25 Best Things To Do In Lisbon, Portugal

things to do in lisbon belem tower

After almost 10 years living in Lisbon, and coming back regularly I’m still constantly surprised by new things this city has to offer. I’ve compiled some of the best things to do in Lisbon, Portugal. 

Lisbon has got it all. A rich history, mild weather all-year round, top-notch beaches less than a hour away, and a superb food scene, it’s no wonder that Lisbon became one of the most popular European capitals to travel.

Despite being trendy and gentrified in some areas, it still manages to ooze charm and charisma, and offer hidden gems yet to be fully discovered.

Come with me – let’s explore the best things to do in Lisbon!

⚠ Overtourism in Lisbon

Lisbon has a LOT of tourists right now, and I’m afraid we have reached the amusement park level and is suffering the consequences of massive tourism and gentrification. For more chances to discover the “local” and “authentic” Lisbon, come outside the summer months (June, July, August) and avoid staying in AirBnB-packed areas like Alfama.

1Eat the one and only Pastel de Nata

pastel de nata lisbon

I’m hungry, let’s start with food. Pastéis de nata are also known as portuguese custard tarts. In case you haven’t try them, you don’t know what you’ve been missing all your life.

They taste as delicious as they look and are available in virtually EVERYWHERE in Lisbon. Together with a bica, a portuguese espresso, is the favorite snack for Lisboners.

🥘 Best places to eat pastéis de nata in Lisbon

The original ones are made in Pastéis de Belém factory, in Belém district. This place is often packed, particularly on weekends. Interestingly enough, they never won the annual award for the best Pastel de Nata in Lisbon (yes, this is actually a real prize!).

My favorites are from Fábrica da Nata and from Manteigaria, in Largo de Camões and at Time Out Mercado da Ribeira in Cais do Sodré. Warning: if they come fresh out of the oven, it’s tempting to eat more than one.

2Awe at Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos)

Jerónimos Monastery was built as a glorious ode to the rich Portuguese era of Discoveries in Asia, Africa, and South America in the 15th century. The architectural style of the building, Manueline, represents the fusion of these cultures, represented in details in doors, spires, towers, and columns.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the building is truly magnificent, both from the outside and the inside. Make sure you spend some time inside exploring the chapel and the indoor patios.

hotels lisbon safest areas

Top hotels in Lisbon
I’ve made the hard work for you.
This is a pre-filtered list of hotels in the best areas to stay in Lisbon.

3All aboard the funiculars!

bica funicular lisbon
To overcome the many hills of Lisbon, funicular railways were developed to transport people from downtown (Baixa) to the neighborhoods above.

Now, I’m not going to lie: these are very touristy attractions – the vehicles will likely be packed. That said, it’s still a joy to ride some these tracks uphill aboard 19th century funiculars.

🚋 Funiculars in Lisbon
  • Ascensor do Lavra, the oldest one
  • Elevador de Santa Justa, the touristy one
  • Elevador da Glória, the most used one
  • Elevador da Bica , the most picturesque

4Mercado da Ribeira

I love markets, anywhere. And I love even more what TimeOut (yes, the magazine!) did when refurbishing the old market of Mercado da Ribeira, right in Cais do Sodré.

On one side, you’ll find the traditional stalls with some of the best local fruits and vegetables, On the other side though, they turned into a massive food court with modern and quirky restaurants. You can get anything from fresh Atlantic oysters to Portuguese wines, from codfish stalls to hipster hamburgeries. Oh, and often it doubles as a venue for concerts, workshops, and other events.

5Explore the streets of Alfama

alfama lisbon rooftops
Even though these days, modern Airbnbs have taken the place of old traditional houses and tourists replaced many of its lifelong inhabitants, exploring Alfama is still a peek into the old essence of Lisbon.

Get wonderfully lost in the tiny cobble-stoned streets and find surprises at every corner: little shops, restaurants, squares, and viewpoints with beaming views. Portas do Sol is a fantastic place to grab a beer and watch the world go by.

