8 Things You Absolutely Cannot Miss in Lisbon, Portugal
After many visits, Lisbon has quickly become one of my favorite places in the world. It is home to some of my favorite restaurants, cafes, bars, streets, alleyways, etc., and you will more likely run out of time than you will of things to do here.
So it only makes sense that my next installment of 8 Things be on Portugal’s capital and largest city, Lisbon. If you have plans to visit but are having trouble narrowing down what to do (trust me, I feel your pain!) here is my list of the top 8 things you absolutely cannot miss:
QUICK NOTE: below I have recommended many tours and activities, all via GetYourGuide. If you aren’t familiar, they are a trusted site and have lots of unique things to do, along with all of the standard touristy activities. Booking everything individually on different sites can be a bit of nightmare to keep track of. With GetYourGuide you can create an account to book and manage all of your tickets in one central location. When I travel I personally book everything I do via GetYourGuide, which is why I am recommending it to you.
Most importantly, when you book through GetYourGuide you can cancel any booking up to 24 hours in advance and receive a full refund. No additional fees, no questions asked. There’s no risk if you need to cancel, so I highly recommend booking everything now to be on the safe side. Especially because Lisbon is very popular, as are many of the tours I recommend below, so they will absolutely sell out!
8 Things You Absolutely Cannot Miss in Lisbon, Portugal
Before we get into the 8 things you absolutely cannot miss, let’s talk about the Lisbon Card. The Lisbon Card provides you with unlimited travel on city transport, free admission to 39 museums and historic buildings, and more — some of which I recommend below! You can get it for 24, 48, or 72 hours.
If you plan to see any popular attractions in Lisbon and use public transport, odds are you’ll save a load of money by buying this. It’s also the #1 seller on GetYourGuide with more than 4,000 good reviews, which honestly speaks for itself. Click here for more information.
See the Sights via a Tour
If this is your first time visiting Lisbon, I recommend first starting with a tour. I do this almost every time I visit a new city before I do anything else.
Why? It helps you get your bearings, briefly see the most important landmarks (generally), and get an overview of the city. You can make note of things you would like to return to to see in greater detail and things you do not. When I don’t do this I find that I miss out on seeing a lot of things I wish I hadn’t.
Electric Bike Tour
My personal favorite way to get an overview of the city is via bike because it’s quicker than a walking tour while still being a form of exercise! However, Lisbon is a very hilly city, so for that reason I either recommend (A) an electric bike tour where you can choose how much you workout, or (B) a different mode of transportation all together.
For a very popular and highly recommended electric bike tour, click here.
Tuk Tuk Tour
If you don’t love the idea of biking, another great option is via tuk tuk. Tuk tuks are fun because they are open air, making your views unobstructed (great for photos!). You will see them everywhere in Lisbon.
However, if you try to book one on the spot via someone that approaches you it will cost a small fortune. I unfortunately know from experience. Do yourself a favor and book it in advance right now. Click here for the tuk tuk tour I recommend.
Walking Tour
The third option I recommend is good old old fashioned walking! This Lisbon History, Stories, and Lifestyle tour is one of the most popular experiences on GetYourGuide. It goes through my favorite parts of town and looks fantastic! Click here to check availability and reserve your spot.
There’s also some food and wine walking tours that are very popular! Click here for the one I recommend. They do mention it’s best seller and likely to sell out so book it ASAP if that’s your choice.
Other Tour Options
If you want something extra flexible, you can book a hop-on hop-off tour which is one of the most popular Lisbon activities on GetYourGuide. Click here for that.
Personally, I would instead recommend this hop-on hop-off bus, tram, and boat ticket, which makes it easier to get around because it includes all modes of transport. Click here for more info.
If you want to give yourself a tour instead, tram 28 will take you through most tourist spots. You can either ride the entire route or get off at different points of interest to explore them more. Keep in mind that it is famous and listed in many tourist books and sites so it will get very busy at times.
Dinner at Taberna da Rua Das Flores
Taberna da Rua das Flores was recommended to me by a coworker before my first trip to Lisbon in 2014 and it turned out to be the highlight of my month long Europe trip. I have since then recommended it to every person I know visiting Lisbon, all of whom have raved about it. I went back for round two during my last trip just to make sure it was still to die for, and, good news, it is!
