a weekend guide for lisbon, portugal
the abril de 25 bridge, taken on film from the cafe of the MAAT museum.
lisbon is one of our favorite cities ever. such a vibrant community thrives in this place, and on top of that, you can always count on having a bright sun, hundreds of kilometers of blue coastal oceanfronts, and warm white sand everywhere, which can be enjoyed by everyone. not to mention the food!
food
to start this guide, i have to preface that one large part of experiencing a culture is by means of food...
lisbon offers a delectable culinary experience that is sure to tantalize the taste buds of any food lover. the local cuisine is a colorful fusion of traditional portuguese flavors with influences from around the world, impacted by its rich history of global exploration.
one must-try dish is the iconic "bacalhau à brás," a flavorful combination of salted cod, eggs, onions, and thinly sliced potatoes.
for seafood enthusiasts, be prepared to be delighted by the fresh and succulent grilled sardines, a staple of lisbon's coastal gastronomy.
for meat lovers, the "cozido à portuguesa" is a hearty stew filled with various meats and vegetables. pair these delicious dishes with a glass of vinho verde or a refreshing ginginha, a cherry liqueur, and you will get a perfect culinary journey through lisbon's delightful food scene.
and for dessert, having a "pastéis de nata," is required. these are heavenly custard tarts with a crispy, flaky crust. obviously before trying any other pastéis, you must go to the famous "pastéis de belém" the original bakery which can be credited for inventing our favorite pastry, which every other place sells as “pastel de nata.” on your way to belém, stop for lunch at any of the restaurants in LX factory or village underground, which are both situated right under the famous 25 de abril bridge, and if you have time, say hello and maybe even have a glass of wine or bring a beer to share with JP at the lisbon crooks store, a one of a kind surf shop on the second floor (i’m sure you will find it).
breakfast and cafes
Hygge Kaffe
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hygge cafe is the perfect place to enjoy a cozy breakfast or coffee. although not necessarily a place that encompasses portuguese culture, it is worthwhile to stop and have a bite if passing through.
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La Boulangerie
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la boulangerie is an outstanding breakfast spot situated near the santos train station. enjoy breakfast or brunch with a view, and dont forget to bring sunscreen if you sit outside!
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Seagull Method cafe • Brunch cafe
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seagull method cafe is another cozy breakfast cafe situated in principe real. the food is a bit pricey, but the menu is unique and the hashbrowns are worth returning for.
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Café Janis
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cafe janis is the place for a healthy brunch break. with balanced, healthier meals and many vegan options, the atmosphere is cozy and relaxed and the outdoor area overseeing the garden is an oasis if you are wanting a break from the crowded streets. many say that the banana bread is a must-try, or if you end up there in the evening, the espresso martini never disappoints.
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lunch
Os Courenses
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for an authentic portuguese cuisine, os courenses is the restaurant to go to. they don't even have an english menu! that should tell you something...
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Taberna Sal Grosso
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for a cozy lunch or dinner, head to taberna sal grosso. you might have to make a reservation beforehand, but if you are looking for a great meal for good value, this is the place.
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Cascais Remo
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another great local restaurant to experience local portuguese cuisine. many of the waiters do not speak english, so be prepared for some google translating.
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Vegan Junkies
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if you are in the mood to stray away from traditional portuguese cuisine, hit up vegan junkies for your one-stop-shop for a vegan and vegetarian take on "fast food."
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LxFactory
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with shops, restaurants, and bars galore, lx factory (lx stands for lisboa) is the place to go. although it is very pricey compared to any local spot, lx is worth the visit as it is a fun place to explore. if you aren't in the mood for lunch, there are crepe places and a cafe that sells brazilian brigadeiros, which are traditionally glorious balls of chocolate that melt in your mouth.
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dinner
Cantinho do Aziz
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tucked away on a side street near martim moniz, cantinho do aziz is a low-key spot that serves innovative mozambican dishes. during the evening it gets very lively as well!
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Lumi Rooftop
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lumi is a gem of a rooftop bar situated in the historic district of bairro alto. enjoy a glass of wine on the terrace or indulge in a contemporary dish from portuguese chef joao silva.
