LISBON BUCKET LIST & TRAVEL GUIDE

Lisbon was the first stop from my Portugal nine day trip, and this would be the first time of many visits to this wonderful city. As soon as I got out from the metro in Chiado, I fell in love with it! The colors, the light bathing the atmosphere, the tiles. I think it’s impossible not to love Lisbon. Anyways, in this post you’ll find everything about Lisbon: what to do and eat, where to stay and how to get around.

WHY VISIT LISBON?

Lisbon is one of those cities that instantly makes you feel good. With its hilly cobbled streets, pastel buildings, ceramic tiles, and iconic yellow trams climbing impossibly steep hills, it’s every bit as beautiful as you imagine — and surprisingly affordable compared to other European capitals.

The city mixes old and new effortlessly: ancient cathedrals stand beside trendy rooftop bars; traditional Fado music drifts out of tucked-away taverns, just around the corner from minimal art galleries and modern food markets. Lisbon is sunny, friendly, and so easy to love.

VISITING LISBON: THE ESSENTIALS

Transport / I strongly recommend booking an airport transfer ahead of time — I used WelcomePickups and it made arriving in Lisbon so much easier. Once in the city, public transport is easy and affordable. You’ll need a Viva Viagem card to ride the metro, trams, buses, and funiculars — you can grab one at any metro station. Load it with zapping credit or daily passes, depending on how much you’ll be moving around. Trams and tuk-tuks are fun, but walking is often the best way to see the old city.

Tours / Lisbon is packed with great tours, here are a few of the most popular and worthwhile:

Stay / Lisbon has everything from boutique stays in old palaces to modern hotels with river views. Here are a few of the most loved ones:


Luggage storage / If you’re early for check-in or have time to kill after checkout, no stress — there are luggage storage points all over Lisbon. Just use this website to find one nearby.

Connect / You’ll definitely want mobile data in Lisbon for maps and restaurant bookings. I always recommend using an eSIM — no physical SIM card needed. I use Sim Local, and you can get 5% off with the code TRAVELWITHPAU. Grab one here.

Get Insured / Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN LISBON

Start with a walking tour

As soon as you get to Lisbon, take a walking tour to get a grasp of what the city has to offer, the main sights and some insider tips from the tour guides that live there. It will help organise how you’ll spend the rest of your time in the city, and you can ask all the questions you want.

Ride Tram 28

Tram 28 is one of the best ways to explore the Lisbon’s old city, its historic heritage and typical neighbourhoods. The entire route from Martim Moniz to Campo de Ourique / Prazeres takes approximately one hour. It’s really fun as the tram goes up and down Lisbon’s hills and winding streets. It’s a popular tourist attraction, but at the same time the tram is used by locals as one of their main means of transport. Board the tram at Martim Moniz. You can buy your 24hr ticket and audio guide here.

Take a snap in a pink street

There is a very instagrammable pink street in Lisbon! Save it on Google Maps and remember to snap one for the gram here. Now, if you want to take it to the next level – book this photo shoot with a local photographer and hit all the instagrammable spots + take home a unique souvenir!

Delve into the winding streets of Alfama

Alfama is one of the oldest districts of Lisbon. It’s streets are a delightful maze of narrow cobbled streets and ancient houses. It is the best place in Lisbon to listen to Fado in the evening, and contains many historic buildings such as the Se Cathedral, Castelo Sao Jorge, the National Pantheon and Saint Anthony’s Church. Of course, there is a tour of Alfama only you might want to check out.

Go shopping at Chiado

Chiado is Lisbon’s most popular shopping and theatre district. It has a very elegant slightly bohemian vibe, it’s colorful, tiled buildings and façades are very well taken care of. On its streets you’ll find well known international brands as well as many restaurants and cafes. If you want to go on a shopping spree, Armazens do Chiado is a big shopping mall right in the heart of Chiado.

Have a bica at Cafe A Brasileira

Cafe A Brasileira is one of the oldest and most famous cafés in the old quarter of Lisbon. The cafe opened to sell Brazilian coffee in the 19th century, then a rarity, has over time been a meeting point for intellectuals, artists, writers and free-thinkers. A sculpture of Fernando Pessoa, one of Portugal’s most famous poets and writers and a usual visitor of the cafe, sits outside it.