⚠ Overtourism in Lisbon

Right before the pandemic, Lisbon was suffering the consequences of massive tourism and gentrification. For more chances to discover the “local” and “authentic” Lisbon, come outside the summer months (July, August) and avoid staying in AirBnB-packed areas like Alfama.

6Give a chance to the modern Lisbon

parque nacoes lisbon

The Universal Exhibition of 1998 (Expo’98) in Lisbon encompassed a major urban redevelopment project in all the eastern end of the city’s waterfront. When it was over, a new urban district named Parque das Nações (Park of Nations) was born.

A walk among this area gives you a dramatically different perspective from the rest of the city. Parque das Nações stands out as an impressive open-air contemporary architecture portfolio. Two striking twin towers designed to look like giant sailboats (!), a ship-shaped mall, water gardens, a casino as well as the longest bridge in Europe – Ponte Vasco da Gama.

Booking.com

7Live a fairytale in Sintra

what to do in lisbon experiences sintra castle

Little side note. If you are single, you have all the ingredients to find your life partner in Lisbon. With the warm weather, beautiful sun-kissed people and the great Portuguese wine, the odds are EVER in your favor.

But the fairytale I mean here is a place called Sintra, a village where imposing mansions and ancient palaces of former Portuguese kings live in harmony with exotic gardens and greenery. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason and one of my favorite day trips from Lisbon.

🏰 What to visit in Sintra
  • Palácio da Pena– colorful palace brimming with over-the-top designs that seems to come straight out of a Disney movie. It is located on top of a hill and from up there, you can delight yourself with breathtaking views from all the Sintra-Cascais-Lisbon region.
  • Castelo dos Mouros– 8th century castle ruins (!) towering the mythical Mountains of the Moon and overseeing the entire village.
  • Sintra National Palace– historic house museum with a blend of Gothic, Manueline, Moorish, and Mudéjar architectural styles
  • Piriquita – traditional pastry shop, a must stop!
day trips from lisbon

The best day trips from Lisbon

Nature parks, beaches, castles, coastal towns and historical monuments.

8Miradouro de Nossa Senhora do Monte

nossa senhora do monte viewpoint

The one travel tip I always give for someone who comes to Lisbon for the first time is to visit as many miradouros (viewpoint) as you can. In recent years, the municipality has revamped many of them, building some cafés and terrazas that bring added value to the already beautiful setting.

Lisbon has dozens of beautiful miradouros. However, for the best panorama of the city, head to Miradouro de Nossa Senhora do Monte, in Graça district. It’s a quite challenging walk uphill but it will be worth it.

9Haggle at Feira da Ladra

Looking for the quirky, alternative side of Lisbon? Then pay a visit to Feira da Ladra. This open-air and vibrant bazaar has been going since the 12th century and has been a popular getaway for locals to find good deals in antiques, clothes, housewares, old vinyls, or other random stuff. These days, the flea market also caters to tourists with souvenirs, handmade tiles or cork items.

Feira da Ladra opens every Tuesdays and Saturdays in Campo de Santa Clara. While you’re in this area, make sure you visit two majestic monuments located nearby: Panteão Nacional and Church of São Vicente de Fora.

10Ribeira das Naus

ribeira das naus lisbon

Ribeira das Naus is a riverside strip connecting Comércio Square and Cais do Sodré, filled with meadows, kiosks, riverside stairs, all backed by pastel-colored government buildings. If Lisbon has a urban beach, this it!

It’s a lovely area to bike, drink a beer, sunbathe, or read a book, particularly on a bright sunny day; in fact this is one of my absolute favorite places in the Portuguese capital. I think the reason I like it so much is because it encapsulates everything that’s amazing about Lisbon: the river views, the buzz of both locals and visitors, and the chilled vibe. It’s uber cool.

11Taste the seafood

sardines lisbon
Yum!

Finding affordable and fresh seafood is extremely difficult in Europe. Well, anywhere except in Portugal. For some reason, it’s one of the reasons to visit Portugal.

Sharing the majority of its border with the Atlantic, is probably the seafood-friendliest country in Europe. Enough to say the symbol of the biggest festivities in Lisbon, Santos Populares, is a…. sardine.

