The Modern Traveler's Guide to Lisbon
- Aneatrice Wornum
- Dec 8, 2024
- 9 min read
Food, culture and luxury stays in Portugal's capital.
Two years ago, I booked a last minute solo trip to Europe. Of the 7 cities I visited on this adventure, Lisbon is the one that stole my heart.
From the colorful, tile-adorned buildings, to the laid back culture and artsy brunch cafes in every nook and cranny of the city, Lisbon is a place that is easy to fall in love with.
For foodies, art lovers and history buffs of all kinds it’s a must-visit destination. Here is my guide on where to stay, what to do and where to eat on a trip to Lisbon.
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Things to Do in Lisbon
Engage your senses with a food and wine tour.
One of the best ways to experience Portugal’s culture is through its cuisine. I would describe it as a refreshing combination of flavors ranging from fresh seafood to hearty stews and a pleasant array of spices woven into every dish.
On this small-group food tour, you’ll be able to experience traditional eats and wine pairings (with above average pours) from Portugal’s best wine regions.
It’s a great way to get a taste of the traditional fare in a short amount of time. Plus the small-group nature makes it easy to bond with other travelers (especially if you’re traveling solo!).
Take a boat ride on the Tagus River
If you love being on the water, you’ll love this sunset boat trip on the Tagus River (the Rio Tejo), the Iberian Peninsula’s longest river. Enjoy traditional wine and snacks while seeing iconic sights like the 25th of April Bridge bridge and The Sanctuary of Christ the King monument. And don’t forget to take those sunset pictures!
Get lost in the Alfama district
Alfama is the oldest neighborhood in the city. A charming mixture of hilly, cobblestoned streets, cozy shops and beautiful street art. I loved getting a glimpse at the portraits of locals!
See a fado show
Fado is a traditional style of Portuguese folk music often portraying themes of grief, sorrow and hardships. Seeing a live performance over dinner is a must-do! You can find restaurants with fado performances all over the city, but the best place to catch a show is in the Moorish Quarter, the birthplace of fado.
For an authentic experience you’ll want to head to Dona Amalia or Maria da Mouraria - Casa de Fados. I also recommend doing a walking tour of the Moorish Quarter or spending some time at the Fado Museum to learn more about tradition before seeing a show to gain a deeper appreciation for the art.
Spend the afternoon at LX Factory
This old factory complex has been transformed into a bustling hub of restaurants, bars, offices and boutiques filled with handmade crafts from local artisans. Be sure to make a stop at Ler Devagar, a hip bookstore, featuring contemporary books and records from all genres.
Enjoy the weekend markets
During the high season, on Saturdays you can find an array of markets scattered around the city. There is an outdoor market right next to Time Out Market (also recommend stopping here!) that showcase local vendors with products ranging from handmade jewelry to canned sardines. A similar open-air market takes place right outside the Ministério da Justiça building in Praça do Comércio.
Take a Day Trip to Sintra
Just an hour outside of Lisbon, you can meet Sintra, a fairytale setting of royal palaces and a UNESCO world heritage site. As there are about 6 palaces here, I would recommend spending a full day to have a good experience (but don’t get too caught up on seeing EVERYTHING, 2-3 is perfect).
Sintra National Park and Pena Palace are must-sees. As two of the most popular attractions in Sintra, you’ll want to do these early in the morning. After grabbing lunch in town at a place like A Praça , finish the day by exploring the Moorish castles. Be sure to book tickets in advance! I highly recommend book this tour for a seamless experience.
Enjoy Local Festivities
While Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in Europe, the vibe is young, hip and fresh. There is always something going from concerts, to festivals to pop-up art exhibitions.
Adding special local events to your travel itinerary is a unique means of creating those core memories that last a lifetime. To find what’s happening in Lisbon when you’re traveling you can work with your travel advisor or check out this official site for all of Lisbon’s happenings.
What to Skip
Tram 28
If you have done any research about Lisbon before reading this blog, you have probably hear of Tram 28 - the classic, yellow 1930's tram that runs through the soul of Lisbon.
What you would think would make for a charming instagram-worthy moment is actually a long wait, VERY crowded and anti-climatic ride on a hot, yellow bus.
If you must do it, ride during the early morning or evening when lines and crowds have died down and temperatures have cooled.
Belem Tower
Home of Pastéis de Belém - the first ever producer of pastel de natas in the city. While everyone raves about these being the best in the city, you can get pastel de natas everywhere, and literally anywhere.
Unless you are already there, I would not bother taking the 20 minute Uber to get here for a nata, especially if you are short on time. I mention my favorite bakery for natas later in this post.
Places to Eat & Drink
Sofia’s Place
This intimate, black-owned establishment offers up a diverse and elevated mix of pan-African dishes with flavor combinations that are truly out of this world. The owner and chef, Sofia greets every guest with a warm welcome and truly creates an environment that is apt for social connection and enjoyment. If you like fish, the Yassa and Mufete dishes are must-trys!
Hachiko Ramen by Honda
When in Lisbon, you wouldn’t normally think about eating Japanese food (though there is a cultural connection there, we’ll save that story for later). This gem is tucked away in a non-touristy corner of the city. This award-winning restaurant offers authentic Japanese cuisine and features X different varieties of ramen, bento boxes and the typical Japanese small plates like edamame, gyoza and kharage. The highlight of the menu for me was the kimchi ramen!
