The hills can be steep, but the mild climate, local food, and well-known landmarks make a visit to Lisboa more than worth it. Maybe it’s the way the light hits the tiled buildings or how the streets curve and climb through neighborhoods, but this city is one that rewards wandering. Here’s our pick of the best things to do in Lisbon.
If you’re heading to Belém, start with a pastéis de nata from Pastéis de Belém. This place has been making them since 1837, using a recipe that came from the monks at the Jerónimos Monastery. They’re warm, flaky, and just sweet enough—grab one with cinnamon and maybe a galão (milky coffee) to go with it.
From there, walk down to the Belém Tower. It’s a short stroll along the river. The tower dates back to the 1500s and was once part of Lisbon’s defense system. You can go inside if you’re up for climbing stairs, but even just walking around outside is worth it.
Queues at the bakery can look long, but they usually move fast. It’s worth timing your visit earlier in the day if you can. The train ride is lovely and scenic if it’s not too busy.
Pastéis de nata © Shutterstock
One of the best things to do in Lisbon is to grab a seat at a tasca. These small, often family-run taverns serve petiscos—Portugal’s version of small plates. They're not fancy, and that’s the point. You’ll likely be surrounded by Lisboetas drinking vinho verde or ginjinha while sharing dishes like garlicky clams, salt cod fritters, or a simple bifana (spiced pork sandwich).
Menus can be limited or nonexistent, and you might have to ask what’s available that day. For the best meal, go with it—point to something on another table or ask the person behind the counter for suggestions. Tascas are great if you’re looking for something low-key, affordable, and genuine.
Monsanto is where you go when you want to be surrounded by trees but don’t want to leave Lisbon. It’s a massive green space—over 2,500 acres—with trails that range from easy walks to more challenging hikes. You’ll see people jogging, biking, or just out walking dogs. This is where you'll find some of Portugal's best hikes.
Some trails lead to lookouts with views across the city, especially around the Panorâmico de Monsanto, a strange abandoned building covered in graffiti that’s become a kind of unofficial viewpoint.
There are also picnic areas and places to stop and take a break, and it tends to be a few degrees cooler than the rest of the city—especially in summer. If you’re looking for a quiet afternoon outdoors without going far, this is a good choice. See our guide to how many days to spend in Lisbon if you're not sure if you have enough time for a hike.
Monsanto, Portugal © Shutterstock
If you want to get a real feel for Lisbon’s food scene, these two markets are a good place to start—each in its own way. Mercado da Ribeira, also called Time Out Market, is where a lot of big-name Portuguese chefs have set up counters. It’s busy, loud, and geared toward visitors, but still a fun way to try a bunch of different dishes in one place. The building itself is worth a look—it’s a large 19th-century market hall right near the river.
Mercado de Campo de Ourique is more low-key and feels like a regular neighborhood market. Lisboetas shop here for groceries, grab lunch, or meet up for a drink after work. It’s smaller, but it has a nice mix of food stalls and traditional vendors, plus a few good cafés built right into the market.
Jardim da Estrela is one of those places where you can step out of the city’s noise for a bit. It’s an old park—dating back to the 1850s—and still feels like a local hangout. Getting there is part of the fun. You can catch one of Lisbon’s classic yellow trams, which rattle through narrow streets and past old buildings on the way (one of the most iconic way to get around Portugal).
Once you’re there, you’ll find leafy paths, a duck pond, a bandstand, and a few sculptures tucked around the grounds. There’s a playground for kids and a café where you can sit outside with a pastry and a coffee (see our guide to Portugal with kids). On weekends, you might come across a crafts fair or live music. It’s an easy place to relax.
Yellow tram in Lisbon, Portugal © Shutterstock
Even if you're not usually into old buildings, Jerónimos Monastery is worth seeing. Built in the 1500s, it’s one of the most famous examples of Portugal’s Manueline style—lots of carved stone details that reference the sea, plants, and religious themes. It was funded with spice trade money and built to celebrate Vasco da Gama’s successful voyage to India.
