Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon, is one of my absolute favourite cities in the entire world. It’s the most vibrant and charismatic corner of Europe. Great food, rich culture, perfect weather…what more could you ask for?
This guide is jam-packed with everything that you need to know about visiting Lisbon including where to eat, where to stay, how to get around, and everything in between!
I’ve visited Lisbon in both summer and the winter and I can honestly say that it’s incredibly beautiful year-round. Winters in Lisbon are generally a lot quieter, especially around the holidays. There aren’t as many tourists in the popular hotspots and hotel prices are generally reduced during the winter season. The temperature in the winter is still moderate, averaging about 14 degrees Celsius.
In the summer months, Lisbon is bustling with tourists and festivals, and there’s always something going on in the city’s squares. Many popular Portuguese festivals happen in the months of June and July, so expect it to be much busier around these times. This is high season, so you should also expect hotel prices to be slightly higher than normal and some excursions may need to be booked well in advance. Summers in Lisbon are HOT. Temperatures are usually in the high 30’s and it’s not uncommon to see days that hit 40 degrees.
Prior to arrival (what to pack)
Lisbon is a very fashion-forward city with great street style – there aren’t many rules surrounding attire that you need to worry about. The only thing to keep in mind is if you’re planning to visit any churches or religious areas, it’s respectful to make sure that your knees and shoulders are covered. Other than that, Lisbon welcomes all different styles!
As I said, summers are HOT, so bring light and airy clothing that you’re comfortable walking around in. Don’t forget your bathing suit either! There are a ton of beautiful beaches just a short drive outside of Lisbon. If you’re visiting in the winter months you don’t need to worry about a winter jacket – just a light jacket and a sweater will do! No matter what season you’re visiting it, make sure to also bring comfortable shoes as you’re bound to do a lot of walking!
Upon arrival (how to get around)
Lisbon is a very walkable city and their public transportation system is great. It’s only 2.85 EUR to get on the tram or 1.80 EUR for the bus. You can also purchase a day pass for 6 EUR. Taxi’s in the city are VERY expensive – avoid them at all costs. Most sites and restaurants are within walking distance and those that are not are easily accessible by public transit. If you do need to take a car to get somewhere (like to and from the airport), take an Uber instead – it’s way cheaper.
Each time that I’ve traveled to Lisbon, I’ve stayed in the most wonderful Airbnb right in the heart of Rossio Square. Airbnb’s are really popular in Portugal, so you’ll have a ton of options to choose from. They’re fairly priced and you can save a ton of money staying in one instead of trying to find a hotel in the downtown core.
This bed and breakfast is fitted head to toe with Portuguese charm and style. The rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, tons of natural light, and are as welcoming as your own bedroom at home. Its location in Principe Real is central, but not so much so that you’ll be bothered by city sounds late into the night. The property was recently restored and is one of the top spots in the city for its reasonable nightly rate.
This stunning boutique hotel is at the top of my list for my next visit back to Lisbon. The property has a charming, rustic feel, featuring neutral toned rooms with huge beds covered in white cotton. Its on-site restaurant, Delfina, is a hit with tourists and locals alike and its only strides away from Praça do Comércio, one of Lisbon’s largest squares.
You can’t go wrong with free sangria and soup, which all guests are greeted with upon arrival. This hostel is perfect for budget travelers who are looking for somewhere central to stay without the typical “downtown” price tag. They have a variety of room options including shared dorms and private double rooms.
Where to eat
Lisbon is every foodies dream; the city is filled with tons of incredible restaurants serving fresh, local dishes. I highly recommend getting out of the touristy areas when looking for food. Most of the restaurants around popular places like Rossio Square are VERY overpriced and not authentic. If you travel a little bit outside of the squares, you’ll find smaller, local “ma and pa” style restaurants that are way tastier and more reasonably priced.
As a general rule of thumb, if they have an English menu it won’t be great. I know it sounds scary, to eat at a place where you can’t even read the menu, but trust me that getting out of your comfort zone will pay off big time. Portuguese people are also super friendly and will have no issues helping you out with the menu!
This spot is Anthony Bourdain-approved for their incredible bifanas. A bifana is a bread roll filled with pork and topped with mustard. It is arguably one of our greatest inventions. The best part is that they only cost 2 EUR!
This is one of my favourite little spots in Lisbon. It’s tucked away in the corner of one of Lisbon’s most famous squares, Praça da Figueira, but you’ll be able to spot it by the large crowd of locals spilling out the front door. This is a casual spot for a quick bite; stop in for a bifana, some caldo verde, and maybe even crack a Sagres or two!
