Discover the charming attraction of Portugal’s funding city, with our supreme overview to the very best points to do in Lisbon. From the minute you establish foot on its rock roads, Lisbon welcomes you on a trip with background and society. Explore the historical Belém area, where the huge Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém are testimonies to Portugal’s Age of Exploration. Wander with the slim streets of Alfama, the city’s earliest quarter, serenaded by the haunting tunes of Fado songs. And don’t neglect to delight in the cooking thrills of the Mercado da Ribeira, a food enthusiast’s heaven, where the very best of Portuguese food waits for.
The Best Things to Do in Lisbon, Portugal
We invested 3 complete days in Lisbon and might have remained also much longer. We actually liked this city and located it very easy to see why individuals suggested going to right here so typically. It provides the excellent mix of previous and existing. Of program, it is its background that generally attracts individuals right here, yet don’t neglect that it likewise has an actually amazing modern society, from innovative art galleries to stylish roof bars using breathtaking sights that will certainly take your breath away. It is likewise the excellent area to base on your own to check out, Sintra’s magical royal residences and Cascais’ gold coastlines which are simply a brief journey away.
In short, Lisbon is the excellent area to invest a minimum of 3 days and learn more about Portugal’s background and food prior to venturing bent on check out the remainder of the nation. And that is specifically what we did. These are our suggestions for every one of the very best points to do in Lisbon that you don’t intend to miss out on.
1. Torre de Belém (Belém Tower)
One of the top places you ought to check out in Lisbon is the famous Belem Tower or Torre de Belém. Built on the Northern Bank of the Tagus River, Belém Tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site signifying Portugal’s maritime power.
Constructed in the very early 16th century as a citadel to safeguard the entry to Lisbon’s harbor, site visitors are attracted to its luxuriant sedimentary rock façades, highly enhanced with maritime themes and historic numbers, using a glance right into Portugal’s wonderful past. Inside, you can climb up the old spiral stairs, check out the old cannons, and appreciate sights of the Tagus River and the bordering landscape.
The tower’s background as a factor of separation for travelers and its duty in protecting the city make it an interesting website for background aficionados and style fanatics alike.
Belem Tower is usually open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM (October to April) and till 6:30 PM (May to September). Admission expenses €6 for grownups and is complimentary with the Lisbon Card.
2. Jerónimos Monastery
Located simply a jump avoid and a dive from Torre de Belém, Jerónimos Monastery is an additional UNESCO World Heritage website in the heart of Lisbon’s Belém area.
This structure is a work of art of spectacular elegance. Jerónimos Monastery was constructed in the 16th century to honor Vasco da Gama’s effective trip to India. Vasco de Gama was the initial European to get to India by sea.
His monolith is an archetype of Manueline style, mixing Gothic, Renaissance, and Moorish designs. Its complex exteriors, cloisters, and the amazing inside of the church, where Vasco da Gama and various other famous Portuguese numbers are entombed, make it a must-visit for background fanatics and style admirers.
The abbey is open to the general public from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM in the winter season and till 6:30 PM throughout the summer season, giving sufficient possibility to discover its splendour. The entry charge is €10 for the abbey, with numerous price cuts offered for pupils, senior citizens, and family members. Visitors can likewise appreciate complimentary admission on the initial Sunday of monthly, making it obtainable for everybody to witness the grandeur of among Lisbon’s most famous sites. We appreciated it from afar, as the line to enter was a little crazy so we suggest reserving a timed entry ahead of time and it is likewise complimentary to go into with a Lisbon Card.
3. Pastel de Nata at Pastéis de Belém
Indulging in Pastel de Nata is a perfect experience for any kind of site visitor to Lisbon, and if you are mosting likely to attempt it, the very best area is simply actions far from Jeronimos Monastery.
