Portugal’s buzzing, youthful, and colourful capital city is the perfect place for a short getaway. There’s a lot to love about Lisbon; it’s full of amazing food, friendly locals, culture, history, and stunning architecture. With so much to do, where should you start?

In this blog post, I’d like to suggest some of the most fun and interesting things for first-time visitors to Lisbon, all of which can be easily enjoyed over a couple of days. However, I advise you to give this wonderful city at least 4 days so you aren’t rushing around like a lunatic (which is unwise in a hilly city known for its warm weather). 

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Indulge in Lisbon’s fantastic cuisine

Much like its neighbour Spain, Portugal is home to some wonderful food, and there is perhaps no better place to find it than in its capital. Lisbon has so much to offer hungry visitors, from traditional fare found in old school canteens to modern cuisine in high-end, sleek restaurants. Seafood lovers will be especially pleased as grilled sardines and octopus are commonly found on menus. Perhaps the most famous restaurant in Lisbon is Cervejaria Ramiro, which serves up a wide variety of freshly-caught seafood. Check out my blog on where to eat in Lisbon for my personal recommendations.

While you’re in Lisbon, you may want to take part in an organized food tour, where you can local delicacies with a Lisbon-based guide. There are tons of tours to choose between, so I have narrowed down some of the most popular ones to consider:

• Small-Group Portuguese Food and Wine Tour
• Treasures of Lisboa Food Tour
• Lisbon Food and Wine Walking Tour
• Undiscovered Lisbon Food & Wine Tour

Gaze out from Lisbon’s viewpoints

Although Lisbon’s hilly nature can be tough on the legs, the great views from its miradouros (viewpoints) more than make up for the aching calf muscles. Scattered around the city are dozens of hilltop lookouts that give you spectacular views out over this beautiful city.

For great views of Castelo de S. Jorge, go to Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, or head to Miradouro de Santa Luzia for views over the red rooftops of the Alfama district and the Tagus river. Locals often hang out at the viewpoints and socialise with friends. A friend of mine living in Lisbon introduced me to Miradouro de Santa Catarina, where we relaxed with the Lisboetas while sipping some port and watching the sunset.

Marvel at the intricate details of the Jerónimos Monastery

Beautiful religious buildings aren’t exactly hard to come by in Lisbon, but Jerónimos Monastery in Belém is in a league of its own. The construction of this enormous UNESCO World Heritage Site began in 1501 and was completed roughly a century later. A fine example of late Portuguese gothic architecture, Jerónimos Monastery stretches some 300 metres and comprises the Igreja De Santa Maria and the stunningly decorated cloisters. This two-storied courtyard features intricate stone carvings and ornate arches, with each column depicting nautical themes like coral and sea monsters that celebrate Portugal’s age of discovery. However, you can find beautiful motifs and carvings throughout the monastery, as well as the tombs of various Portuguese kings. 

You can reach Jerónimos Monastery by taking the E15 tram from Lisbon city centre. Admission price: €10 / Opening times Tues-Sun – 10:30-17:30 (varies by season)

Have a Pastel de Nata (or two, or three, or….)

Portugal is known for its great seafood, but it is equally well-known for Pastéis de Nata, which are flaky, crispy, egg custard tarts. They can be found almost everywhere, but my favourites were the ones served at Pastéis de Belém. These were extra creamy and went down an absolute treat after visiting the Jerónimos Monastery (rumour has it these delicious tarts originated here!). Within the city centre I recommend Manteigaria, but why not try a whole bunch and decide for yourself? Make sure to sprinkle them with cinnamon, as the locals do, and perhaps try them accompanied by a chilled glass of port. 

Take a ride on the famous tram

In operation since 1873 (when they were powered by horses), Lisbon’s iconic tram system now comprises six lines, making it a great way to see the city without over exerting yourself. The most famous route is undoubtedly Tram 28, which takes you on a picturesque route around the city in an adorable, bright yellow 1930s tram. However, this tram line is a hugely popular route and can get super busy, packing visitors into its carriage like sardines (and not the tasty kind).

Fortunately there are other lines that also use these classic remodelado trams, such as Tram 12. Single tickets are quite expensive at €3, and are bought from the driver. You can also use the Viva Viagem rechargeable card, which also covers the metro and buses. 

Explore the ruins of the Carmo Convent

Carmo Convent once stood proudly in Lisbon’s centre until it was destroyed in the great earthquake of 1755, along with much of the city. Today, the convent stands as a monument to this event, as well as an archeological museum that houses various artefacts and tombs that date back to the Roman empire. One of the rooms also has a cool projection that shows an interesting 15-minute video, telling the history of the Convent through the centuries. The convent is hauntingly beautiful and incredibly photogenic, making it well worth the admission fee. You can reach the convent by going up the Elevador de Santa Justa for €5, but we just walked there. 

