10+1 Things to Do in Lisbon

November 14, 2025 by Akylina Printziou

Touching down with a list in your notes app and a hunch that Lisbon is more than trams and tiles? You’re not wrong. Between hilltop terraces that open like stage sets, the clatter of vintage Remodelado cars rounding tight corners, and façades dressed in azulejos that tell centuries of stories, this is a city built for moments, not checklists. If you’ve been hunting for things to do in Lisbon, consider this your nudge to chase golden-hour viewpoints, follow the river’s glint, and let curiosity pick your next turn.

This blog post is for travellers who want experiences that feel unmistakably Lisbon-like: the texture underfoot on steep lanes, the hush before a panorama, the small rituals (a tram bell, a terrace espresso) that stick long after you’ve flown home. Keep reading and let the city start revealing itself, one sunlit scene at a time.

1) Wander Alfama & Castelo de São Jorge

Begin at the hilltop Castelo de São Jorge for sweeping views from the ramparts, then drift downhill through Alfama’s tight Moorish-era lanes that largely survived the 1755 quake—wash-lines, tile-clad façades, and tiny squares spilling towards the river. If you’re coming from Baixa, shortcut most of the climb with the free Elevador do Castelo route (Fanqueiros → Madalena → Chão do Loureiro) and walk a few minutes to the gate.

Tip: Start at the top and meander down; book castle tickets online to save time. The official site sells e-tickets you validate at the entrance, and seasonal hours are listed there.

2) Ride historic Tram 28E

The classic yellow 28E rattles past the cathedral and through Alfama/Baixa toward Chiado, but note that at the time of writing, service is shortened to run only between Martim Moniz and Largo Camões, so it doesn’t continue to Estrela or Campo de Ourique (Prazeres) for now. During ongoing works, parts of the line may be covered by buses instead of the vintage Remodelado trams, and disruptions can change with little notice, so check the Carris site/app on the day. Keep an eye on your belongings, as it’s a popular line.

Tip: Go early or late and board at an endpoint (Martim Moniz or Largo Camões) for your best chance at a seat.

3) Belém icons: Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower & a warm pastel de nata

Belém concentrates the Age of Discoveries in two UNESCO-listed symbols: the ornate cloisters of Jerónimos Monastery and the riverfront Belém Tower. Note: the Belém Tower is currently closed to the public for conservation/restoration works under the PRR, with only possible intermittent openings. Make sure to check its status before you go. Jerónimos Monastery is open Tuesday–Sunday and closed on Mondays (last entry before closing, but exact times vary seasonally). Cap the stroll with the original custard tarts baked in Belém since 1837, best sprinkled with cinnamon and eaten warm.

Tip: Visit the monastery first thing, then enjoy a riverside walk by the (currently closed) tower area, and finish with a warm pastel de nata at Pastéis de Belém.

4) MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture & Technology)

Part museum, part sculpture, MAAT’s low-slung, riverside building in Belém is designed so you can walk across the sinuous rooftop for big Tagus views, then dip inside for rotating shows that bridge art, design and tech, making it one of the standout things to do in Lisbon. It pairs nicely with a Belém waterfront stroll, and sits by the repurposed Central Tejo power station. It’s usually open 10:00–19:00 and closed on Tuesdays.

Tip: Fold MAAT into your Belém day: rooftop first for the vistas, then exhibitions inside; avoid Tuesday closures.

5) Monastery of São Vicente de Fora

On the edge of Alfama, this 17th-century monastery pairs peaceful, tile-lined cloisters with the Royal Pantheon of the Braganza dynasty and access to rooftop terraces for big views over Alfama and the Tagus. It’s easy to weave into an old-town wander, and on Tuesdays and Saturdays you can pair it with the nearby Feira da Ladra flea market. Check the current hours (generally open daily, with seasonal schedules) and for any special closures.

Tip: Go in the morning: quieter cloisters, clearer rooftop views, and you can stroll straight to Feira da Ladra afterward. Confirm times and last entry before you go.

6) Time Out Market Lisboa (Mercado da Ribeira)

A buzzy, curated food hall wrapped around long communal tables, set inside the historic Mercado da Ribeira by Cais do Sodré. You’ll find a mix of chef-led counters alongside wine, sweets and a cooking space, with the building’s roots as a produce and fish market dating back to the 19th century. The traditional market wing still operates next door, so you can browse seasonal fruit, flowers and fish before or after you graze. It’s open daily from mid-morning into the night.

Tip: Aim before noon on weekdays for easier seating, then peek into the traditional market wing beside the food hall.

7) Oceanário de Lisboa & Parque das Nações

One of Europe’s standout aquariums anchors Lisbon’s modern Expo ’98 waterfront, a must among the things to do in Lisbon. Expect a vast central tank with sharks, rays and schooling fish, plus immersive habitats that are great for adults and kids. Outside, Parque das Nações offers riverfront paths, public art and big-sky views towards the Vasco da Gama Bridge; the Telecabine cable car glides above the promenade and even offers a joint ticket with the Oceanário. The Oceanário typically runs 10:00–20:00 (last entry 19:00).

