Fun Things to Do and See When Visiting Lisbon

Do you love to explore new cities and countries? I was bit by the travel bug a few years back and it seems that I’m trying to make up for lost time. Europe is one of my favorite destinations, so I like to travel there often. My most recent trip was to Lisbon followed by an 8 day river cruise on the Douro River. We did so much on our 12 day trip that I’m going to break it down into 2 separate posts. This one will be about the fun things to do and see while visiting Lisbon.

We went to Lisbon in November, 2024. I was initially worried that the weather would be too cold for sightseeing. But it turned out to be the perfect temperature almost every single day we were there. It only required a lightweight jacket most days as the temperatures were mostly in the low 60s.

We started by flying on American Airlines from Dallas to Boston for the first leg of this journey. My husband opted to fly on Air Portugal for the flight from Boston to Lisbon because it was a little less expensive. We flew in business class, but to be honest, I wasn’t impressed. The seat wasn’t very comfortable and I didn’t really rest on the flight. Luckily it was only about 6 1/2 hours long.

We had a driver meet us at the airport to take us to our hotel. We stayed at the Verride Palacio Santa Catarina, which as the name implies, used to be a palace. We stayed in a room called The Apartment, which was literally an apartment down the road on the back side of the hotel. It was very spacious and very nice. It had more of an Airbnb type feel to it. We did enjoy all of the hotel amenities as well. The staff was incredible and very attentive to all of our needs. We enjoyed a few delicious meals in the hotel restaurants. The hotel was in a good location for getting to tourist attractions and all of the restaurants we could possibly desire.

We had some delicious meals in Lisbon. There is no shortage of restaurants to eat in. We had everything from pizza to Mexican food to traditional Portuguese food. Everything was excellent.

The only part of visiting Lisbon that I wasn’t prepared for were the steep hills. I believe the city is the “San Francisco of Portugal”. It was absolutely stunning. I loved the feel of walking the old cobbled streets and taking in the sights. I will also say that because of this, everyone just wears flat shoes and sneakers everywhere. I love the sensibility in this fashion choice. We dressed casually for most of the trip.

We did a lot of walking to see the different areas or neighborhoods. However, we found it much more relaxing and insightful to hop in a little TukTuk to get a private tour. I highly recommend doing this. The TukTuk drivers are very well versed in the sights to see and the important destinations. Ours were also happy to help out with photos. Everyone was extremely friendly and almost everyone speaks English.

I will point out that we visited in November, which is more of a lull time for tourism. Some of the sites were busy, but not nearly as busy as they can be during the high tourist season in the spring and summer months.

A few things to see while visiting Lisbon

1. Explore the Alfama District: This is the oldest district in Lisbon, famous for its narrow maze-like streets, colorful houses and little cafes or fado venues. It is saturated with a rich history and culture, allowing tourists to soak in the ambiance of traditional Lisbon. Don’t forget to visit the Lisbon Cathedral and the Castle of São Jorge, both adorning the district with their grandeur.

2. Visit Belem Tower: As an iconic symbol of Lisbon, Belem Tower is a must-visit spot. This UNESCO World Heritage monument, initially built as a fortress in the middle of the Tagus river, is an immaculate representation of Manueline architecture – a unique fusion of Gothic and Renaissance styles. It was spectacular to see.

3. Jerónimos Monastery: Another UNESCO World Heritage site, this imposing monastery is an incredible example of Manueline architecture. Its intricate designs and the historical significance reflecting Portugal’s powerful era of discovery, make it an essential visit. We visited and just walked around the outside and it is something else.

4. Discover LX Factory: This industrial complex turned creative haven is a hotspot for art, design, fashion, and food. It’s a great way to connect with Lisbon’s contemporary culture, filled with chic restaurants, innovative shops, art studios, and regular markets and events.

5. Ride the Tram 28: They say that no trip to Lisbon would be complete without a tram ride. Tram 28 is particularly famous as it takes you on a tour of Lisbon’s best sites, from charming residential neighborhoods to elevated viewpoints, while rattling through the narrow, winding streets of the city. It’s a charming and fun way to explore and experience Lisbon’s spirit. We, however did not ride the tram because we took 2 private tours instead, but we did see it going by a few times during our stay.

6. I’m not going to lie, I had to include a stroll down the Avenida da Liberdade which is the beautiful tree lined street with high end designer shops. I knew before we traveled to Portugal that I would be purchasing a designer handbag. Designer brands are less expensive to purchase in Europe and you can save a few hundred dollars. So if you have extra room in your budget and your luggage, I recommend considering it if that’s your thing. It’s definitely mine. LOL!

Another thing worth doing is taking an hour or so drive to Sintra to see the Pena Palace. It’s an architectural wonder! This is not just a monument, it’s a journey back in time, providing a breathtaking view of Portugal’s rich historical and cultural heritage. It sits on a hilltop in Sintra and is a technicolor 19th-century palace. It’s a must see. We strolled through its ornate rooms and lush gardens. My advice is to purchase your tickets in advance so that you have a time slot set for your tour. It can get very busy.  We were fortunate to have a private tour guide who was very knowledgeable and was able to provide an abundance of detail on the history and everything we were seeing.

We had a fantastic time visiting Lisbon for a few days before embarking on a river cruise in Porto. I will save the cruise for a future post.

If Lisbon is on your radar for an upcoming trip, then I hope you find this post useful. Please feel free to reach out with questions. If you’ve been to Lisbon, I’d love to know what you enjoyed most.