Are you planning on visiting Portugal’s capital city and you want a list of things to do in Lisbon? Look no further – keep reading and we’ll go through all of the entertaining things we did in Lisbon. Plus at the end of the article we’ll give you our absolute favorite must-see things to do in Lisbon, plus a list of the free ones.
How to use this map: The map above has all of the attractions mentioned in this post. Click on each attraction to learn more about it. If you’d like to save this map, click on the square “View Larger Map” icon. This will open the map in your Google account (make sure you’re signed in). You can reference it in your account or you can create a copy to make your own edits.
First, we also created a map of Lisbon. We’ve added lots of things to do, including bars and restaurants, and we’ve linked most of them into nice neighborhood walks.
We’ve sorted our list of things to do in Lisbon by neighborhood. While some of them aren’t that spectacular, they may be a quick stop nearby something spectacular that is worth a stop if you’re in the area. Don’t rule anything out. Some of our best Lisbon experiences were stops that we only did because we had “extra time” in our day to kill or we were close by and took a one block detour to see something interesting.
Belém
Belém Tower
Cost: FREE | Time: 15 minutes
The Belém Tower is the first of two amazingly preserved pieces of architecture in Belém. It sits along the Tagus River and was built to welcome (or fend off) ships trying to enter Lisbon. Construction took place in the early 1500s and it is now a tourist attraction. The tower is beautiful to visit from the outside with beautiful views of the river as well. However, the line to get in is the longest we saw in all of Lisbon (at 10 in the morning). We skipped entry and the cost and time listed above is reflective of just viewing it from the outside. Expect to wait upwards of an hour to enter if you plan to do that, even after booking your ticket ahead of time.
Jerónimos Monastery
Cost: 18 € | Time: 2 hours
The Jerónimos Monastery is one of the best things to do in Lisbon and it was one of our favorite activities. However, everyone also knows this and the lines to enter can get long. We got there at 10, thought the line was long and then came back at noon and found an even longer line. So early in the morning or later in the day is best. You stand in a long line and slowly shuffle your way through the entire monastery. It sounds miserably touristy (and it is) but the building is so amazingly detailed, interesting and beautiful that it is worth it. Also, the slow moving line of tourists helps you to notice all of the intricate details.
The Monastery and Church (and tower listed above) are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Church began construction in 1501 and was completed 100 years later. The detail work in construction is amazing. I’m actually happy we stood in line for so long because we were able to notice all of the detail in the exterior carvings. The church is free to enter and the Monastery charges a fee. Both are must-sees in our opinion.
Don’t forget to visit the park across the street. It has beautiful views of the whole monastery, which is hard to get because it’s so big.
Monument of Discoveries
Cost: FREE | Time: 10 minutes
The Portuguese were crucial to exploring the world and kick starting the Age of Discovery. The monument was built to commemorate the explorers and key figures of the age. The monument has several people carved into the base below the main cross statue. You can pay to enter and see the viewpoint from the top which gives great views of the Belém attractions.
National Coach Museum
Cost: 15 € | Time: 2 hours
The National Coach Museum in Lisbon features a collection of carriages from multiple centuries. Some are beautiful and ornate, others are barely functional and strange. It’s a weird and unique museum that is well organized and well maintained. We wouldn’t recommend this for a short visit to Lisbon because the museum is so niche, but if you’re there for 3+ days, this would be a great stop.
Pastéis de Belém
Cost: about 1 € each | Time: 15 minutes
Pastéis de Belém is home to our favorite pastel de nata in all of Portugal. This shop is just down the street from the Jerónimos Monastery. There are two store fronts. One is to get into the original shop which allows you to order dine-in food and drink. The other store front is to the left and is only for getting to-go pastel de nata. This one often has NO LINE and sells pastels in pairs (we ordered 6 which is the appropriate snack number). The other line is always long and frequently slow with all the tourists taking pictures and not knowing what to order.
