The capital of Portugal is a bohemian city, full of history and life. Do you want to discover the 10 things to see and do in Lisbon? In this article I show you the best plans for getting to know the city from top to bottom!!!
1. Discover its historic centre
On 1 November 1755 one of the most devastating events in its history took place in Lisbon, known as the Great Lisbon Earthquake. This event, which caused the deaths of many people, destroyed a large part of the city, leaving standing, as witnesses to it, some of the buildings you can still see today in the historic centre.
If you want to see the places that survived this phenomenon, the best thing you can do is go to the Alfama district, the only one that keeps part of its original structure, and work your way down to the Praça do Comercio. These are the most important places you should know:
- Sé de Lisboa. It is Lisbon's cathedral, a symbol of the city and a witness to its history. It dates from 1147, when construction began, and it has survived several earthquakes. In it you will find different architectural styles resulting from the passage of time.
- Castelo de São Jorge. This imposing structure has its origins in the 1st century BC, when the first fortifications were built to defend against invaders. Today it is a perfect visit to get to know the history of Lisbon a little better and to get one of the best views of the whole city.
- Alfama district. It is the oldest district in Lisbon and one of the prettiest. The best thing you can do there is lose yourself among its stone alleyways, often decorated with colourful garlands in memory of the festivities of San Antón, the best of the whole year.
- Viewpoints. In the same Alfama district you will find some of the most spectacular viewpoints in Lisbon, including the Miradouro de Santa Luzia and the Miradouro de Portas do Sol.
2. Head to one of its viewpoints
Lisbon is known as the city of 7 hills which means you can get the best views from various points in the city, and there is nothing better than visiting one of its incredible, magical viewpoints. These are some of the most famous:
- Miradouro de Santa Luzia. Perhaps it doesn't have the best views (although I personally love them) but what nobody can take away from it is that it is one of the prettiest. Not only because of the wooden and tile pergola, usually adorned with intense bougainvillea, but because it is in a lovely setting right in the Alfama district.
- Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. It is the highest viewpoint in Lisbon, which means you will have to make a bit more effort to get up to it; however, I promise the effort is well worth it because the views from this viewpoint are priceless.
- Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. Located right in the Bairro Alto, it is one of the most visited viewpoints and also one of the prettiest. It has large gardens where you can sit in the sun on one of its little boats or take one of the best photos of the historic centre of the city.
- Miradouro da Graça. It is another of my favourites; located very close to the castle, it gives you great views of the castle as well as of the 25 de Abril bridge. There is also a bar there where you can get something cool to drink and rest after the climb.
3. Cross the River Tagus
Beyond the river there is another town that offers the best views of the whole city of Lisbon. This place is called Almada and I recommend it not only for the views but because it is a quiet, pretty place to spend a wonderful day. These are my recommendations in Almada:
- Visit the Cristo Rei. This statue, seen from the opposite bank with its arms open as a sign of welcome to the city, is one of the must-see visits if you decide to come to Almada. You don't have to go up if you don't want to (although the views are spectacular), since from the park that surrounds it you will also get fantastic photos.
- Portuguese cuisine. There is nothing better to do in this place than eat a good dish of fish or seafood in this area by the river. Choose a spot with good views towards Lisbon and the package will be complete.
- Boat trip. What do you say to crossing the Tagus by little boat? The experience will be even better if you do it at sunset: you will enjoy the best view of the 25 de Abril bridge with the sun in the background!
4. Alternative things to do in the city
Lisbon is a city full of things to do for all tastes and ages, and, as could not be otherwise, its bohemian, decadent air invites you into an alternative world you will never want to leave… Do you fancy discovering everything you can do?
- LX Factory: this former industrial area, now rebuilt, currently offers an incredible place to find craft shops, open-air markets, restaurants of all kinds and creative spaces.
- Street art: walk the city from Alfama to Belém looking for the best urban art murals in the city. I promise they will surprise you!
- Pensão do Amor: this place, frequented years ago by sailors and prostitutes, is today one of the best and most original bars in the whole city. Are you going to miss it?
- Ball pit: there is a hostel in Lisbon where you can go in for free to the only adult ball pit in Portugal. It is called Hub New Lisbon Hostel and it is right in the heart of Bairro Alto. Who's in?
- Feira da Ladra: it can only be visited on Tuesdays and Saturdays but I promise this open-air market, full of crafts and antiques, will not leave you indifferent.
5. Enjoy Lisbon's nightlife
One of the best things to see and do in Lisbon when night falls is to enjoy its nightlife, which is easy and fairly cheap. The star area for doing so is without a doubt Bairro Alto, where the cobbled streets fill with people chatting at the doors of the bars. There you can find numerous venues for all tastes and ages, as well as enjoy a few drinks with friends.
Another option is to go up to one of the rooftops in the city: not only are they really pretty but you will also get some of the best postcard views of the city at night. In this article I show you the best rooftops in Lisbon.
6. Have fun at the “Parque das Nações”
Built for Expo '98, today it is a perfect place to spend the morning (or the afternoon) strolling among its parks and facilities. Located next to the Estaçao de Oriente built by the architect Santiago Calatrava (a must-see for its original architecture), it is a good option to enjoy one of the most modern areas of the city. These are some of the things you can do there:
- Go up in the cable car: you will get one of the best views over the Tagus and the city.
