Portugal is known for its port wine and famous pastries, but there is more to this country than wine and desserts. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and a must-see on your Portugal bucket list. Overall, Lisbon is a safe, affordable, easy to navigate, and vibrant city, which makes it great for solo travelers. Here are my 5 favorite activities you must do in Lisbon, Portugal.
Travel dates: September 2021
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Walking tour downtown Lisbon
Taking a free walking tour is always one of the first things I do when looking to explore a new European city. It helps me learn the history and culture of the city, while also becoming familiar with places I might want to visit later. Lisbon Chill Out Free Tour is a top-rated walking tour group with free-spirited guides who share the local perspective of history. You visit three of Lisbon’s most historic neighborhoods on a 3-hour tour, so make sure you bring good walking shoes.
Review: Yellow – great to do if you have time for a 3-hour tour at the start of your trip
Visit their Instagram: @chill_out_lisbon_free_tours
Day trip to Cascais beach
Cascais is a famous vacation and resort town located right on the Lisbon coastline. It is a great place to venture on a day trip as it provides a nice change of scenery to the city feel of Lisbon. I was amazed at the tucked-off beaches surrounded by grand rock formations. I recommend you take a splash in one of the nearby beaches, stop in a local restaurant for lunch, or bike along the coast. Cascais is a 40-minute train ride from Lisbon’s city center that only costs €2.5.
Review: Green – loved the coastal vibes and easy commute. I would definitely recommend this as a half-day trip
Lunch at Time Out Market
Time Out Markets have recently popped up in several major cities across the globe. I enjoyed this stop because you can find the best food Lisbon has to offer all under one roof. It has a great casual vibe where you and your friends can try many dishes at once.
Review: Green – Great place to stop by for a nice lunch or snack
Visit their Instagram: @timeoutmarketlisboa
Day trip tour to Sintra castles
Sintra is only a 45-minute train ride outside of Lisbon and is home to some of the most pristine royal palaces, gardens, and castles. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sintra is a famous city to visit while in Portugal. The most popular places to visit are the Palácio Nacional de Sintra, the Castelo dos Mouros, and the Palácio Nacional da Pena. However, to avoid the tourists and crowds, I highly recommend booking Portugal Unknown Tours as a local tour guide. The tour included pick-up and drop-off in an air-conditioned car, a guided tour of one of the most beautiful and less-crowded castles, Quinta da Regaleira, followed by a local lunch.
Review: Green – Highly recommend booking a guide for Sintra because it can be overwhelming to manage on your own. The tour guides took us to all the best places that are good for photographers and were very accomodating to our group. My only critique was the food selection for lunch could have been better.
Tip: Restaurants in Sintra book up very fast so make a lunch reservation ahead of time if it is not included in your tour.
Tour details:
Meet tour guide at Sintra train station @10am
Spend time touring the Quinta da Regaleira
View top attractions (Moorish Castle, Pena Palace, and Sintra National Palace) from outside and learn the history
Stop for a local lunch + desserts
Return to Lisbon by car @3pm
Visit their Instagram: @portugalunknowntours
Pastéis de Belém for dessert
Lisbon has an amazing Portuguese egg custard tart pastry that is dusted with cinnamon. This famous dessert is something you must try when visiting the city – if not multiple times! Pastéis de Belém and Pastéis de Nata compete across the city for the best secret recipe. I personally prefer Pastéis de Belém, which was created in the 1800s with a recipe that is still used today.
Review: Green – must-do in Lisbon! I’d get one every day if I could!
Visit their Instagram: @pasteisbelem
Trips & Tricks
Lisbon is hilly – Bring good walking shoes and don’t plan to do much walking around the city
Ubers are very affordable– prices for ubers were very inexpensive, usually in the single digits; did not have to rely on public transportation throughout the trip
Nightlife is a must – Lisbon is known for its lively night activities, make sure you save time for at least 1 night out
Coastal town gets chilly at night – always pack a small jacket or extra later for chilly nights
Other recommendations
Things to do
Explore the Alfama neighborhood
Go shopping in Baxia/Chiado – my favorite place to shop for clothing in Lisbon was Berksha!
Take a sunset sail cruise with Lisbon Sail
Watch the sunset at Castelo de S. Jorge
Look at the famous view points – Miradouro da Graca, Miradouro de Santa Catarina and Miradouro das Portas do Sol, and Caracol da Graca
Take a wine tasting class with From the Vine
View the city from above at the Santa Justa Lift
Places to eat and drink
Taste cod at A Casa do Bacalhau – one of our favorite restaurants in Lisbon for seafood lovers!
Have a traditional Portuguese Dinner with Fado singing at Parreirinha de Alfama – be ready for a full 2-3 hour experience, multi-course meal, and amazing ambiance
Find a chill bar on Pink Street
Bar hop in Bairro Alto at night
Visit Park Rooftop Bar
Eat tapas at Tapa Bucho
Have a drink at Gin Lovers Bar
Please leave comments below with your recommendations for Lisbon!
