Here are the 17 best things to do in Lisbon. In a city full of attractions, it’s hard to single out just a few. But, rest assured, we’ve brought you tips for daytime and nighttime visits.
1. Going to the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon
The country’s main soccer stadium, Estádio da Luz, is a must-see for sports lovers. The home of one of Portugal’s most popular teams, Benfica, it is located in the heart of Lisbon and is affectionately nicknamed “The Cathedral” by fans.
In addition, at the entrance to the stadium, there is a statue of the greatest idol in Portuguese soccer, Eusébio.
2. Visit Castelo de São Jorge in Lisbon
The historic building dates back to the 1st century BC and was built to protect the city from the Romans. Today, Castelo de São Jorge is the place where you can enjoy a spectacular view of Lisbon, as it is located in the highest part of the city.
The building, which once housed the treasures of the Portuguese royal family, can be visited at any time of the day. However, we recommend that you go at night, when lights illuminate the castle, making it even more beautiful. Take advantage of this and buy a ticket for the Castelo de São Jorge Alfama Tour to discover this neighborhood, which is the oldest in the city.
3. Visit the Lisbon Oceanarium
Built in 1998 for that year’s World Expo in Lisbon, the Oceanarium is located in Parque das Nações and is one of the city’s most important tourist attractions.
To give you an idea, the attraction has around 30 aquariums, which house more than 500 species of marine life from all over the world. These include fish, sharks, penguins, rays and otters. The Lisbon Oceanarium is considered to be the second largest on the planet, covering more than 22,000 square meters.
Important tip: To make the most of your trip is to stay in the best region. If you want, see our article here that explains the best area, hotels and how to save a lot on accommodation.
4. Visit a viewpoint in Lisbon
The highest points in the city are also home to viewpoints where you can enjoy the most beautiful views of Lisbon. There are numerous viewpoints in the Portuguese capital, the best known being the Miradouro de Santa Catarina, the Miradouro de Santa Luzia and the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte in Lisbon.
5. Taking the Lisbon Cable Car
Having the experience of seeing Lisbon from above is something that will make a difference to your trip, so riding the Lisbon Cable Car is a great tip on what to do in the city.
Although the ride only lasts 8 minutes, covering just over 1 km, you’ll have the chance to see the beautiful Tagus River, Parque das Nações and many other tourist sites. Another idea is to take the cable car in the late afternoon, when the sun is setting. Your trip will certainly be even more unforgettable.
6. Tour Lisbon’s Museums
In a city with as much history as Lisbon, it’s impossible not to mention its many museums that preserve centuries of Portuguese culture.
National Museum of Contemporary Art: also known as the Chiado Museum, the National Museum of Contemporary Art was opened in 1911. It has a valuable collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures of Portuguese art. There are also works dating from the 19th century to the present day, including the Romantic, Naturalist and Modernist periods.
Pay attention to the museum’s opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm. On the first Sunday of every month, admission is free.
National Coach Museum: also known as the Carriage Museum, it is located in the former Royal Palace of Belém and has been open to the public since 1904.
Among the relics on display at the museum are objects from the 17th to the 19th century, litters, saddles, harnesses, royal carriages, armor, gala uniforms and baby carriages, making it the largest collection of its kind in the world. The site is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm.
Berardo Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art: the museum has a large collection of 20th century works by the world’s great artists such as Andy Warhol, Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, Piet Mondrian and others. The Berardo Collection Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is open every day from 10am to 7pm.
National Costume Museum: contains more than 30,000 items of clothing from different eras. As well as fabrics, accessories and toys that belonged to the Royal Household. It is located in the former Palácio do Monteiro-Mor, in the parish of Lumiar.
Its opening hours, like those of the botanical park, are from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry at 5:30 p.m.). Not to mention that admission is free on the first Sunday of every month.
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum: considered one of the best museums in Europe, the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum has more than 6,000 works, including antiques and modern art.
