Lisbon is quickly becoming Europe’s hottest capital. A city that was once a well-kept secret is seeing a steady rise in the number of tourists each year and they’re showing no signs of stopping.
I was fortunate enough to visit Lisbon in early March on a press trip with Holiday Senses and it’s now one of my favourite European cities.
[I visited Lisbon on a press trip with Holiday Senses. Some experiences were complimentary but I created my own itinerary and paid for other experiences myself. As always, all opinions are my own. ]
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Taste the World-Famous Pastéis de Belém
Pastel de nata have gone from being a relatively unknown Portuguese dessert that you may have spied at the Nandos counter to one of the world’s favourite desserts. The world has gone pastel de nata crazy and I am here for it.
There is, however, a type of dessert that is superior to the pastel de nata and that is the pastéis de Belém. What’s the difference I hear you ask?
Well, just from looking at them, they look pretty much identical.
However, the pastéis de Belém contain a secret ingredient (that they won’t reveal!) and it makes the filling much creamier and softer, whilst pastel de nata filling has a more custard-like texture.
You’ll quickly discover in Portugal that most desserts revolve around egg yolks and pastry. Seriously, pretty much all of their sweet treats are basically just egg yolks manipulated in different ways!
The pastéis de Belém and nata are not ones to miss though, this cream pastry has even got a whole episode dedicated to it on The Great British Bake Off!
Address: Rua de Belém 84-92, 1300-085 Lisboa
Opening Hours: 8am – 11pm every day
Wander the Cloisters of Jeronimos Monastery
Jeronimos Monastery was one of the top things on my list of things to do in Lisbon and it did not disappoint.
As I wandered the cloisters of Jeronimos Monastery, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the beautiful cloisters of Oxford University.
I honestly felt like I was walking through Portuguese-ified Christ Church!
It also gives off Game of Thrones vibes and you could imagine this being a part of fictional Dorne.
The gothic architecture is breath-taking and it’s best that you arrive as close to opening as possible so as to wander these without the crowds.
There’s one room here in which there is a huge panel outlining the history of Portugal and how it compared to what else was going on in the world at the time, which is fascinating.
If you’re reading all the info on here, it’ll take you a good while to get round the whole thing but this is the best place to learn about Portuguese history dating back thousands of years.
You’ll also find the tomb of influential Portuguese writer Fernando Pessoa as you wander round and a refectory lined with beautiful examples of Portuguese tiles.
On your way out, make sure to visit the church where you will find the tombs of Luís Vaz de Camões (the most famous Portuguese writer and poet, aka Portuguese Shakespeare) and the navigator Vasco da Gama (who discovered the sea route to India).
Opening Hours: 10 am – 5.30pm
Price: €10 (concessions available)
Address: Praça do Império 1400-206 Lisboa
Website: www.mosteirojeronimos.gov.pt/
Visit the Tower of Belém
On your visit to Belém for the delicious pastéis de nata and Jeronimos Monastery, you must carry on down along the water to the Tower of Belém. Belém Tower is another stunning monument and has been recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site.
It dates back to the sixteenth century and has served as both a fortress and a port. It’s a magnificent building connected to land by a wooden bridge and it’s a really lovely part of Lisbon to stop and take a break at.
My personal recommendation is to buy your pastéis de Belém and carry on up to the Tower where you can find a place to sit and dig in! On your way, don’t forget to admire Padrão dos Descobrimentos, the Monument of Discoveries, too.
Website: torrebelem.com/en/belem-tower/
Price: €6 (concessions available + combined ticket with Jeronimos)
Address: Avenida Brasilia, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal
Opening Hours: 10am – 6:30pm
Sail the River Tagus at Sunset
Lisbon is on the River Tagus (not the sea!) and you can get some of the best views of the city from the water.
You’ll start from Belém and see the Tower of Belém from the water and then move back towards the centre of Lisbon going past April 25th Bridge and then ending up at Praça do Comércio before coming back again.
On board, you get wine and nibbles – perhaps even the opportunity to steer the boat if you ask nicely!
We got the opportunity to sit at the front of the boat which is really unique and you can get some beautiful photos.
Everyone was up there getting their pics for the ‘gram – there was no shame!
The two skippers were really friendly, offering tips on Lisbon and a short history of it as we sailed past certain places of note.
It can be very chilly though if you’re not doing this in the summer months so bring a jacket! (Warm blankets are also provided though).
