Lisbon Bucket List: The Best Things to Do in Lisbon (2026)

Last Updated on August 5, 2026

Lisbon was the first stop from my Portugal nine day trip, and this would be the first 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 colours, the light bathing the atmosphere, the tiles. I think it’s impossible not to love Lisbon. In this post you’ll find everything about Lisbon: what to do and eat, where to stay and how to get around.

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.

LISBON: THE ESSENTIALS

✈️ Getting There / Search Skyscanner for the best flight prices into Lisbon. I strongly recommend booking an airport transfer ahead of time too, I used WelcomePickups and it made arriving in Lisbon so much easier.

🚗 Getting Around / Public transport is easy and affordable. You’ll need a Viva Viagem card to ride the metro, trams, buses, and funiculars, grab one at any metro station and load it with zapping credit or a daily pass 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, a few of the most popular and worthwhile:
Lisbon Walking Tour in the Centre
Tram 28 Ticket with Audio Guide
Lost in Alfama Walking Tour
Bairro Alto Pub Crawl
Live Fado Show with Port Wine

🏨 Stay / Lisbon has everything from boutique stays in old palaces to modern hotels with river views:
Dare Lisbon House $
Memmo Alfama Hotel $$
The Ivens Hotel $$$

🧳 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. Use this website to find one nearby.

📱 Connect / Stay connected the moment you land. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.

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

Lisbon Bucket List: Things to Do

1. 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 tour guides who actually live there. It’ll help you organise how you spend the rest of your time in the city, and you can ask all the questions you want.

2. Ride Tram 28

Tram 28 is one of the best ways to explore 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 genuinely fun as the tram goes up and down Lisbon’s hills and winding streets. It’s a popular tourist attraction, but locals use it as one of their main means of transport too. Board at Martim Moniz, and buy your 24hr ticket and audio guide here.

3. Take a Snap in a Pink Street

There’s a very Instagrammable pink street in Lisbon. Save it on Google Maps and remember to snap one for the gram. If you want to take it to the next level, book a photo shoot with a local photographer and hit all the Instagrammable spots plus take home a unique souvenir.

4. Delve into the Winding Streets of Alfama

Alfama is one of the oldest districts of Lisbon. Its streets are a delightful maze of narrow cobbled lanes and ancient houses. It’s the best place in Lisbon to listen to Fado in the evening, and it holds many historic buildings including the Sé Cathedral, Castelo São Jorge, the National Pantheon, and Saint Anthony’s Church. There’s also a guided tour through Alfama’s labyrinthine streets worth checking out.

5. Go Shopping at Chiado

Chiado is Lisbon’s most popular shopping and theatre district, with a very elegant, slightly bohemian vibe, colourful tiled buildings, and well-kept façades. On its streets you’ll find well-known international brands alongside plenty of restaurants and cafés. If you want a proper shopping spree, Armazéns do Chiado is a big shopping mall right in the heart of the district.

6. Have a Bica at Café A Brasileira

Café A Brasileira is one of the oldest and most famous cafés in the old quarter of Lisbon. It opened to sell Brazilian coffee in the 19th century, then a rarity, and has since become a meeting point for intellectuals, artists, writers, and free-thinkers. A sculpture of Fernando Pessoa, one of Portugal’s most famous poets and a regular there, sits outside.

7. Marvel at Jerónimos Monastery in Belém

The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is a highly ornate monastery in the Belém district of Lisbon. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and a Lisbon attraction you won’t regret investing in, it’s absolutely beautiful. Belém is only a short train ride from the centre of Lisbon. Get your ticket in advance here.

8. Eat Pastéis 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 used the leftover yolks to make pastries. In 1834, the monastery closed and the recipe was sold to a sugar refinery, whose owners opened the Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém in 1837. The Pastéis de Belém were named by The Guardian as the 15th most tasty delicacy in the world, so make sure to visit when you’re in the Belém district. If you want to really experience pastéis de nata, this baking class is genuinely worth doing, thousands of people rave about it.

9. Admire Belém Tower

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

10. Do a Wine Tasting and Food Tour

Lisbon’s food and wine scene is worth exploring properly, not just grabbing a pastel de nata on the go. A guided walking tour is the easiest way to taste your way through several neighbourhoods in one go rather than guessing where’s actually good. This food and wine small group walking tour covers multiple stops through Baixa with tastings and a local guide sharing the history behind what you’re eating and drinking along the way.

