There are so many things to do in Lisbon it can be difficult to choose what to do in this beautiful city. To help you to visit Lisbon in style, without wasting time, I asked Valerie from Valerie & Valise to share her top tips for what NOT to do in Lisbon!
Over the past decade, Lisbon has enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity. From its earliest days as a grungy, affordable, off-beat European city to visit, to its modern Instagram-worthy vibe, Lisbon definitely lives up to the hype.
It’s not hard to find a million great guides to this vibrant Portuguese city, sharing what to do and where to go. So, instead of giving you the typical weekend guide or top list of things to do in Lisbon, here are my best suggestions which of those top sights and experiences you can actually skip in Lisbon – and what you can do instead to give you a different, local perspective on this vibrant Portuguese city.
Know Before You Go to Lisbon
Before travelling to Lisbon, make sure you book accommodation and popular attractions ASAP as hotels and tickets can sell out, especially in busy holiday periods.
🛌 MY RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN LISBON:
$$ Zurin Charm Hotel: A small romantic hotel in the Campolide district of Lisbon
$$ Alegria A Lisbon Boutique Hotel – lovely hotel in a beautiful old building
$ Good Morning Hostel – I loved this friendly hostel, it’s perfect for solo travellers
⭐ TOP 3 LISBON ACTIVITIES TO BOOK IN ADVANCE:
Skip Bar-Hopping in Bairro Alto for a Glass of Wine with a View
In the early 2010s, Lisbon gained notoriety as an excellent city for an all-night experience. There are plenty of clubs in Belém if that’s your scene, but most people opted to hop through local hole-in-the-wall and dive bars in the hip Bairro Alto neighbourhood.
Skip the crowds, cover charges, and raging hangovers altogether. Instead, opt for a glass of world-class Portuguese wine with a view.
If you’re unfamiliar with Portuguese wine, start with a wine tasting class. Once you’re in the know, grab a reservation at Sky Bar. This luxurious hotel bar has stunning views of most of central Lisbon, located atop the Tivoli Hotel near the Jardim Botânico. If wine isn’t your style, they have a full bar and plenty of artistic cocktail options.
Where: Sky Bar – Av. da Liberdade 185, Lisboa – Open from 5pm most days.
Skip Breakfast at the Hotel for Local Brunch
Unless you’re lucky, hotel breakfasts are almost always a homogenized experience. No matter what kind of accommodation you book in Lisbon, go explore in search of breakfast and make the most of being in the heart of one of Portugal’s foodie capitals.
Skip the mass-produced buffet and claustrophobic breakfast room at your Lisbon hotel. Instead, opt for a gourmet, locally-sourced brunch from a local restaurant. Food is usually made to order and feature local flavours and favourites. In the country that invented the egg tart, why would you ever have scrambled eggs for breakfast?
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: A Food and Culture Tour in Lisbon Portugal
For some inspiration, check out these five amazing brunch spots in Lisbon:
- Palace Chafariz D’El Rei – Moorish architecture and Portuguese pancakes, what’s not to love? Tv. do Chafariz de El-Rei 6, Lisbon.
- Café do Monte – Within eyesight of panoramic Lisbon views at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, they have a cool Bohemian vibe to start your day. Rua de S. Gens 1, Lisbon.
- Deli Delux – Home baked croissants and freshly squeezed orange juice; perfect fuel for a day of sightseeing. Av. Infante Dom Henrique Armazém B, Loja 8, Lisbon.
- Care Taul – If you need a bigger portion to start your day, their generous egg-based plates will be perfect for you. R. Ribeira Nova 36, Lisbon.
- Kaffeehaus – Strong Austrian influence in Lisbon means you can get a stellar Frühstück at this or several other coffee shops in the city. R. Anchieta 3, Lisbon.
Skip an Uber or Taxi for the Local Trams
There are always plenty of ways to get around a city. With one as hilly as Lisbon, you’re looking at significant climbing and descending through the course of a day’s sightseeing. It might be tempting to stop walking and grab an Uber or Taxi, but skip car transport and choose public transit instead.
Hop aboard one of Lisbon’s vibrant yellow trams and to whizz around the city. With five main routes, they knit the city together and cut out some major climbing.
The most common routes for sightseeing are the E15 – connecting central Lisbon to Belém – and E28 – through the popular Alfama district. Tickets cost €2.85, or you can buy a Viva Viagem pre-paid ticket, which makes a single tram journey only €1.40. Another option is to use the trams as part of your sightseeing plan, by taking a hop-on/hop-off tour that includes the tram system.
