The best things to do in Lisbon
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is a city filled to the brim with character! Every street you turn down is so picture-worthy & the city is home to some really unique things to see and do. One of the best things about experiencing Lisbon is that a lot of the tourist activities are quite inexpensive or even free, making this city a very budget-friendly destination! From the shopping and the sightseeing to the views and the food, these are the best things to do while visiting Lisbon Portugal.
Castelo de Sao Jorge
Known in English as St. George’s Castle, this historic fortress sits at the very top of Lisbon on a hill overlooking the city. Before entering, let your eyes wander across the sea of orange tiled roofs that make Lisbon oh so recognizable.
Once you’ve had enough of the incredible views, plan to spend 30 min – 1 hour exploring the interior grounds. St. George Castle has its oldest parts dating back to the 6th century. It has served many different purposes throughout time and is very interesting to visit and learn about.
The castle opens at 9 am every day and closes at 9 pm in March – October or 7 pm in November- February. The last entry is 30 min before closing. We recommend visiting before noon to avoid huge crowds!
Tip: Purchase your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in the queue! Tickets can be bought here on the official website.
Santa Justa Lift
One of the most unique attractions in Lisbon is the Santa Justa Lift. This extravagant elevator was built in the early 20th century and was used as a legitimate form of transportation to avoid one of Lisbon’s steepest hills. The lift takes passengers up seven stories from the Baixa neighborhood and pops them up into the Largo Do Carmo district.
Today, the Lift is more of a tourist attraction. Especially since a round-trip ride on it costs 5.30 Euros. It is up to you whether or not you actually want to ride it. The lines can be very long during peak hours and many people say that the views are not the best in Lisbon compared to the many free miradouros in the city. We choose to admire the elevator from the bottom and enjoyed it a lot! Originally, we arrived at around 3 pm and it was very crowded. The next morning however at 7:30, we walked past it on our way to Rossio Station and we were literally the only ones there, so of course we had to stop to see it again!
Thieves Market
Lisbon’s flea market is the place to go if you want to take home something unique and special from your trip. The market is held every Tuesday & Saturday from early morning till early afternoon. It is referred to as the “thieves’ market” because if something is stolen from you, you may just find it for sale here the next day. Jokes aside, this market is perfectly legal and you may find some really interesting stuff whether you are here to buy or simply look around.
Visit one of Lisbon’s famous miradouros (or all of them)
Stopping and admiring the city views from a miradouro is a must-do while visiting Lisbon. There are so many to choose from and they are well spread throughout the city, so there is always one nearby. We went to these 4 miradouros in one day and we loved all of them:
- Miradouro Da Senhora do monte (super high up in Alfama)
- Miradouro Da Graca (cute coffee shop here)
- Miradouro Das Portas Do Sol (Tram 28 stops here)
- Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara (sunset views!)
Nightlife in Bairro Alto
If you are looking for a party, this is the neighborhood to stay in! Bairro Alto is a great area of Lisbon for local bars, fun clubs, and casual places to get a drink. People will often be spilling out onto the street from the insides of these buildings just hanging out and enjoying each other’s company. This is a great spot to meet other backpackers and young travelers if that is what you’re into!
Praça do Comércio
Visiting Lisbon’s “town square” is a must-do. It is a wide-open space that sits right on the river in the middle of the city. There are many shops and restaurants in this area for you to enjoy. Sitting on the steps near the water to people-watch is a great way to break up all of the walking that you will be doing!
Make sure to stop and admire the giant arch known as Lisbon’s city gate. The details on the gate are so impressive to see!
Ride on one of Lisbon’s iconic trams
While the city may be very walkable, a quick ride across town on one of the adorable yellow trams is a fun way to see Lisbon. They also make for a great photo-op!
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
A little outside of the main area of Lisbon is the gorgeous building that is the Mosteiro Dos Jerónimos! Open from 10 am to 6 pm (5 pm in winter), and with a 10 euro entry fee, it is worth coming out to the Belem district to see this detailed and historic church.
While you are on this side of town, also check out the Belem Tower and LX Factory!
Explore Alfama
The neighborhood of Alfama is Lisbon’s oldest district (and the cutest). If Lisbon hasn’t already grabbed your heart, the charming corners of Alfama definitely will!
Alfama was one of the only parts of Lisbon that survived the 1755 earthquake. It is full of history and historic buildings. Spend an hour in this part of town wandering down all of the roads and stopping at the stunning viewpoints along the way.
The world’s oldest bookstore
I’m not much of a reader, but something about “world’s oldest” anything just really excites me. Stop by Livraria Bertrand while visiting Lisbon & maybe even pick up a book to put on your coffee table… A great conversation starter!
Shop at Embaixada
An upscale, open-concept shopping center in a super unique building. Shops here bleed into one another as they are all nestled into different rooms of this palace-like space. We really enjoyed admiring the art and chatting with the local storekeepers at Embaixada! Plan to spend 15 to 30 minutes wandering around inside.
Stop at a rooftop bar for snacks and cocktails
Lisbon has so many cute rooftop restaurants and bars! Rest your feet somewhere with a good view & admire the city with a drink in your hand. We loved the rooftop terrace at the Memmo Hotel in Alfama.
Pink Street
This one is for all of you photo lovers… Pink Street is not only part of Bairro Alto’s nightlife scene as it is home to many bars and clubs, but it is also an iconic photo spot for travelers to stop and take photos on the painted pink concrete. Stop by here in the late morning to get a great photo for your Instagram feed!
Timeout Market
Visit the Timeout Market for a unique culinary experience. This indoor cafeteria-style market is home to dozens of local food vendors. You can find light bites, traditional Portuguese meals, Italian, sushi, donut shops, and more! This spot should be on the top of your list when deciding where to eat in Lisbon.
Comment your Lisbon tips and experiences below!
