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Things to do in Lisbon: A local guide to the city’s best experiences
From the Jerónimos Monastery to the best city viewpoints, find out the best things to do in Lisbon with local guidance from Rita, our local Holaflyer
Visiting Lisbon means exploring the best of the city, such as the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, walking and eating in the Alfama neighborhood, taking in views from Miradouros, and experiencing live Fado music.
But what if you have some local insights to plan your trip? This guide has some recommendations from our local Holaflyer, Rita Sequeira, so you can visit all the can’t-miss spots.
Plus, we tell you how to stay connected while exploring Lisbon with a Holafly eSIM for Portugal, so you don’t miss a thing during your trip.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel to explore Lisbon without any worries.
Top 10 things to do in Lisbon
When visiting Lisbon, you can plan a 3-4 day trip itinerary following Rita’s advice to visit Alfama on day 1, Sintra or Cascais on day 2, LX Factory and Príncipe Real on day 3, and spend your last day in Belém.
But let’s talk about what you can actually do in these places and what you can find there.
1. Jerónimos Monastery
Located in Belém, this is a must-visit for all travelers visiting Lisbon. This is what Rita can tell us about it: “A UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its impressive Manueline architecture and historical importance.”
This monastery is a prime example of Portuguese Late Gothic architecture, and due to its popularity, it’s best to book tickets in advance, as they are often sold out.
When visiting the Jerónimos Monastery, take the time to try a Pastel de Belém, one of Lisbon’s best foods.
2. Belém Tower
Belém Tower is one of the most important landmarks in Lisbon, and Rita adds that the tower is “located by the river and strongly connected to Portugal’s Age of Discoveries.”
While exploring the inside is worth it, the Belém Tower is best seen from the outside or from the opposite riverbank, where travelers can get better Instagram-worthy pictures.
Since the tower is close to the Jerónimos Monastery, it’s worth combining both on a half-day visit.
3. Alfama neighborhood
Alfama is one of Lisbon’s traditional neighborhoods that every traveler should visit.
Rita tells us that it’s the oldest neighborhood in the city, and it’s widely known for its narrow streets, traditional houses, authentic atmosphere, and the traditional Portuguese music known as fado.
Rita recommends heading over to the São Jorge Castle for the best panoramic views over Alfama and the Tagus River.
Alfama is also widely known for its traditional restaurants, so if you’re looking for delicious food, this traditional neighborhood should be a mandatory stop.
4. Fado music
Traveling to Lisbon means diving into its cultural roots, and fado music is a clear favorite.
Here’s what Rita tells us about it: “Fado music is one of the most important cultural experiences in Lisbon.” Even UNESCO has recognized fado music as an element of intangible cultural heritage.
Alfama and Bairro Alto are common places to enjoy live performances, which are truly an experience you won’t find anywhere else.
5. Miradouros (city viewpoints)
Most travelers like finding places that offer the best city viewpoints, and there are three great spots around Lisbon.
Here’s what Rita tells us about each site:
- Miradouro da Senhora do Monte: Offers the best panoramic viewpoints; best to visit at sunset.
- Miradouro de Santa Catarina: Popular viewpoint to enjoy sunset drinks.
- Miradouro das Portas do Sol: Best to find postcard views over Alfama.
6. LX Factory
Built in the 19th century as an industrial textile complex, LX Factory is now home to a creative hub with independent shops, cafés, restaurants, and street art, as Rita said.
The ideal day to visit LX Factory is on Sundays, when the weekend market runs, but you can go when you like most, as you’ll find plenty to explore there, from Lisbon souvenir shops to delicious restaurants.
Plus, you can take some time to explore Marvila, an emerging creative district close to LX Factory.
7. Calouste Gulbenkian Museum and Gardens
Looking for an underrated place to visit in Lisbon? Then head to the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum and Gardens.
Here’s what Rita tells us about it: “One of Portugal’s best museums, with impressive international art collections and beautiful gardens. Often overlooked, but one of the calmest and most beautiful spots in Lisbon.”
It’s a great place to escape from the increasing hustle and bustle of Lisbon, and tickets cost anywhere from €12 to €18 depending on what you’re visiting.
8. Praça do Comércio and the riverfront
The Praça do Comércio is, in Rita’s words, “the city’s grand riverside square and one of the most recognizable meeting points in Lisbon.”
