Boa tarde! Bem-vindo to Lisbon, a city of vibrant colours, rich culture, and warm people. The city is full of surprises that leave an indelible mark on its visitors. In this post, I'll take you on a journey to my favorite spots in Lisbon. No matter how you choose to explore Lisbon, there is no doubt that this city has something for everyone.
From its charming neighborhoods and breathtaking viewpoints to its rich history and stunning architecture, it is a destination that will capture your heart and leave you wanting more. As someone who has lived in this charming city for a short time a year, I have a few favorite spots to see that you must make sure to include in your visit or if you live here you'll. Enjoy!
Activities To Do.
A Crafty Corner and Cooking Classes.
Cooking Classes At Timeout Market -If you're in the mood to create a culinary masterpiece, then head to Timeout Market for a cooking class. For anyone in Lisbon, this Timeout Market is a must-visit place for you and a class where you’ll be you'll in real-time with a master chef amidst the food hall madness. They offer various themed classes. I took an Indonesian cooking class to make a traditional Bim Bap rice dish. Take a pastel de nata class and learn to make the delicious Portuguese egg tart!
Live Theater and Performances.
Watch the Opera and Ballet - Watch a Teatro Nacional de São Carlos performance to experience a world-class evening of classical dance and music.
Lisbon Comedy Club - Looking for a good laugh? Check out the Sunday English comedy show at Lisbon Comedy Club. You're sure to have a great time!
Football Games!
Football game - If you're a sports fan, visit Sporting's Stadium for an authentic Portuguese experience! Get a taste of the passion and energy of a Portuguese football game. Don't forget to grab a Bifana and beer at one of the many bustling food trucks before going in.
Try a Yoga or Fitness Class.
Yoga and Bootcamp - Whether you want to access your inner calm at Hotpod Yoga Lisbon (hot yoga inside a huge blow-up pod) or get your pulse pumping with some fantastic music at an Amplify boot camp (they offer a boot camp, yoga, or cycle), Lisbon fulfils all your fitness needs!
Go Shopping.
Lisbon’s city centre is a maze for acclaimed shopaholics. There are so many choices of stores alongside boutiques to dive into. The Pottery shop “Cerâmicas"na Linha: is a small shop in the heart of Lisbon that sells traditional handmade and unique Portuguese pottery, making it a perfect place to pick up a souvenir or a new addition to your kitchen! They have the sweetest mugs.
At LX Factory in Alcântara is one of my favourite boutiques, named ‘The Portuguese concept shop’. Discover local, trendy, and unique Portuguese items from knick-knacks to jewellery, clothing, and more.
Looking for a window shopping experience and a lovely walk? Take a walk down Avenida da Liberdade and indulge in luxury window shopping, lined with high-end stores and beautiful trees, a frequent route I take walking to the city from my neighbourhood.
Check Out a Bookshop.
Bookshops - My top bookshops include: Bertrand Livreiros (the oldest running bookshop in the world), Livraria Bizantina, Livraria Círculo Das Letras, and Bivar Books. Lisbon is a city of literature, with many more unique bookstores I have yet to visit, and these listed bookstores are must-visit spots for book lovers!
The Places to Stop By.
The Miraculous Mirodouros (Viewpoints).
Craving a rooftop sunset or spectacular viewpoint of the city? Stop by and explore Castelo de São Jorge, a historic castle in the freguesia of Santa Maria Maior. Or, instead, head to the Alfama district for a leisurely walk through the old city's neighbourhood. Take in the stunning views from Miradouro da Senhora do Monte and Miradouro do Castelo, Largo Portas do Sol, and visit the Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon Cathedral). You can't go wrong with any of the many viewpoints scattered throughout Lisbon. Miradouro do Monte Agudo and Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara Alfama offer a unique perspective of the city's colorful rooftops and stunning coastline.
Igreja e Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora.
Another incredible view of Lisbon can be seen from The Igreja e Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora. It is one of my favourite views and, not to mention, is one of my architectural masterpieces here in Lisbon. This beautiful church is definitely worth a visit, but the real gem is the old monastery that will leave you awestruck. As you step into the monastery, you'll be amazed by the richly adorned cloisters decked out with colourful and intricate tile panels dating back to the early 18th century. Inside the monastery, you'll discover the royal pantheon of the Bragança family, which served as Portugal's last dynasty. It is truly a sight and will make you feel like royalty yourself.
LX Factory.
Located in the far-west of the city, in the neighbourhood of Alcântara, LX Factory is a funky industrial complex from the 19th century that is now home to many trendy restaurants, bars, office spaces and shops. Head down to LX Factory to witness an afternoon concert of live music. At the same time, you sip some vino, attempt to throw some axes at the USA Axe club, or instead enjoy a healthy dish at one of my favourite wellness-centred restaurants, The Therapist.
