The 15 Very Best Things to Do in Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon was another one of our favourite city breaks and up there with Athens. Not only was it a welcome bit of sunshine and warmth in the middle of the UK winter, but it’s full of history, colour, beauty and all the Pastéis de Nata you could wish for! If you don’t know what that is, keep reading!

Lisbon’s climate is favourable year-round, making it a great destination to visit at any time. We stayed in winter, and there was a slight chill in the evening, but otherwise the weather was excellent and warm enough during the day for lighter clothing.

Interestingly, Lisbon is built on a group of seven hills, which are: Graça, Castle, São Jorge, Santa Catarina, Santo André, São Roque, and São Vicente, and they offer some epic views of the city. But they also provide epic walks up and down, so be prepared for that. Or catch the tram we mentioned in this list!

Lisbon is also a travel photographer’s dream because it’s so colourful and features striking architecture throughout the city. You’ll also notice the wonderfully tiled buildings dotted around Lisbon – each one worth a picture. Lisbon is also more relaxed than we are used to for a capital city, which is an accolade for the city. So, without further ado, read on to discover the best things to do in Lisbon!

1 | Ride Historic Tram Route 28

Riding the Historic Tram Route 28 is a must, and that’s why it’s first up on our list of things to do in Lisbon. It’s a traditional tram line that opened in 1873 and runs through the city’s historic neighbourhoods, including Alfama, Baixa, and Graça. It’ll take you past some of Lisbon’s most iconic sights and landmarks, and the wonderful little streets of which Lisbon has an abundance.

The trams are vintage and are considered a piece of living history; they are also known as “bondinho” in Portuguese. The route is roughly 5 miles long and will take an hour to complete. And if you don’t fancy catching the tram, walk instead. You can follow the tracks and take in the sights at your own pace. Be aware – you’ll be walking up some pretty steep hills!

2 | Admire the Views

There are a couple of superb viewpoints in Lisbon. That’s the perk of a city built on a load of hills – great views! The two worth visiting are the Graça viewpoint and the Miradouro de Santa Luzia. You’ll get panoramic views of Lisbon from both and can see Lisbon Cathedral, the castle, and the river. Graça’s viewpoint is higher and farther from the city centre, but it’s worth the visit. If you’re a bit parched, you’ll also find a small cafe up there, if you’re a bit parched!

3 | Visit Castelo de S. Jorge

The Castelo de São Jorge is a medieval castle located in the historic Alfama neighbourhood of Lisbon. The castle was built in the 11th century by the Moors, who ruled the city at the time, and you can view exhibits on the castle’s and the city’s history, as well as archaeological finds from the castle’s past. One of the best features of Castelo de São Jorge is the views of Lisbon. Beautiful.

4 | Visit Lisbon Cathedral

The Lisbon Cathedral, also known as the Sé de Lisboa, is a Roman Catholic church in the Alfama neighbourhood of Lisbon. You’ll pass it if you take Tram Route 28! It is the city’s oldest church, built in the 12th century in the Romanesque-Gothic style. We love a good church building at The Bumper Crew, and although Lisbon Cathedral isn’t as grand as some, like in Belgium, it’s worth a visit.

5 | Relax at Praça do Comércio

Praça do Comércio, also known as Terreiro do Paço, is Lisbon’s main square; once the site of the Royal Palace, it was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. After the disaster, the square was rebuilt and became the city’s central commercial hub. Elegant 18th-century buildings surround the square, and it is a great place to relax in the afternoon sun. Maybe even with a beer!

6 | Take the Elevador da Bica

The Elevador da Bica is a funicular railway in Lisbon’s Bica neighbourhood and is pretty old. It was built in 1982 to connect the lower streets of Bica with the higher streets of Calçada do Combro. The funicular railway is a short ride, 250 metres or so, but offers some decent views of Lisbon. The funicular is small and runs frequently, and it’s a cheap way to get up yet another hill of Lisbon. As with tram route 28, we recommend walking up (or down) if you can manage it. A few streets splinter off on the way up that are worth a wander down.

7 | Ride in the Santa Justa Lift

The Santa Justa Lift is a cool elevator built in 1902 to connect the lower streets of Baixa with the higher streets of Carmo, providing a convenient way for people to get between the two neighbourhoods. The elevator is a unique and impressive piece of engineering, and it looks pretty cool, too. The lift rises 45 meters and offers panoramic views of the city from the top. The famous landmark elevator is busy, so be prepared.

8 | Be a Foodie at Time Out Market Lisbon

This one is for the foodies! The Time Out Market Lisbon, also known as Mercado da Ribeira, is a food market in Lisbon you can’t miss. It’s housed in a restored 19th-century market building. It features a wide selection of food and drink from some of the city’s best chefs and restaurateurs, from traditional Portuguese dishes to international fare. You can even get your hands on wine, cheese, and crafts. The Time Out Market Lisbon is a great place to experience the city’s diverse culinary scene and a perfect spot to stop for lunch.

