Shimmering Atlantic waters, brightly tiled buildings, hilly, winding streets, and some of the most welcoming locals in all of Europe: Lisbon, Portugal is easy to fall head over heels in love with. Portugal’s colorful coastal capital is more exciting than ever, blending distinct culture and history with some of the world’s best restaurants, hotels, art, and nightlife.
Welcome to Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal. (Photo Credit: Tom Byrom)
There’s something for everyone in Lisbon — it’s no wonder that Portugal welcomed over 30 million visitors last year, breaking all previous tourism records for the country. While Portugal has attractive cities like Porto (north of Lisbon) and the Algarve to the south, one of the biggest mistakes some travelers make is not planning to spend enough time in Lisbon itself.
So, allow for several days (we’re talking at least 3 or 4) in Lisbon and be sure to do these things while you’re there.
Bring Your Walking Shoes
Akin to San Francisco, Lisbon is known for its steep, hilly streets and fantastic vantage points of both the city and the water. Lisbon’s streets, however, date back to the 15th century and are narrow, cobblestoned, and dotted with pastel-colored, meticulously tiled buildings.
With all that winding and climbing, it feels like wonders — cute cafes, live music, and interesting street art — are around every corner (and at the top of every hard-fought hill).
Walking is the best way to explore the city. (Photo Credit: Julian Dik)
An array of colors, tiles, and cobblestones abound in Lisbon. (Photo Credit: Lili Popper)
Here are a few of the best places to spend a few hours strolling:
- Principe Real — one of Lisbon’s most-loved neighborhoods, it’s famous for its architecture (think 19th-century mansions), cool boutiques, and galleries. Here, you’ll find local art and antiques, bespoke fashion and textiles, and great restaurants and nightlife as the sun begins to set.
- The Alfama — one of the only areas of Lisbon spared from a devastating earthquake in 1755, it’s home to the city’s most historic sights, sweeping views, and is a proud purveyance of Portuguese traditions.
- Avenida da Liberdade — a beautiful boulevard in central Lisbon, it was inspired by the Champs-Élysées in Paris, and is now the best area for high-end shopping in the city. The center of the avenue is beautifully cobbled with floral designs and features open-air cafes, fountains, and statues.
- Santos & Cais do Sodre — just 15 minutes from the busy center of Lisbon, this pink (literally!) street and the surrounding neighborhood are cool (yet calmer) and offer more of a glimpse into local life.
- Belem — for a less hilly, waterside stroll, this quaint little neighborhood is perfection. Take in the colorful houses, enjoy fresh-caught seafood next to the Tagus River, and snap photos of the striking Tower of Belém and the Jerónimos Monastery.
When your feet need a rest, the tram, a ride share, or electric bikes and scooters are all options, too.
Savor the Fresh Fare
One of the best things about Lisbon is the food scene, which incorporates ultra-fresh seafood and produce. While a few of the local dishes to try in Portugal include sardines and stews, the varied dining experiences in this vibrant city abound.
The food is one of the best parts of Portugal. (Photo Credit: Theodor Vasile)
Café Janis is a beloved eatery in the heart of Lisbon. (Photo Credit: Iulia Topan)
Here are a few of our favorite spots:
- Café Janis — an all-day café offering French-Mediterranean food and healthy options plus local wines.
- Time Out Market — a bustling food hall near Cais do Sodre that’s fun for a drink and a snack.
- Cervejaria Ramiro — one of the best places in town for ultra-fresh seafood and a laid-back atmosphere. Anthony Bourdain made the place popular, and reservations aren’t offered (show up and claim a ticket to be added to the queue), but the food is worth it.
- Belcanto — a Michelin-starred restaurant by José Avillez serving modern takes on Portuguese classics in a chic, design-forward setting. Diners can choose from three tasting menus or à la carte.
- Ofício Tasco Atípico — so popular that it gets booked up weeks in advance, this restaurant is beloved for its fun, inventive cuisine and lively atmosphere. There are several must-try dishes on the menu including the Alheria sausage croquette and the stuffed spider crab from the Algarve region down south.