Pastéis de Belém is a renowned bakeshop that has actually been offering its secret dish considering that 1837 and provides the initial variation of the velvety custard sharp that has actually come to be a sign of Portuguese cooking practice. The background of these tarts go back to the very early 19th century, crafted by monks at the close-by abbey. As the abbey shut, the dish was passed to the bakeshop, making certain the heritage of this tasty reward.
Tourists group right here not simply for the breads but also for a preference of background, observing the busy environment and the azulejo-covered wall surfaces that inform tales of the past.
Pastéis de Belém is open on a daily basis from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM (or twelve o’clock at night throughout the summer season), welcoming site visitors to appreciate these tarts fresh from the stove. The expense is incredibly budget friendly, with each sharp valued at simply over €1, making it a must-visit for a wonderful preference of Lisbon’s cooking heritage without damaging the financial institution.
4. Padrão dos Descobrimentos – Monument to the Discoveries
Staying in the exact same area, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) is an enforcing framework standing happily over the Tagus River. Vasco da Gama might be Portugal’s most well-known traveler. Still, the nation has a background of explorations and this is an effective homage to the travelers that ventured right into unidentified waters.
Located simply a brief stroll along the water from Belem Tower, this striking monolith is formed like a ship’s prow and was inaugurated in 1960 to honor the 500th wedding anniversary of the fatality of Prince Henry the Navigator, a vital number in the very early days of the Portuguese Empire.
The monolith showcases over thirty sculptures of historic numbers that substantial duties in the explorations, consisting of travelers, kings, cartographers, and researchers, all led by Prince Henry himself.
The Monument to the Discoveries is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (March to September) and till 5:00 PM (October to February), with an entry charge of about €6 for the perspective. This website not just provides an aesthetic banquet and a lesson in background yet likewise a unique point of view on the bold spirit that pushed Portugal right into the record of international expedition.
5. Mercado de Ribiera (Time Out Market)
Located in the vibrant Mercado da Ribeira at Cais do Sodré, Mercado de Ribiera was changed in 2014 by the group behind Time Out Lisboa publication right into a gastronomic place, including a curated mix of over 40 areas that consists of a few of Lisbon’s most popular cooks and dining establishments.
From standard Portuguese meals to modern combination food, the marketplace supplies an unequaled possibility to taste your means with the tastes of Lisbon. It’s not almost food; there are likewise bars, stores, and regularly held social occasions, making it a vibrant center of task.
Open daily from 10:00 AM to twelve o’clock at night (and till 2:00 get on weekend breaks), the marketplace invites site visitors to discover its offerings. Entry to the Time Out Market is complimentary, permitting you to spending plan according to what you consume or consume alcohol, making it a versatile alternative for visitors intending to experience the very best of Lisbon’s food scene without a large price.
6. Food Tour
If you actually intend to appreciate Portuguese food, a food trip is an additional alternative. The Portuguese are enthusiastic concerning their food and we can prove that Portugal has terrific food. Take a food trip to appreciate the numerous methods to consume cod. There are 1001 methods to prepare cod from from baked cod to tinned cod.
This food trip takes you with Central Lisbon to example Portuguese foods while absorbing the views and going through the Streets. You’ll check out Bairro Alto, Chiato, Rossio and Comércio.
7. Tuk Tuk Tour
One of our preferred points to do in the Portuguese funding was to jump in a Tuk Tuk and trip. Tuk Tuks are throughout the city and we jumped in one at the Miradouro das Portas do Sol. Tuk Tuks are lined the whole time the roads right here and we bargained a cost of 40€ each for a 90-minute experience. It was a wonderful means to see the leading historical views and miradors forgeting the town hall.
Lisbon is called the city of 7 hillsides and taking a tuk-tuk trip was a wonderful means to succeed of these hunt factors promptly and quickly without needing to wait eligible lifts or cable cars.
8. See the City Center from among Lisbon’s Many Mirador’s
As we pointed out, Lisbon is called the City of Seven Hills and among one of the most preferred points to do in Lisbon is to rise to among its lots of sights of the city for sunup, and sundown or to merely look over the city centre at any moment of day.
