Best Things to Do in Lisbon | Portugal
Updated: 16 hours ago
Lisbon is one of those European cities that has a little bit of everything: beautiful architecture, historic neighbourhoods, incredible viewpoints, delicious food, and a lovely atmosphere.
In this article, I'm sharing the best things to see and do in Lisbon, including the main attractions, my rooftop recommendations, and some traditional Portuguese dishes you should definitely try!
All the places you can see in my YouTube video at the bottom of the article ⬇️
Explore Lisbon's Historic Centre
Wander Through Alfama
Alfama is one of Lisbon's oldest and most charming neighbourhoods, famous for its narrow cobbled streets, colourful buildings, and traditional Portuguese atmosphere. It's the kind of place where I'd recommend simply wandering around without a strict plan. You'll discover little squares, beautiful tiled buildings, local cafés, and viewpoints overlooking the city.
Alfama is also known for fado, Portugal's traditional music. If you want to experience something local in the evening, consider visiting a fado restaurant or attending a live performance.
Visit São Jorge Castle
Perched on one of Lisbon's highest hills, Castelo de São Jorge is one of the city's most famous landmarks. The castle has a fascinating history, with fortifications dating back to the medieval period. Today, you can explore its walls, towers, and gardens while enjoying panoramic views over Lisbon and the Tagus River. Even if you're not particularly interested in castles, the views alone make it worth considering.
Enjoy Lisbon's Beautiful Viewpoints
Lisbon is famous for its hills, which means you'll find incredible viewpoints, known locally as miradouros, throughout the city. Some of the best include:
Miradouro de Santa Luzia: A lovely terrace in Alfama with beautiful tiles and views over the rooftops and river.
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte: One of Lisbon's best panoramic viewpoints, particularly beautiful around sunset.
Miradouro das Portas do Sol: A popular viewpoint overlooking Alfama and the Tagus River.
Ride the Famous Tram 28
You've probably seen photographs of Lisbon's iconic yellow trams travelling through narrow streets. Tram 28 is particularly famous because its route passes through several historic neighbourhoods, including Graça, Alfama, and Estrela. It's a fun way to experience Lisbon, but keep in mind that it can get extremely crowded, especially during the summer.
Visit Rossio Square
Rossio Square, officially Praça Dom Pedro IV, is one of Lisbon's main public squares and a lovely place to stop while exploring the city centre. It's surrounded by beautiful historic buildings, cafés, and restaurants. The square is particularly famous for its black-and-white wave-patterned pavement. You'll also find the impressive National Theatre D. Maria II overlooking the square.
Explore Praça do Comércio
Praça do Comércio is one of Lisbon's most impressive squares, located right beside the Tagus River. Surrounded by grand yellow buildings, the square was once home to Portugal's royal palace before the devastating earthquake of 1755. Today, it's a beautiful open space with restaurants, cafés, and lovely river views. Don't miss the impressive Arco da Rua Augusta, which connects the square with Rua Augusta, one of Lisbon's main pedestrian shopping streets.
See the Santa Justa Lift
The Santa Justa Lift is one of Lisbon's most recognisable attractions. Built in the early 20th century, this beautiful iron elevator connects the lower Baixa district with the higher Carmo area. Its unusual architecture makes it worth seeing, although the queues to ride it can be quite long.
My tip: If you're mainly interested in the views, you can reach the upper Carmo area on foot without taking the elevator.
A great way to explore the historic center and learn more about the city is with one of the free walking tours.
Discover the Historic Attractions in Belém
Belém is located west of Lisbon's historic centre and is home to some of Portugal's most famous monuments. I'd recommend exploring these attractions together, as they're relatively close to one another.
Visit Jerónimos Monastery
Jerónimos Monastery is one of Lisbon's most impressive historic buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built during Portugal's Age of Discoveries, the monastery is famous for its elaborate Manueline architecture, beautiful cloisters, and incredible stone carvings. It's one of the most important landmarks in Lisbon and definitely worth visiting if you enjoy history and architecture. The monastery is very popular, so I'd recommend checking ticket availability and opening hours in advance.
See Belém Tower
Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Lisbon's most photographed landmarks. Built in the early 16th century, the tower originally formed part of the defensive system protecting Lisbon's harbour and became a symbol of Portugal's maritime history. Located along the Tagus River, it's a beautiful monument to admire, even if you don't go inside.
