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17 Top Things To Do In Lisbon, Portugal
- Authors
- Name
- Jonathan Chum
- @jchum
Introduction
Lisbon is one of Europe's most underrated cities. It's vibrant, historic, and affordable, with a unique mix of cultures that makes it unlike any other city in the world. The best part? You don't need to speak Portuguese or understand the culture to enjoy yourself.
Go on a free walking tour
One of the best ways to get your bearings in Lisbon is by going on a free walking tour. These tours can be found all over the city, and are offered in several languages (English is one). Your tour guide will take you through the most important historical sights and give you plenty of information about each one, as well as Portuguese culture more generally.
If there's anything specific about Lisbon that interests you---whether it's history or food---you might want to book a private tour instead of just taking a general one. Private tours allow you to explore your interests at greater length and may give better insight into those topics than a group walk would provide.
If you find yourself unhappy with any aspect of your experience on either kind of guided walk, don't hesitate to leave---there's no obligation for anyone who takes part! Just don't forget about tipping if someone has been helpful or informative enough for it; tipping is customary in Portugal whenever someone helps with something big like moving furniture
Visit the TimeOut Market
The TimeOut Market is one of the best places to visit in Lisbon. It's a great place to eat, shop, and drink. The market is located at Cais do Sodre, which is near the city center of Lisbon. There are over 100 food stalls and 30 bars and restaurants that you can choose from when visiting the market. There's also an area called "Vintage" where you can find vintage clothing stores as well as other types of shops selling all kinds of things like jewelry and accessories, furniture, home decor items, etc.
Tour the Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery
The Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery are a must-see while in Lisbon. The tower gives you the best view of the city, and it's also an easy walk from the port where you arrive. The monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it has some important historical significance to Portugal. Even if you don't go inside, there are plenty of places to take photos around this structure.
It's free to visit both attractions on foot or by public transportation (though there's no access to wheelchairs at either location).
Take a sunset cruise on the Tagus River
If you're looking for a more active way to see the city, consider taking a sunset cruise on the Tagus River. It's a great way to see the city from a different perspective and enjoy some wine while watching the sun set over Lisbon's stunning skyline.
Visit the Casa-Museu
The Casa-Museu is a museum of modern art that is located on the slopes of Lisbon city center. It has a collection of paintings, sculptures, and installations by artists such as Henrique Oliveira, Paula Rego, Miguel Rio Branco, and Rui Pinto Guedes.
It's open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Ride Lisbon's historic Tram 28
Located in the center of Lisbon, Tram 28 is one of the oldest trams in the city. It runs from Praça da Figueira to Largo da Anunciada, making it convenient for tourists who want to get out and see Lisbon's main attractions. A ride on this tram is an amazing way to see much of what makes this vibrant city so special: its beautiful buildings, bustling markets, and bustling streets. The tram also passes by many historical sites including Carmo Convent and St Lawrence Church (Igreja de São Lourenço). This historic vehicle is also known as "Elevador da Bica" because it used to climb up steep hills using cable cars that were powered by water pumps called elevators (bicas). Today you can still see these old elevators on your ride with Tram 28!
Eat at A Cevicheria for lunch
There's plenty of great food in Lisbon, but no trip to the city is complete without eating at A Cevicheria. This restaurant serves classic Portuguese dishes alongside an extensive list of ceviche options. The menu includes classics like fish salad and octopus salad, as well as more unique options including their shrimp ceviche which is served with corn on the cob, and a Peruvian-style causa (potato cake).
If you're not familiar with this style of cuisine yet, it can be hard to know what to order. For starters, don't miss out on one of their classic seafood dishes such as grilled sardines or octopus croquettes---both are delicious! If you're feeling adventurous then opt for something new by trying something from their extensive ceviche menus such as shrimp causa or even dessert ceviche balls!
Catch the sunset at Miradouro d'Alfama, aka the Alfama Viewpoint
If you're looking for a great place to watch the sunset, the Miradouro d'Alfama is one of Lisbon's best viewpoints. This viewpoint is located in the oldest district in Lisbon and will give you some nice views of the city. It's also a short walk from Carreiro da Trindade tram stop, so it can easily be reached by public transportation as well.
The only downside is that it's not possible to go up there by elevator or stairs; you have to walk up a steep hill on uneven paths. However, if you're fit enough to handle this challenge, this viewpoint is worth visiting! The view from here is great and if you time your trip right then there are even chances that people will be singing fado songs while looking at their beloved city below them. And if all else fails: there are some great restaurants nearby where you can enjoy yourself after watching all those beautiful sunsets in Lisbon!
