Essentials Guide to Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon Essentials: The Portugal Tourist Traps to Visit—and Those to Skip

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It’s been two months since we returned from two weeks in Portugal, and I’m finally catching up on life enough to recap one of the best trips we’ve taken in ages. Of course, a lot of that has to do with Lisbon itself; since we first visited in 2006, it’s been SVV’s and my “bug-out spot,” the place we plan to escape to when the apocalypse happens or the zombies arrive or aliens invade our country. Either way, we love Portugal, and that feeling only grew stronger on our most recent return.

Things to Do in Lisbon, Portugal

But it wasn’t all fun and games (though much of it was). First, we were there to co-host a workshop for entrepreneurs. And planning a group trip to Lisbon can be difficult, especially if you’re traveling with others who may have different interests than your own. On my last visit to Lisbon, my family and a couple of friends tagged along; this time, SVV and I were accompanied by seven other creatives (and a baby!), mostly fellow photographers. And if ever there were a place that’s perfect for photographer friends, it’s the City of Seven Hills, as there are so many things to do in Lisbon that lend themselves to large groups.

Cruise of the Bay in Lisbon

Though it was my third visit to Lisbon, it had been five years since my last time in the country and I found the Internet sorely lacking in information, particularly from the local tourism board (Portugal Tourism, call me! you could use some help). Thus, I took copious mental notes—and approximately six million photos—while we were there, so you know all the best things to do in Lisbon and don’t repeat any mistakes we made. Here goes.

Essential Guide to Everything Lisbon

A Brief Snapshot of Lisbon

Portugal was established in the 12th century, though for 400 years before that Muslims ruled the country, which is why the oldest surviving portion of Lisbon comprises tight, cobblestoned streets; it was built that way to provide shade during the hot days of summer. And let me tell you, it got hot right as we were leaving in early August, so I see why it was constructed that way; you definitely need somewhere to go to escape the sun.

Cruise of the Bay in Lisbon

The Arabic influence is still evident throughout the stunning architecture and intricate tile all over Lisbon. The old neighborhood of Alfama is particularly charming and deserves a day of aimless wandering. Just pack your walking shoes, as the streets are steep!

Streets in Alfalma of Lisbon

Much like its doppelgänger San Francisco, Lisbon spans seven hills and is flanked by an almost perfect bay, only on two sides instead of three. A 9.0 earthquake shook the city to its core back in 1755, devastating many of the buildings and almost demolishing the entire thing, in part due to a tsunami and massive fires that followed. Nearly 20 percent of Lisbon’s population at the time—or 40,000 people—were killed, in addition to even more in Spain and Morocco.

Bay Cruise of Lisbon, PortugalToday, Lisbon feels like one of the most authentic European cities to me, though it faces the effects of gentrification that we’ve seen in so many major cities throughout the world, including San Francisco. The sharing economy is very much alive there, and as a result, many long-time residents have been forced out by rising rents and those who have converted apartments to Airbnbs. That said, someone has been keeping the street vendors and cheap foreign goods off the shelves in this part of the world so it doesn’t feel like a cheap flea market anywhere, unlike most European hotspots.

When Should I Go?

If I were to do it again, we’d go back in early September. We totally lucked out and had a solid week of balmy 78-degree afternoons, then the last few days we were there, it peaked to a crippling 115 degrees. Luckily, SVV and I were heading to the islands where it was 55 degrees cooler.

When to Go to Lisbon, Portugal

While the weather can be unpredictable, if you go in June or July and even parts of August, you’re going during prime Portuguese holidays and you’ll likely pay a premium. Airfare was several hundred dollars more during June and July then other times of the year, so I’d suggest hitting Lisbon up during its shoulder season of early May or September. Winters do get cool as its latitude is around the same as Tennessee, so it stays pretty pleasant through late October.

Water Sports in Lisbon, Portugal

Where Should I Stay?

Most people I know use Airbnb to stay in Lisbon, as it’s affordable and you get excellent bang for your buck, which is exactly what we did when booking accommodation for 10 people.

