Lisbon is an ever-popular location in Portugal for travellers. The coastal location and sunshine are probably the most prominent reasons why! Lisbon also has just about anything else you could want; castles, monasteries, museums, and more.
For newbies to Lisbon, this travel guide will help you to navigate your way around the place and figure out some stuff to do.
Transport Options for Visitors of Lisbon
If you’re more worried about getting transport from Lisbon airport to the city, this guide has you covered too. It’s possible to get a bus, the metro, and taxi transportation services. Bear in mind that for all of your options there are several service providers and their charges can vary depending on who you go with.
There are travel cards you can purchase to make your stay in Lisbon easier. For every mode of transportation all through your stay in Lisbon, the Sete Colinas Card is a good choice. But if you are mixing modes of transport, then the Zapping card could be for you.
The metro is generally the quickest and cheapest options, and all metro lines take you to any city. You can also take the Aerobus (although this takes longer) with many departing from the airport regularly. Taxi in Lisbon are quick and quite economy, and it goes without saying that going by hire is the most expensive option.
Things To See And Do In Lisbon
Torre de Belém
The Torre de Belem is a wonderful place to start for those who don’t have a clue where to start in Lisbon. This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most famous monuments in all of portugal. The Gothic tower is there to guard the entrance to the harbour, and you’ll also see some wonderful examples of Portuguese stonework that dates all the way back to the 1500s.
Party At A Festival
Lisbon has a couple of different festivals for people with all kinds of music tastes and preferences. The three-day Nos Alive music festival in July is always a good choice, and huge bands like Coldplay and the Foo Fighters have played in the past. It’s the perfect opportunity to see some real music live!
The Super Bock Super Rock concert programme is another great choice, which takes place in Parque das Nações, also in July.
Museu Calouste Gulbenkian
This place is one of Europe’s leading fine arts museums. It can be tough to know where to begin in somewhere like this, as the sheer amount of things inside can be overwhelming! There are exhibits from 2000 BC for the historians out there, as well as the early 20th century. Just make sure you leave plenty of time for the last room and its incredible glass and metal art nouveau jewellery, created by René Lalique.
The audio-guides are available in several languages (English, French, Spanish and Portuguese) – and these are recommended to enhance your experience and get the most from it. There are also excellent temporary exhibitions, with various pieces lent by institutions all over the world.
Downstairs you’ll find an art library (which often hosts midday classical recitals on Sundays), a lovely little café for your lunch, and a small gift shop for souvenirs. At the southern end of the park, you’ll find the Centro de Arte Moderna – don’t skip this part!
Try The Food
One of the best things to do in Lisbon is simply to eat! You’ll likely take glee in how inexpensive the food is. If you’re looking for something on a budget, make sure you look out for ‘the dish of the day’. They’re some of the cheapest in Europe! You’ll find fresh seafood in most restaurants, and this is what many of the dishes are based around.
If you’re not on a budget, make sure you try Lisbon’s gourmet hotspots. These eateries offer a truly international flavour, with Mediterranean food in abundance and somewhat of a speciality.
You can also sample delicious cuisine from Brazil, Mozambique and other ex-colonies. It’s an ethnic menu to be excited about indeed. Indian restaurants are aplenty, and some of the city’s sushi bars have achieved a cult following.
Time Out Market Lisbon
This market comes highly recommended by most people who visit. The Time Out Market is becoming more and more popular, and one of the top things to do in Lisbon, Portugal for any type of traveler.
The revamped Time Out Mercado da Ribeira is now super busy and home to 35 permanent stalls from some of Lisbon’s most celebrated food shops and impeccable restaurants.
Here’s where you can find something to suit you:
- Portuguese wines from Garrafeira Nacional.
- Ice-creams from Santini.
- Pastries from Aloma
Even Henrique Sá Pessoa, a culinary hero in Lisbon, has an on-site restaurant many love.
Transport Options for Visitors Of Lisbon
If you’re more worried about getting transport from Lisbon airport to the city, this guide has you covered too. It’s possible to get a bus, the metro, and taxi transportation services. Bear in mind that for all of your options there are several service providers and their charges can vary depending on who you go with.
There are travel cards you can purchase to make your stay in Lisbon easier. For every mode of transportation all through your stay in Lisbon, the Sete Colinas Card is a good choice. But if you are mixing modes of transport, then the Zapping card could be for you.
The metro is generally the quickest and cheapest options, and all metro lines take you to any city. You can also take the Aerobus (although this takes longer) with many departing from the airport regularly. Taxi is quick but can be costly, and it goes without saying that going by hire is the most expensive option.
