Having a drab time in Lisbon is nigh on impossible. With lots of places to visit in Lisbon and tonnes of culture to explore, you’ll never be bored. Meanwhile, the Lisboa card ensures you can access any attraction for free or at a discounted price.

Take a look at our guide below for some of the best things to do in Lisbon to get a first-hand experience of the city. You’ll also discover some of the incredible stories Lisbon has to share.

Related: Find Rooms For Rent in Lisbon

Neighborhoods to Consider Visiting

1. Bairro Alto

Bairro Alto is one of Lisbon’s oldest bars. It is the hub of nightlife in the city. Even if you don’t know the way, you can get there by following the noise in the evening. Also notable in the district is the church of Sao Roque, Portugal’s first Jesuit church. It’s simply exquisite and a must-see place to visit in Lisbon!

2. Alfama

Alfama is undoubtedly the oldest and prettiest neighborhood in Lisbon. It also houses the National Pantheon of Lisbon and the Market of Female Thieves. Sound interesting? You bet there is a lot of history to keep you entertained here.

3. Belém

Visiting Belém is definitely one of the best things to do in Lisbon. Belém is located along River Tagus and offers much to see. Most notable are the Disneyland-worthy Belem Tower and the Jeronimos Monastery (both UNESCO heritage sites). There’s also the more recent Padrão dos Descobrimentos Monumento (Discovery monument), depicting the Portuguese age of discovery.

Fun Places to Visit in Lisbon

1. Praça do Comércio square

All roads in Lisbon seem to lead to this square which overlooks the sea. It is Lisbon’s largest commercial square and is incredibly spacious at that. You can even climb the triumphal arch of Arco da Rua Augusta. Admiring the view from the top is surely one of the best things to do in Lisbon!

• Cost: €3
• Opening hours: 9 am – 7 pm

2. The National Museum of Tiles

The National Tile Museum has an exclusive collection of Portuguese glazed tiles (or azulejos). Here you can learn about azulejos through over 500 years of history. Oddly enough, there is an old Baroque church with no tiles at all within its walls.

• Location: Rua Madre Deus
• Entrance fee: €5
• Opening hours: 10 am – 6 pm (closed on Mondays)

3. São Jorge Castle

When you take a tour of the São Jorge Castle, you’ll feel history bearing down on you. And that’s why it’s on our list of the best things to do in Lisbon. The archaeological site has evidence of ancient Visigoth, Moorish, and Portuguese settlements. You can also choose to climb the walls of the rampart, walk through the garden or spend time in the museum. Paid guided tours are available around the castle, 4 times a day (11 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, and 4 pm).

Entrance fee: €10 (more if you are booking a tour)

Arts and Cultural Heritage on Display

1. Mercado da Ribeira

Time Out is known to be a weekly magazine that recommends the best events, food, and drinks. But that’s not the case in Lisbon where it is a center for the best food stores and kiosks. Here, Time Out is a market otherwise known as the Mercado da Ribeira. Created by Time Out’s editors themselves, this food court and market is the bomb. Under a shared roof, you’ll find the best local dishes and overseas cuisine. For just 0.80c, you can also buy beers outside the main entrance.

2. Lisbon Street Art

At times, all of Lisbon feels like an open-air art gallery. Wherever you go, you’ll find astounding artistry, illustrations, and graffiti on the city’s walls. From traditional paintings to designs made out of trash, the street art in Lisbon is something you don’t want to miss!

3. Lisbon’s Pink Street

Highlighting the diversity of Rua Nova do Carvalho, Lisbon’s Pink Street used to be a meeting place for sailors and hookers. The area was gentrified and the street was painted pink around 11 years ago to depict the area’s transformation. Dancing the night away in the local bars and clubs here is surely one of the best things to do in Lisbon at the weekend.

Experience Extraordinary Sports in Lisbon

1. Oeiras Marina

Love the ocean? Oeiras Marina is definitely one of the best places to visit in Lisbon. The 20 minutes it takes to drive from Lisbon to Oeiras is totally worth it. In this complex, sports meet leisure and tourism with some nautical activities thrown in too. The scenery and facilities here are exceptional.

• High Season: July and August
• Opening hours: 9:30 am to 8 pm
• Low Season: June and September
• Opening hours: 10 am to 7 pm

2. USAxe Club

Believe it or not, it’s a lot of fun throwing axes while eating burgers! This is an unusual sport, but it’s certainly fun and exhilarating. Take a 1-hour ax-throwing session with friends to make the most of your visit.

3. Club Internacional De Football

From tennis to football, and basketball to handball, you can find the very best sporting solutions in Lisbon here. Keen to improve your skills with a racket? Club Internacional de Foot-ball is also home to the biggest tennis school in Portugal. So, if you’re a sports lover, this is the place to go.

The best restaurants to eat at in Lisbon

1. LX Factory

Touching up a warehouse is commonplace, but doing it with such class and charm as the LX factory is rare. The former industrial complex has been refurbished to accommodate over 200 businesses including numerous cafes and restaurants. You’re bound to find a restaurant that satisfies your tastes among the assortment here. If you visit only one place for food in Lisbon, this is it.

2. Lisbon Park Cafes

These little cafe bars can be found all over the city, but there are several quintessential kiosks within walking distance of each other along Avenida da Liberdade. Sit back and enjoy your lunch under the shade of the trees in historic and regal surroundings.

3. A. Ginjinha bars

Ginjinha is a local liquor made by adding ginja berries to alcohol. You’ll come across several bars serving this drink in Lisbon, but the A. Ginjinha bar is one of the most notable. If you’re a fan of trying out new things, you can try a shot for around €1.20.

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