Enter any typic Lisbon restaurant and ask for a grilled dourada (sea bream), robalo (sea bass), sardinha (sardine) or one of the thousands different specialties made with the king of the fishes in Portugal: bacalhau (codfish). You won’t regret it!

comercio square lisbon
The bright Praça do Comércio.

12Comércio Square (Praça do Comércio)

comercio square lisbon

One of the largest plazas in Europe and definitely the most magnificent in Lisbon. It’s surrounded by yellow Pombaline buildings on three of the sides, with the south facing one bordering the Tagus river. The plaza features fine restaurants – including Martinho da Arcada, the oldest in the city -, museums, and even a club!

It’s literally translated as “Trade Square” because it was here that merchants and captains would trade their goods after returning from their long sea journeys. Adding to this, the Augusta Arch (go up there, it’s stunning!) is there to represent a symbolic entrance to Lisbon.

13Grab a bike!

belem riverside maat
Belém riverside is a fantastic place for a bike ride.

A few years ago, it would be a nightmare to cycle through the streets of Lisbon. However, since 2017 the city has invested a lot in its network of bike lanes as well as in a public bike sharing system, GIRA. These bicycles are available for both residents and visitors, with daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly passes.

One of the best ways of exploring Lisbon is to for a bike ride. From Baixa, it’s possible to go all the way to Belém or Parque das Nações districts just by biking along the river.

14Belém Tower (Torre de Belém)

belem tower lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal is a wonder for history lovers.

This is probably THE iconic monument of Lisbon, as it’s in every postcard and brochure. So, it’s kind of a mandatory stop!

In the edge of Belém district, Belém Tower (Torre de Belém), this magnificent defense tower located over the mouth of Tejo river since the 16th century. It also served as a reference point for the embarkation of Portuguese explorers in their journeys to Africa, South America, and Asia, as well as a ceremonial gateway on their safe return to Lisbon.

I’ll be real here – I don’t find the ticket to Belém Tower particularly worthwhile. However, it’s such an icon of Portuguese heritage and culture and it oozes with so much symbolism that it becomes a powerful thing to see and visit.

15Have fun in Bairro Alto and Bica

Bairro Alto and Bica are one of those picturesque neighborhoods in Lisbon, but they come with a plot twist.

At night, the numerous bars and restaurants open up and eclectic crowds rush to turn the neighborhoods into Lisbon’s vibrant nightlife mecca. All year round, you hang out in the street chatting with your friends with a glass in your hand. Yeah, Lisbon is that easy-going.

experiences lisbon travel guide and blog

Lisbon Detailed Itinerary (3 Days)

More Lisbon with a complete 3-day itinerary packed with tips and advice for the main sights.

16Visit the best aquarium in the world

oceanario aquarium lisbon

In the modern setting of Parque das Nações, Oceanário stands out. It’s the largest indoor aquarium in Europe that has been voted as #1 in the world by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice. And trust me, this is not only a place for kids.

More than an architectural delight, floating in the river Tejo, it’s the 15,000+ animals and plants that represent over 450 different species that will make you awe. I’m usually not a fan of enclosed animal spaces, but since the beginning Oceanário is strongly committed to ocean sustainability and whenever possible, work to release the animals back in the wild.

17São Jorge Castle (Castelo de São Jorge)

sao jorge castle what to do lisbon
This is the kind of view that inspire artists y’all.

Originally built in the mid-11th century, during the Moorish period, São Jorge Castle has survived the centuries to become one of the mosc iconic landmarks of Lisbon.

Standing tall above Mouraria and crowning the highest hill of the city, the inner citadel is well worth a visit. Not only for the impressive walls and towers but mainly for the gorgeous open views over Lisbon and the river.

18Chiado

Carmo fountain Lisbon
Carmo fountain realness.

Chiado neighborhood is one of the fanciest and most luxurious in Lisbon. It has inspired movies, books, songs, and the entire Portuguese culture for that matter.

Don’t miss the statue of one of the most important Portuguese writers, Fernando Pessoa, next to the café A Brasileira, where he used to sit to write and seek inspiration for his work.

