Wondering what to do in Lisbon, Portugal? Here are 25 things to do in Lisbon that you require to consist of in your lisbon attractions Portuguese travel plan.
Lisbon is an excellent destination for a vacation escape: it's a multicultural, passionate, complex city, and it will conquer you with its mix of modern and old-fashioned. Typically underrated, Lisbon is one of my favorite cities in Europe, and I hope you'll like it as much as I do.
If it's your very first time checking out Lisbon and you're wondering what to see in Lisbon with numerous options, I recommend you to begin with a very popular, essential tour of Lisbon that will reveal you the highlights of the city. Then work your way through this list. Ahem, I hope you're investing a minimum of a week in Lisbon to get it all done!
Discover a Bakeshop
Lisbon will certainly become a preferred location for visitors with a craving for sweets: from the well-known Pastéis de Nata in Belém, to tartes de maça, to travesseiros in close-by Sintra, Lisbon is a city in which to indulge your senses.
For a list of the best pastry shops in Lisbon, have a look at my post about pastries in Portugal.
And if you wish to get more hands-on and find out to prepare the famous pasteis de nata and other places to visit in lisbon Portuguese specialties, BOOK HERE this remarkable Hands-On Pastéis and Pastry Class in Lisbon.
Increase One, or more, or Three Miradoures
One of the leading things to do in Lisbon is to appreciate the view at one of numerous Lisbon's Miradoures: at night, from sunset on, the Miradouro São Pedro de Alcantara [R. de São Pedro de Alcântara, get here with the Gloria funicular] gets pretty hectic with students who fulfill here.
Another miradouro not to miss is the Miradouro do Graça [Calçada da Graça, get here by tram 28], from which you have an unbelievable view over the city and the Sao Jorge castle. Here you can likewise discover an open-air cafe to relax with a view.
Off the beaten course Lisbon pointer: for a less known, but equally beautiful area, head to the Miradouro do Monte Agudo [Rua Heliodoro Salgado, closest underground stop: Graça]
Go treasure searching at Feira da Ladra
For an extremely regional experience, go treasure searching at Feira da Ladra, Lisbon's most popular flea market.
Every Tuesday and Saturday, from 9am to 6 pm, here you will discover numerous stalls offering actually anything.
Vintage fans and non will love to look for odd souvenirs, however take note of your belongings while strolling ... there should be some reason if the name of the place indicates "burglars market"!
How to get to Feira da Ladra: the very best way to get to the marketplace is combining it with the flight on tram 28, and getting off at Arco de São Vicente.
Consume some Ginjinha
Ginjinha is a normal Portuguese alcohol made of a cherry-alike berry.
One shot generally costs 1 euro and you can have it also with a cherry or a chocolate wafer, that makes the experience even sweeter.
The most popular bar to try it is A Ginjinha [at Rossio, Largo de São Domingos 8], however it's likewise very popular in the many cafés around Praça da Figueira.
Trip Tram 28
Riding tram 28 from Martim Moniz to Campo Ourique is one of one of the most enjoyable things to do in Lisbon-- it's also an excellent method to comprehend the location of the city by driving past the main Lisbon sights, and to prevent some uphill walk, which doesn't hurt!
This is absolutely among the top destinations in Lisbon old town, and trams get very loaded at midday and peak hours when the locals come back from work. To avoid the crowds try and go before 11 am, even previously in the summer season.
You can likewise pick a tour that integrates a ride on cable car 28 with a walking trip of the beautiful Alfama community. ⇒ BOOK IT HERE
Take a Field Trip to Cascais from Lisbon
Head to Cascais, the most popular beach town near Lisbon, for some shopping and beach time. This popular location is famous for its charming city center, with pretty, pastel-colored structures, and its coastline.
Fun things to do in Cascais-- beyond relaxing at the Praia da Ribeira beach-- consist of stand paddling, cycling down to Guincho beach (the best beach for surfing in the area) which is 8 km away, and walking to the Boca do Inferno (Hell's Mouth), a series of cliffs and caves about 20 minutes strolling from the marina. They may not be the beaches of the Algarve, but are worth a visit!
