If you are planning a trip to Portugal, you have to stop in Lisbon. It’s known for its soulful Fado, and its awesome architectures. As well as its many castles and its rolling hills that afford a priceless vista of the city and the river. It’s also known for being particularly tourist-friendly, with an efficient and expansive transport system. It can be hard to find what to do in Lisbon, Portugal though. We will share with you the top Lisbon attractions and little hidden spots, that mostly locals know about.
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It can be a lot to take in at once, so we present this ultimate guide that distills the best of Lisbon in an easy-to-follow guide. Let’s start off with the city’s top 5 best sights!
Things to Do in Lisbon Portugal
Elevador de Santa Justa
Let’s start with some great attractions in Lisbon! There’s no better way to get a panoramic view of this great city than through the Santa Justa Elevator. And no, this isn’t your usual elevator. This one’s designed by a student of the great Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame), and sports an imposing neo-Gothic architecture.
Originally, the elevator was steam-operated (completing its distinctive steampunk look!). Now the internal workings are modernized, but it’s still a great place to catch a view of the Baixa neighborhood and St. George’s Castle. It’s also a pedestrian shortcut to Bairro Alto.
Since the elevator is a top tourist attraction, lines can be excruciatingly slow. One trick is to enter from Bairro Alto and get to the observation deck. It’s much cheaper, too — EUR 1.50 versus the EUR 5 needed to go up and back down from ground level.
The elevator is between the Rossio and Baixa-Chiado metro stops, in the Baixa neighborhood. It’s open from 7:30 AM to 9 PM.
Castelo de São Jorge
Castelo de São Jorge. The Alfama neighborhood is in itself a great tourist area, but its crowning glory is definitely St. George’s Castle. This was the castle taken by Portugal’s first ruler, Afonso Henriques. It’s pretty much a perfectly-intact castle, with its chambers and accessories almost untouched by time.
Of course, being a castle, there are lots to see. There are underground levels and beautiful gardens. There’s an archaeological museum, and if you’re getting hungry, there’s a restaurant on the grounds.
But of course, there are the unparalleled views of the city and the nearby sea. The only thing to watch out for will be the tiring hike to the castle, though you can take it slow and enjoy the view along the way!
The Castle is open from 9 AM to 6 PM, and the admission will set you back around EUR 8.5. There are also family passes at EUR 20, for two adults and two teens/children. The attraction is just a ride away via Tram 28, or you can take the metro and get off at either Rossio or Martim Moniz.
Tram 28
Tram 28 ride. Speaking of Tram 28, this line is a tourist attraction all on its own! If you like the thought of having the luxury of personal tour but don’t want to shell out too much, Tram 28 is your best bet. It takes you not just through St. George’s and the Alfama neighborhood, it also takes you through most of Lisbon’s greatest tourist spots.
Part of Tram 28’s charm is its historicity. It’s the same set of yellow trams harkening back from World War 2, so that means no air conditioning and pre-modern era cushioning. But it’s all good, since the only other alternative will be to hike up the hilly sections to explore Lisbon.
The ride takes around EUR 3 for one way, and tickets are available via kiosks around the city and onboard. A good trick (not just here but for Lisbon in general) is to purchase a public transport ticket. It’s good for 24 hours, covers the tram line, and gives hassle-free access to all rides! The line is open from around 7:30 AM to around 9:15 PM.
Belém
This is a day tour just six miles west of Lisbon, and it’s one thing you should definitely make time for. Belém is a waterfront neighborhood that is a one-stop tourist shop. It has all you need for a cool afternoon stroll — museums, gardens, landmarks, great views, and even a popular tart place, the Pastéis de Belém!
Belém houses the Belém Palace, which is the official residence of the Portuguese President. It is also a historic location since it is the launching point of several expeditions during the Age of Discoveries (think Magellan and Vasco da Gama). This last point is commemorated by the dazzling Discoveries Monument.
Book Your Fast Track Tickets Here
Don’t forget to pick up a pastel de nata as you stroll through along the banks of the Tagus! It’s best to come here from Tuesdays to Sundays, as several of the top spots are closed on Monday.
You can get from central Lisbon to Belém through the Belém stop of the metro. There’s also a tram line running through town, so you can hop onto trams no. 15 or 127.
Ponto Final
One great thing about Lisbon is that you can merge your eating with sightseeing! Imagine eating a nice meal while admiring the beauty of Tagus river — if that’s not fine dining I don’t know what is.
Ponto Final. And when I said the Tagus, this is what I was talking about. The Ponto Final is the literal end of the river walk, and you have to cross it via the Cais do Sodre to Cacilhas commuter ferry. You can have an outstanding meal of Portuguese classics, such as salted cod, Alentejo bread, and escabeche. Or, if you want to really go local, try out the tomato rice with deep-fried mackerels — this is the favorite of the fishermen around Ponto Final.
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Yes, around. The area occupied by Ponto Final used to be a thriving fisherman neighborhood, now lost to the ravages of modernization. Today, the restaurant offers its diners a front-row view to the last vestiges of this lifestyle. That’s food for thought that’s as poignant as the one on your plate!