Nearby, head up to the Carmo Convent (Convento do Carmo), a real-life witness of the 1755 Earthquake that devastated the city. The roof has collapsed and was never rebuilt, but the stunning Gothic arches have remained, creating a haunting but beautiful sight.

19Watch the sunset at Miradouro do Adamastor

Complete your visit to Chiado in a high! If you’re already comfortable dealing with open-air crowds in these new normal times, head to Miradouro do Adamastor.

Located right above one of the main hills of Lisbon, this viewpoint stands out as one of the trendiest spots in Lisbon. Bohemian is the code word for a place full of street musicians, dancers, and tourists, all enjoying the view.

Come here during sunset, grab a beer or a glass of wine, and have a toast to your time in Lisbon.

20Sip on ginjinha, the famous Lisbon liqueur

Portugal has been famed for wine for centuries, but in Lisbon there’s another alcoholic drink that defines tradition. Lisboners love ginjinha – a delicious sour cheery liquor made with aguardente.

You can choose to drink yours com ela (with the berry) or sem ela (without) in the tiny and very traditional shop A Ginjinha.

hotels lisbon safest areas

Top hotels in Lisbon
I’ve made the hard work for you.
This is a pre-filtered list of hotels in the best areas to stay in Lisbon.

21Become a tile expert

things to do in lisbon tiles azulejos
How much do you know about tiles (azulejos)? No matter your answer, Lisbon is the place to know more.

With a background that goes back to the Moorish presence in the city, the intricate and often colorful patterns of tiles or azulejos are a visual identity mark of Portugal. From vibrant patterns to historical images, you may even see them covering entire building facades!

Visit the National Tile Museum (or MNAz, Museum Nacional do Azulejo) in Alfama to understand the uniqueness of Portuguese tilework, from the former Empire to today’s date.

22Rossio & Baixa Pombalina

augusta arch lisbon
Rua Augusta arch in Lisbon.

This is the downtown area of Lisbon. Completely shattered down by a earthquake and tsunami in 1755, the area known as Baixa was reborn with a more ordered city planning that contrasts with the rest of the city.

The heart of downtown Lisbon is Rossio (also known as Pedro IV Square). It has been the place of a Circus arena in the Roman Empire and public beheadings in Medieveal times, but today is just a pleasant plaza to relax and people-watch.

It’s from here and from the adjacent Figueira Square that Baixa’s parallel streets run all the way to the river, including Gold Street (Rua do Ouro), Silver Street (Rua da Prata) as well as the super touristy Augusta Street.

23Hit the beaches

costa da caparica lisbon

Let’s enjoy Lisbon’s fantastic weather a bit, shall we? While there are no beaches in the city center, Lisbon is quite literally surrounded by fantastic Atlantic beaches. As a rule of thumb, the farther you go, the less urban and crowded they’ll be. The best beaches are only reachable by car.

🏖️ Beach areas in Lisbon
  • Cascais – the municipality of Cascais has some urban beaches, just a 30-min journey by train from Lisbon (Cais do Sodré). Cascais (Rainha), Estoril (Tamariz), and Carcavelos are some of the most popular.
  • Sesimbra / Arrábida – Backed up by Arrábida Natural Park, these are some of the most scenic beaches you can find near Lisbon. Parking and crowds can be a problem in summer though.
  • Costa da Caparica – Just a short drive away after crossing 25 de Abril bridge, indulge in a whopping 18-kilometer of golden sandy beaches backed by dunes with great bars, and seafood restaurants.
  • Comporta – You’ll have go past both the Tagus and the Sado River Estuaries to reach the sparkling beaches of Comporta, but the 2-hour journey is worth it. Idyllic scenery with golden sand and vibrant blue ocean.

More about Lisbon beaches here.

24Time travel in Sé de Lisboa

In a city with dozens of churches, visiting the oldest church in Lisbon should already peak your interest. Sé Catedral de Lisboa dates back to 1150 (!), built to celebrate the city’s liberation from the Moorish rule.

