So why visit Lisbon?
This city is known for its rich history, vibrant culture and stunning architecture and views wherever you are. Whatever your travel interests – be that history, food, adventure or relaxation – there’s something for everyone.
Here’s a Lisbon Travel Guide that includes which areas to stay in the city, the top restaurants to eat at and the best activities to keep you occupied throughout your trip.
Best Areas to Stay in Lisbon
Alfama: The oldest neighbourhood in Lisbon, Alfama is well known for its narrow and winding streets. This area feels much more authentic and traditional, with various little cafes, shops and restaurants dotted around the streets. You’ll get beautiful views in this area, but that does mean there are a lot of steep climbs! Here you’ll find loads of traditional taverns advertising Fado.
Baixa: This is the city centre, and is located right in the middle of Lisbon’s shopping, dining and cultural scene. You’ll find iconic landmarks here, such as Rossio Square and Praça do Comércio. This area is very central and provides easy access to all of the city.
Bairro Alto: This neighbourhood is popular with those looking for nights out, with plenty of bars, clubs, and restaurants to choose from. Something to note – if you do want to experience this kind of evening, I would recommend staying close by. The walk to/from Alfama to here can feel like quite a trek!
Chiado: This neighbourhood is the fashionable one, known for it’s various ‘trendy’ shops, cafes, and restaurants. Great place to stay for those who want to experience the city’s cultural scene, with several galleries, museums, and theatres close by.
Belem: This neighbourhood is located outside of the city centre, so I wouldn’t recommend staying here if you want to be close to all the main attractions. However, it is great if you want a more relaxed vibe, and there is plenty to see here, including monuments, museums, and views of the River Tagus.
Restaurants to Eat at in Lisbon
There are SO many restaurants to eat at in Lisbon, so it can feel a little overwhelming when trying to decide where to go. Many of the restaurants we looked a were quite small in size, so it is worth booking ahead, especially so in the busier seasons. Here are some that we’ve tried and loved!
- Oficina do Duque
- Taberna Sal Grosso
- Sol Brasil
- Timeout Market
- Pastéis de Belém
- A Carioca
Here’s an in-depth look at each of the Lisbon restaurants mentioned above.
Top Attractions and Activities in Lisbon
With plenty of history, beautiful areas, restaurants, bars and clubs, Lisbon has a lot of different things to do in the city. It caters to many different interests and, depending on how long you stay, you can make sure to hit each type of activity.
Walking tours in Lisbon
Doing a walking tour is one thing I would recommend to anyone on a city break. It’s a good way to start your trip, as you can get a little bit of history and background on the area through a whistlestop tour of some points of interest. A walking tour also gives you easy access to someone who lives locally, thus can give you top recommendations on what to do or where to eat/drink. We often look for a Sandemans tour as these are free, with the expectation that you pay what you think the tour deserves, and we’ve had fantastic guides from this company across several cities.
Elevador de Santa Justa
This is a historic elevator, located in the Baixa neighbourhood. It provides incredible views of the city, and one I would recommend if you’re looking for views. The queue here also seems to be quite big, and honestly, I would not bother waiting for it.
Instead, you can access this viewing platform from the back, from Tv. Dom Pedro de Menezes for free. You can’t get to the upper level, but you can get onto a viewing platform that gives you pretty much the same views.
São Jorge Castle
This castle is located on a hill and offers great views of the city from above. It’s a small fortress that was built by the Visigoths during the fifth century and has since been modified and enlarged by the Moors. It was also completely restored in 1938.
At only €10 for adults, it is relatively cheap to visit and great if you’re looking to get photos with beautiful scenery and backdrops.
Admittedly, we did not visit here as our guide had said that it ‘wasn’t a real castle’, and other attractions were better worthwhile. That’s something for you to decide on!
Time Out Market
This is a food hall but you know, it is one of those that feels like more of a thing to do, rather than a place to eat. It holds a wide variety of cuisines and is a way to try a few different samples of food.
Kayak Tours
Something a little bit different here, but did you know there were stunning beaches just a short drive from the city? We chose a kayak tour to have something to do in Lisbon that wasn’t just wandering around the city, and it was such a great idea. Booking it mid-week, we managed to have what felt like a little holiday in the middle, as we were suddenly surrounded by sea and sand. Highly recommend trying this kayak tour!
Best Viewpoints in Lisbon
You can’t create a Lisbon travel guide without mentioning the viewpoints! It is the perfect city to see some beautiful views, with hills on either side of the centre. There are various little viewpoints dotted all around the city, and you’ll find yourself just stumbling upon them.
Here are the viewpoints we found and enjoyed!
- Miradouro de Santa Luzia
- Santa Justa Lift
- Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
- Miradouro de Santo Estêvão
Get up to these viewpoints and you’ll see some of the best views of Lisbon, with panoramic views of the city, the River Tagus, and the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Things to See in Belém
Pastéis de Belém
The best place to buy a pastel de nata (or two!). There’s often a queue, but it’s well worth the wait. Grab a couple of these and then head off on a wander around Belém.
Jerónimos Monastery
This is a stunning building, even just from the outside! This monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the greatest examples of Manueline architecture in the world. A note for visiting – it’s closed on Mondays, so if you want to explore make sure you choose a different day!
Torre de Belém
Belém Tower is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lisbon was the world’s main trade hub in the 15th and 16th centuries and this tower was part of a project designed to defend Lisbon from enemy ships.
Museu Nacional dos Coches
The Coaches Museum has the largest and most valuable collection of coaches in the world! It’s a little bit niche I think, but here you can see ceremonial coaches and horse-drawn carriages that are so intricate in design. This is also closed on Mondays!
Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT)
Designed by Amanda Levete, a British architect, is an interesting-looking building. It doesn’t have any permanent collections but shows exhibitions.
Padrão dos Descobrimentos
The Discoveries Monument is 52 metres high and sits right on the waterside. It was built to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator and features more than 30 historical figures who played a big part in Portugal’s Age of Discoveries. On the pavement in front of the monument is a giant marble map of the world, showing significate dates in history. This is really cool to look at.
Views of Ponte 25 de Abril
As you’re walking along the waterfront you’ll be able to get some fantastic views of the suspension bridge running across the Tagus River. It was originally named Salazar Bridge, but once Salazar’s dictatorship was overturned, the bridge was given the name of 25th of April to represent the date of the Carnation Revolution. It was designed by the same company responsible for the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, which is why it looks so similar.
Map out your visit
Best Times of the Year to Travel to Lisbon
The best times for Lisbon are generally Spring or Autumn. This is when the weather is warm but mild. During the summer months, temperatures are generally around 32°C. We visited from the end of September to the beginning of October and the weather was lovely. It was a little bit breezy, so I would recommend taking light jackets, but the sun was shining all except one day when we had a little bit of rain!
Lisbon Travel Guide
In conclusion, Lisbon is a city that has something for everyone, with rich history, vibrant culture, stunning architecture, and beautiful views. Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, or an adventurer, you’re sure to find something to enjoy in this beautiful city. Hopefully, this Lisbon travel guide has given you some ideas for your next trip!