Best Things To Do In Lisbon, Portugal
- Apeksha Shah
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Lisbon is one of the most interesting and vivid cities, full of life and energy. This city has to offer some amazing views of the brown hatched rooftops and pretty narrow alleys. A city which is gaining tremendous popularity and a must visit when on a trip to the south-western Europe. Here you go with my top picks to visit
Torre De Belem-
A popular landmark near the Tagus River and an UNESCO World Heritage site. A 30metre four storeyed tower, and a part of the defence system built to guard the port in 1500’s. Later this tower was used as a lighthouse and customs house
Tips-
-Entrance ticket to tower costs 6 Euros
-Usually huge lines to get inside
-Visit along with Jeronimos monastery as both are quite nearby
Opening Timings- October – April: 10 am to 5:30 pm, May – September: 10 am to 6.30 pm, Closed: Mondays
Easy to access with trams, and taxis from City Centre
Alfama District-
Alfama is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. It is full of lively narrow alleys and Fado Houses (Places with traditional Portuguese cuisine and Fado music singers).
Sights not to be missed-
Graca- Graca is highest among the seven hills and is popular for its beautiful views, and nearby the Sao Jorge Castle
Largo Portas Do Sol /Miradouro Portas Do Sol Observation Deck- Fantastic views, with a unique maze of stairways and streets
Miradouro de Santa Luzia- Santa Luzia Church’s Terrace
Lisbon Cathedral
National Pantheon/ Church of Santa Engracia
Tips-
-No entrance ticket
-Beware of pick pocketing as highly common in these areas
-While returning from Alfama, follow the tracks of tram 28 to the city centre. Tram passes over the Lisbon Cathedral
-Can take Segway, Tuk Tuk or walking tours for informative, detailed and safe expedition
Jeronimos Monastery-
A UNESCO world heritage site, and a national monument, Jeronimos Monastery is extremely popular for its intricate carving and structure. This massive structure was built in the glorious ages of Portugal. A monastery and church, along with a museum it also hosts the burial site and tomb of Vasco De Gamma along with other kings
Tips-
-Regular entrance ticket costs 10 Euros
-Entry to church is free of cost
-Lines are huge to get inside
-Visit along with Belem tower as both are quite nearby
-Must buy tickets online to avoid long queues
Opening Timings- October to April from 10 am to 5 pm. May to September, from 10 am to 6:30 pm, Closed: Mondays
Easy to access with trams, and taxis from city centre
Day Tour to Sintra along with Pena Palace-
Take the most popular day tour from Lisbon to the town of Sintra which hosts the Sintra National palace with 2 white chimneys and also the most picturesque and majestic Pena Palace. The fairy tale Pena Palace sits up high in the mountains with colourful exteriors and impressive state rooms with copper vessel in a vintage kitchen and massive decorative entrance.
Tips-
-It’s a short ride from central Lisbon with less than an hour required to reach Sintra
-Lines are huge to get inside to view the rooms inside the Pena Palace with high waiting times
-Can reach Sintra and Palace easily by buses and trains
-Visit along with small organised tours to enjoy hassle free experience because of the huge crowds
-Try avoiding the peak hours from 10.30 to 14.00
-There are few strict policies on clicking photos of the interiors, so be careful
Tickets- Entrance ticket to Pena Palace and park is 14 Euros, only to the park is 7.50 Euros
Opening Timings- 10 am to 6 pm
The Beautiful Town of Sintra-
Commercio square/ Praca do Commercio-
This grand plaza is right at the heart of the city, filled with many restaurants and cafes. Also, boasts the popular shopping street on the Rua Augusta Arch. This beautiful waterside plaza is a popular pick up point and starting point for many tours and groups. It was destroyed by the great Lisbon earthquake which struck in 1755 and it was remolded again
Tips-
-Free of cost entry
-Beware of many people offering drugs and even pick pocketers
-Spend time strolling around waterside, shopping and having coffee or eating in a restaurant
Rossio Square-
This is a simple yet very energetic square, flaunts baroque fountains and is located in the city centre of Lisbon. The wave patterned flooring and the atmospheric cafes with outdoor seating seem very picturesque.
Tips- Sit, relax and watch people pass by and click pictures
Day tour to Cabo da Roca-
Head to the westernmost point of Europe to view the grand cliff side and granite boulders. A short drive of 40 to 45 mins, enjoy the panoramic view of the blue waters at 150 m (approx.) above sea level. Historical traces of Cabo Do Roca fort are unfortunately not there, except for the light house
Tips-
-No entrance fee
–Combine with Sintra day tour along if short on time
–Also, you can combine it with the pretty town of Cascais for a half day tour
Hop aboard the funiculars or take tram rides-
Tram rides and funiculars are a backdrop of the city, and extremely popular with tourists. The historic city would be incomplete without the rattling of the wooden cars and the crowds to catch them. There are 5 tram lines, all of them which pass through the city centre or downtown. Among them Tram 28 is the most popular scenic tour, for some beautiful city insights
Tips- Free of cost entry
-Beware of pick pocketing, as extremely common in these trams. Secure your backpacks and never keep your phone/valuables loose or in your back pocket
-Huge lines in summers to board tram 28. It can get extremely crowded and uncomfortable due to the heat
-One can also walk along the route of tram 28, but is quite exhausting due to the steep route but a different experience
-Buy tickets before boarding the trams, from machines, as they don’t give change and it’s expensive to buy ticket on board
Explore Chiado Area on Foot-
Chiado is a nice neighbourhood to explore on foot and soak in the atmosphere. Chiado is famous for luxury shops and many theatres/museums. This area is filled with many hotels and is closest to the city centre. It is popular for the 1988 fire which destroyed the area.
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