15 Things to See and Do in Lisbon
1.PARREIRINHA DE ALFAMA FADO CLUB
One of the most genuine Fado (type of music) Clubs. Opened 50 years ago this is the place to go for the Fado lovers. The place is visited by locals but it’s also a good place to meet other tourists.
2.FESTAS DA CIDADE
During the whole month of June the city gets kitted up for the main festas. The city smells like grilled sardines, chorizo and wine. In many squares and parks people get together for the arraiaias (dancing), concerts and public marches. On the night of the 13th of June the city goes on the streets and stays up the whole night to celebrate the festa of its main patron. The best way to show it is being taken around by a local and getting involved in all the traditions.
2.SESIMBRA
A few km South from Lisbon, Sesimbra is a beautiful fishermen village. They celebrate the “Festas do Senhor das Chagas” in May. They have several activities and the biggest procession of South Portugal.
3. BELEM PIES FACTORY CAFFEE
Inside number 84 of the Rua de Belém, in a factory founded in 1837, each day more than 10,000 Belem pies are sold. They have become a Portuguese Icon. The Café the Belém, near the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, has become a site of daily pilgrimage. Inside you can see azulejo panels from the XVIIIth century, almost as famous as the sweet pastries sold here.
4. CASTELO Y ALFAMA
These are the oldest neighbourhoods in the city and the pretty much the only ones that survived the earthquake of 1755. Narrow streets, typical food and great atmosphere can be found here . The neighbourhood is an endless Labyrinth where you can find historic buildings on every corner.
5. SAN JORGE CASTLE
Lisbon’s most magnificent castle. It’s surrounded by a 2km-long wall. It’s position at the top of a hill allows Lisbon’s most overwhelming panoramic views. The access to the castle is a killer ascension along narrow beautiful streets
6. PLAZA DO COMERCIO
This is meant to be the most beautiful square in the world. Is a huge square that faces the sea, with little cafes and surrounded by old buildings with nice manuelin art. This is a good place to try some of the traditional food in the many well known restaurants in the square.
7. NATIONAL AZULEJO MUSEUM
The National Azulejos Museum is probably Lisbon’s most attractive museum. A splendid array of tiles, from as early as the 15th century, is integrated into the elegant buildings of the former convent of Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Madre de Deus.
8. TORRE DE BELEM
It was declared Human Patrimony by the UNESCO. It’s a beautiful tower of the XVI Century that resembles to a medieval castle. It’s right next to the river and the views from the front terrace at sunset are great.
9. MUSEU CALOUSTE GULBENKIAN
If you want to include a formal museum in your vusit this would probably be the best. It’s the jewel in the crown of the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, is a Lisbon must-see – it’s one of Europe’s unsung treasures, and surely Portugal’s finest museum. Only 1500 of the 6000 total pieces can be displayed permanently.
10. ELEVATORS AND FUNICULARS
Lisbon is very hilly .There are several funiculars and elevators in the city, usually in the old area. It’s a great way to avoid steps and to enjoy beautiful views.
There are many great elevators and funiculars in Lisbon given the extreme geography of the city . Check them out in thr Alfama and Castelo areas . The Elevador de Santa Justa and the Elevador da Gloria, are both in the area of Barrio Alto.
11. NIGHTLIFE AT BARRIO ALTO
The Bairro Alto (literally “high quarter”) is one of the most picturesque quarters in the city. Its architecture, traditional shops, restaurants, bars and design and fashion stores give it a unique flair. It is also a popular meeting place for all nightlife lovers. There are a few of the most modern clubs in town, traditional bars, and several gay clubs and fado clubs.
12. TRAMS
The line 28 of the tram goes around the oldest neighbourhoods in Lisbon. It’s nice to catch it to have an overview of several areas without walking too much. Many of these trams are very old and beautiful.
13. COD FISH (BACALHAO) AND SARDINES
It’s said there are thousand ways to prepare the cod fish. It’s so important in the Portuguese diet, that there are entire streets dedicated to it, like the Rua dos Bacalhoeiros. Grilled Sardines are a local favourite and best eaten on the docks where the fishermen eat them right after coming back from the sea.
14. ROUTE OF THE MILLS
This route begins in a town of wine tradition, Torres Vedras, and finishes in Alenquer. Along the hilly track there are 5 mills, 2 of them still working. One of them is a bakery, where you can eat home bread and chorizo. Not far away there is another one that has been turned into a Rural Hotel.
15. HIKING IN SINTRA
This is one of the most beautiful towns in Portugal- full of palaces, convents and aristocratic history Sinatra was made a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995. There is a spectacular but strenuous hike up a hill and into the forest that takes you to several palaces and a spectacular Moorish castle at the top .