The collection includes paintings, jewelry, decorative arts, sculptures and art panels from ancient Egypt, Greco-Roman, Mesopotamian, Islamic, Oriental and European art. All this is distributed in a very modern building. The museum is open from 10am to 6pm, Wednesdays to Sundays.
City Museum: the site ranges from prehistory to the 19th century. What makes it even more interesting is that its space is divided chronologically. This way, visitors can discover the history of the city from its earliest days, in an orderly fashion. It is open on Tuesdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm.
National Tile Museum: this place is dedicated exclusively to exhibiting the traditional tiles that adorn Portuguese houses and are practically a symbol of Portugal’s culture.
The National Tile Museum’s collection includes beautiful and sumptuous pieces, but the highlight is a panel of tiles depicting Lisbon before the 1755 earthquake. It is also open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm.
Museum of Art and Architecture: the MAAT, as Lisbon’s Museum of Art and Architecture is known, is very popular with tourists and Portuguese alike. As well as its beautiful exhibitions, its location by the River Tagus is extremely pleasant, making it a great place for a stroll.
The MAAT is divided between the areas of art, architecture and technology and is open from Wednesdays to Sundays from 11am to 7pm.
Fado Museum: Lisbon is also home to the Fado Museum, which tells the story of this Portuguese musical tradition. It is located in the Alfama district, which is the cradle of this musical style. During your visit to the permanent exhibition, you’ll find various objects linked to fado, ranging from instruments to trophies and records.
7. Enjoy a winery near Lisbon
Although Lisbon doesn’t have any wineries located in the tourist center, a drive to nearby towns is very quick. As well as being a unique experience for wine lovers, the wineries are a charm in their own right.
8. Strolling through Lisbon’s Chiado district
Do you want to enjoy a lively place that is certainly one of Lisbon’s 17 best attractions? Well, get to know the Chiado district. Full of culture and Portuguese history, it is undoubtedly one of the city’s most bohemian areas, located between the Baixa Pombalina and Alto districts.
It has countless bars, restaurants, stunning buildings and historic sites. It is a stronghold for artists, writers, poets and intellectuals.
9. Photographing Praça do Comércio in Lisbon
The square is the most famous in downtown Lisbon and is also known as Praça Terreiro do Paço. Considered one of the largest in Europe, Praça do Comércio was once the residence of King Manuel I.
10. Crossing the Rua Augusta Arch in Lisbon
Another activity that is among the 17 best things to do in Lisbon is the Praça do Comércio. It is worth visiting the Rua Augusta Arch, which is located inside the square. As well as being a very important monument in Lisbon, it is one of the city’s postcards.
11. Passing by Lisbon’s Belém Tower
Still on the subject of postcards in the Portuguese capital, we have the historic Belém Tower. Built over 500 years ago, the tower stands on the banks of the River Tagus and has served as a prison, fort, lighthouse and customs house.
Now, if you want to save money on your trip to this place, try going on the first Sunday of the month when admission is free. But try to get there early, as the queues for the Tower are extremely long. Take the opportunity to buy a ticket for a tour of Belém by boat on the River Tagus.
12. Go to the Jerónimos Monasteries in Lisbon
Among the 17 best things to do in Lisbon is the Jerónimos Monastery, one of the largest in Portugal. It was conceived by King Manuel I in 1496, who was authorized by the Holy See to build it. Today, the site houses the bodies of the king and his descendants in the side chapels and the main chapel of the monastery.
13. Visit the National Shrine of Christ the King in Almada
Very similar to the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, the Sanctuary also houses an image of Jesus Christ with open arms. The site is an important tourist attraction in Lisbon and, as well as offering a beautiful view of the city, it also houses a room dedicated to Pope Blessed John XXIII and a chapel to Our Lady of Peace.
14. Go to Cascais
The town of Cascais is just 30 minutes from Lisbon and is home to incredible beaches. This made it a favorite destination for the Portuguese royal family and wealthier people. Today, it is where many of Lisbon’s workers live, as well as a place of work for fishermen and water sports enthusiasts.