The cloisters are especially striking—two levels of arched walkways with detailed stonework in every direction. You’ll also find the tombs of Vasco da Gama and the poet Luís de Camões here.
Next to the monastery, the Church of Santa Maria has tall columns that branch upward like tree trunks. It’s big and open inside but still feels peaceful.
Plan for at least a couple of hours—you’ll want time to take it in without rushing, this is one of the best things to do in Lisbon. For more advice, see our Portugal travel tips.
The Gulbenkian Museum and its gardens are well worth your time. The museum holds the private collection of Calouste Gulbenkian, an oil magnate with a serious eye for beauty. You’ll find a wide range of pieces here—ancient Egyptian artifacts, Persian tiles, works by Rembrandt, and some truly intricate Art Nouveau jewelry by René Lalique.
The museum itself is set in a mid-century modern building, and the surrounding gardens are a draw on their own. Designed by Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles, they have shaded paths, ponds with ducks, and a few outdoor sculptures that shift with the light and seasons. It’s quiet enough that you can actually hear the water and birds.
People come to walk, read, or hang out on the benches, and the café in the garden is a nice stop for lunch or coffee. Families with kids come here too, since there’s space to roam around.
25th of April Bridge and lisbon skyline © Richie Chan/Shutterstock
Under the 25 de Abril Bridge, there’s an old factory complex that’s turned into one of the city’s most creative corners. LX Factory used to be a textile plant, but now it’s full of design studios, bookstores, galleries, and restaurants that stretch across several industrial buildings.
The bones of the old factory are still visible—brick walls, iron beams, tall windows—and the whole place is covered in street art. It’s one of those places that feels lived-in and evolving. One of the best stops inside is Ler Devagar, a massive bookstore built around an old printing press.
If you're here on a Sunday, there’s a market where local makers sell everything from handmade jewelry to ceramics and natural soaps. This is what to do in Lisbon if you're looking for local souvenirs. You’ll also find some solid rooftop bars if you want a drink with a view of the Tagus River.
By day, Bairro Alto is pretty quiet—just narrow streets, faded buildings, and a handful of old-school cafes. But once it gets late, the whole neighborhood flips. Bars open, music spills into the streets, and people crowd into doorways with plastic cups of beer or ginjinha (the local cherry liqueur).
The bars here are packed tightly together, and most are small. Most people just grab drinks and hang out outside. This is the what to do in Lisbon if you're looking for a night out. There’s a huge range of bars here. You’ll find tiny taverns serving ginjinha, louder clubs with DJs, and fado bars tucked into old buildings.
The streets stay packed until late, and it’s easy to move between places. You don’t really need a plan—just walk around and duck into whatever looks interesting. This is one of the best things to do in Portugal.
Parque Eduardo VII © Shutterstock
Eduardo VII Park is one of the easiest green escapes if you’re staying near central Lisbon. It stretches up from Marquês de Pombal Square in a long, sloping lawn with sculpted hedges and a wide path straight up the middle. The climb’s gentle, and once you reach the top, there’s a clear view of the city leading all the way to the Tagus River.
People come here to take a break—read, nap, or lay out a picnic. If you bring your own food, it’s a great spot to eat outside. Many will pack bread, cheeses, pastéis de nata, and something cured or salty like chouriço. There’s a greenhouse nearby called Estufa Fria—it’s quiet and full of tropical plants if you want to duck inside for a bit of shade.
At the summit, you’ll see a huge Portuguese flag waving over the park. It's been a part of city life for over a century, and on any sunny day you’ll find a mix of people using it like their backyard.
Alfama is the oldest part of Lisbon and feels different from the rest of the city—slower, more residential, and full of small details. It’s a maze of narrow streets, stairways, and uneven sidewalks that climb up and around the hill below São Jorge Castle. It survived the 1755 earthquake, so it still has that older layout that feels less planned and more lived-in.