Airbnb in Lisbon, Portugal

In terms of neighborhoods, to be honest, anywhere in central Lisbon is a safe bet, but my personal favorites are Bairro de Alto and Alfama. Since we needed six bedrooms, we were limited to flats that could accommodate 10, but I found a lovely apartment in Anjos and adored the neighborhood. Anjos is great for those who want to be central to everything but in a quieter sector out of the fray of the party districts.

Scenes from Lisbon, Portugal
Scenes from Lisbon, Portugal
Scenes from Lisbon, Portugal

How to Hire a Tour Guide

A friend of a friend referred me to Teresa, the lovely owner of Born in Lisbon, a walking tour company and a certified tour guide through the Portuguese government.

Essential Guide to Everything Lisbon
Tram Ride in Lisbon, Portugal

I highly, highly recommend spending your first day in Lisbon taking a walking tour of the central district with Born in Lisbon. Teresa has that easy, laid back Portuguese style of talking, walking and feeling the energy of the group that made SVV and me fall in love with the country in the first place many moons ago. The vibe of the Portuguese is very much our style of travel and living: passionate mixed with a little c’est la vie. You’ll get a little taste of that with her if you’re open to it.

A Walking Tour of Lisbon, Portugal

How to Get Around

Ride-sharing services have arrived in Lisbon, and they’re surprisingly cheap. We took them all over the city, and they typically cost about 3 euro a ride, even more economical than the metro given that we often rode three to four people in one car.

How to Get Around Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon does have a metro transportation system that is safe and relatively efficient. We took it a few times from the Anjos and Independente stops right by our flat until we realized how easy it was to use a ride-share service instead. And, of course, there’s the iconic tram. You haven’t visited Lisbon until you’ve crammed yourself into the sweaty throngs of the tram-riders!

How to Get Around Lisbon, Portugal

There’s also a train that leaves from Cais do Sodre and heads west to the beach towns, Sintra and beyond. We took this a time or two—as SVV and I also did back in 2006 when we were bopping around the country—and it can be slow at times, particularly if you get a regional train that stops at every stop possible.

Tram Ride in Lisbon, Portugal
Tram Ride in Lisbon, Portugal

Tram Ride in Lisbon, Portugal

Tourist Traps to Avoid—and Those to See

Skip Cascais; go to Carcavelos instead

Of all the things to do in Lisbon, the beach should be low priority on your list; go south or north if you want a seaside break. You can take day trips to coastal towns, sure, but they’re nothing like going to the Algarve way down south; the surf on the south coast is calmer and the water more tepid, and there’s no beating that dramatic, rocky coastline of the southern region that is scarce in parts of Central Portugal.

Cascais: Beaches Near Lisbon

I had high hopes for Cascais as so many people had raved about it, but ultimately, it was a big disappointment—at least in summer months. Even on a weekday, the beaches were so crowded, there was nowhere to sit, and the town itself was brimming with vendors selling so much made-in-China crap, it was hard to walk through. It reminded me of every crowded Mediterranean cruise port town I’ve ever been and was filled with those types of tourists, as well.

Where to Stay in Lisbon, Portugal

But what if you don’t have three hours to get down to the Algarve and a couple days to spare and you just want an afternoon at the beach? You do as the locals do and go to Carcavelos for its wide, sandy beaches and skip the cramped quarters of Cascais. Carcavelos is just 24 minutes by car or a 46-minute train ride from Lisbon. Or you take a cue from my friend Christie, who was there at the same time as we were, and head 90 minutes up the coast to lovely Nazaré for an afternoon or even the whole weekend.

Cascais: Beaches Near Lisbon

Don’t miss Time Out Market

Named after the Time Out publication, the market is essentially a huge converted warehouse with a central dining area surrounded by incredible food options. While there is shopping, cuisine is the largest draw. Steaks, sushi, authentic Portuguese dishes, curated burgers, sweets and more populate the 40+ stalls of vetted food vendors inside this popular destination.

Time Out Market in Lisbon, Portugal

Skip Pastéis de Belém; go to Manteigaria instead

Pastéis de Belém is the only true place that can claim the iconic egg tarts for which Portugal is known “Belém.” The sweet treats were invented there; everywhere else they’re called “nata.” No doubt, Pastéis de Belém supplies the pastries for most of the shops in Lisbon anyway; you can tell from stepping foot inside the well-oiled machine that it’s a manufacturing facility. But this is a classic tourist trap, and you’ll likely wait ages in line to be served by a disinterested waiter, long used to the hordes of tourists fresh off the boat.

