7 key things to do when you visit Lisbon

Today I’m sharing an article for the readers who did not yet have the chance to discover Lisbon, or very little of it.

Lisbon clearly is my favourite city in Portugal, there is always something to do and new places to discover, I have the feeling that I can never get bored here as the city is so dynamic and full of surprises!

So in this article, I will describe the places to visit that are absolute must dos when you come to visit Lisbon for the first time. Of course, I’m only picking of few of those, and there are many others that I would like to recommend, this is only a taster 😉 Of course I count on your comments, especially from my readers who are more familiar with Lisbon, to enrich this description, ok? Alright, let’s go!

Let’s begin by a few important numbers though: Lisbon counts  600 000 inhabitants in the centre, and more than 2 millions inhabitants including suburbs, which makes it the most populated city in Portugal (28% of the total population).

You probably already know this, but Lisbon is called “the city of 7 hills”, and this beautiful city is based of several areas that are very different from one another.

To keep it simple, I will mention 3 main ones:

• Baixa / Chiado: the classy area of Lisbon where you will find fancy shops, wide avenues and squares, and of course lots of nice boutique cafés and restaurants.
• Alfama: riddled with tiny little streets that go up and down, hidden beautiful restaurants accompanied with Fado music, patios with amazing views, and the St Jorge castle at its summit
• Bairo Alto​: the most festive part of Lisbon, filled with bars, pubs and restaurants of all types

A simplified version of the main areas of Lisbon to visit

1. Taste the famous pasteis de Belem

As you have been following me through my articles, you have already realised that I have a sweet tooth…so let’s begin our Lisbon visit with a little local pastry so that the day starts well! It is in Belem, very close to the Belem tower, that you will have the chance to taste the popular “Pasteis de Belem”. These little pastries based on custard cream are delicious, and served still warm with cinnamon on the top. What is specific about the “Pasteis de Belem” is their crispy crust, it makes all the difference. Hmmm a real delight! For your information the exact name of this Portuguese pastry in a standard pastelaria is “Pastel de nata”.

Take your time: I know that you must be very keen to go and visit Lisbon, but this place is worth spending the time to sit at a table and enjoy its typical Portuguese environment. It feels good in a Portuguese pastelaria doesn’t it? And on top of this you will get the chance to discover the famous “Azuleijos”, these Portuguese decorations in tiles painted in blue which adorn the city’s walls. You can even take a look (and a picture) at the kitchen!

The main entrance of the pastelaria “Pasteis de Belem”

If already you are in this neighbourhood, you may want to consider visiting the Belem tower (at the border of the Tagus) and also the Hieronymites museum (Jeronimos).

The Belem tower

Ok so now that we filled our batteries for the day, we are ready to go 🙂

2. Cross Alfama by tram

I invite you to start by foot at the huge “Praça do Comércio”, an easy meeting point. Walk towards the triumph arch in rue Agusta, in front of view when the Tagus is behind you, you can’t miss it.

Praça do Commercio, Lisbon

Continue to walk straight and make a left on the third street, rua da Conceição. From there, you can take the tram number 28E at stop “Rua da Conceição” in direction of Martin Moniz (the stop is on the side of the Tagus when you are in that street).

Once you are in the tram, enjoy the trip which is a real entertainment! Take the time to take some pictures, because to get to the top of Alfama it will take you about 6 minutes. You can get out at the stop “Miradouro de Santa Luzia”. You are now in the heart of Alfama, right next to the Saint Jorge castle.

It is now up to you to go and visit the castle, to walk around these tiny streets that continue to surprise me each time, or to grab a drink in one of those amazing terrace “miradors” which will offer you a splendid view of Lisbon…but I’m getting ahead of myself here…this is the next point!

3. Have a drink in a terrace high up in Alfama

Alfama offers breathtaking viewpoints

​After walking in these hilly streets, going up and down, you will have deserved a nice refreshment don’t you think? So Alfama offers many choices of terraces with breathtaking viewpoints. I will mention the Memmo Alfama (27 Travessa das Merceeiras) as an example but there are many others to discover, including great rooftop bars and restaurants, so I count on your comments to get some recommendations 😉

A small drink in Alfama with a splendid view over Lisbon and the Tagus

You will find all possible types of classic cocktails, including the fabolous Caipirinha, or you can taste a Ginja (a local sweet alcohol made from cherries) or a glass of fresh Vinho Verde 😉 You have plenty of choices! 

