I put together this incredible ‘Your Ultimate Guide to Lisbon’ which includes where to stay, where to eat, day trips, the must-see sights, and where to shop.

If you haven’t been to Lisbon yet, put this in your top three places to see as soon as possible! 

Your Ultimate Guide to Lisbon

Your Ultimate Guide to Lisbon

Your Ultimate Guide to Lisbon

This city, all of the country really, is a lively yet sleepy and colorful place, where you instantly feel at home.

The beaches, the food, the culture, the people, the art, the history, and the wine are all spectacular!

Lisbon is truly hidden gem, that grabbed my heart from the first time I went and I am constantly planning my next trip there.

But, it does surprise me that it is still not that widely talked about!

…secretly, I kinda hope it stays that way!

Here’s to Portugal!

Your Ultimate Guide to Lisbon

Where To Stay

Alfama

• Perfect for families and romantic getaways
• This is a pedestrian village
  • The oldest quarter in the city with a unique Moorish charm
• A maze of delicate streets, hidden archways, and steps
• There are bars, restaurants, and cafes around every turn
• The Time Out Market is here, which is a gourmet food space
  • I discuss this market under the ‘Where to Eat’ section
• Stay at the Memmo Alfama
  • Clean and contemporary vibes, with rooftop and terrace views of the city and the river Tagus

Baixa and Chiado

• This neighborhood rose out of the 18th-century Lisbon earthquake
  • Centrally located
• There is a neo-classical charm, with colorful ochre mansions with the famous Lisbon Azulejos tiling, arches, and grand plazas
• History, culture, hopping, good restaurants, and bohemian cafes
• Museums, theatres, and lively waterfront street performers
• You will also find Lisbon’s oldest cafe, Martinho da Arcada which dates back to 1782
  • Located by the Praça do Comércio which looks onto the waterfront
• Stay at the AlmaLusa
  • Boutique stay that is chic and contemporary with a fantastic Portuguese brasserie

Bairro Alto

• Quiet during the day, but that all changes at dusk
• The best bars, restaurants, and clubs in the city are here
  
  • People of all ages come to socialize, where tables and chairs spill out onto the streets and a sort of festival spirit takes over the air
• Centrally located 
  • Popular tourist sites are within walking distance
  • Public transportation is nearby 
• Stay at the Lumiares
  • 5-star that is a blend of classic Portuguese décor and chic contemporary
  • There is a spa, two restaurants and a rooftop bar, nestled along the cobbled alleys and shops

Príncipe Real

• Gay and lesbian district with several gay bars and clubs
• Antique shops and galleries
  • Rua da Escola Politécnica and Rua Dom Pedro V
• Charming backstreets, terraced bistros, concept stores, bio markets, Portuguese designers, and the place to go for something unique
• Rua de São Marçal
  • Leads to a charming leafy square and garden, set right in the center of colorful town houses
• One of the trendiest and most cosmopolitan areas of Lisbon
• Stay at the Memmo Príncipe Real
  • Understated luxury, a terrace swimming pool with views to die for
  • Within walking to all of the restaurants and sites you could want

Graça

• One of Lisbon’s oldest suburbs
  • Located on top of a hill
  • Near the São Vincente de Fora Monastery
• Walk through the narrow streets of Mouraria (the African Alfama without the tourists and boutiques)
• Centered around the Lago da Graça, with the 28 tram stopping here
• The most famous viewpoint is the Miradouro de Santa Graça 
  • There is an open-air café that is open late into the summer 
• If you want something lesser-known, go to the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
  • Make sure to go to the rooftop bar
• Charming, brimming with cake shops and restaurants, that is mostly frequented by locals
• Stay at the Dona Graça
  • Old world charm with the Lisbon feel, in a studio that overlooks a garden and pool
  • This is an “AirBnB” stay as opposed to a hotel

Avenida da Liberdade

• Built in the 19th-century in the same fashion as the Champs-Elysees in Paris
• This runs north for a mile (1.6km) from Restauradores Square to Margues de Pombal square 
• This is where you will find the city’s grander hotels and designer shops, including Louis Vuitton, Prada, D&G, etc.
• You will also find restaurants and trendy bars
• Amazing 19th-century Portuguese architecture
  • Two plazas that contain charming water features and grand statues
• Stay at the Heritage Avenida Liberdade
  • A boutique hotel that mixes old with new along the main avenue
  • There is an indoor pool and 24-hour room service available

