With its great food, walkable city, good weather, and fun people, Lisbon has become a very traveled destination for tourists. The city has many sides, so it can become all kinds of experiences for all kinds of people. The city has nature and beaches close, every big city amenity; it’s not that expensive, has delicious food, knows how to party, has an incredibly rich history, and a big airport, so it has things for everyone.
With so many options for entertainment and to maximize your experience in this south European city, there are some things you can do and know so that this becomes a dream trip, full of unique experiences you can tell your grandkids. Without further ado, here are 10 insider tips for a memorable trip to Lisbon, Portugal’s capital
10 Learn A Few Portuguese Phrases
When you’re a tourist, a great way to be liked by the locals is to show you’re making an effort and respect their culture, by learning a few phrases in their language, in this case, Portuguese. Here are a few of them that will help you.
Hello is Olá, bye is tchau, good morning is bom dia, good afternoon is boas tardes, a good night is boas noites, yes is sim, no is nao, please is por favor, thank you is obrigado, and excuse me, do you speak English? is com licença, vocé fala ingles? With these few sentences, you can already move through Lisbon while looking less like a tourist.
9 Bring Comfortable Shoes
Lisbon is not that big of a city, and even though there’s a subway, bus, and the mythic yellow trams (including the famed 28B), you can walk the whole city. There are many steep hills, all over the city, so you must bring comfortable shoes. Seeing the city this way will make for a perfect day in Lisbon, as you’ll be able to enjoy every street, every monument, every restaurant, and the views at your own pace.
8 Go To Belém
Visiting Belém is one of the many things you should do when you only have 3 days in Lisbon, as it's a unique place. You can get there by tram in half an hour or so, and it might even be one of the old, small, charming yellow trams Lisbon is known for.
This town has many things to see as it’s on the sea and has the incredible Belém Tower, the Dos Jerónimos Monastery, and the Tropical Garden. Don’t forget that Belém is also the place where the pasteis of Belém (egg tarts) were invented, and you can still try the original secret recipe at the Pasteles de Belem factory.
7 Enjoy The Rooftop Bars
One of the great things about being in a city full of hills is that in those elevated places, there are always some rooftops with incredible views of the city. Lisbon is no different, and if you think enjoying spectacular views when the sun goes down with a cocktail in your hand is the best idea ever, Lisbon is for you.
Most rooftop bars announce themselves as such, but we can recommend Lost In (R. Dom Pedro V Nº56-D, 1250-094 Lisboa, Portugal), and Park rooftop (Calçada do Combro 58, 1200-123 Lisboa, Portugal).
6 Try Ginjinha
You must try ginjinha, a Portuguese liquor, made by infusing Ginja berries (sour cherry) with alcohol and sugar. Ginjinha is served in shot form (sometimes the shot glass is made from chocolate) and might have a piece of fruit at the bottom.
This liquor has much history and is served all over the city. If you’re in Aldama on a Sunday, you might see old ladies selling shots of it, as it's a tradition. It might not be made at home like back then, but it’s still a unique thing to do in Lisbon.
If you’re looking for a place to try a Ginjinha shot, the best and most historical place is A Ginjinha, near the Rossio subway station: Largo São Domingos 8, 1100-201 Lisboa, Portugal
5 Take A Walking Tour On Your First Day
There are many unique sights in the city, so the best way to start familiarizing yourself with them is by taking a walking tour on your first day. Most tours will walk you through the historic center while explaining some of the incredible things that happened in Lisbon, from the earthquake to the Carnation Revolution. It will also take you to most monuments in the area, and once you’ve finished, you’ll be much more oriented and have much more information about where to go and what’s worth a visit.
4 Go To LX Market On A Sunday
The LX Factory is a unique place: an industrial complex from the 19th century that has become home to many cool, one-in-a-million stores and restaurants. From an incredible bookstore and street art to sushi, co-working spaces, and artisanal jewelry stores, there’s everything here.
On Sunday, it gets even better, as there’s an artisanal flea market where artisans from all over the city come to the LX Factory to sell their last creations. If you’re looking for unique souvenirs, you can’t miss it.
3 Walk Around Alfama
Alfama is a unique neighborhood and there are many reasons why it’s worth exploring. This part of town was the only one that survived the 1775 earthquake, and it’s a great way to see how its citizens lived back then. You can get there by the famous 26B tram, but also by foot where you’ll be able to walk around its many squares and enjoy incredible views. There is also all kind of unique restaurants and bars; some of them even have fado concerts at night. It’s a great place to get lost during the day.
2 Have A Drink At Miradouro Da Graça
There are many places where you have great views in Lisbon, some of them we’ve already told you about, but Miradouro Da Graça might be the best of all. Why? From here you’ll be able to see most of the historical part of the city. The fact that you can stop for a cold beer or a hot coffee and have incredible conversations with friends while you admire Lisbon, its red roofs, historical landmarks, and the river makes for a picture-worthy stop in your travel through the city.
1 Eat In Real Portuguese Restaurants
There are many awesome restaurants In the city that will make you fall in love with Portuguese cuisine, be it seafood, meat, pastries, or sandwiches; Lisbon has something for everyone and every situation. The area is famous for its canned fish, its cod, and the bifana, but Portugal also has great wines, cheese, and cold meats, and its craft beer scene has just started.
If you’re looking for some more Portuguese restaurants, we can recommend O Gaiteiro (Rua de S. Paulo 214, 1200-275 Lisboa, Portugal), Adega do Domingos (Rua de Arroios 56A, 1150-020 Lisboa, Portugal), and Casa do Alentejo (R. das Portas de Santo Antão 58, 1150-268 Lisboa, Portugal).