FREE | Guide to Lisbon

Things to do and see

Below is a a great shortlist of places to visit whilst you're in Lisbon but you may not have time to fit them all in, particularly depending how long you are visiting for as there is just so much to do in Lisbon and over a big area.

Please feel free to get in touch to discuss which places may suit your interests or for a tailored day-by-day itinerary to ensure you maximise your time in Lisbon. I also offer a 4-day ready-made itinerary.

Martim Moniz

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This large square is the heart of Lisbon's multicultural Martim Moniz neighborhood. It is also the terminal for the 28 and 12 trams. Other than the tram stops and a selection of shops and restaurants, there is not much else here.

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Belém Tower

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The Belem Tower closes for tickets at 5pm with last entry from 5.30pm. The tickets are around €6 and will allow you to go to the top of the tower. However, the best sights are of the outside of the tower. Why not grab a pina colada in a Pineapple, or a wine or beer, and take in the views of the tower and the river from the riverside and watch the sunset. In my opinion, this is far more enjoyable than queuing for hours to climb to the top.

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Arco da Rua Augusta

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One of the most iconic sights of Lisbon, you can see the Arco da Rua Augusta from the Praça do Comércio square. If you fancy it, you can climb to the top for views of Lisbon. If you are lucky enough to visit in May, you'll find Lisbon's annual fair held here. Not to worry if you are visiting at any other time as you will still find a few stalls set up.

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Praça do Comércio

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Lisbon's most centric square - Praça do Comércio is huge! No matter how many people are visiting Lisbon, you will not feel short of space here! It's situated right next to the Tagus River so it's a great starting point for taking a stoll.

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Lisbon Cathedral

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The Cathedral of Saint Mary Major often called Lisbon Cathedral or simply the Sé (Sé de Lisboa), is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Lisbon. It's the oldest in the city, having been built in the 12th century. It is one of the most significant monuments of Portugal for historical, architectural and spiritual reasons. However, compared to other cathedrals across the world, it certainly isn't anything impressive. There is a nominal fee of €2.50 to enter though so you can't complain!

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Castelo de S. Jorge

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I would highly recommend a trip to the San Jorge Castle, just make sure you purchase your ticket in advance and you can walk right in. Otherwise, the queues can be huge! It never feels overly crowded once inside though. You can walk all along the castle walls and inside, there will be traditional sword fighting and games going on in the ground, and you will see peacocks just walking about freely! What's more, you will be greeted by great views over the city.

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Where to eat and drink

All of my recommendations below have been tried so I can guarantee you will not be disappointed with visit a to all or any of these places.

Restaurants

Pastéis de Belém

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The famous Pastel de Nata - you must try these and here in Belem! You can buy 4 for around €5.20 and they come with toppings such as cinnamon and icing sugar. Be prepared to queue if you want to eat inside here! Otherwise, there is generally a very short queue of only a couple of minutes to take them away.

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Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau

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A popular place among tourists, this place is simple offering just one choice of food! It combines two icons of Portuguese gastronomy: the cod pastry and the Serra da Estrela PDO cheese giving you the famous Pastel de Bacalhau.

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Tapas n’ friends

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A small but friendly restaurant serving a great selection of tapas. Whilst not the cheapest restaurant in Lisbon (the cost of 4 dishes, a beer and a wine will set you back around €43), the food is great combined with a friendly service. If you order the chorizo, you can watch them cook it on an open flame! Other dishes tried and recommended by me are: 1. Patatas bravas (obviously) 2. Goats cheese, honey and nuts puff pastry 3. Serra cheese and smoked ham bruschetta

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Vicente by Carnalentejana

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A popular small restaurant in the Bairro Alto district in Lisbon, you should book in advance if you want to be guaranteed a table. Offering a great selection of meat - both burgers and steaks - this is a great choice for quality food, all at a great price.

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Time Out Market Lisboa

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No trip to Lisbon is complete without a visit to the famous Time Out Market. You can find the best of Lisbon under one roof: the best chefs, restaurants, cultural events and cooking workshops - it is claimed to be the world's first editorially curated food and cultural market. Here you can find every variety of food you can possibly imagine. Portuguese recommendations are Caldo Verde or Bacalhau but my personal recommendation is the Marlene Viera stall which serves delicious Portuguese food. Ground Burger is also a popular option for those who are less bothered about trying the local cuisine. Note that the Time Out Market is certainly not the cheapest place to eat - don't be fooled by the concept of a "market".

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Augusto Lisboa

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A brilliant place for breakfast, this small cafe offered incredible food for a reasonable price. The internal decor is also well presented. Check out the brunch menu too so that you don't miss out on anything that Augusto has to offer.

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Bars

Pink Street

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Also known as Rua Nova do Carvalho, this bright pink lane is the center of Lisbon's nightlife in the Cais do Sodre neighborhood. A bustling party hub, you are sure to have a good time here. Whilst it may look like a cheap, dirty street like you have just stepped down the streets of magaluf, some of the bars are actually have really good drinks with friendly staff. If the partying isn't your thing, some people will visit during the day just to get their pink street photo!

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Park Rooftop

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You may want to visit here before dinner as it is a great place to enjoy delicious cocktails whilst watching the sunset over Lisbon. It is also has a really quirky entrance - you have to walk into a parking garage and take lift to the 6th floor. Only then will you be greeted by the amazing rooftop. It is also a great place to enjoy a few drinks in the sun during the day.