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Las Gringas
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las gringas is a hip taco spot near arroios. it gets very crowded, and there aren't many places to sit, but you will be very impressed with the menu and if you are into it, they have great horchata.
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Rosamar
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if you are one for seafood, rosamar is the place to try it. nothing else needs to be said. i'm not even a fish person, but the oysters and miso cod were unbelievably good.
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A Cevicheria
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although the prices are a bit higher than other seafood restaurants in lisbon, a cevicheria makes your visit worthwhile, as you can watch the chefs prepare your masterfully crafted meal behind the counter while sipping on a glass of wine.
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O Talho
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if you are a fan of meats, this is the place to go to. with hundreds of options and cuts to choose from, o talho, which literally means the butcher in english, will leave you more than satisfied. if you want to "eat in," without sacrificing quality, make sure to see if the butcher is open if you want to pick out your own meats to grill at home.
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Chapitô à Mesa
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tucked behind a storefront, this restaurant has an amazing atmosphere and unrivalled views of lisbon. once you are done eating, head downstairs to an underground bar that often has live brazilian music going on!
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Santa Clara dos Cogumelos
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i've never been a mushroom person, but ever since dining as scdc, my life has been changed... that is all i have to say.
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dessert
Pastéis de Belém
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if you are a fan of pastries, do not skip this. pastéis de belém is the first place to create what we know and love as "pastel de nata," so if you haven't tried them yet, this is the place i recommend. it is a tourist hotspot, but if you stand in the line to sit in, you will most likely be served within 10 minutes with warm, flaky pasteis. don't forget to ask for cinnamon and powdered sugar to put on top!
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Nannarella
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for some italian gelato, head to nannarella to get your fix. with massive servings for cheap and so many flavors to try, this is a great spot if late night ice cream is your thing!
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views, views, views
lisbon is famous for its colorful houses, ocean vistas, and golden sunsets. but, where exactly does one catch a golden sunset over an ocean vista with colorful houses in the foreground? at a miradouro of course. loosely translated as 'lookout point,' the miradouros of lisbon give you the opportunity to catch a different perspective of this beautiful city, which was built upon seven hills. my favorite thing to do is rent a lime/bolt/whichever other brand scooter and cruise around at sunset, stopping at the viewpoints that catch your eye.
Viewpoint of Monte Agudo
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straight uphill from the anjos metro station, this is neither the most popular, nor the most scenic sunset spot in lisbon, but it is the most chill by far. mainly locals enjoy this viewpoint, so be respectful and keep it a secret...
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Miradouro de Santa Catarina
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miradouro de santa caterina is a great spot to explore during sunset. being super clean and having a cool local vibe, there are endless opportunities for super dope sunset flicks. hit the bar next to it for a cheap evening drink as well.
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Miradouro de Santa Luzia
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this viewpoint is a great spot to have a stunning overview of the city and the ocean. it’s mostly quite crowded since it is one of the most popular viewpoints, along the 28 tram route, but you can always find a spot to take some photos and enjoy the view. there are many nearby crevices and side streets as well that give a more secluded view.
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Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
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after climbing up stairs, and weaving through narrow streets, miradouro da senhora do monte will grace you with unreal views. if it is too crowded, i like to hop up onto this wall with graffiti which is near the street calcada do monte, to get a more private experience. up the street as well are some cool bars to grab a drink after if you end up there at sunset.
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sam's secret spots
nothing to be said here...
38.7035° N, 9.1789° W
if you follow these coordinates they will lead you to a very well known spot in lisbon. but wait!!! once you arrive, go around to the backside of the right factory building (when you face the water), and there you should find scaffolding. climb up to the top, (there are stairs inside as well but i always get lost inside...) and you should find yourself with an amazing private view, placing you under the ponte 25 de abril bridge.
38.7210° N, -9.1487° W
a cultural gem of the late 40s, this spot will give you an insight on some cool history. there is a musem as well in the building, which is super cool for cinemaphiles and lovers of old camera equipment.
