Lisboa (Lisbon), Portugal’s capital, is a historical city which experienced a tourism boom in recent years.
Lisboa has many picturesque neighborhoods to meander, eat and have a drink.
The city is flooded with culture and it has many sunset viewpoints and nightlife spots.

For best day trips near Lisbon, or the best beaches near Lisbon, there is a list at the end of the article.

Top experiences in Lisbon

Best food in Lisbon

Portuguese cuisine is incredibly diverse, and Lisbon, being the capital, is a hub for Portuguese people coming from all directions and a melting pot of food originated from different regions.
Below, it’s the author’s top pick for the food to try while visiting Lisbon.
Although you will find these dishes almost everywhere in Lisbon, the author recommends the restaurants in Baixa, Bairro Alto and Alfama for a more traditional experience.
The list doesn’t offer vegetarian options, however, Lisbon has plenty of vegetarian restaurants at your disposal.

Bacalhau à Lagareiro (Lagareiro Cod)

Bacalhau à Lagareiro is a meal with cod soaked in olive oil baked in the oven and Batatas a Murro (punched potatoes).
It’s being said in Portugal that there are more than 1000 ways to cook cod. You can choose this way to eat cod, or one of the other 999 ways, the important thing is to try this fundamental dish while in Lisbon.

Cozido à Portuguesa (Portuguese Stew)

Cozido à Portuguesa is stew packed with different types of meat, vegetables and beans. It was the typical farmer's meal to provide him enough energy to spend long hours farming the land.

Sardinhas Assadas (Roasted Sardines)

Sardinhas Assadas is a meal made with roasted sardines and baked potatoes, often topped with olive oil and garlic liquid.
This is Lisbon's quintessential meal, especially during the Santo António celebration which takes place every June 13th. The author suggests eating this meal in the Alfama neighborhood since it’s where you will find a wider range of restaurants specialized in Sardinhas Assadas.

Bitoque (Steak with egg on top)

Bitoque is the kids and teenagers favorite. With all the extra carbs they crave: steak, french fries, rice and egg on top, also known as ovo a cavalo (egg horse riding).

Pastéis de Nata (Portuguese Egg tarts)

Pastéis de Nata is a typical Portuguese pastry. It’s composed of a crisp shell made from flour, water, and butter, and filled with egg yolks, milk and cream.
These delicious egg tarts are on Lisbon’s postcards and they are sold in every restaurant or cafe in Lisbon. The author suggests trying them in cafes located on Rua da Augusta where they are baked several times a day.

Bifana (Pork steak on bread)

Bifana is a traditional sandwich made with marinated pork steak inside a carcaça (soft white bread). The waiter always provides mustard to top the pork steak.
For many Lisbon residents, it’s a typical light meal and it’s gulped with a glass of beer.
Unlike ham and cheese sandwiches, the “bifana” should be prepared on demand and eaten warm.
A similar sandwich is prego.

Things to do in Lisbon

Baixa (Downtown)

Baixa is the long flat area that lies between hilly and picturesque neighborhoods, Bairro Alto and Alfama.
Baixa was completely rebuilt with its Renascence look by Marques do Pombal after being severely damaged by the 1755 earthquake.

Cais das Colunas (Columns Pier)

Cais das Colunas is the pier where prior to the 1755 quake, the ships would moor when arriving in Lisbon. Today, it's no longer being used for such a purpose, and it's just a stone platform with stone staircases to the river. You can still see a series of columns surrounding the platform. Nevertheless, it's a popular spot among tourists to take that first picture of the Tagus river and the bridge before moving inland to explore Baixa.

Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square)

Praça do Comércio, formally known as Terreiro do Paço (Palace Terrain), was where the Royal Palace lay before being devastated by the great earthquake.
The King survived and he and his court moved into the hills where they set tents and pavilions which led to the attempted assassination of the king, known as the Távoras affair, and later to the construction of the Palace of Ajuda.
Today Praça do Comércio is a square terrain surrounded by government buildings and its center it's the statue of D. José I (Dom Joseph I), the king who witnessed the quake and set in motion Lisbon's biggest reconstruction enterprise.
In front of Praça do Comércio is the triumphal Arco da Rua Augusta (Rua Augusta Arch) in its post-Roman triumphal style which was built to celebrate the reconstruction. In it, you will find some of the four Portuguese historical figures: Nuno Álvares Pereira, the general who won the Aljubarrota battle; Marquês do Pombal, the powerful prime-minister responsible for the reconstruction of Lisbon; Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer who reach India by sea and Viriathus, the epic hero leader that stood against the Roman army.
On weekends, under its arcades quite often there will be a handcrafted products market.
The view from Praça do Comércio in the direction Arco da Rua Augusta is incredibly photogenic, with the long Augusta street in the background, Lisbon's main and most busy shopping street. If you can wait for the yellow tram to pass, then you will capture the perfect photo.

Martinho da Arcada

Martinho da Arcada is a traditional restaurant which dates back to 1782, and is located under the arcades, hence its name since Arcada means arcade, east to the Arco da Rua Augusta, has its walls covered with historical photos.
Among these photos are the photos of Fernando Pessoa, who was one of the most important Portuguese poets, and he was one of this restaurant's regular customers.

Casa dos Bicos (House of the Spikes)

Casa dos Bicos is an historical house built in 1523, and it survived the 1755 earthquake.
This house is easily recognized due its facade covered with stone spikes. It served many purposes throughout its existence including being a warehouse for salted codfish.
Today it has a permanent archeological exhibition on the ground floor, and harbors the José Saramago foundation in the upper floor, where you can see the heritage left by the Nobel prize Portuguese writer.

Rua Augusta (Augusta Street)

Rua Augusta is the pedestrian street that connects Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) to Praça do Rossio (Rossio Square).
This street is Baixa’s main shopping street, packed with brand clothes and shoes shops, tourist-oriented restaurants and street performers.
Nearly all the buildings flanking the street have the same height and were built after the 1755 earthquake with "Pombaline" architecture, named after Marquês do Pombal, the prime minister in charge of Lisbon’s rebuilding.
The floor is paved with “Calçada Portuguesa” (Portuguese cobblestone) forming diamond shapes.

Praça do Rossio (Rossio Square)

Praça do Rossio, or Praça Dom Pedro IV, usually known just as Rossio, is Lisbon’s main square, Rossio is also the name of the main square in some other cities in Portugal.
This square underwent a major restoration in recent years to restore its splendor.
It contains on each side a baroque style fountain, and at the center a tall column with the statue of the King Dom Pedro IV at its top.
Standing in front is the neoclassical style Teatro Nacional Dona Maria II (National Theatre D. Maria II).
From the plaza, you can see the Ruínas do Convento do Carmo (Ruins of the Carmo Convent), and Castelo de São Jorge (São Jorge Castle).

Elevador de Santa Justa (Santa Justa Lift)

Elevador de Santa Justa , also known as Ascensor de Santa Justa, is an iconic vertical lift that connects the lower area of Baixa with Carmo Square.
The fact that its infrastructure is made of iron combined with its Neo-Gothic style, gives the look and feel of the Eiffel Tower, although there is no direct connection between both monuments.
The upper platform has a staircase leading to the top platform from which you can have a bird's-eye view of the city center.

Bairro Alto (High Neighborhood)

The heart of Bairro Alto becomes alive after dark, when locals and tourists alike flock here for a drink, a restaurant, many serving meals until after-hours, a club, or to listen to the traditional Fado.
Although these days there are plenty of nightlife areas in Lisbon, Bairro Alto still wins the heart of the bourgeoisie due to its strong mix between tradition and nightlife. If its center might look sleepy during the day, especially on the weekends, its surroundings will have plenty of sites worth where you will find a vibrant life.

