Lisbon is quickly becoming one of the hottest destinations in Europe. Visit soon and discover the must-see attractions in Lisbon! This guide is perfect for first-timers.
Once forgotten Portugal has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years. So much so that Lisbon is planning to build a second international airport.
Lisbon is cheaper than many European cities, boasts blissful weather, has several easy day trips nearby, and is making a name for itself in the culinary scene.
You'll see once you arrive that Lisbon (and much of Portugal) has been getting a serious refresh over the years. Buildings that were once crumbling are being restored, and streets that were once seedy and sketchy are now hip.
But first, Reality Check - Lisbon prices
Now, before we get into the 10 must-see attractions in Lisbon, I want to address cost. To this day, I still read articles, blog posts, etc., that boast about how insanely cheap Lisbon is. I have not found this to be the case.
Past visitors I have spoken with stressed that Lisbon was dirt cheap. That may have been the case 5+ years ago, but prices have gone up (high and fast). Seville, Spain, for example, is/was much cheaper than Lisbon.
I believe it's important to set expectations correctly. Lisbon is cheap, especially when compared to cities like London, Paris, and popular cities in the United States.
If you're going to compare it to European cities like Seville, Rome, and Florence, expect to pay a higher price tag. This is no longer a city I wouldn't advertise as a "deal" or "ultra-cheap".
Now that we've got that straight...let's continue to the top 10 Lisbon attractions and sights for a first visit to Portugal.
This map shows the must-see attractions in Lisbon included in this post. Click the icon on the top left to see a list view of each pinned location. Select the top right button to enlarge the map. Click the star to save to your own Google Maps account. To access this map once saved (after clicking the star), open Google Maps (on your phone/computer/tablet), click the menu button, go to "your places", select "maps", and you will see this map listed.
- Blue - must-see attractions in Lisbon
- Purple - restaurants
- Black - sights just outside of Lisbon that are an absolute must
1. Alfama neighborhood and Sao Jorge Castle
The Alfama is the most historic/original neighborhood in Lisbon and should be near the top of your list of must-see Lisbon attractions.
It’s one of the few areas that survived the 1755 earthquake and maintained its original winding cobblestoned streets.
The Alfama dates back to the Visigoth occupation from the 6th to 8th centuries A.D. and later became home to the fishermen of Lisbon. It’s filled with homes from the Middle Ages, history, and character.
Sao Jorge Castle is the highest point of the Alfama and the perfect place to start exploring this characteristic area.
I personally don’t think the castle is worth touring as it's quite bare and forgettable. The area surrounding the castle is perfect for strolling and finding quiet streets.
After the castle visit the viewpoints (below), and then explore around Largo de Sao Miguel, Alfama’s central square.
2. Lisbon's Best Viewpoints
The steep hills of Lisbon offer some stunning views of the city below, which is why visiting the top viewpoints easily makes the list of must-see attractions in Lisbon, Portugal.
During your walk in the Alfama, be sure to stop at two of the best viewpoints in Lisbon. Miradoura de Santa Luzia and Miradouro das Portas do Sol.
San Pedro de Alcántara is another spectacular viewpoint located in the Barrio Alto neighborhood and reachable via the Elevador da Gloria cable car.
3. Time Out Market Lisboa
Time Out is known for its website and magazine publishing city guides, insider tips, travel trends, and more. You're probably already familiar with this name if you're a frequent traveler who plans your own trips.
Time Out has now entered the food market scene opening their first food market in…you guessed it…Lisbon! Time Out Market Lisboa opened in 2014 and quickly became a hit with locals and tourists alike.
This hip food market is the best way to try a mix of Portuguese food, drinks, and sweets.
For those who think food markets have subpar food, think again. The stalls at the North end offer wallet-friendly bites from Michelin-star.
The communal tables make for a fun time if you want to make friends with like-minded tourists and friendly locals.
AwA Tip: stop at Pink Street before or after your visit to Time Out Market Lisboa. It's just around the corner (a 4-minute walk). This street has been painted pink since 2013.
What used to be the red-light district filled with brothels has now been turned into an area filled with bars. It's still pretty grimy but is worth a quick detour.
4. Electric Bike Tour
Similar to San Francisco, Lisbon is known for its hilly streets. These steep treks make for a perfect e-bike tour. You’ll be able to zip around Lisbon’s most popular attractions and get a lay of the land in no time without breaking a sweat.
Jake and I did this Central Lisbon Tour. It was the perfect start to our time in Lisbon as it gave an overview of Lisbon’s history and got us comfortable with the layout of the city so we could easily navigate on foot later.
This Go 7 Hills Electric Bike Tour is another good option.
Not comfortable on a bike? These are some great walking tours:
- Best of Lisbon Guided Walking Tour - small group
Food and photography tours:
- Undiscovered Lisbon Food Tour - small group
- Devour Lisbon: The Ultimate Portuguese Food Tour - small group
5. Baixa NeighboRHood
Lisbon’s historic downtown area is between two hills in a flat valley. This area was completely rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake and therefore has uniformity, wide pedestrian streets, old and new shops, and is the perfect place to people-watch and stroll.
