Legendary Experiences to Have in Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and the largest city in the country. It is known as the City of Seven Hills and is one of the oldest cities in the world, even older than Rome! It is famous for its colorful buildings, yellow trams, and a secret pastry recipe… Get ready for the constant uphill battle of walking around, as we take you to the top 10 best things to do in Lisbon!
10. The Santa Justa Elevator
Also known as the Carmo Lift, Santa Justa may just look like an ordinary elevator, mainly because it is just an ordinary elevator. But with an iron neo-gothic twist. It was originally constructed in 1902 in the heart of the historic district. Although it is temporarily closed due to safety inspections, a ride to the top is about $5 Euros. If you want to skip the long line, you can walk up the hill to Largo do Carmo and access the upper footbridge for free.
9. Lisbon Cathedral
Resting above a random hill in the Alfama district is the oldest cathedral in the city; the Lisbon Cathedral. Also known colloquially as the Sé, this Roman gothic cathedral is an imposing part of the Lisbonian skyline. It was built in 1147, surviving multiple devastating earthquakes and became a national monument in 1910. It’s free to enter so go enjoy it.
8. Praça do Comércio, The Largest Square in Lisbon
Europe may be known for its affinity for plazas/squares, but this is the first one I’ve seen directly overlooking the ocean! Praça do Comércio is the largest plaza in Portugal, stretching over an area of over 30,000 square meters. It has the popular “Lisboa” sign so feel free to take the obligatory Lisbon picture.
7. Listen to Fado
Essentially just the moody cousin of Spain’s flamenco, Fado is a traditional style of Portuguese singing that emanates a melancholic but soulful aura. Fado literally translates to the word “fate”, and emerged in the 1830s in the taverns and alleyways of Lisbon and features a singer’s powerful voice accompanied by a unique 12-string Portuguese and classical guitar. The sounds of sorrow summon a visceral spiritual reaction that can only be summed up by the famous Portuguese phrase, “saudade”. Impossible to translate directly, saudade basically symbolizes a deep emotional yearning for something that is now absent in one’s life. You’re welcome for your new favorite word! Go watch a Fado show in the Alfama district for the most authentic performance.
6. Ride Tram 28 Around Lisbon
Nothing says I went to Lisbon more than riding the iconic Tram 28. Despite being a questionable safety hazard, a ride on the vintage 1930s yellow tram is both a fun amusement ride disguised as public transport and a great way to see the city. You can catch the Tram 28 at either of the endpoints Praça Martim Moniz or Campo Ourique or anywhere in between. So is it actually worth waiting the insanely long line when there are dozens of other trams across the city? Probably not but I’ll do anything for the nostalgia points.
5. Torre de Belem
Less of a tower and more of a fortified staircase, Torre de Belem is a historic 16th century fortification that once served as the embarkation point for Portuguese explorers during the age of discovery. Now it is a vestige of Portugal’s maritime and colonial days. Unfortunately for us, it was closed for months before finally reopening just 1 day after our visit. But fortunately for you, it is now open to the public so you can head up the spiral staircase for about $8 Euros. It is located in the town of Belem, just a 30min train ride from downtown Lisbon.
4. Jeronimos Monastery
While you’re visiting the Torre de Belém, take a 10 minute detour to arrive at the illustrious Jeronimos Monastery. This meticulously sculpted cloister took over 100 years to construct and is one of the most elegant places in Lisbon. The line was brutal, so you should go around 1pm for shorter wait times. Consider getting a Lisboa Card for access to this and many other attractions in the city plus unlimited subway rides.
3. Castelo de Sao Jorge
Resting at the summit of Lisbon’s highest hill is the most impressive sight in the city, Castelo de São Jorge. This ancient medieval castle is over 2,000 years old and was occupied by various civilizations including the Phoenicians, the Greeks, Romans, and Moors before finally getting captured by Portugal’s 1st king in 1147. Plan your visit for sunset time for fewer crowds and stunning panoramic views of the city below. There are also a bunch of peacocks running around the castle grounds.
2. Eat a Pastel de Nata
If you go to Portugal without trying a pastel de nata, it doesn’t count. Pastel de nata is a world famous Portuguese pastry, essentially a tiny egg custard tart that will change your life. It’s sweet, delicious and the perfect start (or end) to any day. It was originally created by monks from the Jeronimos Monastery but due to hard times, the secret recipe was sold to the Pastéis de Belém shop where it has remained ever since. Legally these are the only ones allowed to be called Pastéis de Belém, but the pastel de nata found everywhere else are almost as good. We tried dozens in Portugal but these were definitely the best!
1. Take a Day Trip from Lisbon to Sintra
While not technically in Lisbon, Sintra is the most picturesque town in Portugal and definitely worth a stop. We highly recommend signing up for this guided day tour for roundtrip transportation to some of the most enchanting sights in the country. Only 45mins away by car, Sintra offers the eccentric multi-colored Pena Palace, the regal & mysterious Quinta da Regaleira, plus stops along the route to the beautiful Cascais beach and the Western-most point in Europe Cabo da Roca. It’s an epic day filled with marvelous sights but one of the best we had in Portugal. Just prepare yourself for the hills.
Lisbon is an incredible city with so many unique sights, architecture and food to enjoy it was difficult to choose just 10 activities. Four or five days should be enough to experience most of the highlights and eat enough pastel de natas to disturb your dentist. For more tips on everything you need to know before visiting Portugal, check out our travel guide. Thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
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