4. Have dinner in a Casa de Fado

Fado is Lisbon’s soul transcribed into music. It is so deep, so authentic, it gives me goose bumps. By the way if you ever get the chance to attend a concert from Mariza, I really recommend it. My husband and I had the chance to see her in London in 2013, it was sensational!

I advise you to discover Fado in Alfama: simply because this is where it is born. You can also find nice Casas de Fado in Bairro Alto, but I prefer Alfama 🙂 Picking the right one is quite difficult because you have many choices. The menus and prices are all the same mainly so you don’t risk much on just letting yourself be tempted when you see one you like. I will recommend you one that is a safe choice: Clube de Fado. ​This mythic place has hosted among the most famous Fado singers and players of all times. The guitarist who is currently a resident, Mario Pacheco, has accompanied Amalia Rodrigues herself! 

The experience of a Casa de Fado can’t be explained in words…

To introduce you to this environment, I suggest a little Fado song that gives tributes to…Lisbon 🙂

5. Cross the Tagus by Boat

A part of my husband’s family lives in Cova da Piedade, in Almada. It is on the other side of the Tagus, at the bottom of the “Cristo Rei” statue. Sometimes we go to Lisbon by boat in order to avoid traffic and parking issues…and on top of that it is a great trip which is really worth it! Take you cameras with you because you will get amazing spots with the whole Lisbon unraveling all its beauty in front of your eyes.

Crossing the Tagus by board to arrive in the centre of Lisbon

Starting from the “Praça do Comercio”, go to the main station called “Cars do Sodré” which is at walking distance. From there you can take the Ferry (yellow line) in direction of Cacilhas.

The Cacilhas harbor, on the other side of the Tagus

Once you get to Cacilhas, following a nice cruise, you will have several choices:

• you will find many nice restaurants right next to the station
• you can go visit the “Cristo Rei” statue and take the elevator to its top (I suggest you take a taxi from Cacilhas)
• you can take outstanding pictures along the Tagus with Lisbon in front of you

6. Visit the beaches of Lisbon South

Lisbon is not just a nice city, it is also beautiful beaches, among the most beautiful beach of Europe in fact! So I advise you to get a car, cross the bridge of 25th of April (the main red bridge) and to drive towards the South of Lisbon for a well deserved relaxing day by the beach. What do you say?

Portinho da Arrábida, a little place of paradise

Once again, you have plenty of choices, so I am only going to mention 3 main ones (up to you to share your own favourite beaches, I count on you):

• Costa da Caparica: the closest beach from Lisbon, very popular and offering lots of nice activities, a dream spot for surfers
• Fonte da Telha: my favourite beach, with its kilometres of white sand and breathtaking sunsets
• Portinho da Arrábida: a wonderful beach hidden by mountain cliffs near Setubal

Fonte da Telha, my favourite beach, in Aroeira

I’m pretty sure that you will be able to find a nice restaurant by the beach to taste a delicious grilled fish and to have a caipirinha 😉

7. Party in Bairro Alto

Your Lisbon trip is reaching its end, but by now you probably have tones of great memories in your mind and your camera’s memory card must be getting close to full!

There is nothing better than a little “see you soon” celebration (by now I am pretty sure that you decided to come back soon). You can get to the area of Bairro Alto for an exciting and fun night: bars, music, songs, dance, and lots of nice encounters!

​Bairro Alto is so diversified that everyone can find something that they like! So just one piece of advise: let yourself be guided by the flow of music and people, and have fun! Saude!

PS: if you would fancy some inspiration and directions, here is a little guide on the best bars in Bairro Alto

Now you know about my personal 7 must dos when you visit Lisbon! I hope you will understand that I simplified this article a lot and that there is so much more to say about Lisbon. In fact there are books just on that! But hopefully this article will be useful for people who plan their visit to Lisbon and will encourage you to continue your discoveries on your own. And of course, I am waiting for your comments and recommendations…it is always nice to share some good tips 😉

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