It was able to survive the 1755 earthquake, which many considered a true miracle, and it still shows off its Romanesque architecture, much more stark than ornate. Many call it a Portuguese Nôtre Dame! Pay a visit to the treasury, a small chamber located up the steeple.

25Party during Santo António!

santos lisboa streets

If you’re in Lisbon in June, prepare for shorter nights of sleep!

In popular Portuguese culture, June is the month to celebrate popular Saints throughout the country; in Lisbon, Santo António – the city’s protecting saint – is celebrated on the 13th. Specially during this night but technically all month long, Festas de Lisboa make the streets comes alive with vibrant street parties, popular folk music, and open-air improvised restaurants serving grilled sardines and meats.

Go to Alfama, Graça, Mouraria or Sé for a change on a bigger party enviroment. It’s fun, well-spirited and it’s authentic.

Insider tips for Lisbon

  • Avoid taking taxis, specially if you’ve just arrived to Lisbon. There are far more reliable scam-free options to get to the city center.
  • “Drug” dealers in Baixa are completely harmless. In fact most of them don’t even sell real drugs. Say no and go on with your life.
  • Start off your days portuguese style with a café (coffee) and a pastel de nata (custard tart) in any coffee or pastry shop. Repeat after lunch and dinner, if desired.
  • Whenever you see a sign saying miradouro, follow it. You’ll be rewarded with great views.
  • Couvert items in restaurants – olives, cheese, bread, etc – do not come for free. In fact they can be overpriced. If you don’t want them, just say no as soon as the waiter comes.
  • Do NOT eat in any restaurant with hawkers inviting you in. While in some the food is actually not that bad, others can be a tourist trap. This is specially true in Rua das Portas de Santo Antão.
  • Tipping is completely optional. You do it only if you think your service was far more than expected.
  • Best time to go is between April and June, when temperatures are pleasant but not too hot.

💰 Travel packages for Lisbon, Portugal

If you’re coming from the United States, take a look at Azores Getaways. They have some flight + hotel + transfers deals for Lisbon, like this 6-night one, starting from 1149USD.


experiences Lisbon

⭐ Where to stay in Lisbon

 

road trip portugal lisbon - Hotel HF Fenix Music best hotel lisbon swimming pool rooftop
Image source: Booking.com

Hotel HF Fenix Music

Charmingly music-themed hotel, super close to the center. Oh it comes with this stunning rooftop swimming pool.
Book now

 

road trip lisbon portugal best hotel chiado downtown
Image source: Booking.com

We Love F Tourists

Located in busy Rossio – the heart of Lisbon – it’s just one of those amazing value places that will make you feel at home. Perfect to make friends. Book now

Or… find your own!

Use this list of quality hotels and guesthouses I’ve put together to get you started. ALL of these are located in the best central areas of Lisbon, with WiFi and with a rating of 8 or higher. Just pick your favourite!

My travel tips valid anywhere

  • 🏨 To find the best deals and book your stay with free cancellation, I recommend Booking.com (from my experience, often cheaper than Airbnb)
  • 🚗 Always compare car rental prices before you book anything (and if possible use local rental shops!).
  • ☑️ Travel insurance is a must these days – don’t overlook it! I recommend Allianz or Safety Wing if you’re always on the go.
  • 💰 Use Revolut to save in exchange rates and payments abroad; it’s a game-changer!
  • ⚙️ Amazon has the largest offer in travel gear, clothing, and accessories – check my Travel Store
  • ✈️ Are you dealing with a delayed or cancelled flight? Airhelp may help you get a compensation for it.

Which other things to do in Lisbon would you add?

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69 comments 💬

  1. Thanks for all the advice….I’ll let you know if we followed it and how it turned out.

  2. We have a cruise going out of Lisbon in May and found a cycling tour the week before that works perfectly! We have 3 nights to spend before our tour through Evora, Redondo/Monsaraz, Baixo Alentejo Region, the Algarve back to Lisbon. Do we spend all 3 nights in Lisbon OR spend 2 nights in Sintra and the final day and night in Lisbon before our tour starts the next morning? I know we won’t motivate to do a day trip to Sintra because we will be jet lagged. Please advise!!! Thank you so very much.

