Lisbon, also known as Lisboa, is Portugal’s pretty, pastel-colored capital. Kissed with rays of golden sunshine throughout the year, Lisbon is the perfect destination if you’re searching for sunny skies in cooler seasons. In addition to great weather, what makes this city enjoyable for so many is the food, people, and stunning views.

Travel tip #1: Lisbon has beautiful views which come at a price–there are a fair number of hills throughout the city. It can be a challenge to enjoy the city on foot if you are not able-bodied or physically fit, so searching for alternative sources of transportation will be high priority for some.

Places of Interest

Miradouro de Santa Luzia: One of Lisbon’s many miradouros (scenic viewpoints), Miradouro de Santa Luzia in the Alfama neighborhood is known for its gorgeous sunset view of the city and Tagus River. It gets quite crowded, so it’s best to visit on a weekday rather than weekend.

Miradouro do Monte Agudo: This is a more hidden miradouro with a local vibe. Many younger people come to this spot for sunset. There’s a small bar as well as ample places to sit. You can also watch the planes take off from the airport. I advise getting here about an hour before sunset to get a good seat, as it can be crowded.

Museu de Lisboa – Pimenta Palace: Part of a group of museums that create the Museum of Lisbon, Pimenta Palace is an 18th-century Portuguese palace located in the Campo Grande neighborhood near the University of Lisbon. This is a smaller museum, but is a great place to learn about Lisbon’s interesting history through artefacts, timelines, and more. Walk through and take a rest at Jardim Mario Soares on your way to the museum.

Museo Nacional do Azulejo: The National Tile Museum is an art museum that features beautiful azulejo tiles, which are the traditional tiles of Portugal. If you like architecture, ceramics, and history, this is a nice museum to visit. Tickets can be purchased upon entry.

Praça do Comércio and Arco da Rua Augusta: The Praça do Comércio is a large central square near the water. People gather and meet here, as well as frequent the square to view the large stone archway called Arco da Rua Augusta. Pass through for some photos, but otherwise don’t plan your day around these two sights.

Alfama: This is one of the oldest areas of the city. The steep streets of this neighborhood are lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants. Tram 28 weaves through Alfama up São Jorge Castle, making it a popular route for tourists.

Elevador da Bica: The Bica Funicular, also referred to the Elevador da Bica, is a railway line which connects the Rua de São Paulo with Calçada do Combro/Rua do Loreto. This is the most-photographed railway of its kind in Lisbon because if its steep ascent.

Mercado de Santa Clara: A vast flea market in the Alfama neighborhood where you can find everything and anything. There’s crafts, ceramics, leather goods, clothes, and more. It runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and is definitely a fun place to spend an hour or so.

Saturday Book Market (Feira de Alfarrabistas): This is a great place to people watch while sipping coffee and eating a pastéis de nata. You also have the opportunity to buy a book or two to understand bit more of Portuguese history. Peruse comic books to recent releases, illustrated postcards to special editions.

Anjos 70 – Núcleo Criativo do Regueirão: This spot hosts music nights and dance parties, as well as a monthly art and clothing market. Check-out their Facebook Page for event updates.

Pink Street: This is a well-known row of bars along a pink-painted street. The pink has faded quite a bit, and the area isn’t the safest at night, especially for women. I went here with a male friend and had a great time, but wouldn’t have felt safe bar-hopping here alone.

Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower: These two historical landmarks were highly important during Lisbon’s era of exploration. The architecture of both is worth the visit. Keep in mind that while most of Lisbon’s main sights and places of interest are conveniently located within the city center, but for Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower it is best to start your day here due to crowds.

Oceanário de Lisboa: Located in Marina Parque das Nações, a cosmopolitan space on Tagus Estuary, you’ll the aquarium, amongst other shops and restaurants. This modern aquarium sits along the water and features ocean habitats for sharks, rays, penguins, tropical fish, and other aquatic life.

El Corte Inglés: El Corte Inglés is headquartered in Madrid, Spain and is the biggest department store group in Europe. Come here for shopping, but stay for the awesome food court and food options within. There is even a large grocery store with an incredible wine selection!

Travel tip #2: As an alternative to a miradouro for a stunning view of the city, many people use the Santa Justa Lift. You can also find a rooftop bar for sunset, which I recommend rather than using the lift.

Food and Drink

Pasteis de Nata: These egg custard tarts are a must-try while in Portugal or colonial Portuguese territories, such as Brazil, Mozambique, Macau, and East Timor. Manteigaria is a popular chain with locations throughout Lisbon.

Castro – Atelier de Pastéis de Nata: This place is cute and fancy. It’s a great value for two high-quality items: pasteis de nata and coffee. Their cappuccino pairs perfectly with a fresh, warm custard tart.

Fauna & Flora: There are two locations in Lisbon (Anjos and Santos). The Anjos location is more low-key, but more than likely equally as busy as the Santos spot. You’ll find health-minded brunch options, smoothies, and fresh juices in a plant-adorned setting.

Pastelería: Pastry, desserts, and coffees are sold at these shops. Many people start their day here with a croissant, danish, or other sweet breakfast pastry alongside a small cup of coffee.

Copenhagen Coffee Lab: If you visit Mercado de Santa Clara, you stop at this café and coffeeshop for a bite to eat and a tasty coffee or tea. They serve sandwiches and other small food items with ample indoor and outdoor seating.

