A list of the 15 best things to do in Lisbon

For those who like the ocean, nice weather, great food, history, and a cultural vibe, visiting Lisbon will always be a good choice.
Lisbon is a city of hills, pastel tiles and golden light on the River Tagus. Monuments, palaces and museums sit beside viewpoints, markets and late-night music. The food is excellent too, from custard tarts to fresh seafood. So what are the 15 best things to do in Lisbon? The ones you cannot miss.

The short answer: the best things to do in Lisbon are riding Tram 28, visiting São Jorge Castle, Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, tasting a pastel de nata, hearing fado in Alfama and watching the sunset from a miradouro. Below you will find all 15, with practical details on tickets, opening days and accessibility. At the end you will also find day trips and a short FAQ.

Classic Lisbon: trams, castles and monuments

1. Ride a tram

Lisbon is famed for its yellow vintage trams. The most iconic is Tram 28, which climbs through Graça, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado and Estrela on its way between Martim Moniz and Campo de Ourique.

A single ticket bought on board is valid only on that tram and costs more than a fare on a rechargeable card, so check the current price on the Carris website. A 24-hour Carris and Metro ticket costs €7.25, and the Lisboa Card also covers Tram 28 (see the Carris price list). Ride early in the morning, because the line is very popular. The vintage carriages are narrow and have steps, so travelers with limited mobility may prefer a private tour of the same neighbourhoods.

2. Enjoy the landscape from São Jorge Castle

The Castle of São Jorge is well worth a visit. From its ramparts you look over the Baixa district and the Tagus River. The views are the real prize.

The adult ticket costs €17. Visitors aged 13 to 25 pay €8.50, and children up to 12 enter free, as do adult Lisboa Card holders. From 1 November to the end of February the castle opens from 9:00 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:30. From 1 March to 31 October it opens from 9:00 to 21:00. It closes on 1 January, 1 May, and 24, 25 and 31 December.

Expect steps and uneven stone. The castle’s accessibility page has details for visitors with reduced mobility. Tickets are sold on the official website.

3. Visit Jerónimos Monastery

UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Manueline architecture. It celebrates Portugal’s Age of Discovery, when ships left the Tagus to open sea routes across the world.

Entry to the church is free, while the cloister requires a ticket. The monastery closes on Mondays, and the Lisboa Card gives free entry with a booked time slot. Check current hours and prices on the Museus e Monumentos de Portugal website.

Afterwards, walk to Pastéis de Belém on Rua de Belém. The bakery has made its custard tarts since 1837, using a recipe that came from the monastery. Expect a queue, but it moves quickly.

4. Visit Belém Tower

Another landmark you cannot miss. Rising from the edge of the Tagus, this tower is a fusion of many architectural styles and dates from the 16th century.

Visits run on booked time slots, so reserve ahead through the official Museus e Monumentos de Portugal website. The tower has been through restoration works in recent months, so confirm that it is open before you travel. Inside, the spaces are narrow and include steep stairs, which may limit access for some visitors. The riverside promenade outside is flat and free to enjoy.

Family favourites, museums and food

5. Go underwater in the Lisbon Oceanarium

Located in the Parque das Nações area, beside the River Tagus, the Oceanarium has countless exhibits on marine life. You can easily feel that you are inside the ocean, with sharks passing by.

It opens daily from 10:00 to 20:00, with last entry at 19:00. Ticket prices vary by time slot and age group, so check the current rates on the Oceanário website before you book. The visitor route has ramps and lifts, and visitors with a certified disability of 60% or more enter free. See the official ticket page for the latest prices.

6. Visit the most interesting museums

Lisbon’s museums suit every taste. These are the ones most worth your time:

• Contemporary art in Belém: the former Berardo Collection Museum, inside the Centro Cultural de Belém, now operates as the MAC/CCB. Opening hours vary between sources, so check before you go.
• Museu do Oriente: explores Portugal’s centuries of contact with Asia.
• MAAT: a riverside museum of art, architecture and technology. It is generally open Wednesday to Monday and closed on Tuesdays. Its sloping roof is a popular spot at sunset.
• National Tile Museum: a deep dive into Portugal’s azulejo tradition. Entry is free with the Lisboa Card.
• Calouste Gulbenkian Museum: a superb private collection, open Wednesday to Monday from 10:00 to 18:00 and closed on Tuesdays, according to the foundation. The surrounding gardens are a calm break from the city.