15. Shopping in Lisbon
Whether you’re looking for souvenirs or gifts for loved ones, there are plenty of markets and shopping centers in Lisbon.
Shopping Armazéns do Chiado: a great option is Armazéns do Chiado, located on Rua do Carmo, which has three floors full of stores such as Sephora, Fnac, Natura, Sun Planet, L’Occitane, Pepe Jeans and many others. The atmosphere is simple, but the infrastructure is perfect for spending hours in the stores.
Vasco da Gama Shopping Center: is located in the Parque das Nações area and has stores selling a variety of brands such as H&M, Nike, Zara, Swatch, Geox, Sephora, Lego Kids Wear, Tino Gonzalez and Tommy Hilfiger. There are also more than 30 restaurants, cinemas and a supermarket.
Freeport Outlet: has over 100 stores and is 35 minutes from the center of Lisbon. Considered to be the largest multi-brand outlet in Europe, the Freeport Lisboa Outlet has stores from Puma, Levi’s, Swatch, Benetton and others. It also has a food court, cinemas and a children’s play area.
Amoreiras Shopping Center: undoubtedly, is one of the busiest in Lisbon. Being a very large shopping center, it has around 345 designer stores including Arezzo, Mango and others such as Lacoste, Levis, Zara, Swatch, Teresa Alecrim, Timberland, Benetton, Boticário and many more.
16. Getting to know Sintra
The town of Sintra is one of the most beautiful places to visit near Lisbon. With a simple drive you can get to know the place that seems to take you back to another time in history.
17. Travel to the beaches near Lisbon
Being located between the ocean and the River Tagus, the city is home to a diverse coastline. Among the most beautiful beaches worth visiting on your trip are:
Figueirinha Beach: is part of the Arrábia Natural Park and is known for being calm and protected, as well as being very popular with families. The beach also has views of Tróia and Portinho da Arrábida.
Carcavelos Beach: this beach belongs to the Estoril coast and is located in the town of Cascais. As well as being a tourist spot, it has calm waves in the summer and swells suitable for surfing in the winter.
São Pedro do Estoril Beach: this location is in the Estoril-Cascais region and is protected by a cliff next to the Marginal Road, where you can see many fishermen.
The beach, as well as being popular with surfers, is a great place for bodyboarding and has bars, first-aiders, parking lots, toilets, showers, awnings and access for wheelchair users. But beware: it has a sandy bottom and rocks, which can be dangerous for the less experienced.
Cresmina Beach: also known as Pequena do Guincho, this beach is famous for its dunes and cliffs, making it a paradise for its natural and exotic beauty. Located in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, it has an immense stretch of sand that is excellent for walking and for children to play and run. The best seafood restaurants can also be found on Cresmina beach.
Maçãs Beach: is in Sintra and is excellent for surfing. It’s not as touristy, but it’s also worth a visit. After all, it’s surrounded by restaurants and its name derives from the Ribeira de Colares, which is said to have brought several fallen apples to the beach when it crossed the orchards.
Ribeira d’Ilhas Beach: located near Ericeira, Praia Ribeira D’Ilhas is one of the best-known beaches for surfers and has already been the venue for the WQS world surfing championship. Being a very touristy place, it has a number of services as well as a good range of equipment for its visitors.
Meco Beach: is also called Praia do Moinho de Baixo and is located in Aldeia do Meco, on the coast of Sesimbra. It is about 4 km long and the sea is often rough. Praia do Meco was one of the first beaches in the Lisbon region to have an area delimited for naturism, this part being located to the south, on the side of the large dune.
Save money on your trip to Lisbon:
Saving money: do you want to plan your trip while making the most of your budget? Be sure to read our article on how to travel to Lisbon cheap, with all the tips to save the most, while still enjoying it!
Tickets: find out where to buy your Lisbon tickets in the cheapest and safest way – for parks, museums and ticket combos. You can save up to 40%!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Hotels: our article on where to stay in Lisbon. You will find out the best area, the hotels that we have stayed there and how to save a lot on the hotel.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