Enjoy the Night Life in Bairro Alto
Lisbon is a city that does not sleep: begin the night at Bairro Alto (this neighborhood at day time is definitely desert, numerous shops are even closed in the early morning!), and sip Morangoska (a mixed drink made with vodka and fresh strawberries) and Caipirinha in among the many bars. Cocktails and shots are low-cost, at about 3-4 euros. Heading out in Lisbon in the evening is a must!
The best night to celebration in Lisbon with the locals is Thursday, not Friday, when many trainees return home and are primarily tourists to fill the streets.
Wander Around the Alfama
Alfama is among those locations where all you need to do is roaming around, at your own rate.
In the Alfama you can breathe Lisboa's past: the area survived to the 1775 earthquake and is the earliest area of the city, so put away that map and walk through the alleyways and the narrow streets (one of the top 10 things to do in Lisbon if you only have a weekend in Lisbon).
Nevertheless, when you're made with that, there a few things to do in Alfama that needs to become part of your Lisbon sightseeing plan.
The Castelo de Sao Jorge (St. George's Castle) is definitely worth a see. The castle stands on top of the highest hill in the city, and the views over the Baixa district and the Tegus River are splendid from here. The eleven castle towers, the lookouts, and the gardens carry you back in time, and even the kids love visiting it.
St. George's Castle is most likely the most famous attraction in Lisbon, and the queues can be long. Consider getting in advance a skip-the-line ticket.
If it's your very first time in Lisbon, you should absolutely have a look at the Super Lisbon Combi ticket, that integrates a skip-the-line entrance ticket to Sao Jorge Castle, tickets to the Fado Museum and the Museum of Lisbon (one of the best museums in London), and an audio-guided walking tour of the Alfama.
Plus, it features a Hop on Hop off bus ticket legitimate for 48 hours, which will permit you to go from a destination to the other with ease. ⇒ TAKE A LOOK HERE
Find the very best Souvenirs from Lisbon
If family members and pals have asked for a memento and you are wondering what to buy in Lisbon, this time get them something various from those uninteresting pins and shot glasses. At Conserveira sintra lisbon de Lisboa [in the Baixa, Rua dos Bacalhoeiros 34] all they offer is exceptional quality canned food.
The shop has actually been running considering that 1930, when canned food was popular because cost effective and but now it's become some gourmet canned food. You find here the normal sardines, tuna and mackerels together with mousse of codfish and packed squids, and other delicious stuff.
Visit the Historic Area of Belém
Belém is among the most popular neighborhoods in Lisbon. Although not particularly main, it's quickly accessible by taking cable car number 15 in the Cais do Sodré station.
In Lisbon's many historic areas there are a few things you can't miss. The Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) and the Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) are truly must sees in Lisbon.
The Jerónimos Monastery [Praça do Império 1400-206] is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's a gorgeous work of architecture (the cloisters are excellent). Vasco da Gama spent here his last night prior to starting his journey to Asia!
You can go to the main chapel free of charge, however if you want to check out the abbey there's an entryway charge of 10 euros, unless you have the Lisbon Card, in which case it's totally free.
Jerónimos Abbey Opening Hours: 10 am to 6.30 pm in the summer, 10 am to 5.30 pm in the winter season
The Belém Tower is one of the most renowned monoliths in Lisbon, and a prepared tower that was very first constructed to protect the city. Go up the tower and take pleasure in the sensational views over the Tagus River, the April 25 bridge, and the statue of Christ the Redeemer. The entryway charge is 6 euros, but once again it's complimentary with the Lisbon Card.
Belém Tower Opening Hours: 10 am to 6.30 pm in the summer season, 10 am to 5.30 pm in the winter
You can likewise purchase a combined ticket for both the Torre de Belem and Jeronimos Abbey for 12 euros.
Time for a sweet break! To name a few things to do in Belem is the Pasteis de Belem bakery [Rua de Belém 84-92], where 20,000 pastéis de nata (or custard tarts), are made daily! The pastries are served hot, just out of the oven and they are. the. a lot of. scrumptious. thing. Eveeeer.
