Best Things to do in Lisbon: Complete City Guide
Watch magical sunsets over whitewashed roofs, get lost in a medieval maze of streets, ride through narrow streets on rickety trams, marvel at colourful 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 and everything you need to know before you visit Lisbon.
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Portugal’s gorgeous coastal capital is hands-down one of our favourite European cities! With its magical sunsets over whitewashed houses, extravagant palaces, quaint cobbled streets and delicious desserts, it very quickly stole our hearts.
Lisbon has something for everyone. Beautiful sandy beaches, history and culture, delicious food, magnificent architecture, bustling plazas lined with coffee shops, endless bars and restaurants, you name it.Â
In this guide, you’ll discover the best things to do in Lisbon as well as everything you need to know including how to get around, the best day trips from Lisbon, where to stay, how long we’d recommend for a Lisbon itinerary and much more.
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Contents
Things to do in Lisbon
Watch a Magical Sunset
To kickstart your list of the best things to do in Lisbon is something the city is renowned for; its spectacular sunsets.
Lisbon is built on seven hills which, although may be a nightmare on the legs, means it has dozens of incredible viewpoints to enjoy the sunset.
One of the best viewpoints in Lisbon is Miradouro da Graça with a gorgeous view over the red roofs of whitewashed houses out to the Tagus River and Ponte de 25 de Abril. There’s also a small cafe serving drinks which is a popular spot for locals to hang out.
Another of our favourite viewpoints in Lisbon is from 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 and 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 and one of the best things to do in Lisbon is to see each side of it. 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, watch the district transform into one of Lisbon’s most vibrant nightlife areas. The narrow cobbled lanes are buzzing 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 ton 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 recommend staying here.Â
Ride a Rickety Tram; one of the top things to do in Lisbon
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. You’ll pass through Alfama, Baixa and Chiado districts and it connects the east and west sides of the city.Â
There are many iconic historical sites to tick off along Route 28 so if you’re tired of walking up and down hills, hop aboard. This is one of the most popular things to do in Lisbon so 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 a hassle trying to get to the driver on a crowded tram. Purchase a 24-hour public transport ticket (more on getting around Lisbon later).
The reason Lisbon still uses these 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.Â
Alfama’s tram tracks, however, are the world’s steepest and even the single carriage turning corners only narrowly misses the edges of the ancient buildings!
Take a Day Trip to Sintra
One of the best day trips from Lisbon by train is to Portugal’s very own fairytale town of Sintra.
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!
One of the top things to do in Lisbon and a highlight of any Sintra visit is Pena Palace. This flamboyant palace looks like it’s been plucked straight out of a fairytale. It was commissioned by King Ferdinand II in 1842 as a summer residence to escape the heat from the lowlands.
It’s a spectacular 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 Quaint Fishing Village Cascais
Another of the top day trips from Lisbon by train is to the quaint fishing village Cascais. If your legs are needing a break from 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.
In the town are some fascinating museums, glamorous 19th-century mansions and charming 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 cutest restaurant on a side street with delicious seafood that cost next to nothing. A carafe of wine cost us €3!!
While in Cascais, see the powerful ‘Boca do Inferno’ (meaning ‘Hell’s Mouth’). This phenomenon earned its name from the vigorous waves that pound into the cave.
To reach Boca do Inferno, walk 1.5km along the coast from the lighthouse in town offering spectacular views of the rugged coastline.
Getting to Cascais from Lisbon is super easy. Hop on a direct 50-minute train from Cais do Sodre Station. A one-way ticket costs €2.40 and a return is double.
Alternatively, leave the planning to someone else and browse day trips from Lisbon to Sintra that include a visit to Cascais. Â
Get Lost in Alfama
Alfama is Lisbon’s oldest and most picturesque district 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, Alfama 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 is made up of small whitewashed houses, tiny squares and churches and are an absolute delight to amble about.
Alfama is a photographer’s haven with its tiny cobbled slopes and staircases leading up to breathtaking viewpoints. One of the best viewpoints in Lisbon 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 provides an alternative way of seeing the postcard-perfect views. Popular with locals and tourists, this route is one of the busiest things to do in Lisbon so expect long queues by mid-morning.
Ride a Funicular
The fact that Lisbon has six tram lines, three funiculars and one vertical lift just proves how hilly this city is! Along with riding the rickety trams, one of the best things to do in Lisbon is to ride at least one (if not all three) funiculars.
These funiculars look like regular trams, except they just climb upwards and downwards pulling one another up and down. They’re used by both locals and tourists and run the steepest hills in the city.
The most well-known of Lisbon’s funiculars is Elevador da Glória (also known as Glória Funicular) 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.