Elevador da Bica (Bica Funicular)

Elevador da Bica, also known as Ascensor da Bica, is one of Lisbon's most iconic pictures is the image of this funicular sliding down the steep hill and heading towards Cais do Sodré just before the sunset. Along the sideways of the funicular tracks, you will find small bars where people usually go inside to get a drink and stay outside for a chat, after all, it's Bairro Alto, any place is good to drink and socialize.

Miradouro de Santa Catarina (Santa Catarina Viewpoint)

Miradouro de Santa Catarina is a stone away from the Bica funicular, and it's one of the most popular places in Lisbon to watch the sunset. With the perfect timing, you will get your unforgettable snapshot of Bica funicular and still arrive in time to see the sun lower over the 25 de Abril Bridge. However, due to its popularity, it's better to arrive earlier if you want to find a spot to sit.
At the center of this place, you will find the Adamastor statue, which is the mystical monster created by the poet Camões in his epic book: Lusíadas. The viewpoint has the typical kiosk that serves drinks and snacks.
If you decide to splurge, on its right side you have a rooftop restaurant with a privileged view of the city, and just behind the viewpoint there is the quaint restaurant with lawn seating, for those with extra cash that want to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere at sunset.
One nearby place worth mentioning is the Laranjeira lane; these staircases are part of the background of one of the biggest classic Portuguese movies: Pai tirano.

Rua do Diário de Notícias (Diário de Notícias Street)

Rua do Diário de Notícias is the busiest street on a Friday or Saturday night at the heart of Bairro Alto with its street packed with people drinking beer in front of the bars.
During the day it is usually a quiet street much like the rest of Bairro Alto, but it’s at night that becomes at night. In general, most of the streets at the heart of Bairro Alto have bars and people on weekend nights, including Rua da Rosa, the main street, but it’s Rua do Diário de Notícias that has more bars in comparison to the other streets.

Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara (São Pedro de Alcântara Viewpoint)

Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara is a scenic viewpoint on the eastern side of  Jardim São Pedro de Alcântara (São Pedro de Alcântara Park).
This viewpoint offers a splendid view of Baixa (Downtown), especially of Praça dos Restauradores (Restauradores Plaza) and Avenida da Liberdade (Liberty Avenue).
At the center of viewpoint there is a panel made with traditional white and blue tiles forming an image of the downtown buildings with a label associated with the most prominent ones.

Cais do Sodré (Sodré Pier)

Cais do Sodré is a neighborhood that was traditionally an area where seamen would hang around once their ships moor at Cais do Sodré docks.
Here they would find cheap lodging, the fish market, nautical shops, and prostitution.
Today, Cais do Sodré has been upscale with bars, shops and restaurants targeted for tourists, digital nomads and nightclubbers.
Although, is no longer a sailors ghetto, the area near the pink street still preserves its nautical vibe with several shops outside the street selling products toward the seafaring.

Rua Rosa (Pink Street)

Rua Rosa, not to be confused with Rua da Rosa in Bairro Alto, also known as Rua Nova do Carvalho (Nova do Carvalho Street), was once the heart of Cais do Sodré Red Light District where prostitutes would offer their services at the bars at sailors which would make their way to these bars after long journeys at the sea.
Now has become a place of tourist attraction with the street floor painted in pink, hence its alias name of Pink Street, outdoor sitting and bars for tourists and bourgeois. Although it no longer serves as a Red Light district, only the western part of the street has been painted and is a tourist attraction.
The western part that lies beyond the tunnel still holds a traditional look and it was where in recent decades the heavy metal fans would flock on weekends at night due the several bars playing heavy metal that line up in this part of the street.

Time Out Market Lisboa

Time Out Market Lisboa is a trendy market and it lies in the Western wing of Mercado da Ribeira (Ribeira market), a traditional fresh produce and fish market open to the public since 1 of January of 1882.
It's worth to visit both wings, one with vibe of a traditional market, and the other, opened for public since 2014, with a hipster style food stalls around its inner perimeter with both traditional Portuguese food as well pizzas, sushi and alike, and at the center bench tables fit for a chat and a food bite.