Marvel at Jeronimo’s Monastery in Belem

The Mosteiro dos Jeronimos is a highly ornate monastery that is situated in the Belem district of Lisbon. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and a Lisbon attraction you won’t regret investing in, as it’s absolutely beautiful. Belem is only a short train ride away from the center of Lisbon. Get your ticket in advance here, or below:

Eat pasteis de nata

Pastéis de nata were created before the 18th century by Catholic monks at the Jerónimos Monastery. Monasteries used large quantities of egg-whites for starching clothes and they used the leftover yolks to make pastries. In 1834, the monastery was closed and the recipe was sold to a sugar refinery, whose owners in 1837 opened the Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém. The Pastéis de Belém were mentioned by The Guardian as the 15th most tasty delicacy in the world so make sure to visit it when in the Belem district of Lisbon. Now, if you want to really experience pastéis de nata you need to do this cooking class! Thousands of people rave about it. Book it here.

Admire Belem Tower

This fortified tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Lisbon icon. Once you get to it you’ll realise why it’s famous, it’s beautiful by itself but the fact that it’s standing on the water makes it even more. Enjoy it from outside or inside, but purchase this skip the line ticket as the queue can get very long.

Do a wine tasting and food tour

Do a street art tour

Discover the street art of Lisbon on this cheap private guided tour and encounter graffiti and urban art from large scale installations to political and social murals.

Have a night out at Bairro Alto

You won’t find much going on in Bairro Alto during the day, but at night the streets of this Lisbon neighborhood will flood with people of all ages who come to catch up, have a drink or party. Now if you want to take the hassle out of going out then book this crawl that covers Bairro Alto, has unlimited drinks!

Visit all the miradouros

One of Lisbon’s charms is that the city is built on seven hills, and hence there are many viewpoints (miradouros in Portuguese). The top miradouros are: Miradouro da Nossa Senhora do Monte, Miradouro de Santa Catarina, Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara and Miradouro das Portas do Sol. Save them in Google Maps and visit them all!

Spend a day in Sintra

Sintra is a city in Greater Lisbon which is an absolute gem, and one of my favorite memories of my trip to Portugal. Make sure you spend at least an entire day there and visit Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle and Quinta Da Regaleira. Read my article on how to best visit Sintra.

Have lunch at the Time Out market

The Time Out market in Lisbon is a pretty original concept: an amazing food and groceries market, curated by the editorial team of the world famous magazine, Time Out. The food is amazing. Vegan options are scarce, but good.

Drink a ginjinha

Ginja is a sweet cherry liqueur that originated in Lisbon. Try it in the traditional bar A Ginjinha. It is thought to cure all illnesses!

Experience traditional Fado

Fado is a Portuguese music genre that can be traced back to the 1820s and to Lisbon. It is characterised for being profoundly melancholic and is usually played in restaurants and bars. The best places to listen to Fado in Lisbon are: Clube de Fado, Senhor Vinho, Parreirinha de Alfama, Tasca do Chico & Tasca Bela. There are tons of places though, if you want to reserve online then you can do so here.

Walk the Praça do Comercio

The Praça do Comércio is the largest of Lisbon’s mighty plazas and is located on the edge of the Tagus estuary. It’s certainly very beautiful and worth a visit.

Step inside the National tile museum

Love tiles? Then do not miss the National Azulejo Museum when in Lisbon. They are EVERYWHERE so you’ll want to learn about them. Book your ticket here as it does sell out!

Admire the 360 degrees views from Castelo de São Jorge

The Castelo de São Jorge is a Moorish Castle located at the top of one of Lisbon’s hills, overlooking the old city of Lisbon. A place full of history, but also another spot to get great views. Buy your ticket here.

Have a drink with a view at Park Bar

Get more great views of Lisbon while you sip on a cocktail and maybe have a snack at the elevated garden terrace of Park Bar, you won’t regret it!

Cross the Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge

This massive Lisbon bridge might not be Golden Gate but it’s really close. There are many ways to cross the bridge, whether it’s by car, bus, motorcycle (you can rent an eCooltra) or train. Walking through it is not possible. You can also admire it from land!

Admire the Convento do Carmo

This Catholic convent in Lisbon is a Gothic architecture marvel.

See Lisbon from the top of Santa Justa Elevator

This rather unique elevator connects Lisbon’s Baixa with Carmo Square. More great views guaranteed.

Go to LX Factory

LX FACTORY Lisbon is an abandoned industrial site has been turned into a creative, cultural and gastronomic area in restored factory buildings. It’s a super cool place to hang out.

