Now that I’ve been here for almost a month, I thought I’d share my top 10 Lisbon experiences, a mix of tourist favorites that I consider worth the hullabaloo and some more offbeat spots. Please share your Lisbon favorites!
1. Hop on the rattling tram 28 in Baixa and stay on as it rides up through the twisting streets of the Alfama quarter
2. Get off at Castelo de São Jorge for scenic views of the Tagus from the ramparts of this former seat of Portugal’s first king
3. Take the Bica Funicular (Largo do Calhariz) from the edge of Bairro Alto down toward the Tejo for a lovely ride and river views
4. Grab a coffee at A Brasileira (Rua Garrett 100-122), an Art Nouveau café where Lisbon’s writers have been catching up on gossip since the 18th century
5. Sample the deliciously addictive custard tarts, pasteís de Belém, at Antiga Confeitaria de Belém (Rua de Belém 84–92)
6. Take in eyepopping views from Miradouro Santa Catarina, better known to locals as Adamastor, and stop by for tea at stylish Noobai Cafe
7. Hop on the metro to Parque das Nações on Lisbon’s eastern waterfront to check out the dazzling modern architecture built for Expo ’98
8. Soak up Lisbon’s saudade, that sweet melancholic yearning, the bittersweet nostalgia, at a fado show. More on Lisbon’s top fado houses to come!
9. Bar crawl through the buzzing areas of Bairro Alto and Bica on a weekend night (check out my recommendations)
10. See the sun come up over the Tejo after a night of clubbing at Lux, Lisbon’s most famous club in a converted warehouse on the river
Anything really obvious that I missed (I left out museums on purpose)? Tell me!
Hi – I think you just about covered the main Lisbon iconic things to do. One other suggestion I have is visit Chapitô for the ultra bohemian atmosphere in this circus school cafe. Oh – another is just to get lost in alfama. Lastly take a daytrip to fairytale Sintra 🙂
Thanks for the suggestions, Lily! Chapitô is on my list of places to check out. And Sintra is quite a fairytale, true. Nice blog, by the way!
I’d add as my favourite spots, the garden at Muséu do Traje (Costume Museum), and the Aquarium at Parque das Nações.
Hello Anja, I was very pleased to meet you at Estrela Hall. Too bad we didn’d have the oportunity to talk.
I can see you’ve been browsing the city quite a lot, which is great!
I would suggest the following: Saturday morning head to the flee market – called Feira da Ladra – just behind the Panteão Nacinal. Take the tram nº 28 to the castle and head there by foot. It is located between the São Vicente de Fora monastery and the Panteão Nacional.
After that, have a nice lunch in a local tasca. 😉
Have fun!
Miguel
Yes, great to meet you too the other night, Miguel, albeit briefly. I actually did go to Feira da Ladra a few years ago and loved it. I should have included it in my Top 10 list. I hear they’re trying to shut it down, which would be a real shame. Anyway, thanks for the suggestion!