Taberna da Rua das Flores is a total hole in the wall and you would never give it a second glance while walking by. Once inside, the ambiance is nothing to write home about, reminiscent of an old, dark tavern. But what they lack in decor they certainly make up for in taste! They serve Portuguese food and everyday the menu is different. Once you are seated a waiter comes over to review the options with you off a chalk board. It’s one of those places where each item seems a little off, like not everything in the dish belongs together. One bite of your meal will change your mind about that, though!
You can’t come to Portugal without trying Portuguese food, of course, and Taberna da Rua das Flores is my vote on where to do it :) Don’t miss it.
Note: Rua das Flores is also home to Fabrica Coffee Roasters, one of my favorite coffee shops in Lisbon, so don't miss that either! More info about Fabrica Coffee Roasters can be found in my Best Coffee Shops in Lisbon post.
FOR MORE RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS, CHECK OUT MY WHERE TO EAT IN LISBON AND BEST COFFEE SHOPS IN LISBON POSTS.
Brunch at Dear Breakfast
Dear Breakfast offers all day breakfast and is my favorite new Lisboa finding! I loved it so much that I went multiple times. The owner, like myself and many others, opened Dear Breakfast because he loved the idea of having brunch any day of the week. The menu features egg-centric dishes, delicious coffee (including iced coffee which can be hard to hunt down in most European cities), tea, and fresh juices and smoothies. If you are looking for a healthy and incredibly tasty meal, this is the spot.
Equally as appealing as the amazing menu is the venue itself. It features a clean and bright design with exposed, all-white brick walls, marble tables, and blue and blush colored seating. Against the wall is a selection of magazines and a few plants to add some greenery to the room. That whole place is an Instagrammer’s dream, really.
Note: Dear Breakfast is around the corner from one of my favorite coffee shops, Hello, Krisof, so make sure to stop there after! More info about Hello, Krisof can be found in my Best Coffee Shops in Lisbon post.
Take a Day Trip to Pena Palace, Sintra, & Cascais
Some of the best things in “Lisbon” are just outside the city! This tour allows you to see the best of it — including Pena Palace, Sintra, and Cascais on the Portuguese Riviera. The tour is flexible and lets you decide how much of it you want to be a guided tour vs. free time, between shared tour or private tour, etc. Click here to reserve your spot.
Explore LX Factory, Lisbon's Art Center
LX Factory is an art center in Lisbon, full of artsy retailers and great restaurants. It’s a fun place to spend some time roaming, whether it’s after breakfast at Wish Slow Coffee House, lunch or dinner at 1300 Taberna or MEZ CAIS, or sunset drinks at the rooftop bar, Rio Maravilha. I especially love it on Sunday mornings because there is a flea market along the main street then!
Don’t miss:
Wish Slow Coffee House for coffee, breakfast, and/or gifts (the cutest!)
1300 Taberna for Portuguese food with a twist
MEZ CAIS for Spanish-inspired tapas
Ler Devagar, Instagram’s favorite book store in Lisbon
Sunset drinks at Rio Maravilha
If you’re into street art, there’s a ton here as well as around other parts of Lisbon. There’s a really popular private street art tour via tuk tuk that you should go on, if so! Click here to check it out.
Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Jerominos Monastery and the Belem Tower
Belem, a district in the southwestern part of Lisbon, is home to many notable things including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Jerominos Monastery and the Belem Tower. It borders the Tagus River.
There are a few different ways you can go about checking this item off your list.
If you purchased the Lisbon Card I mentioned at the top of the post, you get access to both the the Jerominos Monastery and the Belem Tower through that. That will allow you to go at your own pace and self guided.
Alternatively, there is a highly rated Belem walking tour on GetYourGuide that takes you to both sites and includes some awesome extras like tasting the world famous Pasteis de Belém at a two century old pastry shop. It's done in small groups of up to six so it will an intimate and engaging experience with a local guide who is excited to show you around! Click here to check it out.
Another popular option is a private Belem tour via tuk tuk. You can fill your tuk tuk with up to six people, making it a great option if you don’t want to walk and you’re not traveling solo. Click here to reserve your spot.
There’s also a highly rated private half day tour via car that includes both Belem (the two UNESCO sites included) and Alfama, one of my favorite Lisbon neighborhoods. If you don’t already have a tour booked that includes Alfama, this is a great choice! Click here to reserve your spot.