Skip the Castelo de São Jorge for Other Lisbon Viewpoints
The Castelo de São Jorge is a popular, tried and true sight worth seeing in Lisbon. It offers great views of the city and plenty of history. There are even some great walking tours that include a stop in the medieval Moorish castle. However, I suggest skipping the views from the castle and instead, enjoying some of the other viewpoints around Lisbon.
The terraced garden of Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara gives you spectacular views of the city. Additionally, the garden is perfect on hot days, where the trees provide shelter from the beating sun, and fountains play gently in the background. Artists set up along the cast-iron fence that runs the perimeter, giving the whole place a distinctly Parisian vibe with signature Lisbon views.
If you prefer a sea view, don’t miss the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, a pretty garden next to the Santa Luzia Church where you can sit and soak up the sunshine while looking out to sea. The nearby Moradouo das Portas do Sol is another popular spot for panoramic views.
Skip a Day Trip to Sintra
Wait, I love Sintra! I don’t mean skip it altogether, I just mean not to take a day trip. There is so much to see and do in Sintra that it really needs more than a day, so extend your stay in Portugal and spend at least one night in Sintra.
If you really one have one day to spend here then be sure to prioritize what you want to see and what you prefer to skip. The castles in Sintra are what draws people here, and while I loved wandering around the gardens of Pena Palace, I didn’t bother going inside.
Watching the sunset from the walls of the Moorish Castle was magical, and the gardens of La Quinta de Regaleira are very special too. But the magic of Sintra doesn’t end here, take time to explore all of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, visiting Montserrate, the Convento dos Capuchos and the spectacular Cabo da Roca viewpoint, as well as the beaches along the coast.
In fact, another mistake when visiting Lisbon would be to not explore the rest of Portugal! As well as the gems in Sintra, there are plenty of other incredible places to discover between Lisbon and Porto if you hire a car and take a road trip to Portugal’s second city and spend a few days in Porto.
Alternatively, head to beautiful Evora, or get some sun and sand down in the Algarve at Lagos and see the incredible Benagil Sea Caves. As much as I love Lisbon, there is far more to Portugal than the capital city!
Where to Stay in Lisbon (by Claire)
Hostels in Lisbon
I stayed at the fun and friendly Good Morning Hostel Lisbon which is in a great location by Restauradores underground station. This is probably the best place to stay in Lisbon for solo travellers, with a daily happy hour including free sangria and beer, and lots of fun events and social dinners. Rooms are clean and spacious, and the staff are all fabulous. Read my full review of Good Morning Hostel Lisbon here or book it now. You can also find other hostels in Lisbon on Hostelworld.
Hotels in Lisbon
If you’re looking to stay in central Lisbon, check out Tempo FLH Hotels Lisboa. From just €69 per night, you’ll get a spotless double room with breakfast included. Each guest room is bright and airy, and since it’s located so centrally you’ll save money on public transport since you’ll barely have to take any!
You can find other hotels in Lisbon on Booking.com, like the examples below.
Zurin Charm Hotel: A small romantic hotel in the Campolide district of Lisbon with a crisp, clean, and modern look. Sao Jorge Castle and Commerce Square are less than 5 km away. >>>CHECK PRICES
Alegria A Lisbon Boutique Hotel: The architecture and design of this renovated building dating back to 1865 is inspired by authentic Portuguese culture. History and culture buffs will love staying here and being surrounded by 19th century mansions. >>>CHECK PRICES
If you prefer to stay in an apartment in Lisbon then Booking also has some amazing vacation apartments in Lisbon. There are also various options for Airbnb in Lisbon too, take a look at some of the rental homes available here.
About the Author
Valerie Stimac Bailey of Valerie & Valise grew up in Alaska, so it’s no surprise she loves sharing stories from there and the rest of the American West. On her blog, you can find resources to have unforgettable experiences throughout the western U.S. including California, Hawaii, and yes, The Last Frontier. You can also find Valerie on Twitter and Instagram.
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Check out these blog posts to learn more about fabulous things to do in Portugal, or click here to read all of my Portugal posts.Like this post? Pin it to read later:
Hi Suzanne, thanks for reading – I replied to your email but for others reading this, there was a free shuttle bus service that ran within the park, but it didn’t go all the way up to the Cruz Alta, I think its main purpose was to go between Pena Palace and the Condessa Edla Chalet, but it did stop around the Temple of Columns which is part way there. I can’t find any information about it now online so I’m not sure if it is still running post covid!
Hi Claire…love your articles…I will be doing Sintra..outside and park .. an avid photographer. Is there any way to drive to the St Catharines Heights and Cruz AltA…or is it only available through the park and hefty climbing? Thanks