Santos

• Originally this area was home to mansions of the upper classes
  • Today is known primarily for bars and clubs that attract college students and teenager
• Home décor shops, design and architecture schools
  • Also known as the design district
• Many of the original homes have been preserved and turned into hotels and embassies
  • One of them is Portugal’s most important national museum, the Ancient Art Museum
• Lacks public transportation but is very walkable
• The restaurants range from traditional to fusion sushi and the nightlife is very lively
• Stay at the As Janelas Verdes Inn if you’re in the mood for romance
  • Take in tea in the garden or get your feel of views from the library terrace

Cascais

• Premier holiday destination of the Lisbon coastline
  
  • Luxury and immaculate beaches
• Originally a traditional and charming Portuguese fishing town that has responsibly developed into a popular resort town
  • Historically, this was the summer retreat of the Portuguese nobility 
• Within the town center, there are lavish villas, an imposing fort, fascinating museums, lively bars and amazing restaurants
• It is a little farther out of the main city, with a short train ride to get into main Lisbon
• Stay at the Farol Hotel
  • Which you can find more about this hotel under the ‘Day Trips’

Belém

• Original location for the shipyards and docks
  • 15th-century voyages left here that discovered sea routes to India, East Africa, and Brazil
• Outstanding tourist attractions, informative museums, and beautiful views along the Tejo Estuary
  • Two must-see sites are Torre de Belém and Padrão dos Descobrimentos
• Parks, tree-lined plazas, and relatively quite compared to the rest of the chaotic central Lisbon
• Here you will find the famous Pastéis de Belém 
  • Opened in 1837 and the recipe remains exactly the same today
  • I mention this under the ‘Where to Eat’ section as well
• Stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz
  • Art-deco and updated Louis XVI style
  • There is an indoor pool, a rooftop running with stunning views, a Pilates Studio and four on-site restaurants and lounges

Carcavelos

• Popular with surfers
• It is quiet with easy access to the city center
  • Public transportation is available
• Cafés, restaurants, beach sports that you can join in on, and water activities
  • Take a surf lesson if you’re feeling adventurous
• Great area for families or adults of all ages
• It is a relaxing area
  • If you want nightlife, stay in the city
• Take a stroll along the Passeio MarÍtimo de Oeiras that is a cycle and footpath
• Where to stay
  • An AirBnB is the best option in Carcavelos

Almada

• Just across the river
  • Take the ferry or the 25th of April Bridge
• This area is lesser known and a hidden gem
• Walk up the Rua Cândido dos Reis
  • Which is filled with traditional Portuguese pubs
  • Order any of the fresh fish and a beer or any of the house wine
• The Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso church, Fernando II Gloria and Christo Rei are located here
  • Take the elevator down from Christo Rei
  • Wait for the sunset
• Back at the marina, go to the Fernando II Gloria
• At the end of the promenade, stop for a delicious coffee
• Stay at the Mercure Lisboa Almada
  • A local and authentic experience with a 4-star atmosphere

How to get around Lisbon

If you’re in Lisbon, you can walk or talk the public transportation to anywhere in the metro area.

If you head to Almada (across the bay where the replica Golden Gate Bridge is) take the ferry across. It is only about 20 minutes and definitely worth it.

If you plan on taking any day trips, most can be reached by bus but renting a car for a day to see the countryside is a great way to go, as well.

• Just keep in mind, some of the towns only allow residents cars in the city center but you can park relatively close and walk in

Day Trips

Sintra

How to get to Sintra

• Take the train from Rossio, which one departs ever 15-20 minutes
• If you prefer to drive take route A37 but keep in mind only resident’s cars are allowed in the city center 

What to do

• Castelo dos Mouros and Palácio Nacional de Pena
• Town center for food and some wine at any of the lovely cafes 
• A pastry (or three) at the Casa Piriquita
• Quinta da Regaleira and the Monserrate Palace 

Where to stay

• Penha Longa Resort
  • Part of the Ritz Carlton brand
  • Golf the historical circuit that will take you past a 14th-century monastery 
  • Go to the beach
  • Enjoy a spa day
  • The resort is nestled among the Sintra mountains within a 545-acre natural park

