Lisbon Travel Guide
9 experiences to have in Lisbon, Portugal from neighborhoods such as Bairro Alto, Alfama, and Santa Maria de Belém to castles, city views, Portuguese tilework, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Complement these activities with the food and drink recs in the 7 Brilliant Restaurants in Lisbon and 6 Favorite Places to Drink in Lisbon articles.
1 | Bairro Alto
Photo by Emily Dean
I love the Bairro Alto neighborhood—that mix of bohemian, romantic, and grunge. Bairro Alto is located on a hill replete with cobblestone streets and striking views of colorful communities and the 25 de Abril Bridge. This stomping ground especially comes alive at night, brimming with first-rate bars and restaurants. Pairs well with A Nossa Casa, M’arrecreo Pizzeria, and Sanskar Nepal (“7 Brilliant Restaurants in Lisbon”), as well as PARK and Pavilhão Chinês (“6 Favorite Places to Drink in Lisbon”).
2 | Alfama
Photo by Emily Dean
This photograph was taken from Castelo de São Jorge in Alfama, one of the earliest regions to be developed in Lisbon. The area is uniquely medieval with Arab and Spanish influences. The city views unparalleled. Pairs well with Augusto Lisboa (“7 Brilliant Restaurants in Lisbon”) for brunch.
3 | Castelo de São Jorge
Photo by Emily Dean
Castelo de São Jorge lounges rather majestically on Lisbon’s highest hill. The castle is of Moorish (Arab and Spanish) descent and belongs to a different era, coming alive in the 10th century. Pairs well with Alfama (see #2 of this list) and brunching at Augusto Lisboa (“7 Brilliant Restaurants in Lisbon”).
4 | Public Terraces with a View—Miradouro das Portas do Sol and Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Photo by Emily Dean
Both Miradouro das Portas do Sol and Miradouro de Santa Luzia are in Alfama (see #2 of this list) and boast picturesque, charming terraces and spectacular free views.
5 | Azulejo (Portuguese Ceramic Tiles)
Photo by Emily Dean
Photo by Time Out
Take a single walk in Lisbon and you will likely find yourself surrounded with azulejo or Portuguese tilework. But one beautiful consolidation of this defining decorative feature of the city can be found at the National Tile Museum. Within its walls lives the Church of the Mother of God, which is sometimes filled with the sounds of live piano and violin. If you're looking to take a tile home, shop responsibly at one of my favorites—the Ceramica Azulejaria E Faianças De S. Vicente workshop pictured above in Alfama (see #2 of this list).
6 | Santa Maria de Belém
Photo by Emily Dean
Photo by Emily Dean
Stroll the bustling Santa Maria de Belém Tagus river waterfront hitting the trifecta of Belém Tower, Padrão Dos Descobrimentos, and Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Both the tower and the monastery are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are built in the iconic Manueline architecture style (Portuguese late Gothic).
7 | Tram 28
Photo from 123RF
The vivid yellow Tram 28 is part of Lisbon’s public transportation. If lost, you know what they say! Follow the yellow… tram.
8 | Pastel de nata
Photo by Taste of Lisboa
Eat your heart out with pastel de nata or Portuguese custard tarts found in bakeries on more corners than Starbucks in America. Two recommendations: Pastéis de Belém in Santa Maria de Belém (see #6 of this list) and Pastelaria Santo António by Castelo de São Jorge (see #3 of this list) in Alfama (see #2 of this list).
9 | Feira da Ladra, Lisbon’s Flea Market
Photo by Dreamstime
Feira da Ladra is currently on Tuesdays and Saturdays in Alfama (see #2 of this list) with truly hundreds of vendors. The flea market is the oldest market in Lisbon, starting at least as early as the 17th century. Hunting small treasures is like finding a needle in the haystack (of junk) in my opinion but isn’t that the definition of a flea market?
