Lisbon Guide
Bem vindo a Lisboa - Welcome to Lisbon!
Lisbon is a traveler’s dream. In the past few years it has frequently ranked as one of the best cities in the world, and a favorite tourist destination! I’ve been over 10 times now, and it’s consistently remained my favorite city in the world, other than New York.
Portugal’s capital runs on tourism. Amazing food, fun and friendly atmosphere, and endless activities. If you haven’t been yet, it’s time explore!
Read on for recommendations on accommodations, activities, dining and more!
The city that rebuilt itself.
Portugal is like the California of Europe. Not only because of the great weather and surfing. Did you know this coastal country also gets earthquakes?
In 1775, most of capital was destroyed from the Great Lisbon Earthquake. An estimated magnitude 8.0 quake killed up to 50,000 people, making it one of the deadliest in history. Not only did buildings collapse, but others were engulfed by the tsunami that followed this quake, or by flames that came from fires after it. Lisbon was almost destroyed.
Portugal struggled while other European nations around it prospered.
But in the last ten years, Lisbon had a glow up - but It’s not just out with the old and in with the new. The Portuguese capital is celebrating its culture and history while cleaning up it’s formerly seedy neighborhoods. It’s transforming dilapidated buildings into cool clubs, constructing modern museums and restaurants out of old warehouses on the waterfront, and renovating abandoned palaces into luxury hotels.
I’ve written about Portugal many times - but in the post I’m sharing all my latest recs on Lisbon as of June 2023
I got back from another trip a few weeks ago and I’m still buzzing about it! Most exciting perhaps, is that my husband Ryan was able to experience it with me this time!
Because the city keeps getting better, it keeps me coming back.
When I was a kid, it felt very different than the modern yet charming city it has become today. It still had all the typical Portuguese cafes, and tavernas nestled next to grocery stores, and shops selling pottery and souvenirs. But it was almost like it was stuck in the past compared to America. Our hit songs in the U.S were playing 5 months behind on Portuguese radio! Now Portugal is keeping up with everything we have here - and it’s booming with new restaurants, trendy hotels, chic clothing boutiques, and coffee shops that have their own personalities and culture.
When To Go:
Lisbon is a city that can be enjoyed all year round. Weather is relatively mild in the winter, and can get hot in the summers. Europeans vacation in August, so I would suggest planning your trip between late May and July so that you have better prices and still solid weather. September is also PRIME!
Where To Stay:
There are so many great neighborhoods to stay in around Lisbon, but the beautiful area of Chiado is my favorite neighborhood. It’s centrally located in the city and has so much to do. But you can’t go wrong staying in Bairro Alto, Baixa, or Alfama too.
Palácio das Especiarias
On my recent visit to Lisbon, we stayed at one of my favorite hotels in Lisbon yet - Palácio das Especiarias. I was so impressed by the location right in the historic center, and very close to all of the cafés, restaurants and bars we were visiting.
The hotel is a former 16th century palace, and I loved how the original design was maintained throughout the property.
The room itself was so beautiful, we felt like royalty. The hotel offered a complimentary upgrade for us, and we loved the large fireplace structure, the clawfoot tub, and the juliet balcony.
Don’t get me started on the decor!
But what made me love this hotel so much were the special touches they provided.
We started the trip with some delicious welcome drinks in their ground floor speakeasy when we first arrived! They encouraged us to taste wine from their wood barrels, featuring three different local Portuguese blends. Then we listened to some jazz music while nibbling on regional cheeses, olives, and crackers.
We also loved the breakfast that was offered complimentary each morning. I’ve never seen so many rooms full of food, and the setting was stunning. We dined on the most delicious eggs, pastries, and fruit in a grand room with a pianist playing music.
I would absolutely recommend staying here!
Other accommodations I enjoyed:
Hotel: Be Poet Hotel Baixa - Location, location! This is a great hotel with amazing service, plus it’s very affordable. Highly recommend a stay here!
Airbnb: Apartment on Rua das Flores - Amazing 1BR in Chiado
There are gorgeous hotels in Lisbon, but you can sometimes get more for your money on Airbnb. We stayed here several years ago and loved it. The tiled building is commonly photographed in Lisbon. It’s centrally located in the cool neighborhood of Chiado with a balcony overlooking the street. Beautifully furnished, easy to book, and a great host!
View from our balcony, overlooking Chiado.
Hotel Alternatives (& Reasons to love them!)
Pestana Palace: Not only a hotel, but also a historic national monument and previously home to Madonna.