Visit the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

This museum contains one of the best private art collections in the world. Starting at age 14, Calouste Gulbenkian began collecting ancient Greek coins and then art and artifacts from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Armenia, Turkey, Syria, Greece, China, and Japan. There are also more recent European works of art. For art lovers, this museum is not to be missed. Purchase your tickets online in advance here to save yourself a wait in line.

Climb the Vasco da Gama Tower

Named for Vasco da Gama, who discovered the ocean route between Europe and India, this is the tallest skyscraper in Lisbon. It is located in eastern Lisbon, near the Oceanário de Lisboa, the next item on my list. Ride the elevator to the top of the tower for 360° views of Lisbon. Babylon 360° is a rooftop bar on top of the tower, with live music and DJ’s. From here, you get a bird’s eye view of the Vasco da Gama bridge, the second longest bridge in Europe.

The Myriad by SANA is a 5-star hotel that sits next to the Vasco da Gama Tower. They have a bar and restaurant on the ground floor (the Myriad River Lounge) with indoor and outdoor seating. This is another nice place to get a cocktail, before or after you visit the Vasco da Gama Tower.

Marvel at the Oceanário de Lisboa

With Portugal’s long coastline and prime seaside location, it may come as no surprise that Lisbon has a world class aquarium. Oceanário de Lisboa is one of the largest aquariums in Europe, with more than 15,000 marine creatures. This aquarium offers many unique experiences, such as an 8-day diving program in the Azores and the opportunity to sleep with sharks (basically a slumber party in the aquarium). Get your ticket here.

Venture to the Sanctuary of Christ the King

Inspired by Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this Catholic monument and shrine is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ. It sits in Almada, on the opposite side of the Tagus River and overlooks the city of Lisbon. Visitors can ride the elevator to the observation deck, which sits at the base of the Christ the King statue. This platform offers a fantastic view of Lisbon. In the base of the monument is the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace. Note the elevator is slow and can hold a limited number of people. If you get here and find that the line is long, you don’t miss out on much by skipping the ride up the observation deck. The views from terrace in front of the Christ the King statue are just as good as from the observation platform.

To get here, take the ferry from Cais do Sodre to Cacilhas (the town next to the Sanctuary of Christ the King) and then take bus 3001 to Cristo Rei. You can also get here by Uber, Bolt, or another ride share app, or you can take a private tour to make things easier.

Explore Ajuda National Palace

When the royal family’s residence on the waterfront was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, they decided to relocate up into the hills of Lisbon. They had big plans to construct one of the largest palaces in Europe, but invasions and changing politics slowed construction. Only one fifth of the planned palace was built. The palace was converted into a museum, which is filled with ornately decorated rooms, the Royal Treasure Museum, and numerous artworks. The Ajuda National Palace sits outside of the city center of Lisbon. You can get here on Tram 18, bus 760 or 732, or by taxi, Uber, or another ride share app. Buy your ticket here.

Take a Day Trip To Sintra, Cascais, Óbidos and more!

One of the best things to do in Lisbon is to leave it for a day, day tripping to places like Sintra, Cascais, and the coast.

Sintra is the most popular day trip from Lisbon. This land of fairytale palaces and historic estates is where you will find Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and an ancient Moorish castle that is a joy to explore. Learn how to plan your day trip in my One Day in Sintra guide. Cascais, a small coastal town, also makes a popular day trip from Lisbon. Cascais is famous for its beaches, its historic city center, shopping, and restaurants. Now, this popular tour from Lisbon covers various Sintra attractions and Cascais so you can plan this very, very easily by simply purchasing the ticket and showing up. Literally no work required.

You can also journey farther from Lisbon, visiting Óbidos (a small walled medieval town that is super fun to explore), the National Palace of Mafra, and Alcobaça Monastery.

WHERE TO STAY IN LISBON

Lisbon has accommodations for every vibe: boutique boltholes in historic buildings, sleek apartments, and affordable hostels that punch well above their weight.