Not only can you explore one of the most important places in Lisbon, but you can also walk along the Tagus at any time you want, but sunset views are the best.
From here, you can also take a ferry to Cacilhas, from where it’s easy to enjoy some of the best Lisbon views from the water.
9. Santos Populares festival (June)
If you’re visiting Lisbon in June, the Santos Populares festival is a must-experience for travelers.
Rita tells us this is Lisbon’s most iconic celebration, with street parties, music, decorations throughout Alfama and Bairro Alto, and grilled sardines at every turn.
While this festival runs throughout June, it peaks on Saint Anthony’s Eve, which falls on June 12, when a parade also takes place along Avenida da Liberdade.
10. Campo de Ourique neighborhood
Another underrated local pick from Rita is Campo de Ourique, which offers a great, authentic Portuguese atmosphere.
Rita highly recommends visiting the Campo de Ourique Market, being a top option for travelers looking for traditional food with authentic Portuguese flavor.
Plus, it’s away from the common tourist trail, so it’s calmer to visit compared to other places.
Honorable mentions
If you still have some time left while visiting Portugal, here are some honorable mentions you should add to your itinerary:
- National Tile Museum: Ideal for exploring the history of glazed tiles in Portugal in a site that protects and promotes unique Portuguese artistic expression.
- National Coach Museum: This museum houses historical coaches and carriages belonging to ancient royal houses in the country, and it’s split into two buildings: the 2015 modern building opposite Avenida da Índia and the Afonso de Albuquerque Square building.
- Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT): With a stunning wave-like architecture style, beautiful rooftop river views, and modern art pieces, it’s a great stop close to Belém.
- Mouraria: A historical, multicultural neighborhood with lots of street art dedicated to fado legends, medieval streets, and important places like the Rua do Capelão and the Parish Church of Saint Christopher and Saint Lawrence.
- Estrela Garden: Perfect to escape the city’s noise, with over 4 hectares to walk on and different cafés to relax during your visit.
- Monsanto Forest Park: Being the largest green space in Lisbon, it’s a perfect spot to go for a hike without needing to leave the city.
- Time Out Market: By far one of the most important markets in Lisbon. Perfect for finding local food and top-chef creations in one place.
- Bairro Alto: While it has a vibrant atmosphere at night, every traveler should visit it during the day for its bohemian feel, lovely architecture, and the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.
Free things to do in Lisbon
If you’re traveling on a budget to Lisbon, Rita recommends exploring viewpoints, visiting historic neighborhoods and local markets, watching the sunset by the river, and relaxing at public gardens.
Some places, such as Praça do Comércio, Alfama streets, Estrela Garden, and Eduardo VII Park, are also free, and some museums offer free entry on certain days or at certain hours; check their schedules to make sure you go at the right time.
Things to do in Lisbon at night
Lisbon offers a vivid atmosphere at night, with the Santos Populares festival being the best time to enjoy a night out, as the whole city comes alive in the streets.
But when traveling on a different date, rooftop bars, live fado in Alfama, and riverside bars are a great option before heading to Bairro Alto or Cais do Sodré to really enjoy Lisbon nightlife.
Things to do in Lisbon with kids
If you’re traveling with kids to Lisbon, here are some things you could add to your travel itinerary:
- Oceanarium: Considered one of the best aquariums in Europe, with the Belém waterfront offering an open space to relax.
- National Coach Museum: Rather than focusing on the history, kids can enjoy the horse spectacle at the museum, but check the schedule to plan your visit.
- Sintra Palace: One of the most beautiful palaces in Portugal, worth a day trip from Lisbon, as travelers will feel like living in a fairytale for a while.
- Tram rides: Perfect for exploring the city without rushing, but expect crowds, as it’s one of the main public transport methods in Lisbon.
Stay connected in Lisbon with Holafly
Visiting Lisbon means you’ll need an internet connection. Whether it is to navigate the city and move from Belém to Alfama or book last-minute tickets to popular museums, it’s best not to rely on public WiFi.
Instead, travelers should rely on the Holafly eSIM for Portugal, which includes unlimited data, 5G data speeds, and customizable plans so you don’t book extra days you won’t actually enjoy.
Plus, you get the Always On perk, which means you get 1 GB of backup data each month at no extra cost just by keeping your eSIM installed.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel to explore Lisbon without any worries.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