Click here to search Lisbon hotels.
Get Out on the Water
Sunsets in Lisbon are beautiful and the perfect time to hop on a boat! Since Belem is down on the water, I’d plan to do this after a day of exploring the above mentioned item.
I specifically recommend this sailboat tour that includes drinks! It has a 4.9 out of 5 rating after over one thousand reviews.
If you don’t want to sail, Lisbon is jam-packed with beautiful view points, many of which are accompanied by wonderful bars! At sunset I recommend pulling up a chair at either Park Bar or Portas do Sol for some of the best views in the city.
Note: Rio Maravilha is awesome too, but we covered that already in the LX Factory summary ;)
Try the Local Cuisine
You can't visit Lisbon without trying the local cuisine! Think grilled sardines, bacalhau (salted codfish), pastel de nata, azeitão cheese, a variety of sausages, all the different Portuguese wines and sangrias, and more.
There's so much to try (and learn) which means the easiest way to do so is - yet again - via tour by a local expert. And per the usual I am going to give you a few different options to ensure that there is something for everyone.
The first is this “Lisbon’s Best Flavors” tour. It is a 3.5 hour tour through Alfama, my favorite Lisbon neighborhood. You will have 18 different tastings, discovering the REAL (their words, not mine!) Portuguese gastronomy in family owned places. After almost 5,000 reviews it has a 4.95 out of 5 rating which speaks for itself, really!
Click here to reserve your spot.
Another option if you want to explore more than just Alfama is this “Portuguese Cuisine: 17 Tastings Food Tour“. It is also 3.5 hours and, in addition to Alfama, takes you through Mouraria and Baixa. In total there are five stops, all at restaurants run by local families. After thousands of reviews, it too has a 4.95 out of 5 rating.
Click here to reserve your spot.
Because these tours are incredibly popular and likely to sell out — there’s also a third option that covers Alfama, Mouraria and Baixa via a top rated host (4.99 rating!). Click here for that.
Take a Cooking Class
If you prefer something more hands on and want to learn to actually make the local cuisine, I’ve got you covered there too! I haven’t taken a cooking class in Lisbon specifically but I have in many other European towns and they have always been an amazing experience.
I have two different options for you: one for lunch and one for dinner.
The lunch option is my favorite of the two. It starts with meeting at a local market to learn about the food, get a tour, decide on the menu, and purchase the food. From there you’ll go back to the kitchen and get to cooking!
Guests say it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience and that the host is exceptionally knowledgeable. It’s rated 4.97 and is something I personally have on my to do list for my next Lisbon trip. Click here to reserve your spot.
The dinner option includes preparing a delicious Portuguese meal, also sourced from local ingredients! The host of this one has a master's degree in gastronomy which is something I’ve not seen in any of the other cooking classes I’ve looked at. It too is very highly rated and all the reviews are glowing. Click here to reserve your spot.
Explore Alfama, Chiado, and Bairro Alto
During my first to Lisbon I fell in love with three neighborhoods: Alfama, Chiado, and Bairro Alto. When visiting I would highly recommend setting aside a fair amount of time to simply roam these three spots on foot - with a camera, of course.
Note: many of the above mentioned activities cover these areas. If you decide not to do the above mentioned activities, or you only do some, make sure not to miss all of these neighborhoods!
Alfama is the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon so you know it’s going to have a ton of charm. It’s one big maze full of never-ending alleyways and is home to Castelo de Sao Jorge, a beautiful hilltop castle. Make sure to buy this skip this line ticket to Sao Jorge Castle before you go!
Bairro Alto is located in the center of the city and is my favorite neighborhood of all. Before my last trip to Lisbon I put all of the different places I wanted to go onto a custom Google map and noticed they were basically all in the same place - Bairro Alto! It has, in my opinion, the best cafes and restaurants, the most adorable streets, and is especially fun at nighttime. It’s also where I highly recommend staying while visiting.
Chiado is next to Bairro Alto and will forever remind me of the movie Love Actually because at the end when they run through the streets of Lisbon, this is the neighborhood they’re in. It can be a bit touristy during the day because a lot of chain stores are located here, but at night the vibe is much different. There are restaurants who seat customers in tables basically on the stairs of the city and it’s so lively and fun.