If you wish to sign up with a trip, take a look at THIS TRIP that's a 3-hour walking trip of Belém (pastry consisted of!), or THIS TRIP that combines Belem (the Monastery, the Tower, and the Pasteis de Belem factory) with the Lisbon Cathedral and Chiado in half a day.
Take an Excursion to Sintra
In a list of the leading things to see in Lisbon, a field trip to Sintra is a must-do. This is such a weird, and at the very same time magical location! Sintra is a cute town surrounded by lavish, green hills, it appears to be coming out of a fairy tale with all of its palaces and castles.
The most famous is the Palácio Nacional da Pena, a romantic and rather eccentric castle that has been declared a UNESCO World heritage website. This castle is so unusual that visiting it was certainly among the most enjoyable things to do in Sintra for me. It looks like a kid went and designed it!
You can check out both the Palace and the Park, or simply roam around the park, although for me it's absolutely worth the visit the palace as well.
Pena Palace Opening Hours: 10 am to 6 pm every day.
Pena Palace Entrance Charge: 14 euros for both palace and park. 7,5 euros for simply the park.
If you wish to avoid the very long lines, it makes sense to book beforehand a Pena Palace and Park Skip-the-Line Ticket ⇒ BOOK IT HERE
Other locations to go to in Sintra if you have sufficient time consist of the Moorish Castle and the National Palace of Sintra.
Castelo dos Mouros (Castle of the Moors) is a middle ages castle that was integrated in the 8th century by the Islamic Moors, but was damaged throughout the Christian intrusion of Portugal. Restored in the 19th century, the castle grounds are lovely, with a forest surrounding the hilltop castle, and excellent views over the Sintra area.
Moorish Castle Opening Hours: open 10 am to 6 pm every day.
Moorish Castle Entryway Charge: 8 euros. Reserve here the Castle of the Moors Fast lane ticket to skip the line.
The Palacio Nacional de Sintra (National Palace of Sintra) [Largo Rainha Dona Amélia] is right in the town hall of Sintra. See if you have an interest in history and the history of the royals.
National Palace of Sintra Opening Hours: open from 9,30 am to 6 pm every day.
National Palace of Sintra Entrance Charge: 10 euros. Book here the National Palace of Sintra Fast Lane Ticket to avoid the line.
Other activities in Sintra include tasting the yummy, conventional pastries of Sintra, checking out the Arab-influenced, UNESCO World Heritage Site Monserrate Palace, and spending some time at Praias da Adraga, a wild beach near Sintra.
How to get to Sintra from Lisbon: take the train from Lisbon Rossio station, that runs every 15 minutes (EUR4.50 for a return ticket). You can likewise reserve a private chauffeur for the day if you prefer.
You can totally visit Sintra by yourself if you desire, however it's one of those destinations where going with a trip makes good sense so you can load more attractions in one day.
Visit the Colorful Food Markets in Lisbon
I like food markets, don't you too? They are among the best places to mingle with the residents and truly catch the sensation of a location, so ensure to place at least one of these in your Lisbon to do list.
The Mercado de Alvalade Norte [Avenida Rio de Janeiro] is a day-to-day farmer market where you can buy food straight from the local manufacturers; it has actually ended up being stylish given that Anthony Bourdain visited it during his TV show "No Reservations", however it's still quite a conventional market where you find frsh fruit and vegetables directly from the farmers and freshly-made bread.
Mercado de Alvalade Norte Opening Hours: open Monday to Friday 7 am to 3 pm, Saturday 7 am to 4 pm
Take a look at also the colorful Mercado 31 de Janeiro, situated in the Saldanha neighborhood [Rua Engenheiro Vieira da Silva], a typical neighborhood, regional market.
Mercado 31 de Janeiro Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 12.30 pm to 3 pm and 7.30 pm to 11 pm; Sundays 12.30 pm to 3 pm; closed on Mondays.
Watch the Sundown in Cabo da Roca
Checking out Cabo da Roca was among the highlights of my journey to Portugal.
Cabo da Roca is the westernmost point in mainland Europe and it truly feels like it's completion of the world. There's very little there however a lighthouse, a dining establishment, and a keepsake store but the rocky and wild landscape are totally worth the diversion.