11. Do a Street Art Tour

Discover the street art of Lisbon on this private guided tour, encountering graffiti and urban art ranging from large-scale installations to political and social murals.

12. 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 neighbourhood flood with people of all ages coming to catch up, have a drink, or party. If you want to skip the hassle of figuring it out yourself, book this pub crawl covering Bairro Alto with unlimited drinks.

13. Visit All the Miradouros

One of Lisbon’s charms is that the city is built on seven hills, which means plenty of viewpoints, or miradouros in Portuguese. The top ones 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 all in Google Maps and work your way round.

14. Spend a Day in Sintra

Sintra is a city in Greater Lisbon that’s an absolute gem, and one of my favourite memories of my entire trip to Portugal. Make sure you spend at least a full day there, visiting Pena Palace, the Moorish Castle, and Quinta da Regaleira. Read my full article on how to best visit Sintra, and see the Day Trips section below for a tour that also covers Cascais on the same day.

15. 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 genuinely great. Vegan options are scarce, but good.

16. Drink a Ginjinha

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

17. Experience Traditional Fado

Fado is a Portuguese music genre that traces back to the 1820s and to Lisbon itself. It’s profoundly melancholic and usually played in restaurants and bars. The best places to hear it are Clube de Fado, Senhor Vinho, Parreirinha de Alfama, Tasca do Chico, and Tasca Bela. There are tons of places, though, if you’d rather reserve online you can do so here.

18. Walk the Praça do Comércio

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

19. Step Inside the National Tile Museum

Love tiles? Don’t miss the National Azulejo Museum. They’re everywhere in Lisbon, so you’ll want to actually learn about them.

20. Admire the 360° Views from Castelo de São Jorge

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

21. Have a Drink with a View at Park Bar

Get more great views of Lisbon while sipping a cocktail, and maybe a snack, at the elevated garden terrace of Park Bar. You won’t regret it.

22. Cross the Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge

This massive Lisbon bridge might not be the Golden Gate, but it’s really close. There are plenty of ways to cross it, by car, bus, motorcycle (you can rent an eCooltra), or train. Walking across isn’t possible, but you can admire it from land too.

23. Admire the Convento do Carmo

This Catholic convent is a Gothic architecture marvel, and one of the more understated stops on this list.

24. See Lisbon from the Top of Santa Justa Elevator

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

25. Go to LX Factory

LX Factory is an abandoned industrial site turned creative, cultural, and gastronomic area inside restored factory buildings. A genuinely cool place to hang out for an afternoon.

26. Visit the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

This museum holds one of the best private art collections in the world. Starting at age 14, Calouste Gulbenkian began collecting ancient Greek coins, then art and artefacts from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Armenia, Turkey, Syria, Greece, China, and Japan, plus more recent European works. For art lovers, this one isn’t to be missed.

27. 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’s in eastern Lisbon, near the Oceanário de Lisboa. Ride the elevator to the top for 360° views, Babylon 360°, the rooftop bar up there, has live music and DJs, and 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, a 5-star hotel next door, has a bar and restaurant on the ground floor (the Myriad River Lounge) with indoor and outdoor seating, another nice spot for a cocktail before or after visiting the tower.

28. Marvel at the Oceanário de Lisboa

With Portugal’s long coastline and prime seaside location, it’s no surprise Lisbon has a world-class aquarium. The Oceanário de Lisboa is one of the largest in Europe, home to more than 15,000 marine creatures. It offers some genuinely unique experiences too, including an 8-day diving programme in the Azores and the option to sleep with sharks (basically a slumber party in the aquarium). Get your ticket here.

29. Venture to the Sanctuary of Christ the King

Inspired by Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, this Catholic monument is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ. It sits in Almada, on the opposite side of the Tagus River, overlooking Lisbon. Visitors can ride the elevator to the observation deck at the base of the statue for a fantastic view, and the base also holds the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace. The elevator is slow and holds limited people, if the line’s long when you arrive, you won’t miss out on much by skipping it, the terrace in front of the statue offers views just as good as the observation platform.