The point of views are called Miradors, and we saw lots of throughout our day discovering on a tuk-tuk. Standouts consisted of the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte for its breathtaking sights of the city and the River Tagus. If you are out an excursion, you can quickly access it using the historical cable car 28.
Not much from there, Miradouro da Graça, situated near the Graça Church, provides not just spectacular sights yet likewise a coffee shop to kick back in. A brief stroll or cable car experience will certainly take you to this place, excellent for a leisurely mid-day.
The Miradouro de Santa Luzia, decorated with floor tile panels and a pergola, forgets the Alfama area and is simply a rock’s throw out from the Lisbon Cathedral, obtainable by foot or by taking cable car 28.
Lastly, the Miradouro das Portas do Sol offers an incredible perspective of the old quarters, finest delighted in at sunup. Located near Santa Luzia, it’s a practical following quit on your miradour trip. Each Miradouro provides a unique point of view of Lisbon.
Free point of views
Miradouro da Senhora Miradouro Da Graca Miradouro Santa Luzia Miradouro das Portas do Sol
9. Elevador de Santa Justa – Santa Justa Lift
There were substantial schedules for this lift and throughout our check out, the hunt system was shut so we didn’t rise, yet it deserves going to for lots of for merely the enjoyable of it.
The trip itself is not simply a method of transportation yet a journey back in time to the turn of the 20th century. Designed by this Ponsard, an adherent of Gustave Eiffel, the lift will certainly advise you of the Eiffel Tower. When inside you will certainly discover the lift’s luxuriant inside and equipment showcasing resourcefulness in the commercial age. At the top, the lift includes 2 seeing systems, giving awesome 360-degree sights of Lisbon, from the Tagus River to the castle and past.
This neo-Gothic lift lies in the heart of the busy Baixa area. It provides a unique trip from the reduced roads of the Pombaline midtown as much as the Largo do Carmo taking you straight right into the Carmo Square, where the damages of the Carmo Convent and a wonderful sight wait for.
Remember to check out very early or throughout off-peak hours to prevent lengthy lines. We strolled by in the early morning, during the night, and throughout the day and it was hectic each time. Santa Justa Lift tickets set you back around €5.50.
10. Tram 28
Riding Tram 28 in Lisbon is a perfect experience to see the city from various viewpoint winding with well-known areas and previous famous sites.
This trip starts in the Graça district and twists with Alfama, Baixa, and Estrela, lastly getting to Campo Ourique, giving a thorough trip of Lisbon’s varied communities.
You can get on this vintage yellow cable car at Martim Moniz Square, where the course begins, and appreciate a trip that seems like going back in time. Along the means, guests are dealt with to sights of Lisbon’s Cathedral, the Santa Luzia perspective, the busy roads of Baixa, and the Estrela Basilica, to name a few views.
For the very best experience, goal to ride early in the early morning or later on at night to prevent the groups, and take into consideration buying a 24-hour public transportation ticket for limitless trips on Lisbon’s cable cars, buses, and city.
We didn’t ride this cable car and rather took escalators, tuks tuks, and Ubers yet we did ride the cable car in Porto and if you are going to Portugal for the very first time, you need to stand out onto among its leading destinations a minimum of when.
11. Castelo de São Jorge
Visiting Castelo de São Jorge provides you a fascinating trip back in time, incorporated with a few of one of the most awesome sights over Lisbon. Perched atop among Lisbon’s highest possible hillsides, this historic citadel go back to the Moorish profession in the 11th century. However, it showcases layers of background from numerous durations of Lisbon’s past.
As a sign of Portugal’s abundant heritage, the castle welcomes site visitors to roam with its fabled parapets, check out old damages, and check out the event that tells its background with historical finds. Did you understand this was Porugal’s initial king’s imperial home?
The Camera Obscura, using a 360-degree sight of the city with a periscope, and the magnificently kept yards, where peacocks wander easily, include in the beauty of this website.