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Quiosque Ribeira das Naus

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If you like watching the sunset, this is a brilliant place to catch a drink, sit back, and watch the sunset after a beautiful day. It's a great place in general to people watch or sit and relax after a stroll along the Tagus River. It does get busy though so if you want to get a seat for sunset, you'll have to be there in good time.

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Red Frog Speakeasy

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Certainly a bit out of the way from the main hub of bars in Lisbon, but this is a speakeasy so what do you expect? If you want good cocktails and classy atmosphere, you will not be disappointed. But can you find it?

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Where to stay?

If you haven't already sorted your accommodation, below is a whole host of options.

You will not be short of options in Lisbon, from hotels and apartments to hostels, there is something for everyone.

I would highly recommend staying in the Alfama or Bairro Alto areas as it means everything is in walking distance.

I have linked some options below:

Luxury

Altis Avenida Hotel

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The 5-star Altis Avenida Hotel offers luxury accommodation in the heart of Lisbon city. It is within a 5-minute walk from the shopping triangle, Rua Augusta Street, Chiado and Liberdade Avenue. Altis Avenida Hotel is housed in a historical building, where guests will find a mix of traditional Portuguese architecture and design inspired by Art Deco. The plush rooms feature signature retro-style furniture with the soft shades of the leather headboards. Some rooms offer views of Lisbon's historical downtown and balconies. With a singular view over Lisbon and Tagus River, the Rossio Gastrobar offers a surprising menu of shareable dishes, a signature menu of cocktails and a careful selection of wines. A tasty breakfast buffet may be enjoyed on the 7th floor with a panoramic view over Liberdade Avenue.

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Bairro Alto Hotel

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Located in Lisbon's city centre in the luxurious yet traditional Bairro Alto and Chiado districts. This Boutique Hotel is set in an historical building from the 18th century and features 87 guestrooms, including 2 signature suites, 8 Suites and 12 Junior Suites.Guestrooms offer views over the Tagus River or 2 of the most iconic districts in Lisbon: Chiado and Bairro Alto. The hotel encompasses a restaurant with an award-winning Chef and overlooks the river and Lisbon's Old Town.

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Verride Palácio de Santa Catarina

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This luxurious property has a privileged location, in Lisbon's historic centre and overlooking the Tagus River. Verride Palácio Santa Catarina consists of stylish rooms and suites, blending vintage details with modern comforts. The building's rooftop area features sweeping 360º views over the city. Each room or suite has a distinctive and clean décor and features, with some having balcony views over the Tagus River, while others overlook the traditional Bica neighborhood. With radiant heated floors throughout, the units all have large windows, plenty of natural light and custom furnishings, with a predominance on Portuguese materials. Aesop amenities are available in the modern and elegant bathrooms of each unit. Guests may enjoy a customized breakfast in a large table or in the outdoor esplanade overlooking the pool and city or enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant. With river and Cristo Rei views, the Suba restaurant provides a prime dining experience, with modern twists on classic Portuguese cuisine. There is also a rooftop bar.

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Mid-range Accommodation

54 São Paulo Exclusive Apartment Hotel

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Located in Lisbon, 1.4 km from Commerce Square and 1.4 km from Rossio, 54 São Paulo - Exclusive Apartment Hotel provides accommodation with air conditioning and access to a garden. Complimentary WiFi is offeredthroughout the property. Each unit comes with a sofa, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a well-fitted kitchenette with a dining area, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a hair dryer. A dishwasher, a microwave and toaster are also provided, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle. The apartment offers a terrace.

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Boutique Chiado Apartments & Suites

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Built in 2018, is located in the heart of Lisbon in Chiado, just a 2-minute walk from Bairro Alto. Featuring free WiFi, the property is within a 10-minute walk from Commerce Square and Rossio. All guest rooms in the guest house are equipped with a TV. Rooms are complete with a private bathroom fitted with free toiletries, while some rooms have a balcony. The rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Dona Maria II National Theatre is 1.8 km from Boutique Chiado Suites, while Liberty Avenue is 2.2 km from the property.

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Still want more information

Let me plan you a custom trip!

Perhaps you're reading this guide and thinking to yourself:

👉This is great but I want more information!

👉This was helpful but I want to know more like how to get to the city centre, how to get around, when is best to go etc.

👉I also want to consider different accommodation options.

👉And actually, I might stay longer and explore other places.

Not to worry, I'm here to help with that.

Why not book yourself a consultation call with me or ask me to plan a tailored itinerary that suits your needs.

Alternatively, you can find my itinerary below which I followed when on my recent trip:

Lyndsey

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Lisbon Itinerary

Want to know where to get that perfect yellow tram photo? This itinerary has THE best spot. I have personally used this itinerary for my own trip to Lisbon in October 2023 so it has been fully tried and tested to include honest recommendations. This complete 4-day itinerary has everything you need to know in a neat and structured way so that you are maximising your time, hitting the right places, at the right time and in the right area, including: ➡️ airport transport options (with prices) ➡️ local information such as weather, currency etc. ➡️ a recommended schedule to include sights, attractions, restaurants and bars ➡️ and more leaving you with nothing to worry about other than enjoying your trip to Lisbon. All of the above can be tailored to your needs so please get in touch if you can have further questions.

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Itinerary