James writes the Portugalist travel blog, a website about Portugal and all things Portuguese. He has spent time living in several different parts of Portugal, including Northern Portugal, Lisbon, and the Algarve.
Over the past few years, Portugal’s capital city has appeared on just about every single traveller’s radar. And with good reason too: Lisbon is beautiful, it’s easy to get around, and there’s plenty to see and do as well. If you’re looking for advice on what to see and do, here are ten things to do in Lisbon that you can’t miss.
Note: Bacalhau takes around 48-72 hours to desalinate. If you’re planning on cooking bacalhau in your Airbnb or Wimdu, make sure you have enough time for the preparation. Any less than this and your food will taste horribly salty.
✨The 1 Thing We Never Leave Home Without…✨
Coming from someone who has been traveling the world for the last 8 years AND has been in the hospital 2x, travel insurance is something everyone NEEDS to get. Get a quote below!
Saying this sparks a fiery debate amongst locals, who all have their own favourites – Manteigaria and Aloma both normally earning mentions in this debate. There is rarely a consensus, and the only thing that you can do is do the research and decide for yourself.
Listen to a Fado show
Fado is a unique style of traditional Portuguese song that’s incredibly mournful – almost like a Portuguese version of soul music. The lyrics focus on loves lost, wars lost, and better days for Portugal. Yes, it’s a little bit melancholy!
You’ll find fado performances throughout Lisbon, and most places serve dinner as part of the performance. Food quality tends to be more miss than hit at these places, and you’re much better off eating somewhere else first and then attending a show. Clube de Fado in Alfama and A Tasca do Chico in the Bairro Alto both let you do this.
Psst...Want in on a Secret? 🤫
We've scoured the internet for the best ALL-AROUND travel shoe and Tropicfeel wins by far. We've taken ours through rivers, jungles, and cities and they're still alive and kickin'. Check them out below.
Portugal’s iconic trams are still a big part of Lisbon’s furniture. Although many have been replaced by larger and more modern trams, many people still use the rickety old wooden trams every single day.
Riding on one of those is an experience in itself and a fantastic way to get around the city. Most visitors take the Tram 28, which goes through some of the city’s most scenic and touristic areas. Just be aware: pickpockets have been known to get on this tram as well, so be sure to keep your possessions close by.
Go Bargain Hunting at Lisbon’s Flea Markets
Lisbon has several great flea markets, the most famous of which is probably Feira da Ladra. This flea market has been in operation since the 12th Century, making it one of the oldest and longest-running flea markets in the world. It’s a fantastic place to pick up antiques, collectibles and Lisbon souvenirs... Don’t forget to try your hand at haggling in Portuguese!
Make Friends in the Co-Working Space / Hostel
If you are feeling a bit lonely, we recommend checking out Selina Secret Garden in Lisbon. This beautifully designed hostel has a fun community space where you can work, live, and get to know other people.
The editors of this blog spent a month in their Co-Working Space and loved the vibe. Located in a pretty central area, you can check-in and gain access to the things happening around the place as well as make use of their brightly colored walls, pool, and garden area.
Go Miradouro-Hopping
There are some locations that just have amazing views and the Portuguese have a word for these: miradouros. There are miradouros all over Lisbon, they’re all signposted, and you can expect a fantastic view from every one of them.
The best (in my opinion) is probably Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara near the Bairro Alto, but Miradouro das Portas do Sol and Miradouro da Senhora do Monte are both also worth visiting. Going to all these beautiful viewpoints is one of my favorite things to do in during my two week Portugal itinerary.
Experience the Buzz of the Bairro Alto
As one of the best cities to visit in Portugal, The Bairro Alto (Lisbon’s main nightlife area) does not disappoint. It’s made up of a maze of small, narrow streets, all of which contain tiny bars and restaurants offering cheap beers and caipirinhas. Drinks are usually served in plastic glasses, allowing you to take them outside into the streets.
This creates a buzzing and friendly atmosphere that you definitely want to experience when you come to Lisbon (although you might want to stay in a different part of town). Eating like a local in Lisbon often entails eating at a leisurely pace, enjoying the food, wine, and of course, desserts.
When you visit a new city, it can be hard to decide which restaurants are worth visiting. This is especially true in Lisbon, where there are more great restaurants than most people’s visits can accommodate.
A few favorites are the steak sandwiches at Prego, the buhlão pato rice (cooked with garlic, lemon and coriander) with swordfish from Marlene Vieira. Of course, egg tarts from Manteigaria are a must!
Try your Hand at Speaking Portuguese
Most people who visit Lisbon have very little knowledge of Portuguese. This is understandable: Portuguese is rarely taught in schools and unless you’re visiting Portugal or Brazil, you’re unlikely to come into contact with it.
Visiting Lisbon, you have the perfect opportunity to take a stab at speaking Portuguese. Even if it’s just a few words like thank you (obrigado for men and obrigada for women) or hello (bom dia, boa tarde, boa noite), it makes the experience of visiting a new place a lot more fun.
Explore the City by Bike (or Tuk Tuk)
Lisbon has just launched a bike-sharing scheme so, if you’re feeling brave, you can be one of the first people to trial it. Lisbon is not a city that’s traditionally associated with cycling: it’s very hilly, hot in the summer, the roads are narrow, and the driving can sometimes be a little erratic. But, it’s a city that’s currently in a state of change, and making it more cyclist-friendly is a change that both tourists and locals will welcome.
If you don’t feel like biking around, there are tons of tuk tuk tours which can take you around the highlights of the city! It is a fun way to see the city without huffing and puffing over the hills!
Hopefully, this article has given you a few ideas on the best things to do in the area. Afterall, Lisbon is a city full of culture, history, museums, and art so make the most out of your time in this fascinating city. If you’re looking for more things to do in Portugal, you can check our guide on Things to do in Porto and Things to do in Ericeira
Looking for more things to do in Europe? Check out a few of our best ones