Castelo de São Jorge is open on a daily basis from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM (March to October) and till 6:00 PM (November to February), making certain sufficient time for expedition. Admission is about €10 for grownups, with giving ins offered for pupils and senior citizens, making it a must-visit for those wanting to submerse themselves in the background and appreciate spectacular breathtaking sights of Lisbon. Grab Your E-Ticket right here.
12. Walk Through the Alfama Neighborhood
It is suitable that Cube de Fado lies in the heart of the Alfama Neighborhood. This is Lisbon’s earliest area which is a maze of slim roads, historical structures, and breathtaking panoramas that astound site visitors from around the world.
We were attracted to its middle ages streets, dynamic road life, and spectacular sights from the Miradouros (point of views) like Miradouro de Santa Luzia and Miradouro das Portas do Sol.
If you check out on a Tuesday or Saturday you can shop at the Feira da Ladra. This flea market fits right in with classic clothes, antiques, and keepsakes.
Wandering with Alfama, you’ll experience regional markets, historical cable car 28, and elaborately tiled façades, giving unlimited possibilities for digital photography and making memories.
The area is likewise home to remarkable sites such as the São Jorge Castle, the impressive Sé Cathedral, the National Pantheon, Feira da Ladra, and the Door of the Sun point of views. A strolling trip of this area is the very best means to value all it needs to provide.
13. Watch a Fado Show at Clube de Fado
We reserved a Fado Show with ObtainYourOverview, yet we desire that we mosted likely to a much more genuine Fado Show in the Amalfa District.
Clube de Fado is among Lisbon’s most renowned places. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site provided for its abstract social heritage. The poorly lit area establishes the phase for an evening of emotional efficiencies, developing an electrical yet deeply psychological environment.
Clube de Fado brings in a few of Portugal’s finest Fado vocalists and timeless guitar players (playing the Portuguese guitarra) putting their hearts right into every efficiency. The acoustics of the place are created to boost the grief-stricken tunes and poetic verses that mention life, loss, and wishing, catching the significance of the Portuguese spirit.
Dining at Clube de Fado includes an additional layer to the experience, with standard Portuguese meals and great white wines functioning as the excellent enhancements to the night’s enjoyment.
While appointments are very suggested because of the appeal of the place, the initiative to safeguard a place is well worth it for the extraordinary experience of getting in touch with the raw feeling and social deepness of Fado songs.
14. Museo do Fado
If you intend to discover more concerning Fado, check out the Museu do Fado. Portugal’s most famous music expression is acknowledged as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Located in the historical Alfama area, simply a rock’s toss from the Lisbon Cathedral, this gallery is committed to commemorating the background and society of Fado, from its beginnings in the 19th century to today day.
The Museu do Fado supplies an immersive experience with its comprehensive collection of Fado recordings, souvenirs, and individual products from fabulous Fado vocalists. Visitors can check out interactive exhibitions, pay attention to timeless and modern Fado efficiencies, and also attempt to play a Portuguese guitar.
Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
15. LX Factory
We actually liked the ambiance of LX Factory. This previous commercial complicated has actually been changed right into a hectic musicians neighborhood snuggled underneath the looming 25 de Abril Bridge in the Alcântara area of Lisbon.
This city sanctuary is a must-visit for visitors looking for to involve in Lisbon’s modern art scene, using a diverse mix of art workshops, eccentric stores, fashionable coffee shops, and first-rate dining establishments. Plus, the food and beverages are rather budget friendly making it a best quit for lunch.
LX Factory was when a commercial complicated of old structures that has actually been changed right into a vibrant social and business center.
The location hosts routine markets, live songs, and art exhibits, making certain that no 2 gos to coincide. Entry to LX Factory itself is complimentary, permitting site visitors to walk with its streets, appreciate the striking city art, and take in the imaginative power that penetrates the air.
Open on a daily basis, with stores usually running from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and dining establishments and bars typically remaining open a lot later on, site visitors can check out at their recreation, experiencing the humming environment that lasts right into the evening.