Speaking of photos, click here for the most stylish camera bags for women!
Other Things to do in Lisbon
In addition to my above suggestions, there are many other great things to add to your Lisbon itinerary!
Oceanário de Lisboa (the aquarium) — considered the best aquarium in the world by Tripadvisor in 2015, 2017 and 2018! Click here to avoid the line and get your tickets in advance.
Tour Luz Stadium, home to the SL Benfica Football Club, one of the most popular football clubs in Lisbon and Portugal! Click here for the tour I recommend.
Go to a live 'Fado in Chiado' show. Tickets are here.
Visit Sao Jorge Castle and avoid having to wait in line with these tickets.
Learn to surf with a local surfer! Click here for more info.
Climb up the Arco da Rua Augusta, one is Lisbon’s more iconic buildings. Click here to get your tickets.
Take the trip up Elevador da Bica, Elevador da Glória, and Elevador de Santa Justa, free with your Lisbon Card.
Take a tile workshop to learn to paint traditional Portuguese tiles! More info here. Or create your own Mosaic Lisbon Souvenir (a colorful mosaic sardine) here.
Go on a kayak tour, picnic included! Click here to book your spot.
DO YOU HAVE A PHOTOGRAPHER ALREADY?
Don’t miss out on capturing the memories from your once in a lifetime trip! These days it is incredibly inexpensive (and common) to book a photographer. You won’t regret it! Click here for the one I recommend booking.
What to Pack for Lisbon
Having the right travel gear is incredibly important for any trip, especially if you are visiting Europe from a different continent. Save yourself time and money by getting all of the necessary items prior to arriving at your destination. Some of the items I consider non-negotiable:
APPLE AIRTAG — If you’re reading this in 2022 then you likely know that there are major issues right now with airlines losing luggage. My friend got back from holiday a few weeks ago and hasn’t seen her bag since. Worst of all, she has absolutely no idea where it is. Tens of thousands of dollars worth it items (plus some irreplaceable pieces passed down from generations of family members) simply gone — maybe forever.
While we can’t prevent airlines from misplacing our luggage, we can track it ourselves thanks to the fabulous people at Apple. Enter: Apple Airtag. With the Apple Airtag you can keep track of and find your luggage in the iPhone’s Find My app. All you do is set it up with your phone, drop it in your luggage, and viola! You can find your luggage anywhere in the world.
I just bought a few for my upcoming Europe trip and I will never, ever travel without them again. If you’re checking a bag, it’s absolutely essential. Click here to get yours.
COMFORTABLE SHOES — I consider proper walking shoes to be the most important packing item for Europe. The last thing you want is to be mid-trip, with torn up feet, and out of options. Trust me, I’ve been there. My shoe recommendation is not the least expensive option on the market, but it’s definitely the best. Because they are handmade of such high quality, you can wear them all day everyday for weeks straight and not once will your feet hurt. They are the only shoes I have ever found that are this way (and trust me, I have tested out a lot). Just imagine being on your once in a lifetime trip, able to run around from sun up to sun down without a worry. That alone makes them worth every penny! I also love them because of their versatility. You can wear them with anything — jeans, leggings, skirts, dresses, anything! If they’re in stock in your size, get them while you still can. Click here to see the latest prices and availability.
For more shoe recommendations, click here for my current favorites (updated weekly).
BODYSUITS — If you haven’t already given into the bodysuit craze, now is the time! They are so comfortable, easy to throw on, and so perfect for travel because you don’t have to worry about adjusting your clothes ever while wearing one. There’s currently nothing I love wearing more. Click here to see my current favorites (updated weekly).
DRESSES — I love dresses for travel because you can so quickly throw it on and go. My favorite places to shop for dresses are here, here, here, and here. For cheaper options, I like here, and here. The cheaper sites can take a little more digging to find the good quality stuff, but sometimes it's worth it!
I also really love skirts, especially the current midi skirt trend. Click here to see my current favorites.
LIGHTWEIGHT TRAVEL CARDIGAN — This circle cardigan is honestly one of the best travel-related purchases you can make. It is so warm and soft; I’ve brought mine on every single trip since purchasing my first (I now own many). It's fantastic for literally everything: you can wear it during the day, out to dinner, on transit days, while hotel lounging, anywhere and everywhere! This is the number one top seller on my site every single month because it is truly the best. Click here to see the latest prices and color options.
