Things to Do in Lisbon: My Curated Picks & Hidden Treasures

I’m often asked about the best things to do in Lisbon, so I’ve drawn on my experiences of countless visits over the years to put together what’s actually worth your time – a mix of classic sights and a few under-the-radar favourites.

One quick note before we start: I get cross when “things to do in Lisbon” lists immediately send you off on a day trip to Sintra or Cascais. They’re great, but they’re not Lisbon. This list stays within the city.

Use the first section if it’s your first trip to Lisbon. If you’re here for food, tiles, quirky museums or architecture, jump to the relevant headings.

If this is your first time in Lisbon, start here

1. Explore Alfama: Lisbon’s Oldest Surviving Quarter

If you want to understand Lisbon rather than simply tick off landmarks, start in Alfama.

This is the city’s oldest neighbourhood, a maze of narrow lanes and stepped alleyways that survived the devastating 1755 earthquake. Unlike the orderly grid of Baixa, Alfama still follows its medieval street pattern, with Moorish influences visible in the tight, winding layout.

It’s not somewhere you “do” so much as somewhere you wander.

Look for tiled façades, laundry strung between balconies, small family-run cafés and sudden glimpses of the river between buildings. Early morning is best if you prefer quiet exploration; late afternoon brings golden light and more atmosphere. Midday in peak season can feel congested.

This is also the traditional home of fado music. While many evening performances are aimed at visitors, the connection between place and music is very real.

Make time for one or two viewpoints while you’re here. The Miradouro de Santa Luzia is the most photographed, with its bougainvillea-framed terrace, but nearby Miradouro das Portas do Sol has wider river views.

If you’d rather understand the layers of history instead of simply drifting through the streets, a specialist walking tour can add useful context. Otherwise, allow yourself to get pleasantly lost. That’s the point.

2. Largo do Carmo and the Carmo Convent Ruins

Largo do Carmo is one of Lisbon’s most atmospheric squares and an essential stop for first-time visitors.

The open-air ruins of the Carmo Convent are a stark reminder of the 1755 earthquake that reshaped the city. The Gothic arches still stand but its cloister roof was never replaced, lending it an eerie, skeletal air. Walking through the nave under open sky gives you a tangible sense of that moment in history.

Lisbon’s Archaeological Museum is contained within what remains of the convent. As well as a couple of mummified children, there are other eclectic finds on show. It’s not Lisbon’s most essential museum, but if you enjoy historical fragments and unexpected finds, it’s worth a look once you’re here.

This square also played a pivotal role in Portugal’s 1974 Carnation Revolution. It was here that the dictatorship effectively ended, making the site quietly significant in modern Portuguese history.

Even if you don’t go inside, pause in the square. Sit for a few minutes. Between the jacaranda trees (in late spring), the surrounding historic buildings and the weight of history, it’s one of those places that helps Lisbon make sense.

Tip: Save yourself the queue and fare for the Santa Justa Elevator by walking down the right hand side of the Carmo church to the upper platform for great views of Lisbon.

3. Get your fill of gold and cherubs and tiles at Igreja de São Roque

Built in the 16th century as one of the first Jesuit churches, São Roque church survived the earthquake, enabling you to experience the outright ostentation of its Baroque and Mannerist decor.

Even if cherubs and over the top gold leaf are not your thing, the trompe l’oiel ceiling, original tiles and intricate marble inlays are worth a look.

4. Enjoy a beer with a view at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

As with many of Lisbon’s miradouros (viewpoints), there is a kiosk here so you can grab a drink with which to enjoy Lisbon views across the Baixa district to St. George’s Castle on the opposite hillside.

5. Praça do Comércio and Lisbon’s Riverside

If Alfama shows you medieval Lisbon, Praça do Comércio explains the city’s imperial past.

This vast, symmetrical square facing the River Tagus was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake as a statement of confidence and control. Where the royal palace once stood, you now have an open arcaded square designed to impress, which it still does.

Pass through the Arco da Rua Augusta and you’re in Baixa, the grid-planned downtown rebuilt in the 18th century. Climb to the top of the arch if you enjoy urban viewpoints – it gives you a clear sense of how the city was redesigned after disaster.

From the square, wander west along the waterfront towards Ribeira das Naus. This landscaped riverside stretch is where locals sit on the steps in good weather, looking out towards the 25 de Abril Bridge. It’s a pleasant place to pause, especially late afternoon when the light softens and the cruise crowds thin out.