- Visit the Pavilhão do Conhecimento: a modern science and technology museum.
- Stay at the Vasco da Gama Tower: the tallest building and the most luxurious hotel in the city.
- Go into the Lisbon Oceanarium: the second largest aquarium in Europe.
7. Spend the day in the Belém district
The Belém district is one of the prettiest in Lisbon and without a doubt well worth a whole day's visit. You can get there by taking the tram or the bus (15 or 15E) from several points in the city, mainly Praça do Comercio and Cais do Sodré. These are some of the things you can't miss:
- Belém Tower. This military tower served as a fortress and as a port from which Portuguese explorers set off for the “New World”. It is a real symbol of the city so you can't miss it.
- Jerónimos Monastery. It is my favourite building in the whole city, an impressive Manueline-style monastery commissioned by King Manuel I de Portugal to commemorate the fortunate return from India of Vasco da Gama.
- Berardo Collection Museum. An impressive collection of works of art from the 20th and 21st centuries. There you can find works by Picasso, Magritte, Duchamp or Mondrian, among others.
- Padrão dos Descobrimentos. This monument to the discoveries was created in 1960 to commemorate the 500 years since the death of Henry the Navigator.. From here you get one of the best views of the 25 de Abril bridge and of the Cristo Rei in the background.
- Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium. If you are going with children you can't miss a visit to this planetarium from the 1960s. It has a large projector that simulates the night sky with more than 9,000 stars, the movement of the sun and the Milky Way.
- Pastéis de Belém. You can't leave Belém without trying its star sweet treat at the best-known pastry shop in the whole city. These little custard tarts have their own recipe, secret and unique in the world. Are you going to miss out?
8. Visit some of the city's museums
The city of Lisbon has a wide cultural offering, with numerous museums of all kinds to enjoy. In addition, some of them are free on the first Sunday of the month. These are my favourites:
- MAAT. The Museum of Art and Technology offers both national and international exhibitions, although many of them specialise in modern Portuguese art. On its roof is one of the best viewpoints in the city, with spectacular views of the 25 de Abril bridge
- National Coach Museum. Located in the former “royal riding school”, this museum houses one of the most beautiful and best-known collections of carriages. In fact it is considered the best museum in the world of its kind.
- Museum of the Orient. It is one of the most interesting and original museums in the whole city. Located in a building that housed the old cold stores where cod was kept, there you will find various works of art that illustrate the meeting of cultures between the Portuguese and Asians.
- Carmo Archaeological Museum. This is one of my favourites not only because of the pieces the museum houses but because it is located in the wonderful Convento do Carmo, or rather, in the remains of it, since this place suffered great damage in the earthquake that struck Lisbon in 1755.
9. Enjoy Portuguese food
Portuguese cuisine is one of my favourites in the world and I think that sometimes it is little known. There you can enjoy not only the well-known “bacalhau” but other equally tasty recipes that will win your heart. These are my favourites:
- Sardinhas assadas. Grilled sardines are one of the most characteristic dishes of Lisbon; in fact they are very typical of the Saint Anthony festivities in June. Take advantage of this time of year to visit Lisbon and enjoy both!
- Bacalhau. Of course, cod could not be missing, although here you will discover it in all its forms. My favourite is the Bacalhau à brás and the Bacalhau com natas which is yours?
- Octopus à lagareiro. Made with onion, garlic, bay leaf, potatoes, coarse salt and of course coriander, this roast octopus served with potatoes and plenty of oil is one of my favourite recipes.
- Sopa verde. In Lisbon and in Portugal in general, soups and broths are very typical. One of the most famous is this one, the green soup, which owes its name to the curly green cabbage it is made with.
- Feijoada. This dish is a stew made with white or pinto beans, accompanied by different vegetables and meats such as bacon, ear or pork belly.
- Pastéis de nata. These little sweets are known throughout the country but without a doubt the most famous are those from the Belém district, known precisely as “Pastéis de Belém”. You'll be licking your fingers!
10. Shall we go on a day trip?
If you are going to be in the city for several days, a good option is to take a trip to somewhere nearby. You have many options, from heading to a beach to relax to reaching the westernmost point of the peninsula. These are some ideas:
- Sintra. A wonderful town that looks like something out of a fairy tale. There you will find some incredible monuments such as the Pena Palace, the Quinta da Regaleira or the Moorish Castle.
- Cabo da Roca. It is the westernmost point of the Iberian peninsula and from it you can enjoy one of the best sunsets of your life but... beware of the wind!
- Ericeira. This small fishing town is ideal for spending a day away from the metropolis. Incredible beaches, seafood cuisine and a lovely stroll through its little streets of white houses are some of the things it can offer you.
- Cascais. A holiday destination for the big Lisbon fortunes, this small town offers much more than luxury houses or expensive restaurants. There you will find, for example, what is known as the “Boca do Inferno”, one of the most beautiful natural viewpoints you will ever see.
Do you want to know more places near Lisbon? In this article you will find The best day trips from Lisbon.
Thanks so much for reading!
Discover my other articles about Lisbon:
Museums in Lisbon: discover the best in the city
Stopover in Lisbon? Find out what you can do in a few hours
The best day trips from Lisbon
✨ If you have any questions or want to ask me something about this article or any other destination, do not hesitate to contact me by email: [email protected] , or take a look at my latest articles on my personal blog. ✨
