10 Things To Do in Lisbon Portugal

Over the last several years, Lisbon tourism has been on the rise — it’s also steadily gained popularity with the expat community and has become a favorite for digital nomads from all over. So I leapt at the chance to explore this vibrant, chill European city of Lisboa (as the locals call it). And it did not disappoint - I could quickly see why it’s become a favorite of travelers to Europe - the city is highly walkable....I never even had to take public transit as you could walk most places or bike, the food is delicious, the locals friendly, and while there aren’t a ton of Lisbon attractions / sites in the traditional sense - there are many eateries, bars, and beautiful streets to explore and spend your time. In other words, it is a highly livable city! Wondering what to do in Lisbon? Here are a few of my top recos for when you visit Lisbon….

While there aren’t a ton of Lisbon attractions / sites in the traditional sense - there are many eateries, bars, and beautiful streets to explore and spend your time. In other words, it is a highly livable city!

1. Visit Sintra - The first question you may have is how far is Sintra from Lisbon? It doesn’t seem possible that a place this serene and magical can be such a short drive from Lisbon...but it’s actually only 35 minutes away! This is one of my top recommendations for Lisbon for its romanticism era architecture, colorful castles, picturesque gardens, and quaint village vibes. You can easily spend a half or full day exploring the castles & historic homes, old town and gardens. Sintra Tip: go very early if you want to visit the inside of the main Pena castle, although I think the highlight is the outside architecture and inside can be skipped.

2. Spend Time at Beaches - There are a number of beautiful beaches and coastline in Lisbon but a personal favorite of mine was Arrabida beach. It’s calm and lovely, sporting wonderful views and white sand. There are two restaurants on the beach so you have options for food (or you could bring your own picnic). The surfing in Lisbon is also top notch if that’s your thing!

3. Bike to Belém Tower & Eat Pasteis de Nata - Bikes can be found all over Lisbon and it’s a very nice, scenic ride along the water to get to Belém. The tower itself isn’t the most speculative thing, but it’s such a pleasant ride AND it’s right across the street from Lisbon’s premiere destination for pasteis de nata (Portugal’s signature dessert pastry). You don’t have to be a fan of custard to enjoy this flakey-crusted, scrumptious dessert!

4. Take a Free Walking Tour - there are several free walking tour companies throughout Lisbon and this is a great way to see the city. It’s an extremely walkable city so you honestly can cover a lot of territory and neighborhoods! I did one thru Chill Out Lisbon, which I can recommend.

5. Wander LX Factory - Another area I loved was the strip of shops, restaurants and bars known as LX Factory. You can spend a few leisurely hours here, visiting the library, finding souvenirs for friends at home in the many cute little shops, and grabbing a bite to eat.

Waterfront sunset Lisboa

6. Sunset along water - I’m always on the hunt for a spectacular sunset and Lisbon had its fair share of them! One of my favorite places to watch the sunset was by the water front, where many travelers and locals gather to watch and hang out. With the Golden Gate Bridge sister in the background - it’s quite lovely.

7. Castelo de Sao Jorge - this medieval castle fortress dates back to the 11th century and has great panoramic views of the city. The castle has a rich history and is great for first time visitors to the city - conveniently located in the Alfama neighborhood. Make sure to wear good walking shoes as it’s up a hill and features cobblestones.

8. Pink street - No visit to Lisbon is complete without a late night visit to Pink Street. It quite literally is a stretch of bars marked by a pink street. It gets fairly packed every evening - especially weekends - and hosts a range of types of bars from chiller hangouts to dance venues and strip clubs. There’s something for everyone here. Vibe is very casual so wear anything and be prepared for fun!

9. Fado - this is Portugal’s traditional music. Most evenings of fado involve buying a ticket for a meal and entertainment. The music is often of a more sullen nature (although I hear more modern stuff can be upbeat). If you’re looking for something cultural and authentic to do, make sure to work this into your itinerary.

10. Wander Alfama, Bairro Alto, Chiado neighborhoods - you can spend hours wandering the streets of central Lisbon. From pretty architecture and shopping, there’s lots to keep your eyes and mind occupied. Make sure to wander down some small streets where hidden gems can be found - like the locally made liqueurs and trinkets being sold from makeshift pop up shops. Talk to the locals too who will welcome you with open arms!

Well I hope you enjoyed this little Lisbon travel guide.