It’s an expensive 5 star hotel, but if you want a luxury stay in Lisbon this would be at the top of the list.
Every suite looks like it is fit for a King or Queen, and has a distinct style.
It’s close to Belém and boasts lush grounds with a stunning pool.
Memmo Alfama: A new and trendy boutique hotel right in the heart of Old Town Alfama.
It’s a rare find in this historic district, which is one of many reasons it’s become a top hotel in Lisbon!
It has that clean Scandinavian interior design in the lobby, simply designed guest rooms, and a stellar terrace with pool overlooking Alfama.
If you can’t stay the night, at least go to the wine bar for tapas at happy hour!
Bairro Alto Hotel: A true favorite in Lisbon, I love it here!
A 5 star luxury hotel, right in the heart of the city.
It boasts great restaurants, and the terrace on the rooftop overlooks the central square in Chiado and the Tagus river. it’s a must visit!
What To See & Do:
Ride the famous Tram 28 through Graça, Alfama, Baixa and Estrela districts
Watch a performance of live Fado music in Alfama
Sample pastéis de nata throughout the city - there are many spots throughout the city but Pastéis de Belem and Manteigaria are my favorite!
Tour the castles, churches, and museums for a rich dose of history
Celebrate with the Portuguese at a festa! There are so many festivals throughout the year where the city comes alive
I’m going to break it down by neighborhood, but first, there is one site in Lisbon that take’s the cake….
Hike to the panoramic views!
Enjoy the beautiful sights from so many lookout points in the city.
Neighborhoods to Explore
Belém
Explore this area on the outskirts of Lisbon where you’ll find plenty of parks, gorgeous views of the river, and some of the most ancient and historic sites left standing in Lisbon!
Belém Tower: A medieval fortress that was built in 1519 on a small island - you can buy tickets to enter the tower or just explore the park around it!
Chiado
This is one of the best neighborhoods in the city in my opinion, in a very central part of the capital, which is why we decided to spend a few nights here!
Baixa
We spent our last night in Baixa before leaving Portugal, and it was another great neighborhood.
Bairro Alto
One of the most fun neighborhoods in Lisbon!
What To Do
Alfama
This is one of the oldest historic neighborhoods in Lisbon, and also one of my favorites. I could stroll through these streets forever….
Cais do Sodré - Waterfront District
This is the area where Pink Street is located, with many fun bars and restaurants. But it’s also the neighborhood closest to the water. There is tons to do around here!
What To Eat
I hope you have enjoyed this little taste of Lisbon so far! But no guide would be complete without sharing one of the best parts of experiencing a new country. The food! There are so many amazing restaurants to try in Lisbon! Be adventurous, make a reservation, and wear something loose because you’ll be completely stuffed.
Chiado Palace
One of my favorite international dining experiences to date! Chiado Palace is my favorite restaurant in Lisbon. Check out the website to see more!
The drinks are as beautiful as the restaurant at Chiado Palace - This is called the Green Lantern!
Bairro do Avillez
A fantastic and unexpected culinary experience in Lisbon. Bairro do Avillez has become a Severiano family favorite! Chef José Avillez knows great food, and how to deliver the traditional Portuguese meal with a modern twist. Choose between dining at the Taberna or Patéo, or something more casual like the pizzeria and mini bar. Like Chiado palace, every room has a slightly different menu and vibe!
We chose to dine at Patéo - which features more seafood but also a very cute open patio.
The menu is divine: Fish, steak, fresh vegetables. Hot tip: get the passionfruit sorbet for dessert.
The Taberna!
Taberna at Bairro Avillez is for the carnivores! So many reinvented delicacies, but be sure to try the Iberian pork steak.
I’d recommend a visit to Chef Jose’s Cantinho do Avillez which is also one of my favorites in Portugal! I’ve dined here in Cascais, but I’d love to visit the original Chiado location next.
La Brasserie de l'Entrecôte
One outstanding dish, with a secret recipe perfected over 25 years. I love Portuguese steak, so I would recommend that on any menu you’ll find in Lisbon. But if you want something different, this Entrecôte is just as good as the original French dish and will have you imagining you’re in Paris.
Taberna de Baixa
Small, casual, but a great spot to grab lunch or dinner in Baixa! The wine list is impressive, and I felt right at home munching on a simple yet delicious bifana.
Bahr at the Bairro Alto Rooftop
This was our final meal of a two week trip through Europe, and I can happily say it ended our food tour with a spectacular finish.
This hotel and the restaurant reopened recently, and I couldn’t wait to see what all the hype was about.