LX Factory
Cost: FREE to explore | Time: 1 hour
This is basically a giant strip mall in an old factory. It’s a cool repurposing of space and it’s popular with the young folks but unless you are interested in shopping or bar hopping, you can skip this. The shops are mostly independent shops and some are unique and fun to visit but shopping is not our favorite vacation activity. Additionally, the internet told us this is where the hip locals hang out. We heard/saw a lot of English speakers so I’m not sure that is an accurate statement based on the crowds we saw, it seemed like mostly tourists to us.
Bario Alto
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
Cost: FREE | Time: 10 minutes
Miradouro, or viewpoints, dot Lisbon and are great ways to get views of those red tile roofs that make Lisbon so picturesque. This is one of the best views of Lisbon. The terrace here is a large park with benches, street performers and fountains. The terrace is large so you can get views of multiple different Lisbon neighborhoods. This is a popular and busy place to watch the sunset.
São Roque Church
Cost: FREE | Time: 15 minutes
The St Roque Church is beautifully decorated and we enjoyed a short visit. Each chapel along the main church is ornately decorated and dedicated to religious figures. Most people in the church make a slow circle around the outer edge to see the different chapels and the art in each. There is also an adjoining museum that you can enter for a fee, we didn’t enjoy that as much as the church and would not recommend it.
Carmo Convent
Cost: 7 € | Time: 1 hour
This old convent was mostly destroyed by the 1755 earthquake and has now been converted to a museum. This museum is mostly lacking a roof as the result of the earthquake. There are lots of historical artifacts from all over the world in the museum as well. We’d only recommend this for longer stays in Lisbon.
Santa Justa Lift
Cost: 6.80 € to ride it and visit observation deck | Time: up to 1 hour, depending on line
The Santa Justa List is an iconic architectural staple of Lisbon. The wrought-iron lift was designed and built in the late 19th century. It was so exiting that thousands of locals lined up to take a ride up the elevator. The elevator connects the lower streets of the Baxia district with the Chiado district. You get great views from the top and it runs until late at night so you can even get nice nighttime views as well.
Livaria Bertrand – Chiado
Cost: FREE to explore | Time: 15 minutes
Visit the world’s oldest bookstore. While Porto may have the world most beautiful bookstore, this small store in Chiado is the world’s oldest. This bookstore dates back to 1732. While the building may be old, the store is modern and even features a small cafe. It also has English books if you’re looking for some reading on your trip. If you buy a book here, they’ll stamp it, proving that you bought it at the world’s oldest book store.
Walking Tour
Cost: FREE+ | Time: 1-2 hours
Walking the narrow streets of the Barrio Alto, Baxia and Chiado is one of the best ways to get a sense of Lisbon. You can do this with a guided walking tour or you can download one from the interweb or you can just wander. Whichever option you do, make sure you do one and pack your comfy shoes. Those cobblestone streets kill the feet by the end of the day.
Pink Street
Cost: FREE | Time: 10 minutes
Pink street is worth a quick stop for a photo. It’s instagramable and is a popular starting point for lots of tours. So if you’re looking for a tuk-tuk tour, this is a good place to go to find one. If you just want a photo, the street is painted pink and stuff is hung above the street, usually umbrellas.
Time Out Market
Cost: FREE | Time: 30 minutes
This is a great spot for snacking your way through a lunch. There are lots of small food shops here that sell a variety of different foods. You can order full meals or order snacks from lots of different shops. While the food is good, it get’s packed inside. It was very overwhelming for us and lines were long. I wouldn’t go back but it was a good way to create a sampler platter of food.
Baxia
Praça da Alegria
Cost: FREE | Time: 10 minutes
This small park with beautiful towering trees is a beautiful place to start your Baxia tour. It’s just a block off the main square and is worth a quick stop along a walk.
