Compare Lisbon city breaks

What to do in Lisbon

On a city break to Lisbon, days slip away pleasantly as you wander the city’s pretty streets in the sun, popping out at viewpoints to gaze down over terracotta rooftops. Visit its castle and historic monastery, rest your legs on a tram ride and take a trip to the beaches nearby.

Castelo de São Jorge

Lisbon’s Moorish castle looks down over the Alfama neighbourhood, where terracotta rooftops sparkle brightly against the shimmering River Tagus.

It’s well worth a visit for the panorama alone but you could easily spend hours in this 11th-century castle. Get a 360-degree view of the city through its camera obscura, learn more about Lisbon’s history in a permanent exhibition, wander through its gardens under the shade of pine and fruit trees, and take a guided tour of its archaeological site.

Tram 28E

Give your legs a rest after tackling Lisbon’s steep streets by taking a ride on the city’s most famous method of transport – a wooden tram.

Hop onboard the sunshine yellow tram from Praça Martim Moniz to take the uphill journey through the Baixa, Alfama and Graça districts. As the trams date back to the 1930s, expect some jostling and jiggling and keep your wits about you and valuables hidden, as pickpockets have been known to board.

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

Once home to the monks of the Order of Saint Jerome, this UNESCO-listed monastery was built in the 16th century to celebrate the voyage to India by Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, whose tomb is inside.

Its Manueline architecture is spectacular with intricate carvings and cloisters, and the vaulted ceilings inside are equally impressive. Complement a visit here with a trip to the Belém Tower as well as the nearby Pastéis de Belém bakery for a custard tart made using the monastery’s secret recipe.

Belém is around half an hour from the city centre by public transport.

Viewpoints

After some memorable holiday snaps? Go up. The highest lookout point in Lisbon is Miradouro da Senhora do Monte in the Graça neighbourhood. Surprisingly quiet, there’s a tiled plaque here outlining all of the sights below.

Other top spots include the Miradouro da Graça with a terrace café, and Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara which is set in gardens with fountains.

Cascais and Estoril

If Lisbon’s sunshine makes you long for a day on the beach, hop on the train or drive to the nearby seaside towns of Cascais and Estoril (the train journey to Cascais takes around 40 minutes).

As well as glorious stretches of sand, Cascais has a lovely old town and top-notch fish restaurants, while quieter Estoril is home to the Palácio Estoril Hotel, which featured in the James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

Where to stay in Lisbon

For families

Little legs may get tired in Lisbon’s hilly streets, so stay in flat Baixa. Destroyed in an earthquake in 1755, riverfront Baixa was rebuilt in an attractive neoclassical style and has squares to relax in and plenty of places to eat. You can get the historic Santa Justa Lift from here to the Bairro Alto district.

If you’d like to stay near the sea, consider basing yourself in the nearby town of Cascais where you’ll find grand hotels with pools as well as apartments. Complement beach fun here with day trips to explore Lisbon, around 40 minutes away by train or car.

For travellers on a budget

If you’re looking for a cheap Lisbon city break, but still want to be close to attractions and the city’s famous nightlife venues, stay in Cais do Sodre. Formerly the red-light district, the area is now home to some of the city’s hippest bars and clubs as well as the Time Out market hall.

You can also find budget places to stay in traditional Alfama, from hostels to simple hotels and apartments in historic buildings. Explore its winding streets and look down on the city’s rooftops from a viewpoint here.

For food and drink

Chic Chiado is home to some of the city’s finest places to eat. After hitting the area’s boutique shops, choose between fine dining restaurants run by top chefs, tempting bakeries and gastro-bars. You’ll find the world’s oldest bookshop here too.

If you have a sweet tooth, Belém might be the best place for you. This is where monks from the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos created the first pastéis de nata, and you can still try the recipe at the Pastéis de Belém bakery. There’s also a Michelin-starred restaurant in Belém for a special-occasion meal.

For nightlife

Bohemian Bairro Alto’s lanes are packed with nightlife options when the sun goes down. There are wine bars, fado houses, rooftop terraces and more in its traditional buildings. Stay in one of the area’s self-catering apartments or hotels to walk home after revelry.

Nearby Cais do Sodre is another cool spot for a night out, with many visitors starting in Bairro Alto then ending up in a late-night spot on its Rua Cor-de-Rosa (Pink Street). Here you’ll find late-night music venues, nightclubs and cocktail bars where the party carries on until morning.

For culture

The riverside neighbourhood of Belém is packed with cultural attractions, including the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Belém Tower. It also has number of museums, from Museu Coleção Berardo, which is packed with contemporary art, to the National Coach Museum (Museu Nacional dos Coches).

Alternatively, stay within the winding lanes of Alfama to be close to the city’s castle and cathedral. In the evening, listen to fado music over food before retiring to your atmospheric boutique hotel, apartment or guesthouse.