To get here, take the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas, then bus 3001 to Cristo Rei. You can also get an Uber, Bolt, or another rideshare, or take a private tour to make things easier.

30. Explore Ajuda National Palace

When the royal family’s waterfront residence was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, they relocated up into Lisbon’s hills, with big plans to build one of the largest palaces in Europe. Invasions and changing politics slowed construction, and only a fifth of the planned palace was ever built. It’s now a museum, filled with ornately decorated rooms, the Royal Treasure Museum, and numerous artworks. It sits outside the city centre, reachable on Tram 18, bus 760 or 732, or by taxi or rideshare. Buy your ticket here.

Day Trips from Lisbon

Sintra and Cascais

Sintra is the most popular day trip from Lisbon, this land of fairytale palaces and historic estates is where you’ll find Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and an ancient Moorish castle that’s a joy to explore. Cascais, a small coastal town, is also a popular day trip, known for its beaches, historic centre, shopping, and restaurants.

This small group tour covers Sintra and Cascais in one day, so you can plan it easily by simply booking and showing up.

Fátima, Nazaré, Batalha and Óbidos

For a full day further afield, this route covers Fátima, Portugal’s most important pilgrimage site, the seaside town of Nazaré, the UNESCO-listed Batalha Monastery, and the small walled medieval town of Óbidos, genuinely fun to wander for an hour or two. Book the guided tour here.

Mafra, Ericeira and the Portuguese Coast

The National Palace of Mafra was one of Europe’s most ambitious royal building projects, and this tour pairs it with Ericeira, a laid-back surf town on the coast, for a day that mixes grand architecture with fresh sea air. Book the tour here.

Nazaré, Alcobaça and Óbidos

Alcobaça Monastery is a Gothic masterpiece worth the trip on its own, and this small group excursion pairs it with Nazaré‘s famous giant waves and another pass through Óbidos. Book the excursion here.

Setúbal and Arrábida Natural Park

Less touristy than Sintra but just as worthwhile, Arrábida Natural Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of coastal cliffs, pine forest, and turquoise water, paired on most tours with the underrated port city of Setúbal and the vineyards around Azeitão. This day trip covers Arrábida and Sesimbra with a wine tasting included, a good pick if you want a slower, greener day out than the palace-hopping of Sintra.

Where to Stay in Lisbon

Lisbon has accommodation 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, 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

Budget: 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. Feels more like a home than a hotel, and the service is top-notch.

Mid-range: Memmo Alfama Hotel
Tucked away in charming Alfama, this adults-only boutique hotel has one of the best rooftop terraces in the city, complete with a pool and views over the Tagus. A calm, romantic base after a day of exploring.

Mid-range (alternative): LX Boutique Hotel
Between Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré, each floor themed after a different element of Lisbon’s culture. Great views, cosy rooms, and perfect access to nightlife.

Budget (alternative): My Story Hotel Rossio
Right in Rossio Square, 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.

Splurge: 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. Impeccable service, luxurious rooms, and a wildly photogenic lobby.

Getting To & Around Lisbon

Search Skyscanner for the best flight prices into Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), just 6km from the city, a quick 20-minute ride by taxi, metro, or Aerobus. From the airport, I always use WelcomePickups. If you’re coming by train, Lisbon is well-connected from Porto, Coimbra, and other Portuguese cities, with Santa Apolónia and Oriente as the main hubs.

Once you’re in the city, the metro is fast, clean, and covers most of the centre, ideal for airport transfers. Trams are iconic but slow, and walking is often the best way to see the old city, just be ready for hills. Public lifts like the Elevador de Santa Justa help you conquer the steepest climbs and double as attractions in their own right, and Uber, Bolt, and Free Now all operate and are inexpensive if you’d rather not walk.

Where to Eat in Lisbon

Lisbon’s food scene blends traditional flavours with modern flair. Think fresh Atlantic seafood, slow-cooked stews, and tiny custard tarts served warm. There’s a growing 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: the iconic egg custard tart with a crispy, caramelised top

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

Have these curated lists handy on Google Maps while you’re there: dinner spots in Lisbon and lunch & brunch spots in Lisbon.

Lisbon FAQ

Is Lisbon safe for solo travellers?
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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