Ribeira das Naus

Ribeira das Naus is the avenue that connects Cais do Sodré with Praça do Comércio. In 2012, began the renovation of this area, giving it back to the pedestrians. There is still a lane for cars but it was reduced to the minimum being replaced with large sidewalks.
Today it's an area popular for sunset watching, as the sun sets under the 25 April Bridge. There are cafés on the shoreline, outdoor sitting area and reclining seats. Often you will have a street stall that sells pinnacles sliced at top with a straw.
On the avenue shoreline there is a gentle slope, allowing you to descend to the river. A few pedestrians venture themselves by having their feet dipped on the river but swimming is strictly forbidden.

Alfama

Alfama is one of the most charismatic neighborhoods, filled with narrow alleys, staircases meandering up and down and restaurants selling roasted sardines.
This was one of the neighborhoods which survived the devastation of the 1755 earthquake, hence its chaotic layout.

Upper Alfama

Most of the attractions on Upper Alfama are along the tram line which runs across several streets. This area is usually flocked with tourists, cars, tourist rickshaws (tuk-tuks) in a perfect harmonic chaos.
Starting from Igreja de Santa Maria Madalena Church of Saint Mary Magdalene walk up following the tram line to the Miradouro das Portas do Sol .
Along this tram line, the main attractions are:

Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon Cathedral)

Sé de Lisboa , also known as Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa, had its construction started in 1147, right after the conquest of Lisbon as the result of the Siege of Lisbon.
The cathedral is primarily Romanesque in style since later it had Gothic and Baroque additions.

Miradouro de Santa Luzia (Santa Luzia viewpoint)

Miradouro de Santa Luzia is a popular viewpoint, offering romantic views to the river and lower Alfama. This viewpoint has an open terrace decorated with white and blue tiles depicting the Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) before the earthquake, and a battle during Lisbon’s Siege. To complete the picturesque setting it has a vine-covered pergola.

Miradouro das Portas do Sol (Sun Gate viewpoint)

Miradouro das Portas do Sol is an observation deck adjacent to Miradouro de Santa Luzia. It’s not as romantic as the previous one, however, it provides a clear view to also Panteão Nacional (National Pantheon).
Near the observation deck is where the tram reduces speed due a tight curve and a perfect opportunity for the perfect picture of the iconic tram.

Castelo de São Jorge (São Jorge Castle)

Castelo de São Jorge  had human presence dating back to 8th century BC. The castle, also known in English as Saint George Castle, played a fundamental role during the 1147 Siege of Lisbon, where the first king Dom Afonso Henriques (Afonso I of Portugal) along with its allies, conquered the castle to the Moorish king during the Second Crusade. A legend is born during the process, as the nobleman Martim Moniz sacrificed himself in order to keep the doors open to allow the army to enter the castle.
Today the castle is a must-see attraction, and provides a bird’s eye view to the city center (Baixa). The best view is around sunset. Expect long queues to buy the ticket, especially during summer or weekends.

Lower Alfama

Lower Alfama is the area below the tram line and covers the streets going down to the lowlands, where the Avenida Infante Dom Henrique passes.
This area is composed of mostly narrow steep alleys, staircases and small plazas packed with traditional restaurants where roasted sardines are the most popular meal.
Lower Alfama is one of the most traditional neighborhoods, and it has deep culture oriented to the sea and Fado.
For convenience, you can start your exploration from Miradouro das Portas do Sol (Sun Gate viewpoint) and walk down the staircase until you reach the lowlands.
The area is a maze, therefore, it’s easy to get lost where many alleys look similar. In such a case, the best it’s just keep going down.
If you start from the lowlands, a good point of entrance is the Largo do Chafariz de Dentro (Old Alfama Square) and walk along the narrow Rua de São Pedro (São Pedro street). Almost every door, there will be a restaurant.
Besides the signature meal which is Sardinhas Assadas (Roasted Sardines), a not-to-miss drink is Ginjinha, a liquor with a cherry inside served on a chocolate cup.