Av. da Liberdade & Restauradores Square
Cost: FREE to walk | Time: 1 hour
The avenue da Liberdade is a beautiful place for a stroll. High end shops and touristy restaurants line the street. But the park between the two one way streets is a beautiful place for a shaded walk. If you take a peak to the west, you’ll find the Gloria funicular. This cable car can take you between this street and the São Pedro viewpoint in the Baxia district. So if you are wanting to do both of these walks in a single day, this is a good connection point that involves a fun ride on a cable car. On the south side of the street is Restauradores Square, a nice public space with a towering tower.
Praça Dom Pedro IV, Rossio Square
Cost: FREE to explore | Time: 45 minutes
King Pedro Square or Rossio Square is in the city center. The square has a fountain and a statue of King Pedro. It is surround by lots of important and official looking buildings. It’s a pretty square and often has popup shops along it. Along the square are some great, if a bit touristy, shops. We enjoyed a quick stop into the Mundo Fantástico da Sardinha Portuguesa, a giant sardine shop. You can get fun tasting sardines or sardine tins with your birth year on them. The Café Nicola is another popular stop for grabbing a quick snack and people watching the square from their patio.
Church of Saint Nicholas
Cost: FREE | Time: 15 minutes
The Igreja de São Nicolau is a beautiful church reconstructed after the 1755 earthquake. The paintings on the ceiling are what make a quick stop into the church worth your time if you’re in the area.
Praça do Comércio
Cost: FREE | Time: 30 minutes
This massive Commercial Plaza is surrounded on three sides by stately yellow fronted buildings and on the third side by the Tagus River. The Arco da Rua Augusta is the massive arch that marks entrance to this square from the R. Augusta, one of the busiest pedestrian streets in Lisbon. A Statue of King Jose I sits in the middle of the square. There are lots of government building surrounding this stately square but there are also nice cafes if you want to sit and people watch.
Riverside Walk
Cost: FREE | Time: 20+ minutes
Spend a bit of time wandering along the Tagus River and enjoy the people watching and views. The walkway is beautiful and shade lined. You can walk from the Praça do Comércio to the Vasco da Gama Bridge and beyond. Or walk farther to hit up the more modern tourist attractions like the aquarium or the gondola that will take you back along the riverfront.
Fado Show
Cost: FREE w/meal | Time: 2-3 hours
Fado is a traditional Portuguese music style. Songs are slow, emotional and typically accompanied by a guitar or two. These are often put on in restaurants intermittently throughout the evening. Be aware that when the Fado is being performed the food/drink service stops as a respect to the performers and you are expected to quietly listen to the performance. If you are looking for a quick place to eat, a Fado establishment is not for you. Additionally, lots of the restaurants have you packed into small intimate music venues so you’re dining close to strangers.
We were looking for a place to eat and our hotel recommended Tasca do Chico for an authentic Fado show, it’s very well reviewed and I’m sure it would be amazing . However, there was a line out the door all night long and we were hungry. We ended up eating at Retiro Dos Sentidos across the street, there are several nightly fado shows on R. do Diário de Notícias. Some fado shows are free when you dine at a restaurant (we’d recommend these for the casual enthusiast), some have a charge. We almost skipped this and we’re so happy we didn’t, it was one of the best dining experiences we had in Lisbon.
If you’re interested in Fado, there is also a Fado Museum in Lisbon where you can learn more about this unique music style.
Alfama
Castelo de São Jorge
Cost: 15 € | Time: 3 hours
This is one of the best things to do in Lisbon and we almost skipped it. By this point in our Portugal vacation, we were a little tired of historical buildings. However, this castle is amazingly designed for tourists. They have talks scheduled throughout the day to help you learn more about the castle – do as many of these as you have time for, they are superb.
This castle is also well preserved and well designed to teach you about the history of Lisbon. The castle was originally built by the invading Moors (people living in northern Africa at that time) and then added on to by the native Portuguese after they reclaimed the city. Various building styles and decades of history are on display here.
Additionally, the views from the surrounding walls are amazing. You can see all of Lisbon from here.