16. Pink Street
Pink Street, formally called Rua Nova do Carvalho, is a vibrant hotspot in Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré area that has actually come to be a must-visit location for visitors looking for the pulse of the city’s night life and social scene.
Once a sleazy location recognized for its clubs and bars dealing with seafarers, Pink Street is changing right into among Lisbon’s most trendy and Instagrammable areas. It still has a sleazy feeling, yet throughout the day, it brings in Influencers and aspirants to take images of its hanging umbrellas and pink-painted roads.
Painted pink in 2013 as component of a revitalization job, Pink Street is a unique city spots. It is open 24/7, and the location is hectic, specifically after dark when benches, clubs, and dining establishments come to life, using whatever from standard Portuguese meals to ingenious alcoholic drinks.
Visitors can check out the road and its environments at no charge, delighting in the vivid road art, fashionable stores, and the vibrant environment that personifies the contemporary spirit of Lisbon. Pink Street is not simply a location to see; it’s an experience, using a glance right into the city’s makeover and its dynamic modern society.
Whether you’re seeking an evening out with good friends, a preference of regional food, or simply a walk in a distinctive setup, Pink Street in Lisbon guarantees a memorable experience without the requirement for admission costs.
17. National Tile Museum
One point you will certainly discover in much of the cities of Portugal is the gorgeous ceramic floor tiles enhancing the exteriors of structures in the town hall. The National Tile Museum or Museu Nacional do Azulejo, in Lisbon, is a unique social prize that provides site visitors a comprehensive consider the art and background of Portuguese ceramic tiles, called azulejos.
Housed in the previous Convent of Madre de Deus, established in 1509, the gallery showcases the advancement of tilework in Portugal from the 15th century to today day.
The collection consists of charming instances of azulejos, (ceramic floor tiles) varying from basic geometric patterns to clarify narrative panels that illustrate Portugal’s abundant background and society. One of the gallery’s highlights is a 36-meter-long scenic view of Lisbon prior to the terrible 1755 quake.
The gallery is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, using sufficient time for site visitors to discover its substantial exhibitions. Admission is around €5, with price cuts offered for pupils and senior citizens, making it an economical and enjoyable experience.
18. Central Baixa District
Nestled at the heart of main Lisbon this area is called the midtown location of Lisbon, Baixa is identified by its grand plazas, Pombaline style, and impressive roads like Rua Augusta, causing the arc and the spectacular Praça do Comércio encountering the Tagus River.
This area is a must-visit for its mix of historic value and contemporary vigor. With pedestrian-only roads, purchasing, and coffee shops the Central Baixa District is an outstanding place to hang around for a mid-day.
Key destinations consist of the Elevador de Santa Justa, a luxuriant, very early 20th-century lift that we pointed out previously in this write-up, and the MUDE (Museum of Design and Fashion).
Baixa’s grid-like format, created after the terrific quake of 1755, makes it very easy to check out walking. You can appreciate purchasing, and drinking coffee in standard coffee shops, along with lots of dining establishments offering Portuguese and worldwide food. Exploring Baixa is mainly complimentary, besides certain destinations like the Santa Justa Lift, where a ticket expenses around €5.50.
19. Praça Comercio
Praça Comercio stands front and round on the coasts of the Tagus River and you will unquestionably wind up right here a minimum of when on your see to the city. Entering from Baxia under the Arco da Rua Agusta will certainly take your breath away.
This grand square on the River Tagus is as large as it is gorgeous, with its unique U-shaped setup of yellow 19th-century structures standing at the previous Royal Palace of Ribeira that was damaged adhering to the ruining 1755 quake.
Historically, it worked as the entrance to Lisbon, where vendors would certainly trade products from around the world. Today, it stands as a testimony to Lisbon’s strength and its maritime splendor, mounted by its famous yellow Pombaline style and the statuary of King José I at its facility.
