Best Things to Do in Lisbon: Unforgettable Moment in the Hall of Fame city
Is Lisbon worth visiting? Follow this short guide – on the best things to do in Lisbon and you will realize the answer. It is a must-visit destination!
Lisbon is a prominent city with its history and outstanding sightseeing. People called it the hall of fame city for those reasons. The destination has an attractive food scene, as well as marvelous architectural pieces; so it is a must-visit on your next trip to the South Western in Europe.
What are the best things in Lisbon?
Broaden 7 hills and extending across the Tagus River, Lisbon is home to several sceneries, vintage trams, marvelous architecture, and other lookouts. If you stay longer than a week, take various day trips to the palaces, historic districts, and splendid aquariums. Here are a few names of the best things to do in Lisbon.
Mouraria Quarter
Mouraria Quarter is a prominent place of the fado. Do you know fado? This is the classic music type in the 1820s in Portugal. Despite its difficult origins, fado is a popular music genre and a particular traditional structure.
This place is the former Arab quarter and is also well-preserved in the nation. In the Iberian Peninsula and the Moura Castle walls, Mouraria Quarter is the oldest wonder. It has 4 streets, 1 square, and distinguishing Arab features in houses. From there, you can find the Islamic Museum Center to learn something new.
Tram 28
If San Francisco has cable cars, Lisbon has trams. Tram 28 is a famous cable car in Lisbon, Portugal. It spreads between Martim Moniz and Campo Ourique, you could book a tourist route with ease because this path is a particular city tour.
If you have no time to reach all spots of the city, this short tour enables you to do that. It moves some noteworthy neighborhoods like Baiza and Bairro Alto, St. George’s Castle, and Alfama. The only pitfall of the tram is that it is a little bit old and lacks air conditioning. Nevertheless, it is not a big matter because the trip goes up and down the hill, and the weather is still cool and pleasant to breathe.
Torre de Belém
There are historic houses, museums, monuments, and…the Belém Tower. The Belém Tower is a World Heritage Site. Then, do not miss other neighborhoods to discover.
The Pastéis de Belém is a common local tart café shop that you must see. Other scenes are the Discoveries Monument, the Belém Palace, and the Jerónimos Monastery. From there, find a wide range of charming gardens. Keep in mind that some monuments do not open on Mondays.
Alfama District
The precipitous hillside in the Alfama District is known as synthesized streets and momentous houses with the Castelo de São Jorge and the Tejo Estuary. Other remarkable buildings are located there within a manifold and engrossing area.
For those who want to learn the local history, the Alfama district is a captivating option (although this is a poor district of the city).
Feira da Ladra
Feira da Ladra is a local market of Portugal in Lisbon. It is equivalent to London’s Portobello and Madrid’s El Rastro. Starting from the 13th century; it moved a few times between São Jorge Castle, Rossio, and Campo de Santana.
Currently, it is located in Campo de Santa Clara. From there, you ought to pick some friendly-budget bargains such as books, antiques, clothes, and other second-hand objects.
Museu de Arte Contemporânea do Chiado
Established in 1911, the museum was rebuilt in 1994 after the horrific Chiado fire. Despite the coolness, a French architect (Jean-Michel Wilmote) remade it into a modern museum. Then, he renamed the museum - the National Museum of Contemporary Art. This is an ambitious mission compared with the size and budget. In other words, people spend tons of time and money to rehang it.
The consequence does not disappoint with 100 works of art from the permanent collection, an enlightening overview of ancient Portuguese arts (150 years) between romanticism, naturalism, and abstractionism.
Furthermore, many changing exhibitions of contemporary art are available in the museum. On a summer day, you could take a cup of coffee at a gratifying café shop, or a patio, or enjoy a jazz concert.
Casa Independente
This is a place where people can remove all of their anxieties and stresses after a burden day. A large room (The Tiger Room) provides gigs and DJ plays. Other smaller rooms host talks or random spots to work on your laptops or tablets.
The café shops and the back patios are tremendous places to “feel in the beat”. Still, do not miss the bars, where you could smell the tea types, fresh juices, and cocktails. Finger foods are always accessible (until they close the door). Yeah, this is a small destination of choice for a deep night out on the town!
St George’s castle
Located in the streets of the old Alfama district, the citadel was first constructed by the Romans over 2000 years ago. St George’s castle is a visible landmark of Lisbon, where people can explore the historic hub of the Portuguese.
Since then, the castle has been managed by the Berbers and the Reconquista knights. Nowadays, it has become a great historic center with ferocious palisades, jagged towers, a mighty dry moat, and other features. Beneath the large gate is the Portuguese royal seal, setting apart the country’s strength.
Santa Justa elevator
How could I get a boundless view of Lisbon? Take a ride on the Santa Justa elevator! It enables you to take panoramic photos of Rossio Square, the Baixa neighborhood, and St. George’s castle.
Santa Justa elevator used to be run by steam a century ago. Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard designed the neo-Gothic elevator. He is also a talented creator of the Eiffel Tower.
Why do people build this elevator? It does not serve the view for tourists only but is also a smart short for commuters entering Bairro Alto without spending too much time climbing the hill. The exterior is almost wrought iron and the inside areas have two out-up-date cabins with nearly 150-foot-tall immense points.
Sintra
Sintra is a famous sightseeing destination thanks to the praises of the British (Lord Byron) and Portuguese (Luís Vaz de Camões) poets. Byron described Sintra as the splendor of Eden – realistic heaven on Earth.
The small rolling hills are covered with lush vegetation and fairy-tale villas on the cobblestone streets. The colorful park and the National Palace of Pena are the stars and were built to become a romantic getaway for the Royal (Queen Maria II and her husband, for example).
The whole city is designed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Sintra National Palace has an azulejo-adorned style in interiors. The Monserrate Palace, the Quinta da Regaleira, and the Castle of the Moors make up their bland exteriors.
Vasco da Gama Bridge
Vasco da Gama Bridge was constructed in 1998, this is the latest engineering structure as well as a common allure. The bridge is named after a famous local explorer; it was constructed to eliminate the traffic in the city.
Spreading across nearly 17km (11 miles), builders had to consider the bridge length with the Earth’s curve when erecting. This six-lane bridge is expected to help people safe on the go and get great experiences with its awe-inspiring architecture.
Time to travel to Lisbon
Let’s see…It is said that we can visit Lisbon at any time. In hypothesis, it is true. However, a smart tourist will know some months are the best moments to reach Lisbon, Portugal. When?
March to May and September to October: it is called the shoulder season or the “sunshine time” for the tourists. Yup, those are the perfect time to visit Lisbon. The weather is warm, accommodation is quite reasonable in price, and no chaos.
Travel tips in hand
- Although most boutiques, malls, and offices offer credit card payments; you still need to get cash at the ATM or a local bank. At the airport, you can make an exchange and cash them out.
- The official language of Portuguese in Portugal, but some of the locals could speak a little English.
- Lots of tourist attractions are closed on Mondays in Lisbon, especially museums. Thus, think of other activities on that day.
- Take into account a tour guide to support you and list the highlights in a few days.
- Lisbon has a variety of hills, so it is rough to walk around to visit the entire city. It would be better to take the public transportation system – buses, trains, and trams. On the other hand, there is no shortage of rickshaws (a small type of private car) all over the town to book a short tour.
Final Words
Lisbon has been occupied by several cultures throughout the timeline. The combination of culture with beautiful character makes the city a worthy place to build the life there. There is no doubt that Lisbon is one of the most graceful cities in Europe. If you are going to plan a trip, then make sure that you know the best things to do in Lisbon.