Because it is such a wonderfully designed and beautifully run tourist attraction for the whole family, it is always busy. We visited at the end of the day (30 minutes before they stop entrance) and first thing in the morning (30 minutes after they opened) and there was a long line both times. Buy your tickets online and you can skip the line and go straight to the entrance gate.
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Cost: FREE | Time: 10 minutes
The Santa Luzia viewpoint is a beautiful setting without the view. The terrace is covered in grapevines and tiled with those azure tiles. From the viewpoint, you can see the cruise ships in port on the Tagus River and the Alfama district. This viewpoint is behind the Igreja de Santa Luzia, a church dating back to the 1600s. Don’t forget to enjoy the beauty of the church on a visit to the viewpoint.
Miradouro das Portas do Sol
Cost: FREE | Time: 10 minutes
This viewpoint is just up the hill from the Miradouro de Santa Luzia. This terrace is turned just a bit toward the land, instead of the river. So you’ll get more of those tile roof views from here.
Sé de Lisboa
Cost: 5 € | Time: 30 minutes
The Cathedral of Lisbon is the most iconic church in Lisbon. It takes up what feels like a whole city block. Inside the cathedral, you can tour the church, treasury containing religious relics and the smaller chapels and naves.
Take A Tram Ride
Cost: 1.80+ € | Time: depends on route
Riding a tram is Portugal is one of the rights of passage for all tourists. The best tram to ride for tourists is tram 28 which takes you up/down the hill from Alfama to Baxia or Barrio Alto. This is also the most packed tram. This is a steep hill and the tram really is the best way to go to/from Castelo de São Jorge. Lines for the tram can be long and often the tram won’t stop because people are just riding it to ride it. While we think this is the best tram to ride as it will likely help to decrease your walking time, please be courteous to your fellow tourists and only ride it between destinations.
Igreja de São Vicente de Fora
Cost: 8 € | Time: 2 hours
If you have extra time for a bit of a journey, consider visiting the St Vincent Monastery. This is a less popular Lisbon activity because it’s farther from other tourist attractions. However, this monastery is actually older than the Jerónimos Monastery and the rooftop has great views of Lisbon. There are also lots of beautiful blue tiled murals here depicting the history of Lisbon.
National Tile Museum
Cost: 10 € | Time: 1.5 hours
It’s hard to go to Portugal and not see some of that famous blue tile. However, if you’ve somehow missed it or have some extra time on your hands. This small museum features panels upon panels of Lisbon tiles. Some are just pretty while others tell the history of Portugal and Lisbon. A visit here would require a bit of a transit so we’d only recommend this to people staying 3+ days in Lisbon.
The 5 Best Things To In Lisbon
- Jerónimos Monastery
- Trying Pastel de Nata
- Castelo de São Jorge
- Fado Show
- Praça do Comércio and the waterfront
The 5 Best Free Things To Do In Lisbon
- All the Miradouros – so many views!
- Fado shows – you can find plenty for free with purchase of a meal
- Tagus River walk
- Av. da Liberdade
- São Roque Church
Best Day Trips From Lisbon
Lisbon is located just short train rides from several smaller charming towns nearby. The most popular day trip is to the castle dotted city of Sintra. Other popular day trips include to the seaside town of Cascais, the westernmost city in Europe – Cabo da Roca or the medieval town of Óbidos.
Is the Lisbon Card Worth It?
The Lisbon Card is a single card that gets you free or discounted entry to several top destinations in Lisbon. This card is meant to save money. However, we ran the numbers and unless we were going to visit a lot more museums, we didn’t think this was worth it. Check out the benefits here to see if it is right for you but we’d only recommend it to people stay 3+ days IN Lisbon or people who want to spend lots of time in museums.
We hope this has helped you to plan your own amazing vacation to Lisbon. If you’re planning on going to other Portugal vacation destinations, check out all of our Portugal posts here.