- Casa Reia — an oceanfront restaurant with an extra-special atmosphere, this beachy establishment brings fresh flavors, oysters, and delicious shared plates to the rattan tables and chairs that make it so coastal-cool. The restaurant spills onto the sand, so a walk down the beach after your lunch or dinner is a lovely idea.
Our best tip? Mixing visits to no-frills, authentic eateries with visits to award-winning restaurants on the global culinary stage is a perfect plan.
Soak Up the Music and Art
Live music is part of the authentic Lisbon experience. Whether it’s sitting beside the river and listening to eclectic music at sunset to making it a point to go live music bar-hopping in the Bairro Alto district, visitors to Lisbon would miss part of its charm without a couple of live music experiences.
The Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology is one of the best museums in all of Lisbon. (Photo Credit: Filipe Nobre)
Gorgeous, brightly colored tiles are everywhere in Lisbon. (Photo Credit: Annie Spratt)
Just take a look at the hand-painted tiles, intricate statues, and patterned cobblestones all over the city, and you’ll know that art, color, and form have long been a quintessential part of life in Lisbon. There are several great places to visit:
- Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology — the setting of MAAT alone is worth the visit. Perched next to an expanse of river and in front of the striking Ponte 25 de Abril bridge (which looks uncannily similar to San Francisco’s Golden Gate), the museum blends visual arts with urban affairs and science. British Architect Amanda Levete’s strikingly curved building topped with a cool rooftop terrace is a work of art itself.
- National Azulejo (Tile) Museum — those brightly-colored tiles you’re seeing everywhere in Portugal? They carry deep meaning in Portugal’s history. This museum delves into their legacy, showcasing over 300 different patterns throughout the indoor and courtyard spaces.
- Museu de Lisboa — this museum is known for exploring the city’s history through the present. Here, you can check out a very detailed model of Lisbon before the 1755 earthquake.
- Berardo Collection Museum — in the Belém district near the Jerónimos Monastery, this museum houses contemporary artworks from the likes of Roy Lichtenstein, Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Fado, a music genre traced back to the 1820’s in Lisbon, is renowned for its expressive and melancholic qualities — VisitPortugal describes it as “a shawl, a guitar, a voice, and a lot of feeling.” Taking in a Fado show (often performed over dinner) is an essential activity in Lisbon.
Enjoy an Epic Day Excursion
Another attractive aspect of travel to Lisbon is its close proximity to beautiful and very cool towns and sights to explore. Trains from the Cais do Sodre and Oriente stations in town make it easy to spend a day (or even a half day) exploring one of the following places.
Castelo dos Mouros is one of the many castles that dot the landscape of Portugal. (Photo Credit: Dominik Dancs)
Sintra is worth the day trip. (Photo Credit: Arthur Hinton)
- Sintra and the Castelo dos Mouros — hire a private driver or take the train to colorful and romantic Sintra, a town that might be one of the most visually-interesting in all of Europe. Begin your day at rainbow-colored Pena Palace (the earlier the better, to beat the crowds), then make your way through the gardens to the medieval Moorish castle, where you can climb, explore, and enjoy perhaps the most spectacular vantage point of Lisbon.
- Évora — known as the capital of the Alentejo region, beautiful whitewashed houses with yellow baseboards fill this town. A 1.5 hour road trip from Lisbon, it feels distinct, beautiful, and definitely worth exploring. Stop at the marbled Roman temple, Sao Francisco church, and lovely park Praca do Giraldo for a stroll. Taking a train here from Lisbon is easy from the Oriente station.
- Cascais — the utterly charming beach town of Cascais is a fantastic way to spend a sunny day, swimming in the warmer months and strolling and dining on fresh sea fare any time of year. Take the train, an Uber, or book a guided tour to get here, then meander the streets of the town’s center, admire the iconic Santa Marta Lighthouse, check out the peacocks in Parque Marechal Carmona, and enjoy authentic Portuguese coastal cuisine at small, hospitable mom-and-pop restaurants.
Where to stay to round out your vibrant Lisbon experience? A new, perfectly-placed Kimpton hotel will be opening in 2026. You’ll find it in between peaceful city park Parque Eduardo VII and glamourous Avenida da Liberdade, giving you easy access to all of Lisbon’s charms.