The vibe, the rooftop views, the food - everything lived up to my expectations. Though it was a pricier meal, it was worth it. I enjoyed every bite!
Add this one to your list
Lisbon’s Best Restaurants - Add them to your list!
I haven’t had an opportunity to dine at these other Lisbon restaurants (they are hard to get into) but they are at the top of my list for the next time!
Prado is new and modern, serving traditional Portuguese dishes in a light and airy setting that looks like an urban greenhouse! If there is one spot I need to try next time, this is it! Plants hang from the ceiling and light streams through the huge windows - it truly looks like a dream.
Alma is another well known fine dining spot in Chiado, and has two Michelin stars. It celebrates all of the traditional Portuguese flavors, with a touch of Asian influence!
Taberna da Rua Das Flores is on the same street as our Airbnb from last summer. The restaurant is highly regarded, but they don’t take reservations so you need to arrive when it opens in order to snag a seat! It was recommended to me by several Lisbon locals, and I hope to try it for myself soon.
Belcanto: Another restaurant by chef José Avillez! It’s probably his most famous restaurants, as it has two Michelin stars! Fine dining right in the heart of Chiado.
“The light, the life and the people.
The history, the sea, our regions.
Portugal. This is where we live and grow, are inspired, tread. Cuisine is our fado, our way of expression.
José Avillez”
Getting Drinks & Going Out in Lisbon
Whether it’s day drinking, a little aperitivo, or you plan on busting a move into the wee hours of the night - Lisbon has all of the cool places to go! Check out some of these spots we visited and loved.
Pink street for crowds of people, live music performances, and casual drink menus
Pharmacia Felicidade for swanky drinks on a hilltop at the Pharmacy Museum of Lisbon, with a fun play on medicinal drinks - their menu is amazing
Carmo Roof for going out!!! Amazing views of Santa Justa lift and a fun DJ
Bar hopping in the streets of Bairro Alto - we spent one night checking out anything that had fun music, and it was a blast!
Park Bar for a scene, and a view! Secrets out on this one but this lush rooftop is located on top of a 5 story parking garage in the middle of
Rocco for nice cocktails before or after dinner at the beautiful Ivens hotel in Chiado. Beautifully designed and worth a pit stop!
Santa - Amazing cocktail bar in Alfama that we stumbled upon with expertly crafted espresso martinis and spritzes amongst other drinks!
Don’t Miss Out on These Other Unique Activities:
Explore the LX Factory in Alcantara - a textile factory turned creative hub. It has tons of unique and artsy shops and restaurants, and a famous bookstore.
Have a drink at the Village Underground Lisboa - a unique outdoor bar along the waterfront made of refurbished shipping containers!
Or catch a futbol game, and maybe see the GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo play at Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica !
We bought tickets to see a World Cup Qualifier game this June, and lived out a dream seeing Ronaldo and the Portuguese national team play at Benfica stadium, where I grew up cheering on my family’s team! It was such a fun night.
There are no shortage of activities, regardless of who you’re traveling with!
Visit Parque das Nações, created for the Expo 98’ when Portugal hosted the World Fair. It has lots of land to explore with gardens, rock walls, urban art, science museum and large aquarium. See the entire park from above on a cable car! This is a great daytime activity with kids, we would spend hours here when we were little.
Take a boat across the river, and see the sun set over Lisbon!
Shop Cerâmica: This is the home of the gorgeous Portuguese pottery, get deals by shopping local!
Tips Before You Travel
Prepare to do a lot of walking - there are many hills in Lisbon, and the sidewalks are covered in slippery tile. I recommend wearing comfortable shoes with a grip on the bottom!
Have an itinerary (or hire me to do it for you) - there is a lot to do in this city! I would recommend dedicating breaking up the sites by what is nearby:
Belém
Alfama and exploring Castelo de Sao Jorge
Chiado, Baixa, Bairro Alto
Cais do Sodre
Only have time for a quick layover? Take advantage of the lockers to store your luggage! We used one the morning we landed in Lisbon prior to check in called Lisbon Lockers — so easy, cheap, and right by our Airbnb!
Don’t Forget:
There are many day trips to take from Lisbon. While this post focuses on the capital city itself, I highly recommend a look at my post for Why Your Next Trip Should be to Portugal for more insight into the surrounding area of Lisbon.
I hope you enjoyed this guide to Lisbon! So, are you interested in traveling here?
I promise you will not be disappointed in this city, it’s truly magic.
Xx Gab
Learn about the beautiful beaches of the Portuguese Riviera, the picturesque beach town of Cascais.