Peniche

How to get to Peniche

• Take the bus from Lisbon’s Sete Rios station
• If you want to drive, Peniche is 100km north of Lisbon, by taking the A8 or A1

What to do

• Walk the city center with the Atlantic Ocean in the background
• Cabo Carvoeiro and Fortaleza de Peniche
• Take a boat to Berlenga Grande Island  and see the Berlengas Archipelago
• Tour the formal political prison turned museum

Where to stay

• Bukubaki Eco Resort
  • This hotel is an eco surf resort for all travelers
  • Ecological glamping 
  • Perfect for adventurer’s, families, anyone looking for mindfulness and tranquility 
  • Staying in a treehouse, a tent, or a villa
  • Restaurant and bar, using the best of the local agriculture and fresh seafood
  • Sauna, massages available, yoga, Pilates, and Reiki on the grounds

Evora

How to get to Evora

• Buses depart from both Oriente and Sete Rios stations
• If you would like to drive, it’s 135km south of Lisbon, by taking the A2
• Parking inside the city walls is limited to residents and hotel guests
  • You can park near the Porta Velha da Lagoa, which is about a 10 minute walk to the center

What to do

• Roman Temple from the 1st century 
• 17th-century Bone Chapel
• Praça do Giraldo
• Café Alentejo or Taberna Típica Quarta-Feira for traditional Portuguese food
• Then head to Cafeteria Páteo de São Miguel or Ervideira Wine Shop for some delicious wine tasting

Where to stay

• Vitoria Stone Hotel
  • Traditional and sophisticated
  • Bold architecture, delicate design, grand stone throughout
  • Experiences rooted in Alentejo, with a balance of authenticity and elegance
  • Spa, pool, and luxurious common areas available
  • There is a restaurant and bar on the property

Óbidos

How to get to Óbidos

• Driving is best, by taking the A8 and it is about 1 1/4 hours away

What to do

• Walk the cobbled streets that are flanked by whitewashed homes
  • Surrounded by medieval walls that you can walk (if you are brave)
• There are amazing views of the town below and up to the Castelo de Obidos
• Rua Direita, the town’s main road
  • Lined with chocolate and sour cherry liquor (ginjinha) shops
• This is a Unesco City of Literature town 

Where to stay

• Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort
  • 5-star accommodation 
    • There are villas and apartments situated in small villages surrounded by the golf course
    • Hotel rooms also available
  • Play golf with a sea view
  • Pool and spa amenities
  • Multiple restaurants and bars throughout the resort
    • The pool has a bar as well
  • Resort sits near fantastic beaches and fishing villages in rich gastronomy
  • The Óbidos Lagoon and Berlengas Islands are near by, which is ideal for water sports and nature lovers

Cascais

How to get there

• Take the train

What to do

• This is a swanky coastal town that is coveted for its sandy beaches and cliff-hugging eateries
• Stroll to Praia da Conceição
• Walk along the promenade and you will not be disappointed by the views
• Shop at the Mercado da Vila that is a recently revamped 1952 building that now houses a market with dozens of produce stalls, restaurants, and culinary shops
• It has a rotating roster and pop-ups
• Take the BiCas self-guided tour which is a free-bike share program that goes for about 9km, up the coast to Guincho Beach with views of the Atlantic that offer stops at overlooks, coves, and cafes along the way

Where to stay

• Farol Hotel
  • Sits on the edge of the cliff along the water 
  • The pool overlooks the sea
  • Was a 19th-century private mansion that has been remodeled into the gorgeous boutique hotel 
  • There is a variety of rooms available
  • A bar and restaurant on site
    • My favorite is the deck on the rocks
  • Activities
    • Yoga to dolphin watching, segway tours to walking tours in Cascais and the Sintra hills
  • The shopping is relatively close
    • Take a nice stroll or a short Uber ride

Where to Eat

This is a tough category because, basically of the food in Portugal is delicious! 

Seriously, any where you will stop will be delicious and so will the house wine. Is it the Lisboa atmosphere that does that?