9 | Visit Belém Tower

The Belém Tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Belém, a short distance from Lisbon’s city centre and a must-see for anyone visiting the city. It was built in the early 16th century as a defensive fortification and a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. The tower is an excellent example of the Manueline architectural style and features intricate stone carvings and ornate decoration, making it a perfect subject for the photographer in you.

Interestingly, Belém Tower has served as a prison, a customs house, and a naval academy, and you can climb to the top for panoramic views of the city and the River Tagus. To help plan your itinerary, Belém Tower is ideally located near the following items on our list of things to do in Lisbon.

10 | Admire Padrão dos Descobrimentos

The Padrão dos Descobrimentos is another must-visit location in Belém. It was built in the 1950s to commemorate the Portuguese Age of Discovery, during which Portuguese navigators explored and mapped much of the world. The Padrão dos Descobrimentos is a notable piece of stonework with some unique carvings worth a few photos. If you’d like, you can head up the monument for more panoramic views of the city, but it’s not worth it if you’ve already been up Belém Tower, as the views are essentially the same.

11 | Visit Jerónimos Monastery

Jerónimos Monastery is another UNESCO World Heritage site in Lisbon, also in the Belém district. It was built in the early 16th century during the Portuguese Age of Discovery and features some of the city’s finest architecture, with ornate decoration and intricate stone carvings. The monastery is now a museum open to the public and a must-see for anyone visiting Lisbon, especially if you’re interested in Portugal’s history and culture.

12 | Eat Pastéis de Nata

You can’t visit Lisbon without trying a Pastel de Nata. Pastel de nata, a Portuguese custard tart, is a traditional Portuguese puff pastry filled with a yummy custard made from egg yolks, sugar, and cream. This yummy snack is believed to have originated from the Jerónimos Monastery.

Pastel de Nata is sold in bakeries all over the city, but there are one or two special spots you might want to visit to get your hands on one. The first is the Pastéis de Belém, which started baking the “Pastéis de Belém” back in 1837 with, supposedly, the original recipe from the monks of Jerónimos Monastery. It gets pretty busy, and you might find a significant queue. If you are willing to queue, do it; if not, head to the Cantinho da Sé in Alfama, right next to Lisbon Cathedral, and while you’re there, try the macaroons – you won’t regret it!

13 | Visit the National Sanctuary of Christ the King

The National Sanctuary of Christ the King is a trek, given it’s on the other side of the river from Lisbon, but it’s well worth the effort. The structure is massive, and you will only believe how big it is once you get right up to it. It’s hard to describe how big it is, but it’s 110 metres tall and built entirely of concrete.

Inspired by the Christ the Redeemer statue of Rio de Janeiro, it was built in 1959 to express thanks to the Portuguese for being spared the effects of the Second World War. It’s not only an impressive structure. The views are also remarkable, offering a panoramic view of the city and the 25 de Abril Bridge. To get there, we’d recommend taking the ferry and bus. Head to Cais do Sodré Ferry Terminal and look for the ferry to Cacilhas. Once you’re across, head to the bus station and look for bus number 101. It will take you to the monument, where admission to the viewing platform costs just a few Euros.

14 | Listen to Fado

If you are visiting Lisbon, listening to Fado is a must. Fado is a traditional and popular Portuguese musical form and an essential part of Portuguese culture. So much so that UNESCO has recognised it as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The origins of Fado are not well known. It’s thought to have developed in the early 19th century in Lisbon and other coastal cities, with influences from Brazilian, African, and European folk music.

And the best part is you will find it in many restaurants across the city without making any special effort. We recommend Bistrô Gato Pardo. The food’s great, as is the Fado, but make sure you don’t make any noise when they are playing – you will be told off!

15 | Find the History of Lisbon Mural

One last little thing to do in Lisbon, if you’re passing, is to pop into the tunnel to see the History of Lisbon Mural by Nuno Saraiva. It’s a large-scale mural by Portuguese artist Nuno Saraiva that depicts the history of Lisbon. It’s worth visiting if you enjoy art, as it’s considered one of the city’s most iconic works of urban art. If you’re not into art, you might appreciate the pictured history. If you like neither art nor history, give it a miss.

What is the best time to travel to Lisbon?

Depending on your heat preferences, it will determine the best way to travel to Lisbon. The summer months of July and August have highs of 28 °C and lows of 18 °C. January is the coldest month, with highs of 15 °C and lows of 8 °C. January also has the most rain, averaging 10 days.

Are three days in Lisbon enough?

Three days in Lisbon is a suitable time to explore the city and get the most out of your time, especially if you plan to use our list of things to do in Lisbon!

What’s Lisbon famous for?

Lisbon is famous for a few things, including Fado, a Portuguese musical style, the wonderfully colourful buildings around the city, and the seven hills on which it is built. But there are many more things to discover in Lisbon than these few things, which you will find on our list of things to do in Lisbon.

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