Cervejaria Ramiro
Despite its name (taken from the vessel from which beer is dispensed), the place specializes in some magnificent seafood! Fresh catch is cooked on the spot and served in flavorful platters that are too good to miss. The ambiance is one for the books, too — it’s raw and unpretentious, and despite its fame and reputation, it strives to maintain a connection with its patrons.
Check out their delicious dessert, too — not what you’re expecting, though. In Lisbon, dessert comes in the form of meat! Have some grilled steak in a bun, and let your mind wander at why this tastes good after seafood. The Cervejaria also has really good wines, so make sure to ask!
The resto is located at Almirante Reis.
Park Bar
If you want something classy — like Alta Sociedad level classy — then look no further than Park Bar. This simply-named place used to be a parking garage, transformed into a terrace bar and a suspended garden.
The aesthetics here are top-notch — from the place itself to its top view of Lisbon, to the youthful sounds swirling between the tables. There’s raw creativity in the air thanks to its clientele, and it’s the place to be if you want to keep your finger on the pulse of Lisbon’s cutting edge. Or, if you just want to have a good time people watching and getting good stories for when you get back home.
Of course, the place is not all looks. Go try out their extensive array of drinks and cocktails, which alone are enough to keep you coming back! The Park Bar is located at 58 Calçada do Combro.
Still got steam? Try a day trip!
Portugal, much like its one-time rival Spain, is a country best seen on foot. And by that, we mean by traveling through its many interesting cities.
Explore The Amazing Street Art Around Lisbon Here
Lisbon is amazing in itself, but you can further up the excitement by going on a day tour! Here are some Lisbon Day Trip Ideas that are worth your while.
Browse Day Tours in Lisbon Here
Sintra
An absolute must-see, this town is around 20 miles away from Lisbon and famous for being once called “glorious Eden” by the poet Lord Byron. Yes, it’s a paradise — rolling greens, charming cobblestone streets, rustic residences, and smiling locals. It’s not without its luxury, too — the Palácio Nacional de Pena, Palácio Nacional de Sintra, Monserrate Palace, and Quinta da Regaleira are all here. Ah, and dare I fail to mention that the whole city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
A fair warning, though, paradise is not without its annoyances. Make sure you dress comfortably and travel light, since the place is very hilly. You can take the train from the Rossio station in Lisbon, and hop off at the end of the line. This should take you around half an hour. If you prefer a more scenic route, Bus No. 434 from Lisbon would pass through the main sights of Sintra.
Book A Tour At The Palácio Nacional De Pena Here
Cascais
Portugal’s own beach resort town may have stepped down a bit from its old distinction of being royal sunbathing grounds, but it retains much of its grandeur. Seeking a bit of sun-and-sand fun? Lined with luxury resorts and properties, Cascais in the best for a weekend vacation. For those looking for a quiet time beside the vast sea, there’s also the quaint Old Town where you can take meditative afternoon strolls. There’s also the Boca do Inferno cliff, which is a great lookout spot for those seeking something a bit more adrenaline-pumping.
Cascais is a small place and it won’t take you long to see the whole of it. But that doesn’t mean you’ll run out of anything good to do soon. You can take Lisbon’s green line from the Cais do Sodré station, and sit back for less than an hour before you arrive at Cascais.
Get Your Cascais and Sintra Full Day Tour Here
You can make more out of your side trips to Sintra and Cascais if you book for a tour. Companies like Get Your Guide have bundle offers that could get you to both towns in a guided trip. If you want t
o get past the lines on Sintra’s Pena Palace, Get Your Guide also has a tour through it and the surrounding parks!
Hop On Hop Off Tour
Lisbon has a lot of attractions that you shouldn’t miss — if you still have the time and energy to go around, that is. Experience Lisbon for at least a week.
If you want to have a whirlwind tour of Lisbon, there’s always the option of taking the Hop-On, Hop-Off double decker buses. You can purchase a 24-hour or 48-hour ticket, and there are 4 routes you can choose from. There is even an audio guide you could stay tuned to, so you know exactly what you’re seeing!
Lisbon also houses an awesome oceanarium with more than 8,000 creatures of the deep! It’s a collection from four different oceans, which is a fun and educational experience.
Portuguese Wine
If you want to experience the oceans in a different way, there is the sunset sailboat ride that you could book as part of tours. As a plus, you can even get a complimentary drink of Portugal’s famous wine! For more of the Lisbon culture, you can watch a Fado performance to get an exquisite taste of the music that sings at the soul of the city. The “Fado in Chiado”, especially, offers a near-hour-long performance of the UNESCO-recognized music.
You could also hop into one of the many museums, particularly the National Tile Museum which enshrines the art and history of the region’s famous “azulejos” (ceramic tiles). You’ll also see stunning installations of these elsewhere in town, everywhere from the walls of historic buildings to simple tourist gift shops. Finally, look for the perfect souvenir at the Feira da Ladra, which is a famous flea market in the Alfama district!
Lisbon is an amazing place, with sights and culture galore. All you need to do is just look around and you’re likely to find something of interest, whether it’s a curious piece of street art or a beautiful masterpiece in one of its museums. In a city like this, having fun while you travel is a piece of cake.
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