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Learn to Make Traditional Portuguese Dishes
Portuguese cuisine wasn’t even on my radar before I visited Lisbon and now it’s one of my favourites.
Fresh seafood, salted cod, egg-based desserts – it’s a thoroughly underrated cuisine. Take the time to learn how to make a few classic Portuguese dishes on your first trip to Lisbon so that you can impress your friends with your new cooking skills when you get home.
You’ll find that some of the best Portuguese dishes are wonderfully simple to make, such as fish rice and sericaia.
I loved this cooking course as we were given a little insight into Portuguese culture and traditional dishes. There were starters and plenty of wine as everyone got to know each other. We were then all given a station and tasked with different parts of the three-course meal.
We started with a butternut squash soup, then traditional Portuguese fish rice, finishing with sericaia, an egg yolk-based dessert (these are everywhere in Lisbon!)
The hosts were really friendly and there was plenty for everyone to get stuck into. A lovely experience if you’re in Lisbon with time for it!
One of the top reasons to visit Lisbon is the food.
So it makes sense then to do a cooking course whilst you are here so that you can take some of these delicious recipes home with so you can share the Portuguese love with friends and family.
It’s one of the most fun things to do in Lisbon as a couple or with friends!
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Live Your Best Hipster Life at LX Factory
LX Factory is based a little out of the centre of Lisbon so it’s a short train ride away. It’s worth a visit though as it is one of the most cool things to do in Lisbon and basically hipster heaven on earth.
Think trinket shops, instagrammable, coffeeshops, bookshops, street art, all in a regenerated warehouse.
The whole complex is centred around an old fabric plant that dates back to 1846. At the time, the plant was one of the most significant factories in Lisbon but by the late 1900s it had fallen into disarray.
Then a private investor took it upon himself to try and regenerate the area and now the Alcantara district’s LX Factory attracts hoards of people each day.
There are over 200 small businesses in this area so you could while away a whole afternoon here or just head here for drinks in the evening. Make sure to check out “Ler Devagar” (means “Read Slowly”), one of Lisbon’s most beautiful bookshops, and LXeeseCake for their amazing desserts.
Opening Hours: 6am til late. Check with each individual retailer!
Address: Rua Rodrigues de Faria 103, 1300-501 Lisboa
Pick up a new read at the Oldest Bookshop in the World
When thinking of literary cities, Lisbon probably doesn’t rank highly on your list. Indeed, it’s probably not even on your list. But did you know that the oldest bookshop in the world can be found in Lisbon? Livraria Bertrand first opened its doors in 1732 and is still operating today.
Bertrand Chiado is made up of several different chambers, each of which is named after a significant Portuguese author. It’s a place where Portuguese writers have gathered over the centuries and so remains a significant literary landmark in Lisbon.
Unfortunately for tourists, most books are in Portuguese, however, there are small sections of translated works for most prominent European languages. You’ll definitely be able to find English translations of major Portuguese works of literature by the likes of Pessoa but don’t expect to be shopping for the latest English releases in here.
To top it all off, right at the very back there’s a small cafe so you can get started on your new reads immediately with a mug of steaming hot coffee and a slice of cake.
Opening Hours: 9am – 10pm every day
Address: Rua Garrett 73-75, 1200-203 Lisboa, Portugal
Website: www.bertrand.pt
Admire the Local Street Art
Lisbon is known for having amazing street art at every corner. And whilst you could just wander around hoping to stumble upon Lisbon’s greatest art, it’s so much better to do a street art tour with a local who knows where to find all the pieces. You simply must check out Shepard Fairey’s Obey Giant project in Graça, the fado-themed street art in Mouraria and Vhils unique use of dilapidated walls.
Our tour was wonderful for finding out the background to many of Lisbon’s most famous pieces of street art. These are facts I would not have been able to find myself – even on the internet. We were able to get an insight into how street art fits into Lisbon’s culture and the story behind each picture.
For example, the iconic tree of knowledge by João Maurício has now been painted over. Had I not been on this street art tour, I never would’ve known it was there, or why it was painted over. I’d highly recommend this for both first timers to Lisbon and repeat visitors!
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Check out Elevador de Santa Justa
You’ll quickly find out that Lisbon is a very hilly city. There are some sudden, steep inclines and sometimes it can seem impossible to get from one place to another without walking in a very roundabout way to get up the hills! Lisboans (“Lisboetas” in Portuguese) tried to eliminate this problem in the 19th century by building the Elevador de Santa Justa, a beautiful old lift that will bring you up Carmo Hill.
