Lisbon was not easy for me, because a few years before I visited it for the first time I was already clear that it couldn’t be nicer than Porto. So despite the fact that I loved it so much, and despite the fact that they have that famous factory for my beloved pastel de nata, it didn’t get the top spot for me, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t go back any time soon if I had the chance.
Tip: The most popular places to go on a trip from Lisbon are Sintra, Cascais and Cabo da Roca. If you’re not driving, the easiest way to do them in one day is by taking a group tour. Or you can enjoy a foodtour with wine tasting in Lisbon.
Tickets and experiences in Lisbon
Lisbon is a city where it pays to book a few things in advance. Especially in high season, the most popular attractions can sell out for days.
- São Jorge Castle – a ticket to Moorish Castle with one of the best views of Lisbon, the Tagus River and the red rooftops of Alfama.
- Jerónimos Monastery – Manueline Gothic in Portugal, there are often queues here, even for an hour.
- A ride on the historic Tram 28 – the iconic yellow tram travels through Lisbon’s most beautiful neighbourhoods, from Alfama to Estrela.
- Sunset cruise on the Tejo River – sunset from the boat overlooking the 25th of April Bridge and Belém.
- Wine and Port Tasting – Portugal has great wine and there are plenty of places in Lisbon where you can taste it with expert guidance.
- A trip to Sintra from Lisbon – fabulous palaces and gardens less than an hour from Lisbon. One of the most popular day trips in all of Portugal.
- Pastel de nata baking workshop – if you want to know how to make Portuguese cookies at home.
Where to stay in Lisbon
As well as living right in the historic centre, the Baixa, Lisbon offers other quite interesting neighbourhoods with a nice atmosphere. Alfama is a picturesque neighbourhood with narrow streets, beautiful views and traditional Portuguese houses.
Barrio Alto is a very lively neighbourhood with a rich nightlife, bars and live music, popular especially with young people. A quieter part of town with monuments and parks is Belém.
Tips for accommodation in Lisbon
- Figuera by the Beautique Hotels & Spa – Modern rooms in the middle of Lisbon’s old town, hotel with spa and restaurant.
- The Central House Lisbon Baixa – a modern hostel in the centre, I’ve stayed here and can only recommend it, the ground floor is a nice space to work, there are both hostel and private rooms.
- 1869 Príncipe Real House – Modern rooms decorated in Portuguese style in a somewhat secluded corner in the tourist centre of Lisbon.
Foodie duties in Lisbon
There are two things in Lisbon that not only foodies should not miss.
Time Out Market
Alternatively, the Mercado de Ribeira in the Cais do Sodré district is the place to sample a lot of Portuguese gastronomy under one roof. There are stalls of top restaurants, food, drinks and sweets.
Time Out Market opened in 2014. Lisbon-based Time Out magazine has curated a selection of restaurants, bistros, bars and shops featuring products from Portugal’s best chefs and brands. This transformed the original historic Mercado de Ribeira market into a modern concept.
You can taste Pastéis de Nata cakes from one of Lisbon’s best pastry shops , Manteigaria. Seafood at the Marisqueira Azul stand or chocolate cake from Nos e Mais Bolos.
Patisserie Pasteís de Belém
Belem’s cookies, pastéis de nata, are famous and widespread throughout Portugal and quite a lot of neighbouring Spain. They originate in Lisbon, in the district of Belém.
You can buy them literally on every corner in Lisbon. But such a traditional, unmissable (and tourist-filled) place to go for them is the Pastéis de Belém pastry shop near the Jerónimos Monastery.
The confectionery was founded in 1837. Originally, the Belém cakes were prepared by the monks at the Jerome Monastery, who sold them to secure funding. After the dissolution of the monasteries in the 19th century, the recipe was passed on to the owners of the Pastéis de Belém, where it is still made today.
The recipe for (these particular) cookies is still a secret, known only to a select few pastry chefs. There can be a long queue, but the patisserie is huge, it goes fast. Order more cakes at once, one is never enough!
What to see in Lisbon
Lisbon is a beautiful city, one of those cities where you can be enchanted just by the ordinary streets and architecture and the countless views. It doesn’t really need monuments, although there are plenty of those too.
Castelo de São Jorge
The castle, whose walls offer a beautiful view of the whole of Lisbon and whose history dates back to the 6th century. It is located in the historic Alfama district on the Colina de São Jorge hill, one of the seven hills of Lisbon that make up the city’s characteristic topography. It overlooks the Tagus River, the city centre and other hills.
It’s on a hill, but you can get up the Elevador Castillo elevator to the 7th floor. Or you can take the historic tram 28 from the centre, which stops just outside the entrance.
Mosterio dos Jerónimos
The Jerome Monastery is one of the most important symbols of the Portuguese era of overseas discovery and Manueline architecture. It was built to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s return from his journey to India and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is in Lisbon’s Belém district, near the Tejo River.
This imposing monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a wonderful place to admire the ornate portals, monastery gardens and tombs of notable figures such as the Portuguese poet Luís de Camões and the seafarer Vasco da Gama.
The construction of the monastery was begun in 1501 by order of King Manuel I. It was financed by the wealth obtained from the spice trade. The monastery was entrusted to the Order of St. Jerome, which provided spiritual support for the sailors. The construction took more than 100 years and the best architects of the time were involved in its design. It combines Gothic and Renaissance elements with maritime motifs such as ropes, anchors and exotic plants.
