Lisbon is an incredible city with a million things to do! The Portuguese capital is located on the banks of the Tagus River and near the Atlantic Ocean, making it the perfect destination for combining culture with a beach holiday. And with lovely weather all year round, you can visit at any time.
Whether you want to walk the old town’s cobbled streets, visit the markets, or see the many landmarks, Lisbon has something to do for everyone.
Ideally, you will have 3 days in Lisbon or longer, but where do you start? This list of 10 things to do in Lisbon will get you started!
1. Belém Tower (Torre de Belém)
Let’s start in the Belém District, where you can find the famous Belém Tower. You can reach the tower by a small footbridge, with incredible views over the Tagus River. It gets busy here in summer, so arriving early or later in the day will help avoid long lines.
Torre de Belém is built in the Manueline style and has a very rich history. It was built in the 16th century to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s expedition to India. The monument has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983.
2. Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos)
Near the Belém Tower, you will also discover the beautiful Jerónimos Monastery. The monastery is built in the same Gothic-Manueline architecture and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. The upper cloister and the upper choir have many decorations, and this area is one of the most beautiful.
Inside the church of the Jerónimos Monastery, you can find three significant tombs. They are the graves of explorers Vasco da Gama and Luís de Camões and writer Fernando Pessoa. You can visit the church for free. Just notice there is a separate line to enter. You’ll need tickets to see the monastery’s cloisters.
Tip: Did you know the famous custard tarts originated from the monastery? You can try the original pastel de nata at the bakery Pastéis de Belém, and only here the sweets can be called Pastel (Pastéis is plural) de Belém.
3. The Seven Hills by tuk-tuk
Lisbon is built on seven hills, and it’s not easy for everyone to climb the streets all day! Thankfully, there is a solution: the Lisbon tuk-tuk tour! Rain or shine, the tuk-tuk guides can show you so many highlights of Lisbon in a short period of time! It’s the best introduction to the city, so you know later which sights you’d like to see more of.
You can even choose between themed tuk-tuk tours in the city! Enjoy a food tour, for example, discover the old town, see the street art scene, Belém, or follow the famous Tram 28 route. There is usually space for 4 to 6 people, and it’s suitable for older children. Most tuk-tuks also have a cover, so you will stay dry when it rains and in the shade when the sun shines brightly.
4. Alfama District
Alfama is Lisbon’s oldest district, and the small cobblestoned streets are perfect for getting lost. But not in a bad way, as with each street you see, you discover more landmarks and beautiful places. Examples are Miradouro de Santa Luzia, which has stunning azulejo tiles and views over the old town. And right next to this Lisbon viewpoint, you find another: Miradouro das Portas do Sol.
Alfama is also the home of Fado music. You can visit the Fado Museum to learn more about the music, songs and instruments. Afterwards, you can enjoy a sit-down meal while watching a Fado show. If you happen to visit Lisbon in June, you can also enjoy the month-long Festas de Lisboa, the popular saints festival.
5. São Jorge Castle (Castelo de São Jorge)
The highest point in Alfama is where you find Lisbon Castle. São Jorge Castle has a rich history, but the building we see today is newly restored in the last 80 years. You’ll dive into Lisbon’s Moorish past, and in the archaeological area, you can even find remnants of the Phoenicians and the Iron Age!
You can walk around the castle wall, which provides some of the best panoramic views over Lisbon! In summer, the castle is open until 9 PM, so it’s perfect for seeing the sun go down! You’ll also spot many peacocks that love the castle grounds, and they might come to say hello.
6. Enjoy a Lisbon Food Tour
If you like good food, you should definitely join one of the food tours in Lisbon! You’ll learn much more about famous dishes, sweets, and Portuguese culture. Discover what a bifana is, or eat the renowned pastel de nata in a bakery. The Portuguese kitchen contains a lot of meat and fish, and most desserts are made from eggs.
During the tour, you will also try some alcoholic drinks. Portugal has incredible wines from the Dão and Alentejo regions for example. But also the Port wines from the Douro region is well known. Discover what a Vino Verde is, and what Ginjinha tastes like.
7. Lisbon Oceanarium (Oceanário de Lisboa)
If you travel to Lisbon with kids, visiting the Lisbon Oceanarium is a great idea. Inside, you will discover the largest natural aquarium in the world, and after Valencia, it’s the biggest aquarium in Europa. More than 15,000 species live here, some of which you didn’t even know existed!
The main aquarium contains sharks, many rays, and even a sunfish! But you will also discover seabirds, otters and penguins. It’s a very family-friendly attraction with many nearby attractions at Parque das Nações. Ride the cable car, for example, or discover the science museum at the Pavilion of Knowledge.
8. LX Factory
The LX Factory is located in a former industrial complex, and it’s one of the hippest places in Lisbon. It’s a trendy cultural and creative hub filled with shops, restaurants, bars, and even a hostel. On Sunday you can visit the local market, and all other days it’s perfect for shopping, lunch and dinner.
One of the most unique places to see is the bookshop Ler Devagar. You discover floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with English and Portuguese books. Walk upstairs, and you’ll find a vinyl shop and an enormous old printing press! Sometimes, this area is open, so you can take a closer look at the press.
9. Praça do Comércio
Praça do Comércio is the largest square in Lisbon and a place you will definitely visit during your stay. It’s located right by the river, and from Cais das Colunas, you have some stunning views! You can even step onboard a boat cruise from the Terreiro do Paço ferry terminal or take the ferry across to Barreiro.
From the square, you will also see Arco da Rua Augusta, a triumphal arch that was built in the 18th century. You can climb to the top for a unique view of the city! If you want to remain on the square, visiting the Lisbon Story Centre is another recommendation. Here, you will learn more about the history of Lisbon. Or walk towards the Main Street Rua Augusta, where you can find shops and many restaurants.
10. The Time Out Market (Mercado da Ribeira)
One of the most famous places to eat in Lisbon is Time Out Market. It’s the best place to dive into Lisbon’s culinary scene, and you can try many local and international dishes. The restaurants are run by renowned chefs, with nearby 30 restaurants to choose from! Come visit for lunch or dinner, or even try one of the cooking workshops!
Many people miss the Mercado da Ribeira market, which starts way earlier in the morning! It’s a place to buy fresh produce such as meats, fish, vegetables, fruits, and flowers. If you like local markets, you should definitely add this to your itinerary. The market starts at 6 AM and finishes at 2 PM. The Time Out Market food hall opens at 10 AM and closes at midnight.
Where to stay in Lisbon?
One of the best areas to stay in Lisbon is the downtown area. You can find many hotels in Chiado and Biaxa, for example. Alfama and Bairro Alto are located on a hill but are super central. You will also find the nightlife in Bairro Alto, so some areas might be loud at night. And the same goes for the area around Pink Street. Príncipe Real is another nice area. There are bars and restaurants nearby, but the neighbourhood is lovely and safe.
Conclusion
There are, of course, many more places to see and visit in Lisbon! There are plenty of museums, cultural events and beautiful neighbourhoods to explore. On top of that, there are some fabulous day trips to make. Sintra is the most famous, and you can see many palaces and a Moorish castle. Or you can head out to places like Nazaré, Fátima, Óbidos and Tomar north of Lisbon. Arrábida Nature Park, Setúbal and Évora are worth visiting south and southwest of the city.
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This post was written by Marga from Discover Portugal.
As a Libon local, Marga’s blog focuses on discovering incredible food, photography and hidden gems all around Portugal.
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