38.7149° N, -9.1277° W
tucked in one of the most famous monestaries in the beautiful neighbordhood of alfama, there lies an undeniably fascinating and beautifully arranged collection of one of my favorite things... go find out for yourself!
38.7246° N, -9.1138° W
if you like the portuguese tiles, you will enjoy this piece of history. a singerie with unexpected characters giving insight to portugal's culture in the 17th century. also, apparently no one knows who the artist of the enigmatic masterpiece is.
culture and exploration
lisbon, one of the oldest cities in western europe, is full of endless amounts of rich culture, ready to be explored. with remnants of its history left on every street and tile, there is so much to see and experience. if you are spending just a weekend in lisbon, however, it is hard to cram everything into just threedays, which is why the suggestions below are perfect choices to feed your curiosities about this beautiful city's culture, ripe with remnants of the past, and opportunities to explore the present.
cultural landmarks
Feira da Ladra
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feira da ladra, often thought to mean "the market of the thieves" actually derives from the word "ladro," meaning bug or flea, often found in antiques. this market has been going on since the 13th century, and has become a staple of lisbon's local and touristic culture. held every saturday and tuesday from morning to late afternoon, you can find just about anything and everything. it is possible to bargain but at the same time be mindful of the fact that many of the merchants do this to support themselves.
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MAAT
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as the coolest looking building in lisbon, maat is an ever-changing display of today's most innovative arts, technologies, and architecture. split into two buildings, one dedicated to art and sustainable technologies, and the other dedicated to innovative and pioneering concepts of social infrastructure, a trip to this museum is worth the entry fee.
as the musem is near belem and lx factory, it is convenient to combine these three spots to fill an entire day.
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Alfama
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as the oldest neighborhood in lisbon, alfama is filled with a unique charm. almost frozen in time, the moorish architecture stems from the muslim conquest of portugal from as far back as the 8th century. it is more than worth a stroll down winding streets, and in the evening there are countless fado bars to explore!
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National Tile Museum
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if you are interested in the history and artistry behind tile-making and its significance in portuguese culture, this museum makes for a great experience. it is worth a visit and wildly less crowded than other architectural hotspots, such as the igreja santa maria de belém, which often has a line that wraps around the street block.
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off the beaten path exploration
Panorâmico de Monsanto
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panoramico is an old restaurant, abandoned and derelict, which has become a great urban exploration spot and a sort of museum filled with local street art.
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Livraria Bertrand - Chiado
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founded in 1732, the original store in chiado was declared to be the oldest bookstore in the world by the guinness book of world records in 2011. it is definitely worth a quick visit!
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Estufa Fria
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estufa fria is an oasis in the middle of lisbon. with three distinct gardens, this greenhouse complex is a perfect place to go when the hustle and bustle of the city gets too chaotic and overwhelming.
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Casa da Guia
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casa da guia, in cascais, is truly an interesting place. they have everything, from good desserts and cool restaurants to occasional live performances and unrivaled views of the atlantic.
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Casa-Museu Dr. Anastácio Gonçalves
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the museum-residence of dr. anastácio gonçalves has become a space for 19th century portuguese paintings and art noveau artifacts. walking through what used to be someone's house, now filled with tons of art is always a mystifying and curious experience.
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hidden beaches
Santa Marta Beach
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located in cascais, praia santa marta is best at high tide and around midday, when the sun is shining above. that is when you can jump off the bridge into the crystal blue water and enjoy a little more privacy when locals are at work if it is not the weekend. it is a 20 minute walk along the water from cascais, and definitely worth the visit if you are in the area.
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Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo
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located in sesimbra, reachable by ride-sharing apps or car, this beach has become my absolute favorite. after driving down a dirt road and hiking down the cliffs for 20 minutes in the beating sun, taking a swim in this place is so refreshing. sometimes you have to earn your beach day.
this beach is best at mid-day to late afternoon, or during high tide, when you can jump off the rocks and have the warmth of the sun. most locals tend to clear out around sunset, so if you want a more private experience, bring a sweater and some wine and enjoy the starlight. it's definitely worthy of a half-day trip, and once you are done at the beach, it is a 30 minute walk to the town of sesimbra, where you will have plenty of seaside-dining options to enjoy after an exhausting day.