7. Enjoy Mercado da Ribeira

Mercado da Ribeira, better known as Time Out Market Lisboa, is the city’s most famous food hall. It sits in the Cais do Sodré area. Here you can try custard tarts, local seafood and Portuguese wines in one lively room with shared tables. It gets busy at lunch and on weekend evenings, so arrive early.

For a sit-down meal, see our guide to the best restaurants in Lisbon. For older institutions, read about the historic cafés in Lisbon.

Nightlife, fado and the other side of the river

8. Enjoy the vibe of Bairro Alto

Bairro Alto is Lisbon’s best-known nightlife district. By day, it is a grid of narrow streets with small shops and restaurants. After dark, the bars fill up and the crowds spill onto the pavements.

For the full picture, read our guides to Bairro Alto, the nearby Pink Street and Lisbon nightlife. The streets are steep and cobbled, so wear comfortable shoes. A private transfer back to your hotel is a sensible end to a late night.

9. Listen to Fado

Fado is Portugal’s most emotional music, and Lisbon is its home. Many restaurants and small venues in Alfama host fado evenings. Book ahead, and choose a venue where the music is the point rather than the background.

Our guide to fado in Lisbon explains how to spot the real thing. Our piece on Portuguese music covers the wider scene.

10. Cross the Tagus to see Cristo Rei

This landmark is a little off the main tourist path, but it is well worth the trip. The viewpoint offers sweeping views of the 25 de Abril Bridge, the Tagus and Lisbon on the opposite bank.

The sanctuary in Almada is open daily. From April to September it runs from 10:00 to 19:00. From October to March it runs from 10:00 to 18:00. The last ascent is 20 minutes before closing. Check the official website for ticket details. A private transfer makes it easy to pair the visit with a sunset stop.

 

Best free things to do in Lisbon

Get lost in Alfama

Alfama is one of Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhoods. Its lanes are narrow, steep and full of surprises, with tiled facades, small squares and the sound of fado drifting from open windows. Wander without a plan. The steps and cobbles are demanding, so allow extra time. For more detail, read our guide to the Alfama neighbourhood.

11. Take a walk at Praça do Comércio and Rossio Square

Praça do Comércio is the grand riverside square, framed by yellow arcades and opening onto the Tagus. A short stroll through the Baixa grid leads to Rossio, the lively square with its wavy pavement. Both are flat, which suits guests who want to avoid hills. Nearby, the Santa Justa Lift links Baixa with Largo do Carmo and is covered by the Lisboa Card.

12. Search for bargains at Feira da Ladra flea market

Lisbon’s flea market runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays at Campo de Santa Clara, in Alfama. Expect antiques, vinyl, ceramics and curiosities. Go in the morning for the best selection. Saturdays are busier, while Tuesdays feel calmer. Keep your belongings close. Read more in our guide to Portuguese markets and fairs.

13. Enjoy the many viewpoints scattered all over

Lisbon’s miradouros are free, and each has its own mood:

• Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia: Alfama’s terraces, with rooftops, tiled walls and the river below. Both suit sunrise and morning light.
• Senhora do Monte: high ground in Graça, shaded by pines and with a café. It is a favourite for sunset.
• São Pedro de Alcântara: a garden terrace in Bairro Alto with views across Baixa to the castle. The Glória funicular climbs there from Rossio.

14. Discover Lisbon’s street art

Entire walls across the city are canvases for local and international artists. Start with our guide to Lisbon’s street art, then widen the lens with Portugal’s diverse street art scene.

15. Take a forest bath in Monsanto park

Monsanto Forest Park, on the western edge of the city, is Lisbon’s green lung. Trails and quiet corners make it a calm break from the crowds. Learn more in our guide to Monsanto and its hidden gems.

