By Shannon Gomes
The vibrant, colorful and extremely welcoming city of Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, is having a big moment right now, and rightly so! If you haven’t visited Lisbon yet, it’s highly likely you know someone that has been in the last few years…and I encourage you to start planning your own trip to this most wonderful city in the very near future. Rich in history (one of the oldest cities in Western Europe), Lisbon is teeming with things to do, places to explore and features so many delicious places to eat. It is truly one of my favorite cities in the world.
Let’s dive into my recommendations!
🌞 Best time of year to visit?
Summer is a very popular time to visit but if you’d still like to experience nice weather and less crowds, I recommend visiting in the Fall (September or October) or Spring (April or May). Expect loads of tourists from around the world in July & August.
🗓️ How long should you stay in Lisbon?
To properly experience the city, you need a minimum of 4 days but ideally up to 7 days. Keep in mind you can do easy day trips from Lisbon to nearby places like Cascais & Sintra (check out my recommendations for visiting Sintra here)
✈️ Best airport to fly in/out of?
Lisbon’s International Airport, Humberto Delgado Airport. You can find many direct flights from the U.S. and major cities in Europe to Lisbon.
🚗 Do you need to rent a car?
Unless you are planning to do lots of traveling throughout Portugal, there is no need to rent a car while staying in Lisbon. There are plenty of taxis and Ubers available. Plus, Lisbon is a great walking city (bring your tennis shoes – the steep hills are similar to San Francisco!) and it is also a lot of fun to ride the trams.
**TIP: Buy the Lisbon Card (you can purchase at the airport or through the app “Get Your Guide”). The card works for all public transport, entry into major sites, provides fast-track to certain sites and more. Note that most major attractions are closed on Mondays.
🏨 Where to stay?
There are tons of great hotel options in Lisbon at all different price ranges. I recommend finding a hotel in one of the following neighborhoods: Chiado, Bairro Alto, Alfama or Baixa. If you are traveling with your family or group of friends, I also recommend finding a great apartment to rent on Airbnb or stay in a HomeExchange to truly experience life in Lisbon as a local.
🚶🏽♀️Best neighborhoods of Lisbon to explore on foot?
Mouraria, Alfalfa, Barrio Alto & Graca.
Interested in taking a walking tour of Lisbon to learn more about the city’s history and culture? Book with Lisbon Chillout Tours.
👀 Best viewpoints of Lisbon?
Visit the following spots and don’t forget your camera!
Miradouro da Graca
Senhora do Monte Agudo
Sao Jorge Castle
Sao Pedro de Alcantara
Panoramico de Monsanto
📌 Must visit sites while in Lisbon?
This is where you’ll realize you really need at least a week to see & do so many things as it is hard to do it all in just a few days!
Whether you are in Lisbon for just a few days or a full week, seeing the highlights of the city on a Tuk Tuk tour is a must! 🛺 Tuk Tuks are everywhere now in Lisbon and a fantastic way to explore the steep hills & learn about the history with an expert guide. We had a great tour with Ferrarituktours, and a friend told me about a great tour she went on with Tuk-Tuk Fun Tours. Book in advance. 👊
Some key sights not to miss include:
Time Out Lisboa
LXFactory
Se Cathedral
Pravda do Comercio
Belem Tower
Convento do Carmo
Jeronimos Monastery – and afterwards visit the Tropical Botanical Garden
National Azulejo Museum
Royal Coaches Museum
Ajuda National Palace
⚽️ Futbol/Soccer fan?
I highly recommend taking an Uber about 20 minutes outside of the city to take a tour of the incredible Sport Lisboa e Benfica stadium. Purchase your tickets in advance on the GetYourGuide app.
👩🍳 Want to take a hands on cooking class?
Book a class with Cooking Lisbon– it’s awesome! We did the Market Tour with Cooking Class and loved it.
🎤 Want to experience a Fado show?
Check out the following shows at:
Tasca do Chico
Mesa de Frades
Severa
⛵️ Enjoy being on the water?
Book a sunset cruise via “Get Your Guide” app or Airbnb Experiences.
🦐 Let’s talk food!
Lisbon offers an incredible culinary scene ranging from traditional dishes, fabulous seafood, irresistible pastries to modern cuisine. So many fantastic people to eat, but here are my recommendations:
Seafood: Cervejaria Ramiro, Penalva da Graça, Barcabela, Marisqueira do Lis
Fine Dining: SÁLA de João Sá
Portuguese cuisine: Restaurante Ponto Final, A Provinciana, A Valenciana, Taberna da Rus das Flores, Jesus e Goes
Pasteries: Manteigaria is the best for Pasteis de Nata (egg tarts). Also be sure to visit Confeitaria Nacional to taste many Portuguese cakes & pastries.
🍷 Best rooftop bars?
Visit the following for great drinks and fab views:
Java
Topo
Park Bar
Sky Bar
Entetanto Bar
With its unique blend of tradition and innovation, Lisbon captivates visitors with its timeless beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. Don’t wait – book your trip to Lisbon now! 🇵🇹