You don’t need long here. Think of it as orientation rather than a destination. It helps you understand Lisbon’s relationship with the sea, and why the river remains central to the city’s identity.

If you’d like help turning these ideas into a realistic, well-paced plan, you can use my Portugal Travel Planner. It’s designed for independent travellers who want expert input on what to prioritise, how to structure their days and how to avoid common planning mistakes, without handing over the whole trip to an agency.

Lisbon through food

6. Get to know the city through its flavours on a Lisbon food tour

One of the best ways to understand why the Portuguese are so passionate about their cuisine is by taking a food tour with a local expert. Not only will you get to sample some of Portugal’s best snacks, drinks and dishes, you’ll also get an insight into the culture and a mini walking tour of a local neighbourhood.

I thoroughly enjoyed the day I spent with Célia Pedrosa on this Culinary Backstreets tour. I got to sample typical and refined food and drinks in local shops, traditional eateries, Mercado da Ribeira and trendy upscale venues.

Tip: You can use my code – FOX5 – to get a 5% discount on any Culinary Backstreets food tour in Portugal. Just apply it at the checkout stage.

You could try taking things one step further and try this Traditional Portuguese Cooking Class. Learn all about delicious Portuguese gastronomy and end up with a traditional 3-course meal!

7. Try cherry liqueur at Ginjinha Rubi

Lisboetas love their cherry brandy and so do I, especially as a winter warmer.

Order your ginjinha ‘com‘ (with) or ‘sem‘ (without) a sour cherry in your shot glass and enjoy this tasty digestive from one of the long-standing establishments near Rossio square.

Ginjinha Rubi (Rua Barros Queirós, 27) has the added bonus of beautiful painted tiles of cherry picking and ginjinha drinking.

8. Go gourmet and escape the crowds at Mercado de Campo de Ourique

The middle class residential neighbourhood of Campo de Ourique is less touristy than the more downtown areas in Lisbon. Thanks to that, the renovated local market and its delicious food stalls cater for refined local tastes and are happy to help foreign visitors understand the options available.

The gourmet kiosks are scattered among the fresh produce stalls while the dining area is at the back of the market. Some kiosks have counter seating and there is often live music on weekend evenings.

9. Taste, or even learn how to make a Pastel de Nata

Have you heard of the delicious custard tarts that the Portuguese love so much? A Pastel de Nata, also known as Pastel de Belém as this is where the original recipe came from, is a crisp, buttery pastry case containing creamy custard. Best served while still warm with a sprinkling of cinnamon and a meia de leite (coffee with milk), these are decidedly moreish.

If you want to enjoy these treats back home, learn the secrets on a fun 2 hour workshop.

Lisbon for culture & architecture lovers

10. Delve in to Lisbon’s history at the Lisbon Museum

Visit Palácio Pimenta and learn about the city that existed before the 1755 earthquake. There’s a fantastic 10m long miniature city you can explore via an interactive console that gives you an indication of the lives lived before that tragic event.

One of the 5 locations that make up the Museu de Lisboa, this palace has loads of interesting artefacts imaginatively exhibited, as well as lovely grounds with peakcocks roaming around.

Tip: If you take the metro to Campo Grande, you’ll get to see some wonderful azulejos in the station.

11. Get great views from São Vicente de Fora Monastery rooftop

Relatively few tourists go to São Vicente de Fora Museum, which is a bonus in my book. This hidden gem contains a fascinating collection of azulejo panels depicting the fables of Fontaine, regal tombs and some incredible inlaid marble.

Best of all is the spectacular view from the roof. Read more about it in this article.

12. Learn how Lisbon’s electricity supply was generated at MAAT

Mike absolutely loves the former electricity power station in Belém because of the industrial machinery. We first visited this homage to electricity before it became incorporated into the new Museum of Art, Architecture and Technoloy (MAAT), with its flagship curved building on the river’s edge.

The furnaces and turbines are still in situ, albeit all cleaned up, and there are models and information panels to help you appreciate how tough it must have been to work there.

Both buildings now hold art exhibitions although most are in the new space. You can walk onto the roof of this futuristic shiny building for fabulous views of the river.

Visit the MAAT website for details of what’s on.