Belém.
Take a walk in Belem to soak up some sunny views of the Tagus River and the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge, connecting the city of Lisbon to the municipality of Almada on the left bank. For a historical path, walk and visit the Belém Tower, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, and the Jerónimos Monastery in one day. The sights, Jerónimos Monastery, is a stunning piece of architecture well worth visiting. Its intricate stonework and beautiful gardens make for a peaceful experience. These iconic landmarks are not only steeped in history, but they are also incredibly impressive feats of architecture!
Go Eat a Pastel de Nata!
The best at Pastéis de Belém in Belém! Never leave Belem without stopping by the famous "Pastéis de Belém" for nothing but a "Pastéis de Nata"! In 1837, baking the "Pastéis de Belém" began in the buildings attached to the refinery, following their ancient 'secret recipe` from the monastery. Now passed on, this recipe has remained unchanged to the present day.
The Art and Cultural Scene.
Galleries and Street Art.
Lisbon is a city bustling with galleries and street art! With each passing day, I discover new galleries and exhibitions, including the ARTROOM gallery, A 4-min walk from the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, or the Immersive Frida Khalo Exhibition Amoreiras! My favourite street artworks by Bordallo II of recycled materials include "Monkey (Bordalo II)", a 3-min walk from the National Azulejo Museum, or "Street art Raton laveur par Bordallo II", a 1-min walk from the Berardo Collection Museum.
Museums.
The CCB and MAAT - These two contemporary art museums showcase some of the best works of modern art from around the world. In particular, the MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology is the new cultural centre for Lisbon. It's a museum where these three areas intertwine within a space of debate, discovery, critical thinking and international dialogue. While the Centro Cultural de Belém Foundation - Lisboa - CCB exhibits a permanent exhibition and Berardo Collection, from the First Modernism to the New Avant-gardes of the 20th Century.
The Restaurants, Bars, and Cafes.
Brunch.
Lisbon is a Brunch City - Heim Cafe (my all-time favourite), Despensa N.6 (Healthy Gluten Free Pastry), Go A Lisboa (for Lisbon views and mimosas), Brick Cafe Lisboa (for a more residential vibe), Dear Breakfast (a classic always), Augusto (for personal dishes), and Fauna and Flora (avocado toast and pancake paradise).
Dinner.
If you're in the mood for traditional Portuguese cuisine or international dishes, Lisbon has it all.
Panda Canteen (Ramen)
Tantura (Middle Eastern & Turkish)
Chapitô à Mesa (City Views and Rustic Bistro Style)
Tasquinha do Lagarto (Portuguese)
Darwins Cafe (European)
Rocco (Upscale Italian)
Faz Frio (Portuguese)
Kefi Bistro (Greek)
Retro Gusto 84 (Pizza)
Bou Bou (International)
Nightlife.
Bars - From rooftop bars to beach bars, Lisbon's nightlife has something for everyone. Check out the speakeasy vibes of Red Frog & Monkey Mash, stop by one of the many Banana cafes across the city, the underground Vago, the rooftop bars of Topo, Park, Javá, SEEN, and Mama Shelter Lisboa, or the trendy neighbourhood spot called Corner in Lisbon.
Clubbing - Feel like dancing the night away? Try my favourite Lux Frágil Lisboa club for incredible music and sound systems. Or instead, hit the beach and visit one of the many beach clubs on Costa da Caparica, like Irmão in the evening or Princesa beach club in the day.
The Beaches and Greenery.
The beaches and parks of Lisbon are a true haven for all nature lovers, offering such diversity in their vegetation, overall landscape, and weather. My all-time favourite place is Praia de Ursa, in Sintra and my most frequented park of Park Eduardo VII.
Beaches - Some other must-visit beaches are Carcavelos Beach, Cascais Beach, Costa Caparica Beach, Ponto Final, and Guincho Beaches.
Parks and Gardens -Do not miss strolling around in one of these calming places, including Jardim Calouste Gulbenkian, Jardim da Tapada das Necessidades, Monsanto - Parque Florestal de Monsanto, Parque Recreativo do Alto da Serafina, Jardim Botto Machado, Parque Recreativo dos Moinhos de Santana, Jardim da Tapada das Necessidades, Parque Aventura & Stone Park, and Mata de São Domingos de Benfica are some of the most beautiful parks to explore.
Thank you for reading my post about my favourite spots so far living in Lisbon. I hope you've enjoyed my blog post chronicling my favourite places I have encountered in my fantastic journey as a young international living in Lisbon for under a year.
While I've only scratched the surface, I wanted to share these beautiful places with you. Don't forget to subscribe to not miss weekly postings from the Gorgeousandglobal Blog. Thank you for all of your support!