Mini Bar is a really unique spot in Lisbon that’s dining as a theatre experience. Each course represents an act in a play and the waiters present each dish in a fun, theatrical way. This spot is the product of Portugal’s top chef José Avillez, who’s structured the menu to include a spontaneous eight-course tasting, in which guests don’t know what they’ve ordered until it arrives.
This literal hole in the wall is the best place to try Ginjinga in Lisbon. (It’s also Anthony Bourdain-approved!) Ginjihna is a sweet liquor made from ginja berries (sour cherries) and aguardiente alcohol. You can also get it served in a chocolate cup so that you get the pleasure of eating the cup afterward.
This is another one of José Avillez’s six restaurants in Lisbon. This spot features traditional seafood dishes in a setting reminiscent of a courtyard, completed with mock cottages and flooded with natural light. It’s impossible to find better seafood anywhere else – everything here is truly divine.
Things to do
Visit São Jorge castle
São Jorge castle is a Moorish castle overlooking Lisbon, providing beautiful views of the Baixa district and the Rio Tejo (River Tagus). It was the ancient seat of power in Portugal for over 400 years. The castle dates back to the 1920s and is absolutely stunning to walk through. Entry costs 8.50 EUR and it’s open from 9 am to 9 pm daily. However, this is Lisbon’s most popular tourist attraction, so I recommend getting there early to beat the crowds!
Enjoy some Fado
Fado houses are where you can sample traditional Portuguese cuisine while listening to authentic fado music, generally performed by a fadista and accompanied by the guitarra, a pear-shaped guitar unique to Portugal. Lisbon’s Alfama district is the birthplace of Fado, but the Bairro Alto district today is home to some of the best fado bars in Lisbon. There’s generally no cover charge, but many fado restaurants have a minimum spend. Get there early to avoid the lines, or better yet – reserve a table.
Go on a food tour
Like I said, Portugal has some of the best food in the entire world! The best way to experience everything that Portuguese cuisine has to offer is to have a local show you the best spots in town. We booked a food tour with Silvia, who took us to five of the most delicious spots around Lisbon to try traditional foods like Portuguese port wine, cheese, cod salad, and sausage. I really loved this tour as Silvia was super knowledgeable about Lisbon’s history and most importantly about food! This walking tour was also a nice way to get orientated to the city if it’s you’re first time visiting.
Learn to cook
The only thing more satisfying than eating Portuguese food is eating Portgueuse food that you’ve cooked yourself. Cooking Lisbon offers affordable, informative cooking classes where you can learn how to make Portuguese favourites including cod fritters and pastéis de natas. This is one of the most unique traveling experiences that I’ve personally ever had. Both classes that I’ve taken here have been really fun and it was a treat to be able to return home with a new skill.
Visit Alfama
One of the oldest districts in Lisbon, the Alfama district is a delightful maze of narrow cobblestone streets and picturesque houses that has quickly become my favourite area in Lisbon. Alfama was once associated with poverty, where the poor and disadvantaged resided, but today it’s a fashionable art district that has retained all that charm and character from decades ago. You can take the tram to Alfama, but I recommend walking, it’s the best way to explore the area!
Learn to surf
Portugal’s spirit is tied to the ocean and the Atlantic offers up some great surfing not too far from Lisbon. It’s quick and easy to get to the beaches of Cascais and Estroil by train and there are tons of fun surf instructors waiting to teach you how to catch your first wave!
Day trips from Lisbon
Sintra (30 minutes)
Just outside of Lisbon lies the enchanting fairy-tale town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see if you’re visiting Lisbon. You can get to Sintra from Lisbon by train or taxi. Most people recommend the train service as it’s fairly easy to use and there is limited parking in Sintra. The train will only put you back 6€ and you can catch it from the Rossio train station located in Rossio Square, in the heart of downtown Lisbon. It takes about 40 minutes to reach Sintra by train and about 30 minutes by car. However, if you want to take all the hard work out of planning your trip to Sintra, you can book the day-trip through a company such as “We Hate Tourism Tours”.
Belém (15 minutes)
Belem is an absolute must-see if you’re in Lisbon. You can take Lisbon’s famous tram to the town and visit Pasteis de Belém, the bakery famous for its delicious pastéis de natas. In Belém you’ll also be able to visit the Jardim da Praça do Império, Europe’s biggest plaza, and Jerónimoas monastery, a UNESCO world heritage site and an impressive symbol of Portugal’s wealth and power during the Age of Discovery. Before heading back, be sure to check out the Belém Tower, also known as the “Tower of St. Vincent”, which is another UNESCO world heritage site due to the significant role that it played in the Portuguese maritime discoveries during the Age of Discovery.
Have you been to Lisbon before? What’s your favourite part about the city? Do you have any more recommendations to add?