See other Belém activities in this article

13. Get your fill of tiles at Palacio das Fronteiras

This beautiful palace involves a trek out of the city centre (it’s easiest to take a cab or Uber).

To visit the interior of the palace, you need to take one of the scheduled guided tours (no photos allowed inside). The palace itself is fascinating and beautiful and the guide did a great job of explaining its evolution and stories so we got a potted history of Portugal through the custom-made tile panels.

Before the tour, we had time to roam the gardens and discover a surprising variety of painted azulejos in different parts of the gardens.

Check the website for opening and tour times before working this into your itinerary.

14. Feel like royalty at Ajuda National Palace

If you want to see a royal palace in all its glory, head to the Neoclassical Ajuda National Palace. Construction began in the late 18th century and the palace was developed in fits and starts into the 19th century but was never actually completed.

Nevertheless, the Portuguese royal family occupied this palace at various points in time and their personality is evident in the richly furnished rooms, decorated with family portraits.

You can also visit the Royal Treasure Museum and see the precious Portuguese crown jewels on display.

Unlike many monuments, Ajuda Palace is usually open on Mondays but closed on Wednesdays but always check before visiting.

Quirky Lisbon (my favourites)

15. Discover the architectural wonders of Casa do Alentejo

This 17th century palace is one of my favourite Lisbon buildings although you can easily walk straight past it if you’re not aware of it.

The Neo-Islamic courtyard is an oasis of calm after running the gauntlet of the pushy waiters on Rua Portas de Santo Antão. Once a popular casino, for decades, the building (no. 58) has been used as a cultural centre for people from the Alentejo region of Portugal.

On this first floor, you’ll also find a small museum collection of artifacts and documents and a typical Alentejano tavern. Upstairs, there’s a ballroom that’s seen better days but in the right light, still echoes grandeur as well as a range of rooms with wonderful decoration.

16. Indulge your inner child at Lisbon Doll Hospital

One of Lisbon’s quirkier attractions is the delightful doll hospital and museum. Much-loved dolls and toys are treated and restored with due care and there’s a fascinating collection that includes papier-maché dolls from the 1930s.

17. Dodge the flying bicycle at Ler Devagar bookstore

One of the world’s most attractive bookstores was once a printing factory and you can still see the machinery in the centre of this intriguing space.

Most noticeable though are the suspended artworks including a much-photographed flying bicycle. Take your time to choose your tome – there’s a café at the back of the store.

This is part of the funky LX Factory, a creative urban space with great street art and lots of restaurants and interesting shops.

18. Put on a show at the Puppet Museum

I went to the Museu da Marioneta to humour Mike and his fascination for puppets and we both loved it. The collection includes a variety of puppets from South East Asia and some wondrous African and Asian masks.

Learn about puppetry in Portugal from glove and strings to animated films and see the grotesque costumes used by the São Lourenço Theatre Company back in the 1970s.

You can even step into the Punch and Judy booth and put on your own show.

Read more about Lisbon museums in this article

19. Find your favourite collectable at Pavilhão Chinês

One of the best bars in Lisbon is also the quirkiest. Every surface is crammed with collections; over four thousand pieces in total. Choose from an extensive collection of cocktails and exotic teas while you take in your surroundings.

Tip: Go early evening while it’s fairly quiet so that you can study the collections without the crowds.

Worth it if you have extra time

20. Take a boat trip on the Tagus River

Lisbon is famed for being a city of seven hills, which can get a bit tiring if you’re exploring on foot. If the weather’s nice, a Lisbon boat trip gives your feet a rest while you enjoy the architecture and learn about Lisbon’s stories from a different perspective.

Why not try a leisurely sunset cruise along the Tagus River.

21. Sample Portuguese food from top chefs at Mercado da Ribeira

Another reason to visit Cais do Sodré is Mercado da Ribeira. One hall of the bustling market has been transformed by Time Out into a trendy food hall which enables you to sample some of Lisbon’s finest food and drink in one place.

The other hall continues to function as a colourful fresh produce market full of the flavours, sounds and smells of a traditional venue.

It is touristy but lots of people still enjoy its atmosphere, and the food is great.

Tip: The food hall is very popular with locals and visitors so expect queues at peak meal times or try to avoid them.

22. Take great photos from Graça viewpoint

This viewing terrace is slightly off the beaten track and therefore not quite as busy as some of the others in Lisbon. It’s worth the effort and there are a couple of cute bars here too.