20. Bairro Alto
One of our preferred areas for a beverage in the city remained in the Bairro Alto District. Nestled in the heart of the city, Bairro Alto comes to life as the sunlight collections, with its slim patched roads humming with a range of bars, dining establishments, and live songs places that satisfy every preference.
By day, this area is still worth a go to with its spectacular 16th-century style, vivid exteriors, and stunning point of views that ignore the city.
As evening drops, submerse on your own in the area’s vibrant environment, where the noises of Fado songs spill of the standard residences. Bairro Alto’s main area, quickly obtainable by the famous Tram 28 or the Baixa-Chiado city terminal, makes it a must-visit location for any individual wanting to experience the genuine spirit of Lisbon. Whether you’re in search of social enrichment or merely to appreciate an evening out, Bairro Alto provides a memorable piece of Lisbon’s vibrant city society.
21. Lisbon Cathedral – Sé de Lisboa
The Lisbon Cathedral, in your area called Sé de Lisboa, is a huge spots that no site visitor ought to miss out on while discovering the city. Located in the heart of the historical Alfama area, this enforcing basilica was initially built in 1147 yet the basilica has actually gone through numerous building makeovers, mixing Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque designs.
You can check out the basilica’s inside, which houses substantial spiritual artefacts, discolored glass home windows, and the remarkable cloister. The treasury area is an additional emphasize, showcasing a collection of clerical prizes.
Open daily, with hours usually from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
22. Sintra
Pretty Sintra obtains all the interest, and if you are seeking a tried-and-tested field trip from Lisbon, this captivating town is the leading selection. You can appreciate beautiful imperial houses, consisting of the Pena National Palace. Pena Palace is well-known for its brilliant shades and vibrant style and takes control of 2.5 hours to trip as a result of all its splendour and range.
However, Sintra has lots of royal residences and castles, so don’t restrict on your own to one. Our preferred area to check out in Sintra was Quinta da Regaleira. The mystical well lies on a 19th-century estate bordered by rich yards full of unique plants and blossoms.
The genuine destination of the Quinta da Regaleira is its below ground passages and caverns. These mystical flows were when made use of for initiation ceremonies by secret cultures such as the Free Masons, and their keys still stay surprise to now. Visitors can check out the passages and caverns, finding surprise chambers and surprise paths as they go.
Sintra is simply half an hour from Lisbon, making it among one of the most preferred points to do. It is a practical yet legendary field trip for any individual desiring a wonderful day trip from Lisbon. And you can appreciate the uniqueness of royal residences and charming style in simply half a day.
23. Cascais
Cascais is a town yet a very enjoyable field trip. Moreover, this is among the only outing from Lisbon you can take by train versus bus, as Cascais has its very own train terminal linked by the ‘Linha de Cascais.’ It is a beautiful experience, taking you previous sandy coastlines and seaside landscapes, and it just takes 40 mins from Cais do Sodre terminal in southwest Lisbon. The seaside hotel is bubbly, with an enjoyable ambiance and a blend of purchasing roads and beachfront dining establishments. Its old community is where you’ll discover the even more ‘serious sightseeing’ possibilities, with the Nossa Senhora da Luz Fort and Citadel Palace.
Cascais is an enjoyable allrounder with an exceptional equilibrium of points to do if you desire a fast getaway from Lisbon’s town hall.
Why We Love Lisbon, Portugal
Whether you’re admiring the famous cable car 28 as it weaves with the city, drinking on a glass of Vinho Verde in a vibrant Bairro, or enjoying the sundown from the São Jorge Castle, Lisbon guarantees a memorable journey. Let’s start this trip with each other, discovering the very best points to do in Lisbon, where background, society, and elegance link to develop a location like nothing else.
Visiting Lisbon isn’t almost marking off the vital monoliths and leading destinations. It has to do with walking with its patched roads, absorbing the power of the various communities and areas, and being familiar with individuals. We just invested a couple of days in Lisbon, yet you might quickly invest a week in the city to appreciate whatever it needs to provide.