Check out the beautiful exterior of the Rossio train station. Shop down the Champs-Elysees-inspired Avenida da Liberdade. Walk along the pedestrianized Augusta Street...you'll have your pick of shops, restaurants, and fantastic people-watching.
Leave Baixa and enter Barrio Alto and Chiado via the Elevador da Gloria.
6. Ride a Cable Car – Elevador da Gloria
Lisbon is known for its steep hills similar to San Francisco. There are three popular cable cars, which are labeled lifts or elevators in Lisbon, to get people to the top of some of the steepest hills.
Elevador da Gloria is one of the most popular as the end of your ride drops you at a beautiful viewpoint, San Pedro de Alcántara. You can buy your ticket from the driver for €4.20. This is also an easy way to get from the lower Baixa neighborhood to the higher Chiado and Bairro Alto.
7. Eat and Drink in Bairro Alto and Chiado
Bairro Alto and Chiado are above Baixa and the perfect place for restaurant and bar hopping. Chiado is trendy while Bairro Alto has an old-world vibe.
This is also a good area if you want to catch a Fado show. Fado originated in Lisbon and is known for its blues-styled music filled with melancholy and mournful lyrics accompanied by the Portuguese 12-string guitar.
If you've been to Southern Spain, you'll be familiar with Flamenco. Flamenco is to Seville as Fado is to Lisbon...which unfortunately means most Fado are geared towards tourists, but it still makes for a fun night.
Some of my favorite restaurants in Bairro Alto and Chiado are:
- By The Wine: wine bar with wonderful small plates, charcuterie, and a stunning ceiling lined with wine bottles.
- Bico. Cultura do vinho: another staple wine bar with light bites and a cozy atmosphere.
- Bairro do Avillez: four concepts in one space by celebrity chef José Avillez. A grocery, taberna, seafood restaurant, and dinner with a cabaret show.
- Landeau: best chocolate cake EVER in a cozy coffee shop.
- Mini Bar Theater José Avillez: beautifully and almost theatrically prepared food in a retro-chic setting. The food menu is presented in "acts" and comes in small portions. Go for the Epic Tasting to try 12 items for under €50!
- Taberna da Rua das Flores: a tiny taberna offering unique shared plates in an intimate yet casual setting.
- Monteigaria: the best pastel de nata in Lisbon!
8. Praca do Comercio
Praco do Comercio, aka Commerce Square, is the bustling riverfront square in the Baixa neighborhood. The royal palace was located in the square before the earthquake.
Now you will find Lisbon’s Arch of Triumph, government buildings, and plenty of locals and tourists passing through. Walk down Rua do Comercio after enjoying the square.
9. Belem – Monestary, Pastéis de Belém, Torre de Belem
Get ready to visit three must-see Lisbon attractions within striking distance of each other. Well, technically, they are in Belem, but it's literally just outside Lisbon's city center.
These top sights are wonderful examples from Portugal’s Golden Age since this area escaped the devastation of the 1755 earthquake.
Visit the impressive and massive Monastery of Jeronimos. It's one of my favorite sights in Lisbon.
Torre de Belem, aka Belem Tower, is a beautiful sight against the water and makes for a wonderful picture.
A stop at Pastéis de Belém is a must for the original Portuguese pastry. Some say Pastel de Belem has the best Pastel de Nata pastries in Portugal.
AwA Tip: Most guidebooks will tell you to take trolley #15E to reach the district of Belem. While riding the trolley is unique, I wouldn't recommend it.
Take a 10 minute Uber instead. Not only does the trolley take a minimum of 30 minutes, it's almost always packed. You might not be able to get on if it's already full once it reaches your stop, which means you'll end up taking an Uber anyway.
Another option is to join a bike tour that starts in Lisbon and ends in Belem. The ride is nice as you go along the ocean to get to Belem. You can then explore Belem at your leisure and take an Uber back to Lisbon.
10. Day trip to Sintra - Pena Palace
Sintra is home to one of my favorite (and most colorful) castles in Europe, Pena Palace! While Pena Palace is not located in Lisbon, it's a must-visit attraction while you're in Lisbon (even on a super tight schedule).
This will be the most memorable tourist attraction on this list. It's 100% worth carving out at least half a day to visit Pena Palace and the town of Sintra.
Sintra was the retreat and summer home of the royals and Portugal's wealthiest residents.
Pena Palace, with its brightly painted exterior of yellows, blues, and purples, is the main attraction. Instagrammers, travel blogs, and magazines like Travel and Leisure, have featured Pena Palace as it’s quite unique and well-preserved.
Sintra is an easy day trip from Lisbon, being a quick 40-minute train ride from Rossio station.
If possible, try to visit Tuesday through Friday when the crowds have lessened after the weekend rush. Arrive as early as possible and book your ticket/time slot in advance.
If you plan to only tour Pena Place and walk around the main town, you can make this a half-day trip. A full day is required if you plan to visit the other sights (though not nearly as memorable), like the Morrish Castle ruins and National Palace.
In Summary
I hope this post of the 10 best things to do in Lisbon, Portugal gives you some ideas on what to do for your upcoming trip. From food markets to stunning viewpoints, top restaurants to historic trolleys...these are the TOP Lisbon attractions.
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10 best things to do in Lisbon Portugal
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