Markets

• Mercado da Ribeira (now the Time-Out Market)
  • Lisbon’s most famous food market
  • Local fruits and vegetables downstairs
  • Quirky food stalls and cutting-edge eateries upstairs
    
    • By the cities best chefs, restaurants, and brands
    • Run by Time Out Lisboa Magazine

restaurants

• JNcQUOI
  • A historic theatre turned fashionable trifecta that houses a high-end mens store, a bar, and a restaurant serving French and Portuguese infusion
• Bota Sal
  • Modern take on maritime cuisine
• Cervejaria Ramiro
  • Beer hall and restaurant that occupies three floors, with the energy of a Portuguese fish market
• Boi-Cavalo
  • Experimental contemporary cooking along an alley in Alfama
• A Cevicheria
  • A tiny restaurant in Principe Real that stops people in their tracks
• Prado
  • Terrarium inspired with ferns and ivy dangling that pairs with the fresh, organic, and produce heavy food
• Feitoria
  • Michelin-starred, along the Tagus in Belem, of creative and contemporary Portuguese traditions
• Pastéis de Belém
  • Delicious custard tarts, recipe from 1837 when they would come from the Jerónimos Monastery 
• Attla Restaurante
  • Seasonal dishes focused on fish and vegetables 
• Coelho da Rocha
  • Traditional Portuguese cuisine and to die for petiscos
• Casanova Pizzeria
  • Wood-fired pizzas along the Tagus
• Merendeira 
  • Portuguese bread stuffed with sausage 
• Rui dos Pregos
  • Local beef dish that you can get with bread or without
• Café Beira Gare
  • Traditional pork sandwich with garlic and a small beer

Street food

• Mister Tapas food truck (Belém)
  • Tapas with a Portuguese twist
• Berlineta food truck (Oriente)
  • Doughnut-like pastry stuffed with egg-based custard cream
• Madame Gaufre food truck (Estrela)
  • Belgian waffles
• Maria Limão food truck (Senhora do Monte Viewpoint)
  • Crepes and lemonades
  • There is also a café 
• Weeel food truck (Cais do Sodre) 
  • Frozen yogurt
• HotDog Cascais food truck (Cascais)
  • Hotdog with a view
• Hamburgueria da Parada kioske (Campo de Ourique)
  • Hamburgers

Must-see sights

Lisbon is full of so many great sites, that you won’t be disappointed wherever you go.

Go out walking, get lost, and you’ll be amazed at what you see.

To do:

• Torre de Belem 
  • Get wine from the vendor and just sit along the shore after seeing the tower
• Padrão dos Descobrimentos
• Gulbenkian Museum
• Jerónimos Monastery
• Oceanarium
• Museu Nacional do Azulejo
• Quinta dos Azulejos Garden
• Panteao Nacional
• 25 de Abril Bridge
• Carmo Archaeological Museum
• Parque Eduardo VII
• Castelo de São Jorge
• Ride Tram 28
• Museu do Oriente
• Elevador de Santa Justa
• Arco da Rua Augusta
• Palácio dos Marqueses de Fronteira
• Basilica da Estrela
• Museu de Arte, Arquitectura e Tecnologia (MAAT)
• Estrela Garden
• Coleção Berardo Museum
• Sunset boat cruise
• Feira da Ladra
• Street art Bordalo II
• Rio Maravilha
• Praça de São Domingos
• Miradoura da Graça

Where to shop

Individual stores

• Sapataria do Carmo
  • Quality handmade shoes for men and women
• Under the Cover
  • A book shop close to Gulbenkian Park
• Caza das Vellas Loreto
  • The oldest candle shop in the city
• 39a Concept store
  • Hybrid boutique-gallery with shifting art installations and merchandise from Portuguese and International designers
• Silva & Feijóo
  • Grocery for local products like Portuguese tinned sardines, olive oils, port, etc.
• Luvaria Ulisses
  • High-quality leather

shopping areas

• Avenida da Liberdade
• Rua Garrett
• Alfama
• Rua Augusta

Shopping centers

• Colombo
• Centro Vasco da Gama
• Amoreiras Shopping
• El Corte Ingles
• Armazéns do Chiado

Markets

• Feira da Ladra
• Feira do Relógio
• Mercado da Ribeira (Time Out Market)

unique

• LxFactory
• Embaixada
• Timeout Food Market
• Campo Pequeno

I hope you enjoyed ‘Your Ultimate Guide to Lisbon’ and make sure to pin this for later!

Your Ultimate Guide to Lisbon

Your Ultimate Guide to Lisbon

Now that you have explored Lisbon, check out my post on ‘The Top 10 Safest Beaches in Europe‘ to head to next. Three of these amazing beaches are in Portugal, so you won’t have to go very far!