What to do in Lisbon: Cabo da roca
At sunset time, where whatever becomes a warm shade of orange and pink, it's even better! But make sure you bring a sweater with you, it gets really windy up there!
How to get to Cabo da Roca: it's easy to get to Cabo da Roca from Cascais or Sintra, by taking in both cases the Scotturb bus number 403 that takes about 40 minutes from either city.
Listen to some Fado
In each what to do in Lisbon type of guide you'll discover this one recommended, and it's certainly an unmissable one when visiting the city.
Listen to some Fado, Lisbon's standard music category, identified by the sluggish and melancholic rhythm and just recently contributed to the Unesco's list of World' s Intangible Heritage. It is among the best things to do in Lisbon at night.
When navigating some Fado, select carefully the place: most locations in the Alfama providing the "supper+ fado" bundles are very touristy, overpriced and I've been informed that the food is absolutely nothing but average.
The Fado Music of Lisbon 3-Hour Cultural Strolling Tour is a terrific alternative if you wish to combine Fado and a standard Portuguese meal in a non-touristy method. Walk to some common fado homes and streets and squares off the traveler course with a live fado vocalist and guide, then have supper in one of the most genuine fado homes of Alfama.
I listened to a local friend and headed to A Tasca do Chico in Barro Alto [Rua do Diário de Noticias, 39], which is a simple, small bar, and obviously one of the best Fado locations in Lisbon. Here on Mondays and Wednesdays, starting from 9m, you can drink some red white wine while listening to fado singers alternating every 15 minutes. An excellent alternative for budget travelers. Make sure you get here earlier than 9 pm, the location gets filled.
Another excellent alternative is reserving your tickets for the incredibly popular "Fado in Chiado" show. At about $20 per individual, it's an affordable option to the normal fado and supper program.
Time to Draw Out the Kid in You at the Oceanarium and Pavilhao do Conhecimento
When you're so tired from sightseeing that every church and every square looks the very same to you, leave Lisbon centre and head to the modern-day Parque das Nações area [closest underground station: Oriente] and visit the Pavilhao do Conhecimento [Largo José Mariano Gago, 1, Parque das Nações]
What to do in Lisbon: riding a suspended bike at Pavilhao do Conocimento
Checking out the Pavillion of Knowledge is certainly one of the very best things to do in Lisbon with kids, however as an adult traveling without any kids, I can assure you that I had fantastic enjoyable experimenting with science, and riding a suspended bike was the highlight ... yup, I'm a big kid!
Pavilhao do Conhecimento Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10 am to 6 pm; Weekends 11 am to 7 pm.
Pavilhao do Conhecimento Entryway Fee: 9 euros for adults; 6-7 euros for children.
If you're going to go to numerous tourist attractions and museums in Lisbon, you may be able to save money by buying in advance a Lisbon Card for 1, 2, or 3 days that consist of endless transport and free access to 23 museums and discount rates for many others.
Another place you need to head to while in the area is the Oceanarium [Esplanada Dom Carlos I], which hosts 16,000 people of 450 species. Here you'll find anything from penguins and sharks to jellyfish and sunfish. Kids love it!
Oceanarium Lisbon Opening Hours: 10 am to 6 pm every day.
Climb Up the Cristo Rei in Cacilhas
For a great, but off the traveler course, perspective over Lisbon, from Cais de Sodré take the ferryboat to Cacilhas, on the other bank of the Tagus river: the Transtejo Cacilheiros takes only ten minutes (leaving every couple of minutes during the week and every 30 minutes in the weekend, one way ticket EUR1.25).
What to do in Lisbon: View of the 25th April bridge
Cacilhas is a stunning district where you will breathe a genuine Lisbon feel.
Try among the numerous good seafood restaurants or climb up the Cristo Rei, Rio look-alike, statue [Alto do Pragal, Avenida Cristo Rei] to have a fantastic view of the San Francisco's Golden Gate look-alike bridge (a Lisbon must do) ... did anybody state it's a small world?
Cristo Rei Opening Hours: open day-to-day from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm
Cristo Rei Entrance Fee: 6 euros
You can also schedule here the 25 de Abril Bridge and Christ the King by Tuk-Tuk for your group.