Enjoy an Iconic Pastéis de Nata
After arriving in Lisbon, you’ll quickly notice Pastéis de nata; custard tarts filled with sweet egg cream and covered in flaky pastry; mmm *drools*.Â
One of the best places to visit in Lisbon to try these delicious sugary treats is Pastéis de Bélem; 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.Â
Don’t be put off by the long queue outside. It goes down quickly and is well worth the wait we promise!
If you don’t fancy queuing, you should be able to get a table inside fairly easily. The building is deceptively big with rooms leading to more rooms leading 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 (more on those soon).
Visit Torre de Belém
Torre de Belém is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and monument dedicated to Portugal’s Age of Discovery and serves as a symbol of 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 Belém; one of the best places to visit near Lisbon and is reachable on the train to/from Cascais or on the 15E tram, both from Cais do Sodre in Lisbon.
Ride Elevador de Santa Justa
Elevador de Santa Justa is a vertical lift providing the fastest way of getting between Baixa and Bairro Alto. It was installed in 1902 as a convenient means of transportation, however, it’s now one of the top things to do in Lisbon.
Elevador de Santa Justa carries passengers up 45 metres to Largo do Carmo. Up here, you’re treated to enchanting views over Baixa.
You’ll probably notice that this lift has some similarities to the Eiffel Tower. Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard, who built the lift, was an admirer of Gustave Eiffel and his work so drew inspiration from him. 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 your travel card. A return ticket for the lift costs €5.30 but a day travel pass costs €6.80 and also includes Lisbon’s trams, funiculars and metro (more on getting around Lisbon soon).
People Watch in Rossio Square
Rossio Square is Lisbon’s liveliest square 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.Â
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 Rossio Square are several atmospheric cafes and restaurants, with outdoor seating. It’s a popular meeting spot for 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.Â
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. Check prices, opening times and tickets 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.
Dine at the Time Out Market
One of the best places to visit in Lisbon for lunch is the Time Out Market.Â
In this historical market, you’ll find 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 performances, best sushi and more.
You’ll also 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 what we wanted (and even then we shared so we could try multiple bits).
What You Need to Know Before You Visit Lisbon
How long would you recommend for a Lisbon itinerary?
You’ll want a minimum of 4 days in Lisbon to really get the most out of the city. We had 4 days and would have liked another just because we loved it so much.Â
The city is quite compact so can be explored in a couple of days but allow for a couple more for day trips from Lisbon to Sintra, Cascais and Belém.
Getting Around Lisbon
Lisbon is very walkable so unless you’re heading out on a day trip or your legs need a break from the hills, use your legs. It’s also the best way to discover hidden gems you wouldn’t otherwise see.
Getting around Lisbon on public transport is super easy. On arrival, to get into the city, the metro is the quickest and cheapest option with only 1 change, arriving into the city in just 25 minutes.
To pay for public transport in and around Lisbon purchase a Navegante Card ticket from any metro station which can be used on all transport operators. They cost €0.50 and are the cheapest and quickest ways to pay for journeys.Â
If you plan on using public transport quite often on your Lisbon itinerary, it’s worth buying a 24-hour ticket for €6.80 (€10.80 to include Cascais/Sintra). This also includes access to the Ascensor da Glória and Elevador de Santa Justa which are quite expensive when purchased on their own.
You can also buy a Lisbon travel card which includes free entrance to many of the city’s attractions, discounts at others and free public transport.
The best way to see Lisbon is on a walking tour (As long as you don’t mind the steep hills!). This way, through having a knowledgeable guide you can learn a huge amount and get much more from your visit.Â
REWORD AND CHANGE THESE LINKS
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
The best time to visit Lisbon is either March to May or September and October. There are fewer crowds and it’s not as hot. We went in October and had lovely warm weather. June to August are very busy and the temperature can reach 45 degrees!Â
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.Â
If you’re not travelling on a budget, you can also find more luxurious dining options for cheaper making it a great choice for budget and luxury tourists.
The best location to 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 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, you’ll be within close walking distance of other districts and the top things to do in Lisbon.
What currency do I need for Lisbon?
You will need the Euro for Lisbon. At the time of writing 1 USD is approximately 0.90 EUR.
What plug do I need for Lisbon?
Like most countries in Europe, you’ll need either type C or F. Both have two round pins.
We hope you’ve found this guide to things to do in Lisbon helpful in planning in your trip. If you have any questions or want to say hi, leave a comment below or get in contact. Also, make sure you’re following us on Instagram to stay up to date with us in real time and get even more guides, tips and itineraries.
To check out our other Portugal guides, head to the links below.