Today, tourists tend to go up and down just for the hell of it, or perhaps because they’ve been ill-advised. The lift certainly isn’t essential today and there are ways to walk up and down Lisbon without using it. In fact, I didn’t use it once! There are usually really long queues so it’s probably even quicker to walk today too.
What’s worth doing instead is navigating your way to the bridge at the top of the lift. From here you can get amazing sweeping views of Lisbon and the River Tagus. Plus, the metal bridge is pretty cool! Don’t look down if you’re scared of heights.
Price: €5.30 return
Address: Rua do Ouro, 1150-060 Lisboa, Portugal
Operating Hours: 7am–10:45pm
Take Pictures in Praça do Comércio
Located on the River Tagus is Lisbon’s iconic Praça do Comércio (also known as Terreiro do Paço). It used to be the location of the royal palace before this was destroyed in the Earthquake of 1755. You’ll hear a lot about this earthquake on your visit to Lisbon as it pretty much destroyed the entire city and reshaped its history. Thankfully the area was rebuilt and Praça do Comércio is now the most beautiful (and the largest) plaza in Lisbon.
The plaza is lined on three sides by traditional Portuguese buildings painted in yellow and orange hues with the fourth side looking out onto the River Tagus. These are now various commercial and government buildings. You should walk down to the plaza via Rua Augusta as you’ll get beautiful views of the plaza, the arc and the river as you approach. It’s a tourist hot spot so be prepared for large crowds in the square but if you come early or late enough you should be able to snap some lovely pictures of Lisbon’s iconic square!
Address: Praça do Comércio, 1100-148 Lisboa, Portugal
Get 360 Views of Lisbon From the Many Hilltops
Lisbon is a very steep city, which may be off-putting to some. However, the silver lining to all those stairs and steep roads is that there are numerous viewpoints dotted all around the city from which you can get wonderful views of the city and the river Tagus from these high vantage points.
I went on a Twizzy tour, a thin, two-person car, in order to get to all the viewpoints. I was hesitant to book one of these at first but, in the end, I had a really great time and think this is a great way to get around Lisbon. Lisbon is a very hilly city and there are a couple of spots like Belém and LX Factory which are located out of the city centre that are a little awkward to get to.
Renting one of these cars is a great way to get to these areas and to see places high and low in a short space of time. It’s great for people that don’t like walking as you can whizz around to the top spots in Lisbon in one of these. If you are visiting the city for a short spell, then you should definitely consider this. There’s also a video recording of your whole route so you watch it back later and see what you saw from the car again!
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Wander the Streets of Alfama up to Castelo Sao Jorge
Alfama is where you’ll find the classic narrow, cobbled streets of Lisbon that you see in photos. It’s one of the oldest districts of Lisbon and you’ll find steep paths and colourful houses leading the way up to São Jorge Castle.
Castelo São Jorge dates back all the way to 8BC and you can learn all about Lisbon’s Moorish history here. It was designed to be a fortress, not a royal residence, so don’t expect the finery and chandeliers you’ll find at many other European castles. This castle was built for battle and you’ll find evidence of this as you wander around.
It’s cool to imagine the battles and sieges that took place when the first King of Portugal conquered Lisbon what part this major fortification played in those historic moments. Mostly you’ll be wandering around the outdoor structures as apart from a small exhibition space there aren’t rooms or interiors to explore here.
NB. There are two free guided of the castle per day but, in all honesty, I was quite disappointed with this one. Usually I like to get as much info as possible about the historic places I visit but this one and a half hour tour was unnecessarily long and went through the entire history of Portugal in a rather drawn out manner without connecting it to the castle we were in.
The guide was very enthusiastic and clearly very knowledgeable about Lisbon’s history but I wanted more about the castle itself. You end up sat on the floor in one part of the castle for a good 40 minutes or so as this history is recounted to you before you actually explore anywhere. The parts about the castle were quite interesting but this, surprisingly, was a rather short part of the tour and by that point a large part of the group had left!
If you haven’t learnt anything about Portugal’s history elsewhere on your trip then perhaps this would be suitable for you but since you may be learning about this from numerous other experiences and museums on your trip this tour may be one to skip in favour of simply exploring the castle yourself.
