As Portugal’s capital, Lisbon is a unique city bursting with culture and great places to eat and stay. For us, it was our first stop on a two week trip around Portugal but for many, it is seen as an ideal city break for a short weekend away. It is known as one of Europes cheapest city break destinations!
Make sure to take a peek at my Portugal highlight on Instagram to see more! @sophie___mitchell
Eat
Brunch
- Zenith
- Fábrica Coffee Roasters
- Fauna Flora
- The mill
- Manteigaria– Try a custard pie at Manteigaria and wander up and down the streets.
- or stumble upon outdoor seating in a cafe in one of the many squares for some people watching.
Dinner
- Atalho Real– steak and meat
- The Wine Cellar– good tapas selection and wine tasting
- OTTO– Italian
- Bon Jardin- Rustic chicken
- TOPO MARTIM MONIZ
- Timeout market
Drinks
- Pensão Amor on Pink St is a great spot for cocktails after dinner. The building used to be a brothel and it’s right in the heart of the old red light district. There’s still a burlesque vibe to the bar with its peep show posters and risqué decor.
- Catch a night cap and in one of Libson’s fado music houses. Try your luck at Tasca do Chico in Bairro Alto (often queues to get in). Or consult the following list https://www.timeout.com/lisbon/music/the-best-places-to-listen-to-fado-in-lisbon.
- Go to Pharamica for a drink on the lawn- After some exploring relax on the lawn and soak in the sun and sea breeze of Pharamica with a “pharmacy” themed cocktail. (Beers available too).
- Head to Park Bar before dinner to catch the sunset, enter through the car park of an unassuming multi story and take the lift to the top before turning the corner onto a rooftop bar.
- Foxtrot
- RED FROG SPEAKEASY
See & do
- Castelo de Sao Jorge
- Miradouro de Santa Luzia observation deck
- Praça do Comércio
- Belém TowerPark
- Ride Tram 28
- National Museum of Natural History and Science, Lisbon
2 Day Itinerary Suggestion
Day 1
- Walk around Castelo de Sao Jorge– Visit inside the walls of the hilltop castle overlooking the city. Castelo de S. Jorge used to be a Moorish castle dating back to the 11th century. You’ll get gorgeous panoramic views of the city and learn about the medieval period of Portuguese history. You can buy a glass of wine at the top from a wine cart and even keep the glasses as souvenirs.
- Try a famous Ginja shot on the way down for €1.50 you’ll get a measure of the Portuguese liqueur which is made with ginja (sour cherry) berries in an edible chocolate cup.
- Walk 8 minutes to Miradouro de Santa Luzia for popular observation deck.
- Take Tram 28 down to Praça Luís de Camões.
- Once done exploring Alfama, make your way towards Portas Do Sol, there is a tram stop right by there where you can take Tram 28 down to Praça Luís de Camões.
Day 2
- Find a Lime scooter and take a ride down to Praça do Comércio. Explore the waterside public plaza with an arch & statue, lined with outdoor cafes & shopping venues. Later, head west to the São Paulo district.
- Belém TowerPark across the road and walk over the footbridge to take in the exterior of the fort. Trying to see inside will mean queuing for quite some time, with little to see.
Need to know
- Flat shoes- I lived in runners my whole time there, day and night! You will struggle to walk up and down the steep hills wearing anything else. Be prepared to do a lot of walking and a lot of sweating if you visit during the summer!
- Save money with the Lisboa Card– If you plan to visit several tourist attractions then you might want to buy a Lisboa card to save money on entry and also on public transport. Check out their website to see what it includes and if it is worthwhile to you.
- Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi (Free now)- Are all in Lisbon and are super cheap to use. Uber had the cheapest fares in Lisbon that I have ever seen in any country. We left nice tips for the drivers because we felt bad how little money they were making.
- Beware of the drug dealers- We experienced quite a few encounters with drug dealers on the streets trying to persuade us to buy from them. It’s not something to be worried about, we just said no and kept walking.