Belem in Lisbon, Portugal

Sure, if you’re already in Belém for the monastery, tower or culture center—all of which I recommend—then check out the pastry shop to see if there’s a line (only do so early in the afternoon as they sell out of pretty much everything but the nata by midday), but don’t make a special trip to Belém when you can get more delicious versions at so many pastry shops and cafes in Lisbon proper like Manteigaria or Fábrica da Nata.

Don’t miss taking a cruise of the bay

We went on a sailboat out on the bay and beneath the 25 de Abril Bridge, and even though this is something I’ve done dozens of times in my life (does that make me a jaded traveler?), I have to admit it was pure magic! You just can’t beat that mild Lisbon weather paired with sunset views of the steepled hills. It reminded me of the many times I sailed across the San Francisco Bay as a resident—only the waters were perfectly calm, and I didn’t even need the Dramamine I frantically gulped down in anticipation of feeding the fish.

Sunset Cruise in Lisbon, Portugal

Sunset Cruise in Lisbon, Portugal
Sunset Cruise in Lisbon, Portugal

Sunset Cruise in Lisbon, Portugal

Skip the tourist haunts down in Chiado

Let’s get this out of the way: I had a really hard time finding a place that a) took reservations and b) would let us reserve a table for nine, so I came across Cervejaria Trindade on some site and it looked good enough. I mean, it has a history spanning 180 years! It was once a monastery! It brews it own beer! It has to be good, right? WRONG. It was the most awful, touristy place I’ve ever been, like dining at a pub in Times Square, only possibly worse. In fact, you’d be wise to skip most of the restaurants in the Chiado area as they catered to tourists and are way too pricey for low-quality, passion-less food.

Where to Eat in Lisbon

We had some really good meals, but most of them were not Portuguese. We had excellent Asian fusion at Boa-Bao, delicious Mexican street fare from El Clandestino and a couple of lovely lunches at the Brick Cafe up in Anjos. One of Lisbon’s true charms is finding quaint cafes in your own neighborhood that you’d never discover with the help of Yelp or Google.

Bay Cruise of Lisbon, Portugal

Don’t miss tasting your way through José Avillez’s empire

Our first night in town, we went to Minibar Teatro, as it was one of the few José Avillez where we could just drop into and grab a bite; plus, meals were small, sharable plates, which is exactly what we were looking for after our neurological clocks got reset by a trans-Atlantic flight.

Skip Park; go to Mundial instead

Think that Park, a rooftop park atop a parking structure with epic views, sounds like a killer concept? Yeah, you’re not alone. We snuck up there during the day when it was closed to take photos of the view from the level below, then went back on a Thursday night before sunset and it was a clubby mob scene of mostly American and European tourists and Instagrammers. Unless you’re traveling to Lisbon during the off-season, this is a skip for me. Next!

Park Rooftop Bar in Lisbon

That said, after realizing that Bairro Alto Hotel is closed indefinitely, we located another rooftop bar at Hotel Mundial that we loved so much we wound up there three nights out of the seven.

Where to Eat in Lisbon: Mundial

There was plenty of space and seating for a group of our size to hang, and at six euros, drinks weren’t bad given that we were in a pretty swank setting. Oh, and the views definitely weren’t shabby!

Mundial Rooftop Bar in Lisbon

Definitely Go to LX Factory

The artist collective that is LX Factory may get crowded, but it’s worth getting there early to nab a spot at Rio Maravilha that overlooks the river and the 25 de Abril Bridge.

LX Factory Rooftop Bar in Lisbon

When you’re done feasting your eyes on the scenery, you can poke around the shops and eat at one of the many restaurants comprising LX Factory. Honestly, you could lose yourself for hours here; there are so many cute stores, splashy public art and delicious places to eat!

LX Factory in Lisbon, Portugal
LX Factory in Lisbon, Portugal

Plus, LX Factory also boasts one of the most photogenic bookstores I’ve ever seen. How positively darling is Ler Devagar?