Just along the waterfront, the sail-shaped Vasco da Gama Tower now hosts the BABYLON 360º rooftop bar and viewpoint, where you can ride the elevator up for 360° views over the Tagus, the bridge and the aquarium area, then linger over cocktails as the lights come on in the Parque das Nações skyline.

Tip: Prebook timed tickets and pair your visit with a Telecabine ride. If you stay into the evening, consider finishing with sunset drinks at BABYLON 360º atop the Vasco da Gama Tower.

8) Viewpoint-hopping (miradouros)

Chase Lisbon’s hilltop garden terraces—miradouros—where benches, kiosks and low walls frame sweeping castle-to-river vistas. Start at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, a landscaped balcony above downtown (normally reached in minutes via the Glória funicular), then continue to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, a calmer perch near the city’s highest point with wide 200º-plus views. If the funicular isn’t running, it’s an uphill walk or a short taxi. Optionally swing by Miradouro da Graça for a church-framed lookout or Santa Luzia for a bougainvillea-draped terrace with azulejo panels.

Tip: Time it for golden hour: Alcântara for the first look, then Senhora do Monte for sunset and a quieter crowd.

9) A night of fado (+ the Fado Museum)

Prime your ears with a daytime visit to the Fado Museum, a compact and engaging space dedicated to Lisbon’s traditional fado music and its history, then book a small casa de fado in Alfama or Mouraria for an intimate evening set. Emotional vocals over Portuguese guitar unfold in near-silence, with dinner sittings and fixed show times the norm, so reserving ahead is essential.

Tip: Visit the museum earlier (typically Tue–Sun, daytime) and keep dinner plans flexible so you can match a late performance.

10) Sunset cruise on the Tagus

From the water, Lisbon’s skyline—Praça do Comércio, the 25 de Abril Bridge, Christ the King and the Belém monuments—glows as the city slips into golden hour. Most sunset cruises last about 1.5–2 hours and include a welcome drink. Common departure points are the central docks near Cais do Sodré or Terreiro do Paço. Check the day’s schedule and weather before you go.

Tip: Book a late-afternoon slot that ends just after sunset for the best light and city-lights combo.

+1) Easy day trip: Sintra (Pena Palace & Park)

Under an hour by rail from Rossio Station, Sintra’s hills deliver fairy-tale scenery: the candy-coloured Pena Palace perched above lush parkland and the ruined Moorish Castle on the ridge opposite. Pena uses timed entry for the palace interior. The time on your ticket is for the palace gate, and you’ll still need to get from the park entrance up to the palace (allow extra time—official guidance notes a further walk inside the park). Trains run frequently on the suburban line. You can buy tickets on the day and follow local guidance for shuttle/walking options up the hill.

Tip: Book the earliest palace slot and allow ~30–60 minutes to reach the palace from the park gate. Pair with the Moorish Castle for sweeping views before returning to Lisbon by train.

Where to stay in Lisbon

Here’s what to expect in Lisbon: everything from grand luxury hotels and heritage “monument” stays to design-forward boutiques, serviced apartments/aparthotels, friendly guesthouses, and standout hostels, useful home bases as you plan what things to do in Lisbon. Many are set in renovated Pombaline-era buildings, some even in former monasteries or palaces. You’ll also find a few properties that blend classic architecture with modern perks like rooftops, small pools, and on-site dining.

Photo: Bairro Alto Hotel

Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon (5★, Avenidas Novas) – Lisbon’s grande dame pairs spacious, art-filled rooms with a destination spa, an indoor pool, and a 400-metre rooftop running track, a rare perk for city hotels. Dining is a highlight: CURA holds a MICHELIN star (2025), so you can make a proper night of it without leaving the property.
Bairro Alto Hotel (5★, Chiado/Bairro Alto) – A refined Leading Hotels member with a prime perch between Chiado’s cafés and Bairro Alto’s lanes. Rooms feel boutique but luxe, and the rooftop (home to BAHR) opens onto Tagus-and-old-town views, perfect for a sunset drink before a short walk to dinner.

Photo: My Story Hotel Tejo

Memmo Alfama - Design Hotels (Boutique, Alfama) – A design hideaway steps from the Sé and the castle, known for its ruby-red rooftop pool that blends into the neighbourhood’s terracotta rooftops. Rooms are minimalist, the terrace bar is a lovely end-of-day ritual, and the outlook over the Tagus is hard to beat.
My Story Hotel Tejo (3★, Baixa/Rossio) – This historic hotel in Lisbon is a good-value, central option in a 19th-century Pombaline building (fully renovated in 2017) near Praça da Figueira, just steps from Rossio’s trains, trams, and the historic centre. Rooms are straightforward and modern, making this an easy first-timer base.

Conclusion

Lisbon lingers—the glow on the tiles after sunset, the hush on a hilltop terrace, the last tram bell as you wander back to your hotel. If this blog post sparked ideas about things to do in Lisbon, let the trip shape itself around the moments you’re most excited to chase.

Before you book, explore Travelmyth’s 60 hotel categories to zero in on places that actually match your style, whether that’s boutique charm, rooftop pools, historic conversions, adult-only calm, pet-friendly stays, or something wonderfully niche. Explore the categories, mix and match your interests, and find the stay that makes your Lisbon story click.

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