CASHMERE WRAP — Another top seller on ckanani.com every single month is this oversized cashmere wrap. It’s something I personally carry in my bag every single day, whether I’m on the road or back at home in San Francisco. If you haven’t already noticed, I love versatility. I’d rather pay a little more for something high quality that’ll last a little longer and also work in a few different ways. I bet you’re a bit like me, so this is a must. You can wear it as a scarf, as a wrap when you find yourself at a surprisingly cold restaurant or flight, as a blanket, and more. I can’t tell you how many times this thing has saved me. Click here to see the latest prices and availability.
SUNGLASSES — Of course! I cannot believe I am about to say this but I’ve found a very cheap brand I recommend. Why is that shocking? Because I absolutely hate cheap sunglasses. I used to be a total sunglass snob and only buy $400 Saint Laurent, Dior, or Chanel sunglasses because the cheap ones feel horrible and don’t actually protect. Until now!! This brand I found on Amazon is under $15/pair and is shockingly impressive. I’ve bought four pairs so far. Click here for my favorite all black aviators, here for my rimless aviators, and here for my square ones.
LEATHER TOTE — I never, ever, ever travel without my leather zipper tote. It holds so much yet never feels as heavy as other bags! I even like it more than my Louis Vuitton Neverfull which cost 5X as much. There are a handful of popular bags that look similar to this one but the quality of this is unmatched. I’ve used mine every single day for 3+ years and it still looks perfect. Click here to check it out.
Traveling with a camera? Click here for the most stylish camera bags for women!
For nighttime or if you’re light traveler during the day too, I highly recommend this convertible clutch. It can be used as a wallet, a clutch, a crossbody bag, or a belt bag. The versatility is huge and it’s such a beautiful piece. I also love the design because unlike most similar bags, your cards and money won’t be loosely placed inside the bag, but actually attached to it. How’s that for secure?! Click here to see the latest prices and color options.
SKINCARE — Do not neglect your skin while traveling! I still can’t believe this exists, but Dermstore has a set with over $200 of professional skincare products for $49.99. I have purchased four so far, that’s how good it is. It contains every single step of a proper skincare routine: cleanser, exfoliant (2), antioxidant serum, hyaluronic acid serum, eye cream, SPF, and face oil. The oil alone costs $80 in the same size if bought individually. Mind blowing! They mentioned to me that there’s only a small number of the sets left so stock up if you find it’s still in stock. It’s great not just for travel but for at home too! Click here to check availability.
For more skincare and beauty recommendations, click here to follow me on Instagram @skincarethatilike.
GOLD LAYERING JEWELRY — Layering jewelry from SHOP CKANANI specifically. It’s my own shop so I'm a bit biased, of course, but hear me out. I’ve always loved jewelry but was tired of spending $60 on a necklace that would tarnish after 2-3 wears so I started making my own. I hand make them in my San Francisco apartment of incredibly high quality, primarily gold filled materials.
Gold filled items are great because they contain 100+ times (!) more real gold than gold plated items. An item being gold filled means that there is an actual layer of gold pressure bonded to another metal, making it much more valuable, durable, and tarnish resistant. This means it’s also perfect for everyday wear and for travel! Because who wants to spend their trip taking their jewelry on and off constantly? Not me!
After sharing pictures of necklaces and bracelets on my Instagram story, I finally gave in to the requests asking me to start selling my creations. And that’s how SHOP CKANANI was born! I’d really love and appreciate your support, especially if you’ve found the info in this post helpful :) Click here to see current availability.
HAIR ACCESSORIES — The easiest way to spice up a look with very minimal effort! Click here to see my current favorites (updated weekly).
HATS — Another great way to spice up a look, plus it’s a fantastic photo prop and can cover up a bad hair day. Click here to see my current favorites (updated weekly).
For more packing tips and tricks, click here to see all packing related posts.
Other Lisbon information
Assuming you are reading this because you are planning on visiting, I have a ton of helpful Lisbon content to ease your planning woes! Click below for…
Also, subscribe below to get our free downloadable guide and we’ll also send you some step-by-step help to plan the Lisbon trip of your dreams!
Like this post? Please save it on Pinterest!