Bookstore at LX Factory in Lisbon, Portugal

Bookstore at LX Factory in Lisbon, Portugal
Bookstore at LX Factory in Lisbon, Portugal

Don’t miss São Jorge Castle

São Jorge Castle may be one of the top tourist attractions in Lisbon, but it’s not one you should write off. This Moorish fortification commands a sweeping hilltop view of almost the entire city and is filled with textures for photography. Establishing a sense of place is important for both of us and this location will jump start your trip.

Sao Jorge Castle in Lisbon, Portugal

Tip: Get there when it first opens at 9am as a line accumulates quickly. However, once you’re inside the walls, you won’t feel the crush of people as it’s a sprawling compound of a castle with steep ramparts, hidden nooks and central courtyards that just breathe history.

Sao Jorge Castle in Lisbon, Portugal

The early morning arrival will also translate to optimal photography conditions before the sun is so harsh and directly overhead.

Sao Jorge Castle in Lisbon, Portugal
Sao Jorge Castle in Lisbon, Portugal

Things to Do in Lisbon, Portugal

And definitely visit Cervejaria Dois Corvos

On our one free afternoon, SVV and I set out wandering and a few of our group tagged along. We had no idea where we were going, as often is the case, but had our driver drop us off in Marvila down near the water, so how lucky for us (after asking a few questions, as we do) that we stumbled upon not one but two breweries? Lisbon isn’t a beer town—most bars have one kind of beer on the menu and it’s usually Sagres—so to discover that there are actually craft breweries in the city was a bit mind-blowing. And not only do craft breweries exist, but they’re damn good, too!

Essential Guide to Everything Lisbon

How convenient, too, that Dois Corvos means two ravens, and SVV’s and my company is Odinn Media (Odin was the father of Thor and had a pair of ravens, Hugin and Munin, who would collect the news of the land for him!). We were destined to like this place.

Sadly, eight days in Lisbon flew by, and there was so much we didn’t have a chance to get to. But I’d say we did a decent job of making some headway, wouldn’t you? I made a map of some of my favorite stops for those of you planning a trip to Lisbon in the near future.

Have you ever been to Portugal? If so, do you have recommendations for things to do in Lisbon that I missed and are absolutely musts?

Essential Guide to Everything Lisbon


 

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Things to Do in Lisbon, Portugal
Things to Do in Lisbon, Portugal
Things to Do in Lisbon, Portugal
COMMENTS
  • October 9, 2018

    Portugal has been on my bucket list for years and I am so happy you put this out there. I am always looking for new recommendations besides the norm. Also, your pictures make me want to see it anymore. Thanks!

    • October 11, 2018

      Thanks, Chris! You DEFINITELY need to get there soon. It’s finally been discovered by American tourists, but I was glad to see prices hadn’t really spiked (other than airfare) as a result. I think May or October would be the perfect time to go.

  • October 9, 2018

    Thank you so much for this detailed guide! I will be in Lisbon for the first time in early January for 6 days and have just started planning what to do. We booked a place that’s just below the castle through Airbnb. Can’t wait!

    • October 11, 2018

      I love that area so much; you picked a great place to stay, just be prepared to walk up and down steep hills a lot! Can’t wait to hear how it differs in January from summer.

  • October 9, 2018

    Such great photos as usual! The architecture, the beaches and all those murals. You’ve put Lisbon on my radar for sure!

    • October 11, 2018

      You and your merman tights would absolutely love it there!

  • October 9, 2018
    Casey

    So glad Kim follows you & you just returned from Portugal! Thanks for the great ideas for when we are in Lisbon. We will in the south most of the 10-days but will be in Lisbon at the end. Do you recommend anything for 8 year old boys that are obsessed with cars & racing? We are only traveling with carry-ons so I hadn’t intended to bring my camera but after seeing your pictures I may have to make room!

    • October 11, 2018

      You definitely need a camera, Casey! It’s one of the most photogenic places I’ve ever been, ESPECIALLY down south along the Algarve. You’re going to want to spend the entire 10 days just taking photos!

      I wish I could give you recs on cars, but that’s way outside of my realm of knowledge, ha. He’ll absolutely love the beaches and exploring all the caves and nooks and crannies, though.