Visit Padrão dos Descobrimentos
Another impressive monument in Belém is Padrão dos Descobrimentos, also known as the Monument to the Discoveries. The monument celebrates figures associated with Portugal's maritime explorations during the 15th and 16th centuries. Its unusual design resembles the front of a ship, with sculptures of historical figures along its sides. You can admire it from the waterfront, and when visitor access is available, the upper viewpoint offers beautiful views over the river and surrounding area. The monument is also an opportunity to learn about Portugal's maritime expansion and its complicated colonial history.
Visit Parque das Nações
If you have more time in Lisbon, consider exploring Parque das Nações, a modern waterfront district built around the site of Expo '98. It's quite different from Lisbon's historic centre, with contemporary architecture, wide promenades, and family-friendly attractions.
Visit Lisbon Oceanarium
Oceanário de Lisboa is one of the city's most popular attractions, especially for families and anyone interested in marine life. The aquarium is famous for its enormous central tank, surrounded by exhibits featuring marine environments from different parts of the world. You'll see a wide variety of marine animals, including sharks, rays, and colourful fish.
Enjoy the Lisbon Cable Car
Another attraction in Parque das Nações is the Lisbon Cable Car (Telecabine Lisboa). The cable car travels along the waterfront, offering lovely views over the Tagus River, the Vasco da Gama Bridge, and the modern architecture of the area. It's a relatively short ride, but a fun experience if you're already visiting the Oceanarium or exploring Parque das Nações. I wouldn't travel across Lisbon just for the cable car, but it's a nice addition to a visit to this part of the city.
More Things to Do in Lisbon
Enjoy Lisbon's Rooftop Bars and Terraces
One thing I really enjoy about Lisbon is its rooftop terraces. With the city built across so many hills, there are some fantastic places to enjoy a drink while admiring the views.
Two places I'd recommend looking into are:
Silk Club: A stylish rooftop venue in central Lisbon, known for its city views and elegant atmosphere. It's a lovely option for an evening out, particularly if you're looking for somewhere a little more sophisticated.
Noobai: Located near Miradouro de Santa Catarina, Noobai is known for its relaxed terrace atmosphere and beautiful views towards the Tagus River. It's a great location for enjoying Lisbon's scenery, particularly around sunset.
Try Traditional Portuguese Food
You can't visit Lisbon without trying some traditional Portuguese food! The city has plenty of lovely restaurants, traditional cafés, and bakeries where you can discover local specialities.
Here are some dishes I'd recommend trying:
Pastéis de Nata - Probably Portugal's most famous sweet treat! These little custard tarts have a crispy pastry shell and creamy filling, often served with cinnamon. You'll find them in bakeries all over Lisbon, but Belém is particularly famous for its traditional custard tarts.
Bacalhau à Brás - A popular Portuguese dish made with shredded salted cod, potatoes, onions, and eggs. Codfish, known as bacalhau, is an important part of Portuguese cuisine, and you'll find many different ways of preparing it.
Sardinhas Assadas - Grilled sardines are especially popular during Lisbon's summer festivities, particularly in June. They're usually served simply, often with bread, potatoes, or salad.
How Many Days Do You Need in Lisbon?
I'd recommend spending at least two to three days in Lisbon to explore the main attractions without rushing. With two days, you can focus on the historic centre, Alfama, the main viewpoints, and Belém. If you have three days, you'll have more time to explore Parque das Nações, visit museums, and enjoy Lisbon's restaurants and rooftop terraces. If you're staying longer, you can also consider day trips to nearby destinations such as Sintra, Ericeira, or Cascais.
Read More: 5 Best Day Trips from Lisbon
More Portugal Travel Guides:
FAQ: Visiting Lisbon, Portugal
Is Lisbon worth visiting?
Absolutely! Lisbon is a beautiful city with historic neighbourhoods, impressive architecture, fantastic viewpoints, delicious food, and a lively atmosphere. It's a great destination for a weekend city break or a longer holiday.
What are the must-see attractions in Lisbon?
Some of Lisbon's most famous attractions include Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, São Jorge Castle, Alfama, Praça do Comércio, and the city's beautiful viewpoints.
How many days are enough for Lisbon?
Two to three days are enough to see most of Lisbon's main attractions. I'd recommend three days if you want to explore at a more relaxed pace.
Is Lisbon walkable?
Yes, many of Lisbon's main attractions can be explored on foot. However, the city is very hilly, and some streets are steep. Public transport, including trams, buses, and the metro, can make getting around easier.
Is Belém within walking distance of central Lisbon?
Belém is several kilometres west of the historic centre, so I'd recommend taking public transport or a taxi rather than walking there and back, especially if you have limited time.
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