Admission price: €5. Opening times: Mon-Sat 10am-6/7pm (varies by the season)

Try some Ginjinha

Ginjinha is to Lisbon what port is to Porto. Also known as Ginja, Ginjinha is a sweet liqueur made by infusing sour ginja berries (morello cherries) in a distilled alcohol called aguardente. It is typically served in a shot glass, with a little alcohol-soaked berry nestled at the bottom of the glass. A couple of nice places to try this tasty beverage are A Ginjinha and Ginjinha Sem Rival near Praça Dom Pedro IV. These bars also sell bottles and little gift sets which would make a lovely souvenir. 

Visit charming Sintra

An hour outside of Lisbon by train is the beautiful region of Sintra. Here there are dozens of beautiful, whimsical castles and palaces to explore, as well as parks and views of the surrounding countryside. Highlights include the National Palace of Pena, Castelo dos Mouros, and Quinta da Regaleira. Check out my detailed travel guide to Sintra, perfect for first-time visitors.

You can reach Sintra by catching the train from Lisbon’s Rossio Station or Oriente Station. Tickets for each attraction are around €10-20 and can be bought in advance. You can explore the town on your own, taking local buses and using audio guides, or opt for a full-day tour from Lisbon. These tours cover multiple highlights, handle all the logistics, and are a great way to maximize your sightseeing.

Soak up Lisbon’s maritime history at Belém Tower

Nearby the monastery on the banks of the river Tagus is another architectural marvel – Belém Tower. One of Lisbon’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this intricately decorated fortress was built between 1515 and 1521 and has fortunately stood the test of time. The tower is certainly nice enough to just admire from the outside, but if you pay to go in you can see the most decorative side to the south. A 10-minute walk along the river to the east of the tower will lead you to Padrão dos Descobrimentos, an impressive, imposing monument celebrating Portugal’s seafaring history and maritime explorers. 

Admission price: €9/ Combination ticket with Monastery €16. Opening times: Tue-Sun – 10:30-17:30 (varies by season)

Rub shoulders with the locals

When walking around Lisbon, you will soon notice lots of pretty, ornate gazebo-like kiosk cafes (quiosque). These iconic structures are an important part of Lisbon social life, with locals heading to them for a quick coffee, a cocktail, a bite to eat, and a chat. They are a great place for tourists to chill for a couple of hours and soak up the atmosphere too. These kiosks can be found in places like parks and public squares, as well as miradouros.

Eat some tinned seafood (yes, really)

When people think of tinned fish, they most likely think of the bland tinned tuna at a supermarket. Portugal does things differently; canning high quality seafood like mussels, octopus, and of course, sardines, in beautifully-designed packaging. Entire shops in Lisbon are dedicated to these products, such as Conserveira de Lisboa, but for something a bit more whimsical and kitsch, visit The Fantastic World Of Portuguese Sardines. Here you can buy tinned sardines with your date of birth on and a little fact about the year, making them quirky little souvenirs or gifts. 

Check out the street art at LX factory

Amazing street art can be found throughout Lisbon, but a great place to go to see some high-quality artwork is the LX factory in Alcantara. Housed in a former warehouse district between Belém and Lisbon’s centre, LX factory is a creative complex where you can find graffiti from local street artists, as well as internationally renowned urban artists like Banksy. There are also dozens of restaurants and bars, chic boutiques and handmade craft shops, making LX factory the ideal spot to hang out with the locals for a couple of hours (especially after visiting Belém).

If you’re a big street art fan like me, you might be interested in one of Lisbon’s street art tours. These two – Lisbon Street Art Tour and Kickstart Street Art Walking Tour – have excellent reviews and are led by local guides.

Visit a ceramics store

Lisbon’s streets are full of amazing craft shops, selling beautiful handmade ceramics and decorative tiles, like the ones found on many of Lisbon’s building facades. The variety of colours and patterns is incredible, as is the quality. Most shops will ship to your home too, so you don’t have to worry about filling a suitcase with crockery that might be trampled on by baggage collectors. I bought some tiled coasters which instantly remind me of Lisbon whenever I use them, and on my next visit I’m bringing a gigantic suitcase to stuff with ceramics! 

I hope this list has given you lots of ideas about the main attractions and activities to do in Portugal’s vibrant capital. With more time on your hands, you could delve deeper into the city’s rich culture and history, or do a dolphin or whale watching boat trip to try to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures.

However, if your time in Lisbon must be short and sweet, you can save these adventures for your next visit. Lisbon is such a magical city that I am sure it won’t be long before you’re planning a return visit.

Ciao for now

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow