Although London and Paris may be the first cities that come to mind when thinking of European capitals, Lisbon also offers excellent cultural, culinary, artistic, historical, and architectural experiences. Last month, I traveled to the Portuguese capital for the first time and immediately fell in love with its charming design– not to mention, the locals were some of the friendliest people I’d ever met! This picturesque city is an ideal trip for anyone seeking a city adventure that is comfortable but slightly off the beaten path. Listed below are a handful of suggestions for your next trip to Lisbon– or Lisboa, as the locals call it! Enjoy!
DO:
Tram 28
San Francisco has cable cars, and London has red double decker buses– Portugal has trams! Embrace being a tourist and enjoy the ride through the heart of Lisbon. Tickets for the tram are inexpensive and cost less than $4 USD, and the route includes some of the city’s most famous neighborhoods. Generally, the trams tend to get crowded quickly, so be sure to arrive early in the morning or late in the day to avoid long lines.
National Azulejo Museum
Renowned for its extensive collection of ceramic tiles from the 15th century to the present day, the National Azulejo Museum (also known as the National Tile Museum) is something unique to Lisbon. After seeing so many intricate, beautiful tiles all over the city, I wanted to head over to this museum to learn more about them. The most memorable part of my experience here was entering the small church, which was covered in blue and white tiles, all of which had individual patterns or depictions on them.
Cinemateca Portuguesa
This creative space is absolutely worth visiting in Portugal. When I visited, however, it was closed for Easter. Cinemateca Portuguesa includes a film archive and museum, as well as a movie theater, all of which are accompanied by live piano. They show a wide variation of classic and indie films, and there’s also a quaint restaurant in the back if you’re hungry after a showing.
Ferry Ride to Almada
Take a ferry ride across the water to Almada, which looks, feels, and smells like a charming fishing village. There are some great restaurants located on this side of the city, and you can capture some beautiful photos of the main bridge. If you head to Almada around sunset, the view is unbeatable.
EAT:
Atira-te Ao Rio
Located across the water from Lisbon, this cozy restaurant serves traditional Portuguese dishes, but more importantly, the setting is incomparable. Although my meal was delicious, I was far more impressed by the view than anything else. Be sure to request a window table when visiting this eatery because Atira-te Ao Rio offers wide windows that provide an excellent view of the waterfront and Lisbon’s iconic bridge. One quick note, though: it’s a solid 30-minute walk from the port to the restaurant itself, which no one told me before I went. It didn’t prevent me from going, but I definitely thought I was headed the wrong direction a few times since it’s a rather isolated area filled with only abandoned riverside warehouses until you see the restaurant.
Pop Cereal Café
Despite the fact that you can eat Frosted Flakes or Cheerios nearly anywhere in the world, Pop Cereal Café is worth visiting because it offers every single cereal flavor under the sun, all in one place! The café serves well-known cereals, as well as unique European ones, most of which I had never even heard of before. Pop Cereal Café is amazing for anyone of any age, but it’s a particular hit with teenagers (so many Insta & Snap opportunities!) and young children.
SHOP:
A Outra Face de Lua
This vintage store sells everything from gorgeous silk scarves to pastel coats from the 60s. Although most of the pieces in the shop were created by Portuguese designers over multiple decades, A Outra Face de Lua also offers international brands.
39a
If you’re looking for the Dover Street Market of Lisbon, the shop 39a is the answer! This avant-garde concept store is known for offering quirky and unconventional designs. The interior design is also an experience in itself, and the green hue of the store makes for a great Instagram photo.
Fashion Clinic
This is, hands-down, one of the best stores in all of Portugal. Fashion Clinic sells nearly all of the major fashion brands but includes lesser-known designers as well. The locations in both Lisbon and Porto are impeccably curated.
A Vida Portuguesa
You should visit this shop based on the name alone! A Vida Portuguesa is a gift shop that has three locations throughout Lisbon. It mainly sells traditional Portuguese items, and I’d definitely recommend visiting their “flagship store,” which is located on Rua Anchieta. This location has by far the most offerings and occupies the largest space.
SEE:
Castelo de Sao Jorge
This Moorish castle on a hill in Lisbon is not only worth visiting because of its historical significance but also because of the incredible view. The featured image in this travel guide was actually taken from the top of the castle. Also, you’ll probably see some wild peacocks on the grounds, which is a fun addition, especially for younger kids. My youngest sister was totally mesmerized by their fluorescent feathers.
Pena Palace in Sintra
Yes, I’m recommending another castle!! Taking a day trip to Sintra was definitely my favorite part of my trip to Portugal. This adorable town is located about half an hour outside of Lisbon and is filled with gorgeous, medieval castles. The best one, however, is Pena Palace, with its iconic red-and-yellow design. The views from the top are amazing, and you can see all the way out to the coast. Finally, although everyone wants to look cute for Instagram photos, be sure to wear sneakers/running shoes when visiting Sintra because it’s quite a solid trek up to the castle! It took me about 35 minutes of walking uphill to get there.
The Rooftop at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz
At the very top of this famous hotel is a running track, which offers a gorgeous 360 degree view of Lisbon. Not to mention, the track itself is incredibly clean, as are the Pilates studios inside.
The Praça do Comércio
You can’t visit Lisbon without experiencing the city’s main square, which is surrounded by the ocean on one side and beautiful yellow buildings on the other. There are also lots of sidewalk cafes in the area, some of which are touristy but ideal if you need to take a quick break throughout the day.