Hidden gems and local favourites

Once you have ticked off the classics, slow down. Lisbon rewards wandering. Our guide to hidden gems in Lisbon points to quieter corners. For a local rhythm, read Lisbon like a local.

Culture lovers will enjoy our cultural guide to Lisbon and the story of classic theatres and cinemas in Lisbon. Architecture fans can explore the architecture circuit in Portugal.

Best day trips from Lisbon

Lisbon is a superb base. Within a short drive you can reach palaces, surf beaches, walled towns and natural parks. The Lisboa Card also covers CP train travel to Sintra and Cascais. Here are the favourites:

• Sintra: palaces and forested hills. Start with Sintra, embrace the enchantment or go off the main route with Sintra beyond Pena Palace.
• Cascais and Estoril: a glamorous coastline with a royal past. Read about Cascais and Estoril.
• Óbidos: a walled medieval town, covered in our Óbidos day trip guide.
• Setúbal and Arrábida: dolphins, wine and a market, explained in our Setúbal guide.
• Ericeira: a surf reserve with a royal story, in our Ericeira guide.
• Nazaré: a dramatic Atlantic coast, in Nazaré: unforgettable coastal charm.
• Peniche: a peninsula for beaches and the sea, in all about Peniche.
• Fátima: a major pilgrimage destination, in Discover Fátima.

Our private day trips from Lisbon page shows how to combine two of these in a single day without worrying about parking or timetables.

Practical tips for visiting Lisbon

• Getting around: a 24-hour Carris and Metro ticket costs €7.25. Hills and cobbles are common, so comfortable shoes matter.
• Lisboa Card: the standard card starts at €31. It covers public transport, Tram 28 and the Santa Justa Lift, plus free entry to dozens of museums and monuments. See lisboacard.org.
• Time slots: Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower both require a booked slot, even with the Lisboa Card.
• Closed days: Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower close on Mondays. MAAT and the Gulbenkian Museum close on Tuesdays.
• Accessibility: the Oceanarium has ramps and lifts, and São Jorge Castle publishes an accessibility page. Many historic areas have steps and cobbles, so plan a lighter itinerary if mobility is limited.
• When to go: see our guides to the best time to visit Portugal and Portugal weather.
• Where to stay: read where to stay in Lisbon and our selection of the best hotels in Lisbon.

See Lisbon with a private driver

Lisbon’s hills, one-way streets and limited parking make a private driver practical. Amiroad can link the highlights above in a half-day or full-day private tour. We can also add a day trip. Read 6 reasons to hire a private driver in Lisbon and explore our luxury private tours in Portugal.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best things to do in Lisbon?

The best things to do in Lisbon are riding Tram 28, visiting São Jorge Castle, Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, tasting pastéis de nata, hearing fado in Alfama and watching the sunset from a miradouro. The Oceanarium and MAAT are good choices on rainy days.

How many days do you need in Lisbon?

Three days is enough to see the main sights at a relaxed pace. Add one or two days for Sintra, Cascais or another day trip. For a wider route, see our 5 days in Portugal itinerary.

Is the Lisboa Card worth it?

The Lisboa Card is worth it if you plan to visit several paid monuments and use public transport often. The standard card starts at €31. It includes unlimited public transport, Tram 28, the Santa Justa Lift and free entry to dozens of museums and monuments. Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower still need a booked time slot.

Which Lisbon attractions close on Mondays or Tuesdays?

Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower close on Mondays. MAAT and the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum close on Tuesdays. Always check the official website before you go, because hours change.

Is Lisbon accessible for travelers with reduced mobility?

Partly. Lisbon is hilly and many streets are cobbled, but some sights are well prepared. The Oceanarium has ramps and lifts, and São Jorge Castle publishes accessibility information. The vintage trams have steps. A private vehicle removes the steepest walks between sights.

What is the best day trip from Lisbon?

Sintra is the most popular day trip from Lisbon, thanks to its palaces and forested hills. Cascais, Óbidos and Setúbal are excellent alternatives, depending on whether you prefer coast, history or wine.

Discover Amiroad’s set of highlights for a Lisbon Tour.