You can get there by tram or take an electric bike tour of Lisbon’s 7 hills. Even I managed to get up the hills with the added boost of the battery!

23. See the beauty of Portuguese Gothic architecture at Jerónimos Monastery

King Manuel I reigned back in the 16th century when wealth was pouring into Portugal from exotic lands during the “Age of Discovery”. To reflect the success of the times, he ordered various new constructions, and embellishments to existing monuments, in a very Portuguese version of the then current Gothic architectural style by adding nautical motifs. This became known as Manueline architecture.

One place to examine this beautifully frilly stonework is the iconic Jerónimos Monastery in the Belém district. From the outside, it’s undeniably impressive. Even if you don’t go in, take time to walk the full length of the façade and study the detailing around the south portal.

Inside, the cloisters are beautiful, with delicately carved columns, vaulted galleries and decorative flourishes at every turn. However, they are rarely quiet. Queues can be long, particularly in peak season, even if you have a ticket so think twice about how important this is to you.

If you have time in your itinerary to visit smaller towns like Tomar, Batalha or Alcobaça, you’ll have other opportunities to see such architecture without the lines.

24. Browse the wares at Feira da Ladra flea market

If you happen to be in the Graça district on Tuesday or Saturday, you’ll find the streets behind São Vicente da Fora church and the National Pantheon filled with makeshift stalls. You’ll find anything and everything on sale here including souvenirs and bizarre obsolete household items.

Tip: Keep a close eye on your own belongings while you browse. It’s also popular with pickpockets.

25. Conquer St George’s Castle

Lisbon’s 11th century Moorish Castle offers spectacular views of the city and the chance to roam the battlements and peer down canon barrels that have been through the wars. I have never managed to see the camera obscura but you can try to time your visit to see the city through this inverted lens. Otherwise, just enjoy the grounds and small museum in the company of peacocks.

Tip: It’s better to go in the morning to avoid crowds and book your ticket online.

26. Shop in a palace for Portuguese products

I’ve always loved the Neo-Islamic exterior of the palace that is now home to Embaixada shopping centre in Principe Real.

It’s just as impressive inside, with a grand staircase lined with paintings of semi-clad ladies and a beautiful interior courtyard around which several boutique and concept stores offer quality clothing, accessories and souvenirs.

If you’re a non-EU resident you can claim the tax spent on shopping back. To find out how to do this, check out my Tax free shopping in Portugal for Non-EU Residents post.

27. Hang out with locals at Jardim da Estrela

I love this 19th century park with its palm trees, beautifully ornate bandstand and small lake. Locals make good use of these gardens so you’ll see families and people of all ages taking a stroll, having a picnic, using the outdoor exercise facilities or playground or simply resting on the benches. There’s a café by the lake, too.

Tip: Tram #28 stops outside and you can pay to climb to the roof of the basilica opposite for great views.

28. Pretend you’re a princess (or a prince) at the National Coach Museum

You’ll find pretty much any style of coach and carriage imaginable at Lisbon’s Museu Nacional dos Coches. Some are smart and functional, while others, such as the pope’s golden carriage are total ostentation.

The collection is now split over two sites – the purpose built museum near the railway line and the beautifully decorated former royal stables.

More details and photos of the coaches in this post.

29. Go underwater at Lisbon Oceanarium

The largest indoor aquarium in Europe is indeed impressive, with or without kids. The sharks, sun fish, adorable sea otters, flimsy sea dragon and colourful sea anemones are but a few of the attractions.

Tip: Save yourself considerable queuing time and/or get a guided tour with a pre-paid ticket for the Lisbon Oceanarium

Where to stay in Lisbon

Choosing where to stay in Lisbon makes a bigger difference than most people expect. The city’s hills, neighbourhood character and transport links can dramatically affect how your days feel.

If it’s your first visit, staying somewhere central but not overly noisy is usually the sweet spot. Baixa, Chiado and parts of Príncipe Real work well for walkability, while Alfama offers atmosphere but steeper terrain and fewer transport options.

I’ve put together a detailed guide to the best areas and carefully chosen hotels here:

→ Where to stay in Lisbon: neighbourhoods and hotel recommendations

If you’re building a wider Portugal itinerary, you might also find it helpful to get a copy of my Lisbon & Sintra itinerary guide before booking.