You’ll hear people chatting out their windows, see laundry strung across alleys, and come across viewpoints that seem to appear out of nowhere. There are also plenty of small taverns and cafés tucked into corners where you can grab a drink or a quick meal. This is a great place to stay in Lisbon.
Fado music has deep roots here—this is where it originated—so if you’re around at night, you might hear it echoing from a doorway or small bar. During the day, it’s easy to just walk without a destination. The cathedral’s nearby, and the Feira da Ladra flea market runs twice a week. This is by far one of the best things to do in Lisbon.
Performing fado music © Shutterstock
If you're curious about fado but want something more intimate than the big tourist shows, Taberna Real do Fado is a good call. It’s a small tavern where the focus stays on the music. There’s no big production—just a singer, a Portuguese guitar, and a classical guitar.
The room goes quiet once the performance begins. Even without understanding the lyrics, the emotion in the singing is easy to feel. The sets usually include a mix of established performers and newer voices, and it doesn’t feel overly rehearsed or commercial.
You can eat while you’re there—traditional Portuguese dishes, usually simple and regional—but the food takes a back seat to the music. For more great places to eat, see our list of the best restaurants in Portugal.
The ruins of Carmo Convent are one of Lisbon’s most memorable landmarks—mostly because of what’s missing: the roof. This 14th-century Gothic church was heavily damaged during the 1755 earthquake and has been left partially open to the sky ever since. The stone arches and walls still stand, framing blue skies and giving the place a quiet, almost surreal feel.
Inside, there’s a small archaeological museum with a mix of unexpected artifacts, from ancient tombstones to South American mummies. You don’t need much time here, but it’s a peaceful place to pause.
Colourful Sintra, Portugal palace Palácio da Pena © Shutterstock
Sintra is about 30 minutes from Lisbon by train, and it really does feel like a different world. The landscape is thick with trees, misty on cooler mornings, and dotted with palaces that truly look straight out of a storybook. Portuguese royals once used it as their summer escape, and it shows.
The most famous building is Pena Palace—bright, colorful, and sitting high on a hill. It’s crowded, but the views are great. If you’re after something quieter (and a little weirder), head to Quinta da Regaleira, where you can wander through gardens filled with winding paths, underground tunnels (including one very interesting spiral well).
Sintra takes time to explore properly, so it’s worth committing to a full day. Pack good shoes and a little patience—there’s a lot of walking, and public transport between sites isn’t the most efficient. But the setting is beautiful and full of strange, charming details you won’t see anywhere else.
About 40 minutes by train from Lisbon, Cascais is an easy coastal getaway. What used to be a fishing village grew into a vacation spot for Portuguese royals in the 19th century, and today it’s a mix of old-school charm and beach-town ease.
You’ll find sandy beaches, a scenic marina, and a walkable town center with tiled sidewalks and family-run restaurants. Boca do Inferno—a natural sea arch—is worth a look, especially when the waves are strong. There’s also a long coastal path that runs from Cascais toward Estoril, good for walking or biking.
It’s a relaxing day trip. The town is easy to get around, and if you avoid the peak of summer, it’s calm enough to explore without much hassle. This is a great way to see some of the best beaches in Portugal.
Parque Natural de Sintra, Portugal © Shutterstock
If you’re looking to stretch your legs a bit, the Tagus Ecological Corridor runs along the river and gives you a totally different view of Lisbon.
The path is mostly flat and well-kept, running past landmarks like the 25 de Abril Bridge and the Cristo Rei statue, with plenty of green space and benches along the way.
You can rent a bike at one of the many stations near the waterfront. It’s good for all levels—there aren’t any steep hills—and the breeze from the river keeps things cooler, even in summer. You’ll pass by museums, parks, modern architecture, and a few quieter stretches where Lisboetas come to walk or hang out.
If you can, try to time your ride around sunset. The light hits the river just right, and you’ll get one of the best views of Lisbon without needing to climb a single hill (a luxury!). This is easily one of the best things to do in Lisbon.
written by
Matthew Hancock
updated 03.06.2025
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