Augusto Lisboa: A cute little café and brunch restaurant off a side street. They make their banana bread from scratch, serving it alongside homemade peanut butter and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Antiga Bacalhoeria da Baixa: Cod is a popular fish in Portugal. With it, they make crunchy “skinned” codfish pastries which also include with potatoes, eggs, parsley, and virgin olive oil. Grab a beer and a one of these savory cod pastries stuffed with cheese.

Sea Me Peixaria Moderna: My friend who is a chef recommended I try this restaurant and it did not disappoint in the slightest! You can choose your fish from their daily selection on-ice in the back—just like a seafood market—and they prepare it. Their sushi is delicious, too. Be sure to make a reservation online, as it can be hard to get a table on walk-in basis.

Lisboa Tu e Eu: This hole-in-the-wall restaurant serves simple yet delicious Portuguese food. From pica pau to garlic shrimp to squid, all bases are covered for an amazing meal. The owner, an older woman, shares part of her life story with you through her restaurant and cooking. She was actually there taking orders and managing tables during my visit, and was an absolute gem. No reservations are taken, so be prepared to wait–even on a Monday night!

Floresta das Escadinhas: Known for having top-tier sardines, this small establishment in the bustling Chiado district of Lisbon is a good place for a casual, tasty lunch or dinner. They offer various types of grilled meats as well as special dishes. Their portions are large, so sharing is recommended.

Han Table Barbecue: If you’re craving Korean barbecue while you’re in Portugal, look no further than Han Table Barbecue. Their selection of meat is really great and the quality of the meat itself is stellar. Compared to American Korean barbecue restaurants, they offer fewer banchan options. However, their prices are quite affordable for the quality and quantity of food. Their hot stone bibimbap was great, too.

Arigato: If you’re in the Marina Parque das Nações area of Lisbon, stop by Arigato for a light meal in an aesthetically pleasing space. They have nice set menus for lunch and dinner in addition to yummy drinks. Their seared salmon belly was really amazing and is worth ordering.

Restaurante Pica-Pau: Make a reservation at Pica-Pau for a taste of traditional Portuguese cooking. Their small plates are delicious, thus ordering several of them is best. Choose from expertly made pastéis de bacalhau (cod cakes), rissóis de leitão (suckling pig rissoles), açorda (panada) and pica-pau (spicy quick-fry) as well as main dishes.

The Little Wine Bar: Located in the Chiado-Baixa area of the city along a flight of stairs, The Little Wine Bar serves traditional Portuguese cuisine and wine. Ask the staff for their wine recommendations or do a tasting. Try their mushroom dish, seafood options, and garlic prawns.

Time Out Market: This food hall is a great place to meet up with friends for a meal and some drinks. There are lots of restaurants to choose from, some of the best in Lisbon being featured. It can get busy during meal times, making it difficult to find a place to sit. I recommend securing a table before ordering your food.

Mercado de Campo de Ourique: Mercado de Campo de Ourique is a neighborhood food market that originally opened in 1934. It has produce stalls, food stuffs on sale, as well as a variety of gourmet food places to choose from. Similar to Time Out Market, seating is limited.

Travel tip #3: The seafood in Lisbon is amazing! Other than traditional Portuguese dishes, Japanese food (sushi and sashimi) is quite common. I had incredible sushi while in Lisbon and recommend going to a sushi restaurant while in the city.

Transportation and Accommodation

Lisbon has several transportation options, making it feasible to access different parts of the city relatively quickly. The Lisbon Metro system is useful and connects to the airport. At Metro Stations, you can purchase single-use tickets or passes. If you’re planning on using the bus, trams, and Metro, it is best to get a pass for easy on-off access. A Viva Viagem Card is a low-cost option that comes in 24, 48 or 72-hour options, where the time starts based on your first use. Scooter and bicycle rentals are alternative options if you do not want to use public transportation. Uber is commonly used in Lisbon and is a safe choice even for solo travelers.

If you’re traveling to other cities in Portugal, such as Porto, you will more the likely take a train or bus. Both transportation methods can be accessed from Lisbon Oriente Station nearby the Marina. Although this station is a bit further away from the central area, it is easy to access via Uber or Metro. For trains, you can buy tickets online in advance. As of April 2023, you can receive a discount for booking tickets in advance directly on the Comboios de Portugal website.

When in Lisbon, I recommend staying at a hotel due to their quality and price. Hotel Masa 5 de Outubro is located outside of the touristy areas and I had to take the bus, metro, or Uber to access my hotel from majority of sights and restaurants I visited. Similarly, Hotel Zenit as well as Duplo Charme Boutique Hotel were a quick ride away from major areas but had everything I needed to feel comfortable. I recommend staying in a more central location nearby the waterfront if you prefer to be in walking distance of busier areas, like Chiado and Alfama.

Travel tip #4: Tram 28 is the most famous of Lisbon’s iconic yellow trams that connects various parts of the city. This specific tram is usually fairly packed, which means it will sometimes not stop to pick-up passengers if it is too full.

Climate

Lisbon has a mild Mediterranean climate. Summers are warm/hot and dry while winters are relatively short, cool, and rainy. Yearly temperatures rarely dip below 5 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit) and do not typically exceed 32 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit). Early spring and autumn are the best months to visit, as the temperatures are comfortable, the days are sunny, and accommodation rates are a bit less expensive compared to summer or winter holidays.