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in the evening:
when the sun goes down after a busy day of exploring, the day is not yet over... as a cultural mixing pot, and touristic hotspot, lisbon has one of the coolest nightlife cultures. with countless awesome bars, hidden speakeasies, jazz spots and brazilian street parties, i always find myself gravitating towards places locals have recommended me, and staying away from the club scene. especially if your time in lisbon is limited, it would be doing your trip a disservice to lose half the day to a nasty hangover.
from my experience going out in lisbon, it is clear that the separation of tourists and locals is very evident. most tourists stay near pink street and bairro alto, which are two bustling areas filled with pretty average cheap bars and tons of crowds and lines out the doors. locals go to bars and jazz clubs and smaller, lowkey spots, which is why the recommendations below are mostly those.
helpful tip: if you decide to bar-hop in the evening. the bars on the list starting from tasca do chico and ending at titanic sur mer are organized in the order i think you should experience them.
amor records and casa independente are near the train station intendente, so i suggest grouping them together as well.
and musa has two locations, the one closest to the other bars is their location in bica.
Tasca do Chico
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fado music is a large part of portuguese culture. tasca do chico is a great place to experience fado without having to commit to a three-course meal, which is very common at traditional fado spots. it is often very crowded, so try to go early.
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Antù
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antu is another local spot, serving up modern brazilian dishes and cheap beers in a concept-y setting. sometimes they have djs in the evening and they often have football playing on the screens, so when an important game is scheduled in the evening, tons of younger locals show up.
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Boavista Social Club
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boavista social club is another hip spot, near cais do sodre. dishing up some luxury cocktails and small bites, it is a good place to start the evening, as it is near other, more high-energy bars.
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Vago
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vago is an awesome cocktail bar located in between bairro alto and cais do sodre. there are cool windows, the sound system is really great, and the whole vibe is very cool and posh. sometimes there is a line but it isn't very long and everytime i have to wait we always end up talking to the people near us in line.
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Titanic Sur Mer
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titanic sur mer is the closest thing to a club i will ever go to in lisbon! on sundays, they have live samba nights, with a 15 euro entry, ending at around 1:30am. samba night is such a great time, as it attracts tons of brazilian and portuguese locals, who bring such a great vibe to the place, and the band is awesome and the music does not stop until its over! but... this is my subjective opinion, when it's not very crowded, it does tend to get a bit awkward because the space is so large.
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Amor Records
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as a super chill record store/listening bar, amor records has some great cocktails and a generally social vibe. on thursdays they have live vinyl mixing sessions.
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Casa Independente
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casa independente is an old estate turned into a quirky speakeasy/bar. occasionally they have djs, and when they do there is usually a small entry fee, but it is an awesome spot to hop to if it is nearby. exploring the hallways and rooms while tipsy is definitely a fun adventure.
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Musa
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musa is a brazilian bar, where they often have live music and tons of dancing. they have two locations, and the one i go to often has a ping pong table, and super awesome drinks. make sure to check when they are hosting live bands, as it is definitely the most fun part about this bar.
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at a glance
hey now! you've reached the end of this guide! the places i've suggested to you are more than enough to enjoy a few days, or even weeks in lisbon.
as you explore, you will always find new places as well. there are so many awesome things to see in this city, and i am excited for you (yes, you,) to see this place how i see it.
feel free to ignore places in this guide, or to tell friends about them, or visit them twice, or three times! it is merely a list of curated suggestions, you are the one who knows how you want to spend your weekend, or time in lisbon, not me...
i can't tell you what to do!
i do have one more thing to suggest, however...
a challenge:
when you travel to lisbon,
try to get lost once a day,
Ask a local instead of google,
Try and find my 1988 vw golf (its on rua xabregas near lidl.)
learn a portuguese phrase or two,
take the long route,
and enjoy your weekend!
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