Best Areas to Base Yourself

• Chiado & Baixa – central, walkable, and full of life; great for first-timers
• Alfama – old Lisbon charm with winding alleys and fado echoing at night
• Príncipe Real – leafy, upscale, and full of cool concept stores and brunch spots
• Cais do Sodré – buzzy riverside nightlife and easy access to everything
• Belém – quieter, more historic; further out but peaceful

Recommended Hotels

• Dare Lisbon House $: A beautifully restored 18th-century building right in the heart of Baixa. Each apartment-style room is stylishly decorated with a modern twist and comes with a small kitchenette. It feels more like a home than a hotel, and the service is top-notch. Perfect if you love a central location with charm.
• Memmo Alfama Hotel $$: Tucked away in the charming Alfama district, this adults-only boutique hotel has one of the best rooftop terraces in the city — complete with a pool and views over the Tagus River. A calm, romantic base after a day of exploring.
• The Ivens Hotel – Autograph Collection $$$: If you want to splurge in Lisbon, this 5-star hotel in Chiado is dripping with old-world glamour and safari-inspired interiors. Expect impeccable service, luxurious rooms, and a wildly photogenic lobby.
• LX Boutique Hotel $$: A boutique favorite, located between Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré. Each floor is themed after a different element of Lisbon’s culture. Great views, cozy rooms, and perfect access to nightlife.
• My Story Hotel Rossio $: Right in Rossio Square, this is a great-value option for those who want to be in the action without blowing the budget. Chic rooms, helpful staff, and an easy walk to the main sights and restaurants.

HOW TO GET TO AND AROUND LISBON

Getting There

• By Air: Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) is 6km from the city. A quick 20-minute ride by taxi, metro, or Aerobus. From the airport, I ALWAYS use WelcomePickups.
• By Train: Well-connected from Porto, Coimbra, and other Portuguese cities. The Santa Apolónia and Oriente stations are the main hubs.

Getting Around

• Metro: Fast, clean, and covers most of the city. Ideal for airport transfers.
• Trams: Iconic but slow.
• Walking: Be ready for hills, but the city is walkable and full of surprises.
• Elevators: Public lifts (like Elevador de Santa Justa) help you conquer steep climbs — and double as attractions.
• Taxis & Rideshares: Uber, Bolt, and Free Now all operate and are inexpensive.

WHERE TO EAT IN LISBON

Lisbon’s food scene blends traditional flavors with modern flair. Think fresh Atlantic seafood, slow-cooked stews, and tiny custard tarts served warm. There’s an increasing number of contemporary restaurants too — but even the most creative spots still pay homage to Portugal’s culinary roots.

What to Try

• Bacalhau à Brás – Portugal’s famous salt cod tossed with egg, potato, and onion
• Pica-pau – garlicky beef bites served with pickles (great with a cold beer)
• Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato – clams cooked in garlic, olive oil, and coriander
• Sardinhas assadas – grilled sardines, best enjoyed during summer festivals
• Pastel de nata – iconic egg custard tart with a crispy, caramelized top

Some Top Recommendations

• Cervejaria Ramiro – iconic seafood spot (start with garlic shrimp, end with a steak sandwich)
• Taberna da Rua das Flores – tiny, atmospheric, no reservations — go early
• Prado – modern Portuguese, beautifully done
• O Velho Eurico – old-school, loud, affordable, and extremely tasty
• Manteigaria – best pastel de nata in town (fight us)

All my recommendations

Have these links in hand to search on Google Maps while in Lisbon!

• Dinner spots in Lisbon
• Lunch & Brunch spots in Lisbon

BEST TOURS IN LISBON

I kind of like being shown around, don’t we all? Here are Lisbon’s best tours:

LISBON FAQS

Is Lisbon safe for solo travelers?
Yes, Lisbon is one of the safest cities in Europe. Just stay alert in crowded areas where pickpockets might operate (especially on trams).

Can you drink the tap water?
Absolutely. Lisbon’s tap water is safe, clean, and tastes fine — no need for bottled.

What’s the tipping culture?
Tipping isn’t mandatory, but rounding up or leaving 5–10% at restaurants is appreciated.

Is English widely spoken?
Yes — especially in touristy areas, restaurants, and hotels. Still, a few basic Portuguese phrases go a long way.

Do I need cash?
Card is widely accepted, but it’s smart to have some euros on hand — especially for small cafés, kiosks, or older taxis.

What’s the deal with Tram 28?
It’s iconic — and scenic — but often overcrowded and slow. For fewer crowds, try early morning or late evening. You can buy your 24hr ticket and audio guide here.

How many days should I stay in Lisbon?
Three full days gives you a good feel for the city. Add more if you want day trips (like Sintra or Cascais) or beach time.

Is it really that hilly?
Yes. Lisbon has seven hills and lots of cobblestones. Bring decent shoes and expect to get your steps in.

Portugal is so much more than just Lisbon. Read all my Portugal posts here.

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