Lisbon

Seven hills, azulejos & the sound of fado

Draped over seven hills above the Tagus, Lisbon is all pastel facades, blue-tiled churches, rattling trams and miradouros made for sunset. It is a city of custard tarts and melancholy fado, ancient Alfama lanes and buzzing riverside markets – soulful, sun-washed and remarkably easy to love. These are the places locals point their friends toward.

Good to know

hills the city sprawls across, each crowned with its own viewpoint

1755

the great earthquake that reshaped the elegant grid of the Baixa

1837

the year the original pastel de nata recipe first left the monastery

500+

years of hand-painted azulejo tiles covering facades across the city

Local tips

Wear proper shoes – the hills and polished calçada cobbles are genuinely slippery.
Ride historic Tram 28 early to beat the crowds (and keep an eye on your pockets).
A pastel de nata is best warm with a dusting of cinnamon – never skip it.
Grab a rechargeable Viva Viagem card for trams, metro and the ferries across the river.

Browse Lisbon

Lisbon at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: spring and autumn
Highlights: Praça do Comércio and Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
Where to stay: Intendente and Santa Catarina
Local picks: 56 hand-chosen recommendations
Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for Lisbon

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

Local tipsWhere to Stay in Lisbon: Best Neighborhoods for First-TimersWhere to stay in Lisbon? A local guide to the best neighbourhoods for first-timers, from central Chiado and Baixa to…

Local tipsHow Many Days in Lisbon? The Ideal Trip Length and What to DoHow many days do you need in Lisbon? A local guide to the ideal trip length, what to do in…

Where to stay in Lisbon

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Graça

Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

The highest of Lisbon’s viewpoints – castle, rooftops and river in one sweep at sunset.

★ 4.7

Santos

Miradouro de Santa Catarina

A laid-back terrace viewpoint where locals gather at golden hour with a beer and a busker.

★ 4.5

Xabregas

National Tile Museum

Five centuries of Portuguese azulejos inside a former convent – a tiled marvel.

★ 4.6

Santa Catarina

Noobai Cafe

Tucked beside the Santa Catarina viewpoint, Noobai is a laid-back cafe-bar with one of the best terrace views in Lisbon – out over the red roofs to the Tejo and the 25 de Abril bridge. Come for brunch, sunset drinks or a lazy afternoon.

Avenida da Liberdade

O Forninho Saloio

Tucked down a quiet alley off Avenida da Liberdade, Forninho Saloio has been serving home-style Portuguese cooking since 1995 — grilled octopus, charcoal-grilled sea bass and bacalhau com arroz de feijão in portions made for sharing. Prices stay honest despite the big-city address, which is why the lunch crowd is mostly local office workers. The dining room is tiny and fills fast, so book ahead or arrive right at noon.

Mouraria

O Zé dos Cornos

A beloved no-frills tasca in Mouraria for charcoal-grilled ribs and hearty daily specials.

★ 4.5

Parque das Nações

Oceanário de Lisboa

One of Europe’s great aquariums, built around a vast central ocean tank.

★ 4.7

$$$

Belém

Palácio do Governador

A restored 16th-century palace with a Roman-tank spa, steps from the Belém Tower.

★ 4.6

$$$

Belém

Pastéis de Belém

The 1837 birthplace of the pastel de nata, still guarding its secret custard-tart recipe.

★ 4.6

Cacilhas

Ponto Final

Riverside tables at the water’s edge in Cacilhas, facing Lisbon across the Tagus.

★ 4.5

Baixa

Praça do Comércio

Lisbon’s grand riverfront plaza, framed by yellow arcades and a triumphal arch.

★ 4.7

Baixa

Rossio Square

The wave-patterned heart of downtown, ringed by cafes and a neo-Manueline station.

★ 4.5

Baixa

Santa Justa Lift

A wrought-iron neo-Gothic street elevator up to a Carmo-ruins viewpoint.

★ 4.3

Alfama

São Jorge Castle

A Moorish hilltop castle with peacocks, ramparts and the city’s best panoramic terrace.

★ 4.6

$$$

Sintra

Sintra Day Trip

A short train ride to fairy-tale Sintra and the candy-coloured Pena Palace in the hills.

★ 4.7

$$$

Baixa

Solar dos Presuntos

A warm, wall-of-fame classic for Minho ham, seafood rice and old-school Portuguese cooking.

★ 4.6

$$$

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Lisbon travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Lisbon?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of Lisbon at a relaxed pace. See our Lisbon itinerary guide for a day-by-day plan.

Where is the best area to stay in Lisbon?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit. Our where to stay in Lisbon guide breaks down the best neighbourhoods.

What are the best things to do in Lisbon?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay.

What is the best time to visit Lisbon?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though Lisbon is worth visiting year-round.