What are the best areas for nightlife in Lisbon

Lisbon is well famed for its nightlife, and with the growth of tourism, more areas have joined the bandwagon to provide night entertainment. The author top picks for the best areas for nightlife are:

  • Bairro Alto. Its streets, mainly the streets Rua da Rosa and Rua Diario de Noticias fill up every night on weekends. It’s a very chill area, where most people just go inside to grab a drink and stay outside on the streets drinking and chatting.
  • Cais do Sodré. The riverside area behind the train tracks leading to Santos is full of more upscale bars. On the flip side, near the Time Out Market Lisboa there are more down to earth bars.
  • Santos. This area has more spread out bars and in less quantity.
  • Docas . This upscale nightlife area is concentrated in the promenade along the marina.
  • LX Factory - This enclosed area near Docas was a former industrial area, today it is a trendy area.
    It serves both as a nightlife area with bars, clubs as well as day tourism with street stall markets and shops.

What are the most important events in Lisbon

Lisbon has cultural events all year round, and it’s the home of Web Summit and Lisbon’s Rock in Rio.
The biggest and most traditional event at the heart of Lisbon is Santo António, celebrated every year on the 13th of June. On this night, there is a parade on Avenida da Liberdade where every group representing their neighborhood wears traditional outfits.
After the parade, the streets of Upper Almafa are packed with people wandering in the streets, drinking wine and eating roasted sardines.
In previous days, the most traditional neighborhoods set up their own traditional ballroom areas in the streets.

Is Lisbon safe

Lisbon is considered one of the safest European capitals, especially when it comes to violent crime. Unfortunately, due a fast paced population and tourism growth, petty crime has become more common. You can reduce the risks of being pickpocket or robbed with some safeguards:

  • Don’t flash expensive jewelry or wads of cash.
  • Watch out in overcrowded areas such as Praça do Comércio, Rua Augusta or Alfama, and any other place where there are tourist gatherings.
  • Never get drunk alone at night, especially in Bairro Alto or Docas.
  • Play extra attention when walking in the Martim Moniz area.
  • The public tram 28 and the bus to the airport are also areas to be more careful.
  • Avoid being scammed by never buying drugs from street sellers in Baixa, especially Rua Augusta and Rossio.


As a rule of thumb, if you feel unsafe wandering in an area, it’s better not to dwell too long.

Author’s notes

The author was born and raised in the heart of Lisbon, in the Bairro Alto neighborhood, and lived there for 26 years before the tourism boom.
He experienced a dramatic shift in the fabric of the city including his birthplace. The tourism explosion wouldn’t have been possible with all the infrastructural transformations which the city undertook for decades.
The Jardim do Príncipe Real , once unknown to the tourists, was his playground as a child, and later played a fundamental role in his personal relationships, in a time where the tourism in Portugal was mainly in Algarve, and at every corner of Lisbon, you could only hear people speaking Portuguese.
The Miradouro de Santa Catarina was once a place where students would go to hangout, and it was where the author gave his first kiss. Today it’s the most popular place to watch the sunset and have a drink among the tourists. In a clear sky, it will be hard to find a spot to sit at sunset.
Next to the iconic Elevador da Bica there is the Camões library, the place where the author would go to read books after school, and later where he got married.
Lisbon isn’t the same, it became part of the  international spotlight, beloved by so many, as the author witnessed in his journeys in distant parts of the world.
The city’s fame brought development, pushed it forward, but also lost many of its traditions and became an everyday more expensive city to live in.
For those who visited Lisbon decades ago, when it was unknown by many, and now revisit it, there will always be a taste of nostalgia of a character that was lost in time.
For those who visit Lisbon now for the first time, you will experience a city that was revamped, repopulated and yet still holds its character in many hidden alleys.

Related Articles