Take a day trip to Sintra to visit The Pena Palace or Moors Castle
If you're looking for a day trip, Sintra is a small town about 30 minutes from Lisbon. It's known for its beautiful castle and nature park and has a Moorish influence. This makes it perfect for anyone who wants to see a bit of history as well as enjoy some nature.
Visit Sintra
Sintra is a town and municipality in the Lisbon District of Portugal, located about 40 km (25 mi) from the capital Lisbon. The historic center of Sintra is renowned for its romantic architecture, cultural landmarks, and nature parks. The area has become a major tourist destination attracting both native and foreign visitors. It was classified as World Heritage by UNESCO due to its rich architectural heritage 1990.
It has a population of 20 000 inhabitants with 7 857 households (2001). Its inhabitants are known as Sãotenses or São-tenses meaning "people of Sintra" in the Portuguese language.
The municipality consists of the following parishes: Alvito; Castanheira do Ribatejo; Colares; Encosta do Sol; Ferrel; Lourinhãis da Serra de Aire e Candeeiros; Odivelas Norte - Santa Maria dos Olivais (also part of Lisbon); Odivelas Sul - Santa Maria dos Olivais (also part of Lisbon); Rio das Pedras - Simões de Abreu e Vale da Amoreira), Rio das Pedras Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Vila Vicosa)
See the Lisbon Oceanarium
Location: Belém
Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm and offers a permanent exhibition of sea life. There are also 3 interactive areas that you can explore, including an aquarium with sharks, rays, and manta rays; a dolphinarium that allows you to get up close with dolphins and seals; and a tropical garden where you can see some endangered species such as green iguanas and piranhas in their natural habitat.
Ticket prices range from €16 to €23 depending on whether you choose to visit just the Oceanarium or go on one of its guided tours.
Explore Belem
Belem is a neighborhood in Lisbon, and it's known for its monuments and museums. The neighborhood is a popular tourist destination because of its proximity to the Tagus River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Belem has several attractions that are well worth exploring:
Portuguese Museum of Contemporary Art (Museu Colecção Berardo)
Jeronimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos)
Tower of Belem (Torre de Belém)
Walk along the waterfront promenade
Lisbon is a great city to walk around. The seafront, or beachfront, is an excellent place to stroll on a sunny day and watch the sunset over Lisbon's bay. While you're at it, take in the cruise ships coming into port and see how many people are enjoying some time off in your favorite European city.
Another great activity is walking along the seafront right as dawn breaks. You can see all of those boats leaving for their morning fishing trip---and if you're lucky, there may even be some dolphins swimming nearby!
Explore the Alfama District
Alfama is the oldest district of Lisbon and has narrow streets, cobbled alleyways, and a castle. In the evening, many bars and restaurants are open to people strolling around. It's worth exploring as it has so much to offer you: a place for great food and drinks, lively nightlife, and shopping.
See the National Tile Museum in Lisbon
The National Tile Museum is a beautiful building in the heart of Lisbon, but it's not just for looks---it has an impressive collection of tiles from all over the world.
The museum is open every day except Mondays, and there's no admission fee.
Rua de Sofia is one of the major streets in Lisbon, so it's easy to find!
See Castelo de S. Jorge
Castelo de S. Jorge is a castle in Lisbon, and it's located on top of a hill in Lisbon. It was built in the 12th century to protect Lisbon from invaders, so it's one of the best views of Lisbon. It has been used as a prison since 1806, but now you can visit it for free---and even walk around inside! You can see where prisoners were kept and learn about their lives there through interactive exhibits and displays. If you're interested in learning more about why this castle was built, there is also a museum inside that tells its story from beginning to end: how it was constructed by King Alfonso Henriques (a Roman-styled name meaning "Alfonso Henry"), who ruled Portugal from 1114 until he died in 1112; how his successors continued to rule over Portugal until 1255; what happened during this period that led up to its construction; how long each king lived at Castelo de S. Jorge before he died; what role Castelo de S. Jorge played during each reign; who built/rebuilt parts after they fell into disrepair or were damaged due to wars between Portugal & Spain (including World War II).
Take the tram up and down Lisbon's hills
One of the best ways to get around Lisbon is by using the tram. It's an affordable, convenient way to get from place to place, especially if you're staying in the city center or close by. You can even use it as your mode of transportation from the airport! The route connects many major tourist attractions and areas within a town like Belém, Alfama, and Baixa-Chiado. Make sure you check out all of these incredible sights while riding on top (or below)of this fascinating mode of transportation!
Conclusion
Lisbon is a city that's perfect for anyone looking to get out of their comfort zone. It's a city full of history, culture, and beauty that will leave you with a new perspective on life. Whether you want to learn more about Portugal or just take in some fresh air along the Tagus River, Lisbon has something for everyone!