    1. Hum it will depend on you. I’d say if you are into city vibes and haven’t been before, Lisbon has a lot to offer and keep you busy during three days. If you want to have a bit more of a getaway feeling, albeit the potentially many tourists, Sintra is your option.

  3. Thank you so much for your recommendations! My sister and I are visiting Portugal for the first time this November for 8 days. Flying into Lisbon and taking train up to Porto. Do you have any recommendations on how to break up the trip? 3 in Lisbon, 2 in Porto, 1 in Douro Valley?

  4. Great find! Thank you so much. We love all the off the beaten track tips. Cheers Tony from New Zealand

  5. Great post! I’m going to Lisbon soon and I knew about a couple of these ideas but the acquarium is definitely one to add to the list! And I’m always on the look out for the best sunset views!

  6. Bruno, I trust Barcelona is awesome! My wife and I will be traveling to Lisbon December 16 – 20 , any suggestions on what might be happening in the city for Christmas. Also booked FX Music

  7. Great article! we just came back from Lisbon and had a lot of fun! we also took a tile painting class it was very good. They have many activities but we had no time. If you are looking for things to do in Lisbon, you should check what they have.

  8. Will be staying for a week at an Airbnb in Sesimbra. Friend at work lived there for 4 years and said it’s the best place he’s ever lived. We are interested in Portugal (somewhere south of Lisbon) as a potential retirement spot. Have lined up walking tours of Sesimbra & Lisbon, and a Setubal winery tour. Any suggestions for what else we could do? We have a rental car
    Thanks!

    1. Be sure to check out Cascais. A lovely little village prox 20 minutes from Lisbon. We’ve stayed there for 30 years. Used to watch the fishermen go out early every morning but not so much anymore.

    2. I agree with Bruno. I would also go to Comporta and Troia and you can go there either by car or by boat from Setubal.

  9. Your post is so inspiring 🙂
    Going to Lisbon in September for 10 days. wont i get bored? is there any chance i could get into the water?:) yo

  10. Best aquarium in the world? Emm, that might be a stretch I prefer the one in Valencia

  11. I LOVE your tips! I used this to figure out my days in lisbon last september. So helpful and spot on about what was worth it and what wasn’t. Im planning to go to Croatia next september, and plan to use your site tons. thank you!

  12. Going to Portugal for Christmas. My dad is from Murtosa and has a family condo and car there. He will probably want to just sit at home and eat the whole trip, but my boyfriend and I will snatch the car and head to Porto, Lisbon, and Sintra. In December, I know the sun sets early. Any tips for things to do specifically during the holidays?

    1. Specially in the north the weather will be rainy and quite cold, so there’s not much happening outside. There will be some Christmas decorations in downtown Lisbon, but that’s about it.

  13. Great Thanks for all this info!!! Will be in Portugal for 17 days in September. Renting car and will hopefully see the various areas. Will definitely keep this list!! Prefer housing in air bnb or local home experiences. Any suggestions!! Any ideas for other parts of Portugal?
    Thanks
    Dorothy

    1. I am starting to advise against Airbnb. Takes away flats for locals, there are a lot of scams and the host may even cancel your reservation last minute and there’s nothing you can do.

      As for suggestions, my Portugal road trip article is full of other places to uncover. In a nutshell, Nazaré, Alentejo and Sintra.

  14. Thanks so much, fantastic article I have taken plenty of notes from. We will be in Lisbon in two weeks for the first time. We have a car and will travel to a few beaches you have mentioned as well as Sinatra, cascais, Belem tower etc. Thanks for the tip on the custard tart 😀 can’t wait !!!

    1. 2 weeks is a fantastic time, you’ll be a Lisbon expert after that time! Thank you and have fun!

  15. Wow, thanks for the great tips. I’m travelling to Lisbon in October and just starting my planning. I will definitely check out these places you mentioned, I love going off the beaten path. I will be spending a few nights in Portimao as well! Can’t wait to visit this beautiful country!!

