15 Best Things to Do in Lisbon, Portugal
I have visited Lisbon four times and I still find new corners to love on every trip. The city keeps its best surprises tucked into hidden squares and along tram lines that climb hills I never expected. If this is your first visit, here is the list I give to every friend who asks what they should not miss.
Climb Belém Tower
Belém Tower sits where the Tagus River meets the Atlantic, a limestone fortress built in the early 1500s to guard the port. I suggest going early, right when it opens, to beat the line that wraps around the plaza by mid-morning. From the top you get a calm view back over the water and the city skyline. Give yourself an hour; the spiral stairs are narrow and you will not want to rush.
Tour the Jeronimos Monastery
A short walk from the tower, the Jeronimos Monastery is the finest Manueline building in Portugal. I stood in the two-storey cloister for a long time just looking at the carved stone ropes, corals, and sea monsters that frame the arches. Vasco da Gama is buried inside the church, and so is the poet Fernando Pessoa. The monastery is bigger than you expect, so budget two hours and wear shoes that are comfortable for stone floors.
Wander Alfama’s Twin Alleyways
Alfama is the oldest quarter in Lisbon, a tangle of narrow lanes that survive from the Moorish and medieval city. I go there without a map on purpose. The streets twist uphill toward the castle, and every turn reveals a laundry line, a tile-covered wall, or a tiny bar filled with locals. Fado music spills out of the restaurants in the evening, and the atmosphere turns warm and personal as dusk sets in.
Ride the Classic Trams
Lisbon’s yellow trams are as much a sight as the city itself. The little cars rattle through streets that modern vehicles cannot fit down, and riding one feels like a step back in time. My favorite stretch runs through the Bairro Alto and down toward the river. The trams are cheap to use once you load a rechargeable transport card, and they are the most pleasant way to cross the hills without your own two feet.
Do Not Miss Tram 28
Tram 28 is the most famous route of all, a winding line that passes through Alfama, Graça, Baixa, and Estrela. I have ridden it three times and each ride feels different. Sit on the right side heading toward Estrela for the best views. Passengers hop on and off all day, so the tram is rarely empty. If you can, ride it late in the afternoon when the light turns golden over the rooftops and the crowds thin out.
Look Out Over the City From Miradouros
Lisbon is a city of hills, and the best reward for climbing them is the view. I make a habit of ending each afternoon at one of the belvederes, or miradouros, that look out over the red rooftops and the river below. The one at Senhora do Monte is my favorite because it is quiet, while São Pedro de Alcântara is livelier and has a little kiosk selling drinks as the sun goes down.
Bite Into a Pastel de Nata
No visit is complete without a warm pastel de nata, the famous custard tart with a crisp, caramelised top. I always head to Pastéis de Belém, the original bakery that has been making them since 1837. I ask for one fresh out of the oven, dust it with cinnamon, and eat it at a standing table with a coffee. The queue looks long but it moves fast, and it is worth every minute.
Cross to the Restelo District
Most visitors leave Belém right after the monument and the monastery, but I always take a little extra time to wander the quiet streets of Restelo that spread out behind them. The avenue of palms and the green spaces give you a sense of everyday Lisbon life beyond the crowds. It is an easy way to slow down between the bigger sights.
Take a Day Trip to Sintra
If you have a spare day, the hill town of Sintra sits forty minutes outside the city and looks like it belongs in a fairytale. Colorful palaces hide in the forest above town, and the cool air is a welcome break from the summer heat in Lisbon itself. Buy train tickets in advance and start early because the lanes fill up quickly on weekends.
Plan Your Time in Belém
I tell first timers to give Belém half a day. Tower, monastery, and pastries all sit within easy walking distance along the riverfront, so you can do all three without the stress of rushing. Pair it with a boat trip on the Tagus for a different angle on the waterfront, and you will come away with a strong feel for the maritime past that made Lisbon great.
Lisbon rewards you for walking slowly, eating well, and leaving room in your day for a spontaneous detour down a lane you have never seen. Build your itinerary around these highlights, and you will leave with the same pull to come back that I feel every single time.