Price: €8.50
Address: Rua de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129 Lisboa
Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm/9pm (seasonal)
Website: castelodesaojorge.pt/en/
Enjoy an Evening of Traditional Portuguese Fado
Spaniards have flamenco, and the Portuguese have Fado. It’s a type of music that dates back to the early nineteenth century and is commonly found in cafes and restaurants. It usually involves one central singer with a host of musicians to support them. The music is usually melancholic as the lyrics usually revolve around the life’s misfortunes. Not all fado is sad but this is the most common type you will find at performances for tourists. The lights will be dimmed and the musicians will probably all be wearing black to reflect the subdued nature of the songs. It’s expressive and emotional and something you must experience in Portugal.
You can enjoy traditional fado and Portuguese food at Bairro Alto or Alfama. They host fado performances every evening and this is an area of Lisbon you simply must explore at night. It’s where the young and hipster people hang out and the walls are covered in street art.
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Ride in Style with a Beetle Tour to Sintra & Cascais
A trip to Sintra or Cascais will appear on most lists of things to do in Lisbon, but how about a Beetle tour of Sintra and Cascais? You pick the date and time and a beautiful, vintage convertible Beetle will be waiting to pick you up. Sintra is only 45 -60 minutes away from Lisbon by car and this way, you’ll travel in style.
Seriously, I got so many appreciative and awed looks as we drove past in our Beetle! Riding top down in the Portuguese sun around the hills of Sintra and along the Cascais seafront has to be one of my favourite travel memories.
Once you’ve booked this Sintra tour, the driver is yours for the day. You can create your own itinerary or ask the driver for recommendations, which would be my suggestion. Our driver was super friendly and very knowledgeable about Sintra and the surrounding area. He had lots of recommendations for which palaces to prioritise, what to see inside and, most importantly, where to eat!
We chose to visit Pena Palace and our guide made sure that we got there just before opening. He even queued with us and made sure we got in safely. When we came out, he was already waiting for us. First class service!
Driving round the winding country rounds of Sintra to Cascais in a beetle is a really wonderful experience. We got so many appreciative glances from people we drove by who were clearly very envious of the car. You can see really wonderful views of Portugal, away from Lisbon, and it’s so much better as a private tour.
Cascais is like the St Tropez of Portugal and it’s cool to be able to drive through here in such a beautiful car! Our driver let us stop off in a great place for lunch and let us wander on our own for a while. He took us to some good photo spots and a nice place for a drink too. You’ll also get to visit the Westernmost point of Europe, Cabo da Roca. All in all, a wonderful experience that is really special for both friends or couples.
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Eat the Best Portuguese Dishes at Time Out Market Lisboa
I had no idea that Lisbon is actually a foodie haven. I tried some of the best seafood ever whilst in Lisbon and I am aching to go back simply so I can eat more amazing Portuguese food!
If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to Lisbon restaurants, the Time Out Market is the place for you.
Here, you’ll find more than 40 different establishments, which are all miniature versions of some of Lisbon’s best restaurants.
If you only want to try the best of each restaurant, you can do that here. It’s a canteen-style space so you can order as much or as little as you want from each stand before finding a table in the enormous central seating area.
This is an absolute must for first-timers in Lisbon and a great introduction to Portuguese food!
Address: Avenida 24 de Julho 49, 1200-479 Lisboa,
Website: timeout.com/lisbon/
Opening Hours: 10am – midnight
Explore Baixa
The best way to learn about a city is through its locals, which is why I love walking tours. You learn all sorts of things that you’d never have found out from a tourist guide book or the internet.
I participated in a 3-hour walking tour of Baixa where I learnt that many establishments have commissioned unique floor tiles outside their doors that are related to their businesses.
We spotted a pair of spectacles made up of small black tiles outside an optician and a rat outside a restaurant with the word rat in the name.
It’s an opportunity to learn history of Lisbon from a true Lisboan, as well get immediate answers to all your questions.
I’ll always try to glean tips on how to do as the Portuguese do and eat as the Portuguese eat.
Walking for 3 hours is pretty tiring so consider grabbing brunch in Baixa’s Nicolau for some of the best brunch in Lisbon before your tour.
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Remember to use the code WHATS-HOT-777 for 7% discount on any experiences booked through www.holidaysenses.com.
Thank you to Holiday Senses for hosting me for this trip and giving me a great first taste of Lisbon!
Pin now, read again later!
Laura
Editor of What’s Hot?