The south entrance portal is the work of architect João de Castilho and depicts statues of saints, Portuguese kings and scenes from the Bible. One of the most beautiful places in the monastery is the Stations of the Cross, with its elegant arches and carved details.
The temple contains the tomb of the famous sailor Vasco de Gama and the poet Luís de Camões, who is considered a Portuguese national hero. There is also a maritime museum, a museum of archaeology and the Church of Saint Mary.
To get to the monastery, take tram 15, it’s on the way to the Monument to the Discoverers and the Belém Tower, so it’s best to take it in one trip.
Torre de Belém
The Belém Tower is a defensive tower built in 1519 on the banks of the Tejo River. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its main function was to protect the harbour and welcome ships returning from their voyages. It was originally built on a small island in the middle of the river, but today, due to changes in the flow of the Tejo, it is located on the bank.
The tower is decorated with ropes, spheres, marine elements and sculptures, including the iconic figure of a rhinoceros, which refers to one of the first animals brought from India. Inside the tower there are several floors that include barracks, a chapel and a small prison. A narrow spiral staircase leads to the top of the tower, where there are spectacular panoramic views of Lisbon and the Tagus River.
Monument to the Discoverers
Padrão dos Descobrimentos is a monument that celebrates the era of Portuguese overseas discoveries and the personalities who contributed to them. It is on the banks of the Tagus River, near the Tower of Belém and the Jerónimos Monastery.
Each of the 33 statues on the monument (including Vasco de Gama, Francis Xavier, Ferdinand Magellan, Bartolomeo Dias and Pedro Nunes) has its own place on the “ship”, symbolising Portugal’s collective efforts during the Golden Age of Discovery.
On the ground in front of the monument is a large mosaic map of the world, made of marble. This rosette was a gift from South Africa in 1960 and shows world maps with the routes of Portuguese voyages of discovery.
Inside the monument there is an elevator that takes you to the top, where you can enjoy a magnificent 360° view of Belém.
Tram number 28
Tram cars 28 are historic “Remodelado” models from the 1930s that have been modernized to meet today’s safety standards, but still have an authentic retro look.
The tram passes through some of Lisbon’s most picturesque and oldest neighbourhoods. If you want a chance at a seat, get on at the Martim Moniz departure station. It passes through Graça (with the Miradouro da Graça overlook), Lisbon’s oldest district full of narrow streets, Alfama, Lisbon’s Sé de Lisboa Cathedral, Praça Luís de Camões Square near the Bairro Alto district or the baroque Estrela Basilica.
The tram passes through some of Lisbon’s most picturesque and oldest neighbourhoods, such as Graça, Alfama, Baixa and Estrela. These neighbourhoods are full of narrow streets, historic buildings, churches and viewpoints.
Cristo Rei
The statue of Christ the King is a monumental statue in the Almada area, on the south side of the Tagus River, directly opposite Lisbon. It was inspired by the famous Cristo Redentor statue in Rio de Janeiro and has a beautiful view of Lisbon and the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge. Its resemblance to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is also not accidental.
The main motive is gratitude for the protection of Portugal, which survived the Second World War without direct involvement in the conflict. The statue itself is 28 metres tall, but with the base it reaches 110 metres and is one of the tallest statues in Europe. Christ has his arms outstretched, symbolizing protection and love. The viewing platform can be reached by stairs or elevator.
You can take the ferry across the river to Alameda, then take the 101 bus straight up to Cristo Rei.
LX Factory
A creative and cultural district in the former industrial area of Alcântara near the Tejo River. Originally a textile factory, it is now a centre that combines art, design, gastronomy and culture. You’ll find cafés, restaurants and bars, design boutiques, galleries, lots of street art and the Livraria Ler Devagar, one of the most famous bookstores in Lisbon.
Where to go on a trip from Lisbon
Lisbon itself will keep you entertained for a few days, but there are some very interesting places to see in the vicinity.
Sintra
A fairytale town with magnificent palaces, castles and gardens that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is about 30 kilometres from Lisbon and is reached by train. The concentration of palaces and especially the architecture, which you won’t find elsewhere, is definitely worth a look. You’ll have all day to do here (and it will be a very busy day).
Cabo da Roca
The westernmost point of mainland Europe is about 40 kilometres from Lisbon. Technically, there’s not much here except a lighthouse and impressive cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Plus, it’s quite windy and a bit cooler here than elsewhere, but if you like these “significant points on the map”, they’re not to be missed.
Cascais
A seaside town with beautiful beaches and a harbour about 30 kilometres from Lisbon. I recommend coming here if you want to enjoy the sea, the tranquillity and walking on the beach.
Évora
A historic city with rich culture and monuments. There is a Roman temple, a cathedral or an ossuary. Évora is about 130 km from Lisbon by train.
Where is Lisbon
Lisbon (Lisboa) is the capital of Portugal and is located in the west of the country, on the banks of the River Tagus, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Just outside Lisbon is the westernmost point of mainland Europe, Cabo da Roca. So it is also the westernmost European capital.
How to get to Lisbon city centre
Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), formerly Lisbon Portela, is about 6 kilometres from the centre. A special airport Aerobus, line 1, runs to the centre in just over 30 minutes and stops at several different stops. It runs every 20 minutes, costs 4 euros one way, 6 euros return.
A cheaper and approximately equally fast option is to take the metro. The red line (Linha Vermelha) goes to São Sebastião or Alameda station, where you can change depending on where you need to go.