  • October 10, 2018
    Abby Moore

    Kristin, I loved this blog post! My favorite part was the colors of your awesome photos!! I’ve been to Portugal twice but after this, you make me want to go a third!!!

    • October 11, 2018

      Let’s go back a third time—together! More acro. And you need to see the Azores!

  • October 12, 2018

    Great tips! I always like other options aside from the busy tourist option. My mum always picks one place she’d like to visit together. I think in 2019 we’ll go to either Porto or Lisbon. I’m excited about either 🙂

    • October 12, 2018

      I really want to see Porto next! I can’t wait to read your recap of it if you wind up going.

  • October 12, 2018

    Super helpful guide! I really appreciate your honest opinions about some of the more popular places in Lisbon. It’s so hard to tell if a place is worth visiting actually lives up the hype. Thanks for letting us no the do’s and don’ts

    • October 12, 2018

      Happy to help, Jessica! When I’m traveling solo, I tend to avoid more of the big tourist stops (unless it’s like the Eiffel Tower, which of course you have to see!), but we were traveling in a group and many people wanted to see the big POIs of Lisbon. Some of them were great and others were just meh. Lisbon is such a dynamic city that you could spend months exploring its windy corridors, but most people just parachute in for a couple days here or there, so I hate to see them waste time at pure traps!

  • October 13, 2018

    Portugal is on my list for sure! I haven’t been, so super jealous you’ve been there several times. Love this post! And some of the photos of the bridge definitely make me do a doubletake. 🙂 Nope, not San Francisco!

    • October 21, 2018

      Thank you, Tinna! My husband is from San Francisco and I lived there for four years, so I definitely do a double-take, too, when flipping through my Lisbon album. The bay part of town definitely looks a lot like SF!

  • October 13, 2018
    Bill Nickels

    We have been to Lisbon and i wish i had this to help understand. Excellent piece.

  • October 18, 2018

    Thanks for the honest tips. It’s refreshing to find a blog with real opinions on what to do and what no to do instead of non-stop gushing. Speaking of gushing, I’ve done enough; nice work!

    • October 21, 2018

      Ha, thank you, Chris! Portugal is one of my favorite places on Earth (tied with Scotland), so I absolutely wouldn’t want people to waste their time on tourist traps when there are so many places to see. 🙂

  • October 23, 2018

    Have always wanted to visit and explore Lisbon. Such a beautiful place. Thanks for the inspiration Kristin. Awesome photos too.

  • November 2, 2018

    I’ve been to Portugal three years ago and Lisbon was great – I loved the atmosphere of the city, it felt so laid-back. The charming azulejos and the architecture. I also discovered an amazing wine bar there, one of the best I’ve ever been to. Thanks for bringing the memories back 🙂
    Cheers!

  • May 31, 2019
    Rosalind

    An excellent account. I liked the Monument to the Discoveries and the UNESCO heritage of SAN Jeronimo. An evening out listening to the local songs FADAS is interesting and afterwards I saw mugs with cartoon people weeping buckets— these are sad songs! You, the blogger, did a great job on your account. I’m planning a visit in October with my niece SUZY McElwaine.

  • October 25, 2019
    DQ

    We were in Portugal about the same time as you (last few days in August and first 2 weeks in Sept) … even stayed close to your apartment … our hotel was literally in front of the Anjos metro stop. Spent a few days in Lisbon and then over to Sintra, up to Porto, through the Douro valley, down to Coimbra, Fatima and Evora, then Algarve for a few days before one last day in Lisbon, stopping at UNESCO sites and other places along the way. Absolutely loved it! We love seafood so we were in heaven …I could eat those grilled sardines every day. Wanted to go to Ramiro while in Lisbon but it was closed for renovations for a few weeks … Marisqueira Do Lis was a great alternate. Oh well, next time.

    Tram 28 wasn’t as bad as I had read about.

    One little mistake in your article … Odin was Thor’s father not his son.

    • October 26, 2019

      You’re so right—thanks for the catch. Changed it in the post! And great tips for places to go on our next trip to Portugal. I could visit there a dozen times and never get tired of it!

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