  16. Hello Bruno,

    Thanks for the great tips on what to check out in Lisbon! I’ll be visiting Lisbon with a friend at the end of April (4 days) and I was wondering if you had any suggestions of 1) good hostels to stay at in the area and 2) “must visit” bars or clubs.

    Thanks,
    Jane

    1. Try Yes Hostel or Home Lisbon Hostel, considered the best in the world. One of the must visit bars is Pensão Amor in Cais do Sodré, it’s bonkers!

  17. Hi Bruno,
    Greetings!
    We r planning out first trip to Portugal in September.. With our 3 kids (5yrs, 2yrs and by then 9months old) … U have listed all the local and amazing stuff already but is it possible to do all those with kids? Plus what r the best location to stay with kids.. I know people will be friendly where ever we will be in Portugal.
    But any suggestion for less price accommodation…

    Thanks
    Ravina

    1. I don’t see any reason why this can’t be done with kids. In fact the Oceanário will be great for kids!

      To be honest, my suggestions to stay with kids are the same as for adults, central Lisbon, where you can walk everywhere.

  18. Thank you for these great insider tips! 🙂 I am going next week, and will definitely check out some of your tips!

  19. Bruno,
    Great info. Many thanks! I am planning on taking my family away for the summer of 2018 and I have always wanted to explore Portugal. My children will be 11 and 9 we would get there. We are looking at June through august ( a little hot, I know). We would be traveling from the east coast. We are just starting to make our plans. Any suggestions? Thanks!

  20. Great info about Lisbon !! Going to be my first time and will surely check all these places.

  21. Thank you for your tips. I’m heading there next Windows and just for 4 days. I am eager to get to a beach bit won’t be renting a car. Estoril/Cascais it will have to be. Are they the same place?

    1. No. Cascais is a bit further. Of all the beaches in the area I recommend São Pedro do Estoril. Enjoy!

  22. Hi Bruno,
    We are visiting Azores and Lisbon and following all the great tips you are giving! Thanks a lot! They are really helpful Can you also suggest a restaurant in Lisbon where to eat real portuguese food? We tried Manteigaria and was awasome!

    1. Good to hear. It won’t be hard to find a restaurant with local good food, but here are some suggestions:
      – Toma La Da Ca
      – Cantina das Freiras (great view!)
      – Atira te Ao Rio
      – Mercado da Ribeira (food from top portuguese chefs at affordable prices)
      – Ramiro (if you’re into seafood)

    2. Thank you so much! We wil try one of those tonight and share our feedback…

      Valeria

  23. thanks Bruno,

    the information you provided about Lisbon is great and spot on!! helped me to great extent in choosing the right shoulder season of April to visit Lisbon, Madrid & Barcelona…keep up the good work

    1. You welcome. April is a great place to visit both Portugal and Spain: not too crowded, not too hot!

  24. Thank you for the what-not-to-miss guide! Me and My boyfriend are going to Lisbon in a couple of weeks. We haven’t yet made a Hotel reservation. Can you give advice in wich area to look for rooms? Preferably an area with a lot of restaurants and bars

  25. Great site you have!! We were in Portugal in april, se the Vimeolink, awesome. We fel lin Love with Portugal and are coming back in September!

    1. That’s great to hear, looks like you had a great time!

      PS: September is a great month to go to Lisbon 😉

  26. I just booked our trip to Lisbon this coming summer, and here it is a great advise about things to do there. Perfect timing! Putting all the things you suggested on our to-do list (sardines were already there). Thanks!

  27. I was in Lisbon over a decade ago, and I was very discombobulated in my activities. I did go to the zoo though! And there I saw a super-fun show with dolphins and sea lions. Thats was an unexpected travel activity to say the least.

    1. I remember going to the zoo when I was little. That show was the high of my summer holidays.
      I recommend you to go back, can help with you some additional tips!

  28. Thanks for the great tips! Nothing like a bit of insider local knowledge – I can’t believe you haven’t written about your most familiar destination until now!

    1. You welcome! You’re right, but more Portugal posts are to come! 🙂

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