What to do in Lisbon: a complete Travel Guide

WHAT TO DO IN LISBON: A COMPLETE TRAVEL GUIDE

Are you travelling to Lisbon or plan to do so soon? Then this is the article for you! Here you will find out the things not to be missed in the city: what to see, what to do, but also what to avoid. Where to eat in Lisbon and essential tips to make sure your trip goes perfectly, whether in terms of accommodation, type of clothing and footwear to take and the transport options. Curious? Please read on.

Where to stay in Lisbon

Your choice of location for your accommodation is a decisive factor when booking your stay in Lisbon. The ideal option is a hotel located centrally with a range of services in the surrounding zone, served by good transport links.
Our PortoBay Liberdade 5-star hotel is located on Avenida da Liberdade, an extremely central location, that has everything you need and maximum comfort.
And just two minutes away from Marquês de Pombal is our PortoBay Marquês, a 4-star hotel with an ideal location, close to everything.
There is nothing like returning to a comfortable and elegant hotel to enjoy a session in the spa or a dip in the swimming pool after a long day exploring the city.

What you need to know before visiting Lisbon

Lisbon is the city of 7 hills, so it is essential to take the right footwear, as Lisbon has lots of ups and downs that can be slippery. Wear comfortable walking shoes or trainers.
As for clothes, check out the weather forecast before packing your bags, but don’t rely on it! Lisbon is a city which experiences all the seasons of the year, so make sure you come with a coat for the cool nights, as well as light clothing for the hot days.


What to do in Lisbon

Lose yourself in the city! Strolling haphazardly through the Lisbon streets is one of the best ways to get to know the city, appreciating the hidden beauty of each corner and marvelling at the natural surroundings of Portugal’s capital.
Sit down at a kiosk and drink a bica (a small espresso coffee), while taking in the busy city life of the locals and the vibrancy of the city.
Go to a football match. Even if you are not a big football fan, this is an experience you should have in the city and which will make you feel part of the local community. The Portuguese live and breathe their football with passion like a religion, which makes this a special and truly unforgettable experience.
A boat trip along the banks of the River Tagus is something you should not miss. Enjoy the Lisbon landscape, see some of the city’s historical landmarks or gaze at a stunning sunset. This will be a snapshot of Lisbon that will certainly live long in the memory! Book this trip with us! 

Gastronomy is another of the unmissable aspects of Lisbon. Whether delighting yourself with typical Portuguese dishes or trying out the culinary offerings of other countries, Lisbon is packed with restaurants you will adore, including 10 Michelin starred restaurants!
Of course, it is (almost) compulsory to try out the Portuguese cuisine, including the snacks. You can eat these delicacies in the centre of Lisbon at our Bistrô4 restaurant, which is in the hotel PortoBay Liberdade hotel.

What to visit in Lisbon

The Avenida da Liberdade, where you will find the PortoBay Liberdade, is known as the Champs-Elysées of Lisbon thanks to its abundance of luxury shops. It is a stunningly beautiful avenue, with rich and luxurious architecture, but also extremely central. It is just a short distance from several interesting neighbourhoods such as Príncipe Real, Chiado and others, and also the metro.
Belém has a magnificent view over the River Tagus. From here you can see the 25 de Abril bridge and visit historical monuments such as the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower and also the Padrão dos Descobrimentos. Ah, and of course. .. the famous pastéis de Belém (Belém custard tarts) that have a secret recipe which has been unchanged since 1837!

Saldanha is an extremely busy zone brimming with city life, but also with a local feel to it. It is certainly a zone to be visited.

Bairro Alto this is the zone you should not miss if you want to take advantage of the Lisbon nightlife, especially in summer and ideally at the time of the Popular Saints festivals in June!

MAAT, the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology of Lisbon is an extraordinary example of architecture! As well as visiting the museum, you can climb to the rooftop and take in the view over Lisbon, including the sunset.

National Coach Museum will take you on a journey back in time, through the vehicles used by the nobility between the 16th and the 19th centuries.

Where to go shopping

If you like shopping, Lisbon will not let you down. Starting with Chiado, a zone of magnificent architecture, walking through the streets you will find an enormous array of shops, ranging from fast fashion to handicraft. The most interesting shops are usually dotted all around the city, so the trick is to wander around without any particular plan.
Somewhere you can buy typical handicraft products is at the Príncipe Real Market, which takes place every Saturday. The Embaixada is a conceptual commercial gallery where you will find Portuguese brands of the utmost quality.


Make your journey even more special
Rooftops are all the rage nowadays, and in Lisbon there are several you cannot miss, including our Deck7 at the PortoBay Liberdade or the more intimate space of our honesty Bar de Cima, in the PortoBay Marquês.
Catch the boat to sail down the River Tagus until the Ponto Final restaurant where you will feel like you are sitting in the middle of the river. Here you can enjoy a stunning sunset while you enjoy your meal.

Go to the beach! Just 25 minutes away by car, you can relax on the beach, sunbathe and go for a dip in the sea, such as at the Praia Princesa or Praia Irmão beaches.
The most important thing is to enjoy your holidays to the full. Sometimes we forget to stop for a second and treat ourselves. Take a day off to pamper yourself at the spa, have a relaxing massage, something you have always wanted to do but never find the time, or simply go for a swim in the indoor pool and enjoy the sauna. Whatever you choose, treat yourself to some me-time.
Take a stroll along the banks of the River Tagus, walking from the Praça do Comércio to Belém! In summer, it is best to hop on a scooter, but on cooler days the exercise will certainly make you feel good!


Hidden secrets of Lisbon

The Prazeres cemetery, located in Campo de Ourique, has magnificent architecture. In this neighbourhood, go to the Campo de Ourique Market and enjoy the delicacies on offer.
If you enjoy surrounding yourself with nature, the Ajuda Botanical Garden is the place for you! But for a less well-known and quieter garden, but equally beautiful, the Jardim do Torel is the place to go.
The Marvila neighbourhood is one of Lisbon’s secrets; a creative and artistic centre where you can find furniture designers, craft beer makers and more.


Beauty points
Lisbon is full of majestic beauty spots that allow you to take in the splendour of the city, such as São Pedro de Alcântara, Eduardo VII park, São Jorge Castle, Miradouro de Santa Catarina and many more! Discover the best beauty spots in Lisbon here.


Restaurants
Bistrô4 is a must-visit restaurant, winner of the 2 Garfos Superiores Awards in the Lisboa à Prova food contest. with its famous “Bacalhau que queria ser à Brás” (cod) dish, or its snacks and typical dishes from other regions such as “filete de Espada” (swordfish) or “as lapas” (limpets), both Madeiran dishes.

For a typical “cozido à portuguesa” (mix of boiled meats and vegetables) try the Zanzibar restaurant which serves this dish every Sunday.
In the Taberna dos Ferreiros you can eat “bochechas de porco” pork cheeks, at Pabe a range of delicious dishes are available, but the meal not to miss is the typical Lisbon sardines at the Floresta das Escadinhas.


Things to avoid in Lisbon

Do not limit yourself to the city centre! Branch out to discover other places of immense interest, such as Belém.
Although Tuk Tuk trips may be fun, they are not worth it. They are very short trips with a low cost-benefit ratio, and also are completely unconnected to Portuguese culture.
Take care with restaurants in the city centre that pressure you to enter. They are often more expensive and the food is not as good as in a more typical and traditional location.

All these tips are summarised in our first Travel Guide in partnership with Stay Classy, a Danish vlogger couple who over the coming months will explore the destinations and hotels of PortoBay and share their experiences.

 

Watch the full video and tell us the next destination you want to see on our YouTube channel!