Quase Cafe
This cute brunch cafe in the Alfama district serves up a variety of delicious brunch staples and health conscious menu items like fresh-pressed juices and smoothie bowls. Their Purple Rain acai bowl was easily the best I have ever had! It was so good I had to get it twice in one trip!
Heim Cafe
Another one of my favorite brunch cafes in Lisbon. The menu provides a unique array of delicious brunch items with artistic presentation.
Lisbon Tu e Eu
If you’re looking for traditional Portuguese eats, look no further than Lisbon Tu e Eu. When you think of a Portuguese restaurant, you think of exactly this. Here you’ll find well-priced menu items in a characterful building with friendly staff. Try the grilled sardines and octopus salad!
Pastelaria Alfama Doce
Some people will tell you that the best pastel de natas in Lisbon are at Torre Belem. However, I am convinced that those people haven’t tried the ones at this teeny little cafe in Alfama! You can also get a shot of ginja (Portugese cherry liqueur) in a chocolate cup here.
Cafe o Corvo
A great place to grab a quick bite and a glass of sangria after exploring the Moorish Quarter. I recommend trying their "escabeche de sardniha" and soup of the day.
Topo Martim Moniz
This rooftop bar is a great place to watch the sunset over the city. Here you’ll find vintage arcade games, live music and creative cocktails and mocktails inspired by popular songs.
Lisbon's Neighborhood
Lisbon is made up of several different neighborhoods, all with their own unique vibe, attractions and backstory. Understanding the neighborhoods will help you figure out where you want to spend most of your time. I have compiled a list of the most popular neighborhoods in Lisbon into this guide along with their unique profile.
Alfama/Moorish Quarter
The oldest part of the city. Here you'll find a charming maze of narrow, winding streets and staircases, fado restaurants and amazing viewpoints. I stayed in this neighborhood my second time around and to me it felt the most authentic!
Baxia
This is the central hub of the city. This is where you'll find most hotels, shopping outlets and beautiful plazas and squares. If you're in the mood for a great viewpoint climb to the top of Elevador de Santa Justa.
Chiado
Located between Baxia and Bairro Alto, this is Lisbon's shopping and entertainment hub. High-end boutiques, art galleries and the 18th century National Theatre of São Carlos - a must-see in Lisbon.
Bairro Alto
This is THE nightlife district and home of Pink Street. Come here to find free-spirited bars, live DJ sets and karaoke. I found that most places cater to the 30 and under crowd, but there are still great spots for other age groups. Lisbon nightlife goes on al night so keep in mind you may be out past 4 o'clock in the morning!
Where to Stay
BOUTIQUE/LUXURY HOTELS
Bairro Alto Hotel
Perfectly situated in the heart of Lisbon, perfect for first-timers. The vibe is sophisticated, yet modern.
Perks when you book with us:
Upgrade on arrival
Daily Breakfast for up to two guests per room, served in the hotel restaurant
$100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay
Early Check-In / Late Check-Out
Sublime Lisboa
Not located in the main hub of the city, but close enough to catch an Uber or cab to explore the central area. Perfect for those seeking a hip escape in an upscale area. True boutique hotel with personalized services.
Perks when you book with us:
Upgrade on arrival
Early Check-In / Late Check-Out
The Luminares Hotel
Located in the main hub of the city, this hotel provides a reprieve from the hustle and bustle while still being close to the action. Apartment-style accommodations, and onsite spa with dedicated sauna and steam room.
Perks when you book with us:
$50 USD per person to be utilized during stay
Daily Continental breakfast for two people
Room upgrade to next room category
Early check-in/Late check-out
Wait, what are perks? Before you head to Expedia to secure your reservation, let me let you in on a little travel secret:
As an independently operated, boutique travel company, we partner with the best luxury and boutique properties across the world to get you the VIP treatment you deserve.
With these partnerships we can offer the same rates (or better), than any online booking platform or even the hotel website. Plus, you'll get exclusive perks you won't find anywhere else. That's the beauty of booking with a travel agency!
Booking with us is easy, just fill out this form with your dates. Once complete we'll send you the rates and then get you booked (with perks)!
Okay, now back to the guide.
GETTING AROUND
Getting around Lisbon is relatively easy and affordable. Here are the top ways to make your way around the city:
Walk
Lisbon has the privilege of being an extremely walkable city. I personally love walking everywhere (a 20+ minute walk does not scare me). Just be mindful that the city is very hilly, and you will probably find yourself climbing a few flights of stairs.
Ride-share
Ride-share apps are readily available and very well-priced compared to the U.S. I recommend using Uber or Bolt to get anywhere that is not within walking distance.
Metro
Though you probably won't need it, Lisbon's metro system is convenient and easy to use. You can use tap pay to use for the subway without needing to buy a ticket.
Tram
I have not utilized this on any of my trips to Portugal, but it is a way to get around.
*Beware of TukTuk drivers! I found these to be ridiculously overpriced for what is offered. They can be convenient for those with mobility issues since there are many, many hills to climb. Just make sure you negotiate a good price.
READY TO GO TO LISBON?
Hopefully this Lisbon travel guide served as a great starting point for planning your trip to Lisbon. While, the recommendations here are great, we are full believers that your trip should reflect your personal style and desires and not just be a copy and paste of some random blogger's (not to roast ourselves).
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