Best Things to Do in Lisbon, Portugal: Complete Travel Guide
Lisbon is a city where old-world charm meets modern energy. Its steep, winding streets and colorful tiled facades feel straight out of a storybook, inviting you to get delightfully lost wandering among its many neighborhoods. Add in mouthwatering pastries, the soulful sounds of Fado, and day trips to breathtaking architectural gems, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an unforgettable vacation. These are our favorite things to do in Lisbon, whether you’re visiting for the first time or ready to experience the city again.
1. Eat Pastel de Nata
We made it a personal goal to eat at least one pastel de nata a day. These flaky little pastries, with their creamy custard centers and caramelized tops, are little bites of heaven. It’s hard to find good authentic pasteis de nata outside of Portugal, so we made sure to enjoy our fill while we were there.
While wandering through Lisbon’s neighborhoods, we always made time to stop for a little sugar fix. These spots are home to some of the city’s most famous pasteis de nata, each with its own delicious spin on the classic.
- Casa Brasileira (Baixa, near Rossio train station)
- Confeitaria Nacional (Baixa, near Rossio train station)
- Manteigaria (Bairro Alto)
- Pasteis de Belem (Belem)
2. Time Out Market
If you’re visiting Lisbon on a foodie adventure, then Time Out Market is a great one-stop shop to sample some of the best of Lisbon’s culinary treasures. It’s a bustling food hall with a collection of some of Lisbon’s most celebrated restaurants in chefs all in one place, so you can sample a bunch of places in one go. The tables in the middle are communal so the vibe is very convivial.
3. Day Trip to Sintra
Can you really say you’ve been to Lisbon if you haven’t visited Sintra? The vibrant, fairy-tale-like Pena Palace is one of Portugal’s most iconic landmarks, but Sintra has more than one showstopper. Don’t miss exploring other equally captivating architectural gems, like the enchanting Quinta da Regaleira. We dedicated a whole day to exploring Sintra and still did not have time for Monserrate Palace. With so many palaces, gardens, and hidden corners to explore, Sintra has more than enough to see in a day or on an overnight stay.
For a detailed guide on how to make the most of your time in Sintra while avoiding crowds, check out my post on how to take a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon.
4. Day Trip to Belem
A day trip to Belem is a must while in Lisbon, especially to admire its intricate Manueline architecture. Highlights include the breathtaking Jeronimos Monastery, the striking Monument to the Discoveries, and the iconic Belem Tower. Each building has plenty of photo-worthy spots for the gram. And for me, stopping at the legendary Pasteis de Belem to taste their famous pastel de nata was a must do. They are made from a centuries-old secret recipe originating from the monastery itself!
Check out our Northern Spain and Portugal Itinerary for all the details on how to get to Belem and each of these iconic buildings.
5. Listen to Fado
Fado is a soulful Portuguese music style filled with emotion, often telling stories of love, loss, and longing. For a memorable night out, you could book a table at a fado restaurant, where you can savor dinner while listening to those haunting melodies. I had bookmarked O Faia as a fado restaurant option that actually had good food (although it is pricier than the touristy places). We ended up not doing this because the show goes from 9-10:45pm and that was too late for this grandma. You can also just go to a standalone fado show, but those usually start later at night as well.
6. Admire the Miradouros
Hilly Lisbon is known for its Miradouros, which are lookouts where you can enjoy a lovely panorama of the city. In this city of climbs and curves, you’re never more than a short uphill walk or a hidden turn away from a view that will stop you in your tracks.
Some of the miradouros you can’t miss are:
- Miradouro de Sao Jorge (Alfama)
- Miradouro de Santa Luzia (Alfama)
- Miradouro das Portas do Sol (Alfama)
- Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara (Bairro Alto)
- Miradouro de Santa Catarina (Bairro Alto)
7. Ride the Tram and Funicular
Riding Lisbon’s iconic trams and funiculars is both a practical way to get around the city’s steep hills and a fun experience on its own. The vintage yellow Tram 28 is the most famous, because it winds its way through historic neighborhoods like Alfama and Baixa. The funiculars, like the Elevador da Bica, are short but fun rides that save your legs from some serious uphill climbs while giving you postcard-worthy views. Whether you hop on for convenience or just for the experience, riding one of these trams is one of the most quintessentially Lisbon things you can do.
8. Shop for Local Crafts and Treats
My go-to souvenir is always a local food specialty or a local craft. Something unique you can’t find anywhere else that instantly takes me back to the trip whenever I see it or taste it again. Some crafts and treats that are unique to Portugal are:
- Canned sardines and tuna – even if you don’t usually like canned fish, the colorfully decorated cans are fun to collect! Conserveira de Lisboa in the Baixa district is famous for their canned seafood and worth a browse!
- Olive oil and sea salt
- Port wine
- Azulejos tiles
- Cork Products
For a one stop shop with all of these locally produced goods and more, I loved browsing A Vida Portuguesa in Chiado. The store is artfully curated and has all of the local artisanal goods without any of the usual souvenir store kitsch.
9. Meander around the Alfama
The Alfama district, once the sailors’ quarter, is one of Lisbon’s most photogenic neighborhoods. At the top of the Alfama district is São Jorge Castle. While the castle itself isn’t especially exciting, the entry fee is worth it for access to the Miradouro de São Jorge, where you’ll get sweeping views of the entire city from its highest point. From there, narrow, winding streets lead downhill into the heart of Alfama. Getting a little lost among these charming lanes is all part of the experience. While you’re here, be sure to stop by the Miradouro de Santa Luzia and the Miradouro das Portas do Sol for even more stunning vistas.
10. LX Factory
LX Factory is a hipster hub in Lisbon, housed in a former industrial complex now filled with trendy cafes, eclectic shops, art galleries, and colorful street art. It’s a great place for grabbing a coffee, browsing unique boutiques, and finding unexpected art installations all in one afternoon. Although we didn’t get a chance to make it there during our last trip, if you’re visiting Lisbon, it’s worth carving out a few hours to get a taste of Lisbon’s modern, artsy side.
11. Take a Class
I’m not usually a class person when it comes to traveling because I usually like exploring more than scheduled activities. But I have had friends who took a tile painting class in Lisbon and had a great time, and came away with a lovely souvenir. Other friends have enjoyed their local cooking classes, and a pastel de nata cooking class is a delicious way to learn how to recreate a taste of Lisbon when you’re back home.
- Book a tile painting class here and visit the National Tile Museum
- Book a pastel de nata cooking class here
