and are designed to run the steepest hills in the city.
The most well-known of the funiculars is Ascensor da Glória which climbs up from Calçada da Glória to Bairro Alto. The ride is only a couple of minutes and at the top, you’ll be looking over Lisbon’s rooftops.
Elevador da Bica, which ascends a narrow street in the quaint Bica district towards Bairro Alto, is the most picturesque funicular. Come here for the iconic Lisbon tram Instagram photos.
Savour an Iconic Pastel de Nata
After you arrive in Lisbon, it won’t be long before you notice Lisbon’s Pastéis de nata. Custard tarts filled with sweet egg cream and covered in flaky pastry; mmm *drools*.
One of the best places to try these exquisite sugary treats is Pastéis de Bélem. This is where it all began.
During the Liberal revolution of the 19th century, convents and monasteries began shutting down. To raise money, the monks from Jerónimos Monastery sold pastries in the sugar refinery next door.
Over time, the owner of the sugar refinery bought the recipe and it became Pastéis de Bélem; home to the original custard tart. Don’t be put off by the long queue outside. It goes down very quickly and is well worth the wait we promise!
If you don’t fancy queuing to take some tarts away, you should be able to get a table inside fairly easily. The building feels like it’s never-ending. Rooms lead to more rooms which lead to more rooms…
Our Top Tip: get off the train at Belém on your way back to Lisbon from Cascais. Here, you can also visit the Torre de Belém and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (continue reading to find out more).
Visit Torre de Belém
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a monument to Portugal’s age of discovery and serves as a symbol to the country. The delightful fort was built in 1515 to guard the entrance to Lisbon’s harbour and was the starting point for many of the voyages of discovery.
The tower is in the Belém district reachable either on the train to/from Cascais or on the 15E tram, both from Cais do Sodre in Lisbon.
Ride the Elevador de Santa Justa
This vertical lift is the fastest way of getting from the Baixa district to Bairro Alto. It was installed in 1902 as a convenient means of transportation, however, it’s now a hugely popular tourist attraction.
The Elevador de Santa Justa carries passengers up 45 metres to the Largo do Carmo. Up here, you’ll be treated to some enchanting views over Baixa.
You’ll probably notice that this lift has some similarities to the Eiffel Tower. This is down to Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, who built it, being an admirer of Gustave Eiffel and his work! Bizarrely, this lift can carry 20 people up but only 15 people down…
Our Top Tip: don’t buy a ticket for the lift, use the travel card. A return ticket for the lift costs €5.30 but a day travel pass costs €6.40 and also includes Lisbon’s trams, funiculars and metro. You do however need to buy this at a metro station (more on this at the end of the guide).
People Watch in Rossio
Rossio is the liveliest square in the city and one of the best things to do in Lisbon is to come here, have a coffee, relax and watch the city unfold around you.
On either side of the square are two baroque fountains and in the middle is a monument dedicated to the “Soldier King”, Pedro IV. At the base of this column are four female figures representing the King’s various qualities; Justice, Wisdom, Strength and Moderation.
Surrounding the square are many atmospheric cafes and restaurants, with outdoor seating. It’s a popular meeting spot for both tourists and locals alike.
Explore the Padrão dos Descobrimentos
Located in Belem and dominating the Tejo Estuary shoreline, is the bold and imposing monument Padrão dos Descobrimentos. It was inaugurated in 1960 and was designed to commemorate the Age of Discoveries in Portugal.
The monument celebrates the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator, who discovered the Azores, Madeira and Cape Verde.
If you head up to the viewing platform, you’ll be rewarded with some of the finest panoramic views over the district and Tejo Estuary.
There are three aspects to the monument you can explore. The grand exterior which is free to visit and photograph, the museum and the viewing platform. For prices, opening times and tickets, click here.
Our Top Tip: combine a visit here with a trip to the Torre de Belém and Pastéis de Belém on the way back from Cascais if you have time.
Dine at the Time Out Market
A must-do for lunch one day is the Time Out Market.
In this historical market, are 26 restaurants, 8 bars, a dozen shops and a high-end music venue. All of Lisbon’s very best are under one roof! Best steak, best hamburger, best live music venue, best sushi and so much more.
You’ll find the most renowned and longest-running market vendors of meat, fish, fruit and flowers here. According to the magazine editors, if it’s good it goes in the magazine, if it’s great it goes in the market!
You’ll be completely spoilt for choice. It took us a good half an hour of lapping the market before we could settle on which delicious option we wanted.
To Know Before You Go
How long would you recommend for Lisbon?
To really get the most out of Lisbon; we would recommend 4 days as a minimum. We had 4 and felt we would have liked another day. The city itself is quite compact and can be explored in a couple of days but allow for a couple of days to explore Sintra, Cascais and Belém.
How do I get around Lisbon?
Lisbon is a very walkable city so unless you’re heading out to one of the surrounding districts, or you’re sick of the hills, we’d recommend using your legs.
On arrival in Lisbon, it’s very easy to get into the city. The metro is the quickest and cheapest option with only one change at Alameda, arriving into the city in just 25 minutes.
To pay for public transport around Lisbon, purchase a ‘Viva Viagem’ ticket at one of the metro stations. The initial purchase is €0.50 and is SUCH good value!
We bought a 24-hour public transport ticket for €6.40/€10.55 to include Cascais/Sintra. It also includes Elevador da Gloria (€3.80 on its own) and Elevador de Santa Justa (€5.30 on own) and all of Lisbon’s trams, buses and metro.
These tickets are reusable but you need to make sure you charge the fare to a card with a zero balance. If there’s any unused fare remaining on the card, a new card must be purchased. Each person needs to have their own ticket.
Alternatively, you can purchase a Lisbon Card which gives you free admission to top attractions and discounts at various landmarks including free use of public transport.
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
March to May or September and October are the best times to visit Lisbon when the crowds die down and the temperatures are more bearable. We went in October and had lovely warm weather. June to August it can get very busy and the temperatures can reach 45 degrees!
How expensive is Lisbon?
Lisbon is incredible value for money and makes for a great budget holiday. You can find exceptional quality food, great accommodation, entrance fees to historical monuments and alcohol for a fraction of the cost compared to other European cities, like London.
If you’re not travelling on a budget, you can also find more luxurious dining options for cheaper too making it a great choice for budget and luxury tourists.
Where should I stay in Lisbon?
Lisbon has some great neighbourhoods to base yourself in. If this is your first visit, we’d recommend somewhere close to the historic centre.
Baixa is great if you’re looking for more upmarket, luxury hotels, stylish shopping and high-end restaurants. Look for a hotel in Alfama if you want to stay in the most picturesque district in Lisbon and the historical soul of the city. If you’re here for the nightlife, find a hotel in Bairro Alto.
Wherever you stay, they are all within close walking distance of each other and the main sights and attractions.
What currency do I need for Lisbon?
You will need the Euro for Lisbon. At the time of writing 1 USD is approximately 0.88c
What plug do I need for Lisbon?
Like most countries in Europe, you will need either type C or F. Both of these have two round pins.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our complete city guide and we’ve helped you decide what things to do in Lisbon. As always, feel free to leave a comment or contact us if you have any questions or want to say hi 🙂