Of course, the more time you spend in a city, the more you will see (especially museums, galleries and other cultural places) but here\u2019s my list of the best things to see and do in Lisbon which you won\u2019t want to miss out on.<\/p>\n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Lisbon-Rossio.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Where To Stay In Lisbon<\/h2>\n
Before we get into the 10 things you cannot miss in Lisbon, where are you going to stay when you book your trip to the city?<\/p>\n
With so many different neighborhoods and hotels to choose from, finding the right place to stay in Lisbon can be an overwhelming task. But luckily for you, we have narrowed down your search to the top 10 hotels to stay at in Lisbon.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Bairro Alto Hotel<\/a> \u2013 A luxury hotel in the middle of the city, with one of the best rooftops in the city, perfect for relaxing with your girls. The hotel also offers a luxurious and glamorous stay for all guests.<\/li>\n
- Le Consulat<\/a> \u2013 This four-star boutique hotel has just 18 rooms, in a mixture of apartments, suites and double rooms. This hotel offers incredible views of the city along with bright and airy rooms.<\/li>\n
- Valverde Hotel<\/a> \u2013 With a rooftop pool and a deck area along with a restaurant and a bar, this hotel is a great place to relax with your girls after a day of exploring the city.<\/li>\n
- Turim Boulevard Hotel<\/a> \u2013 This hotel features a restaurant and two bars along with a mix of rooms and suites, all in a hotel with modern and luxurious amenities.<\/li>\n
- Internacional Design Hotel<\/a> \u2013 This luxury hotel in Lisbon Old Town is a great place for a girls getaway especially as it’s just a short walk from restaurants and bars in addition to the shopping district.<\/li>\n
- Avenida Palace<\/a> \u2013 Located in Lisbon Old Town, Avenida Palace is a short walk to Rossio Square, Dom Pedro IV Statue and other famous landmarks.<\/li>\n
- PortoBay Marqu\u00eas<\/a> \u2013 With two-bedroom suites and single rooms this hotel has a combination for everyone. In addition to great room choices, the hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, two restaurants, a sauna, a rooftop terrace and a fitness center.<\/li>\n
- Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa<\/a> \u2013 This hotel offers junior suites, executive suites and family rooms. The hotel is also close to the Lisbon Cathedral and Castle of S\u00e3o Jorge as well as several restaurants and bars.<\/li>\n
- BessaHotel Liberdade<\/a> \u2013 With a mixture of rooms, suites, joining rooms and executive suites this hotel has something for everyone. The hotel has a modern and bright feel with the perfect balance of white and red. There are also great amenities including a fitness center, outdoor pool, business suite, full-service spa, a restaurant and a bar and lounge.<\/li>\n
- Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade<\/a> \u2013 Located in the city center and within walking distance of the city’s major attractions, this hotel is a great luxurious base for your group to stay at when visiting the city.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Vacation Rentals In Lisbon<\/span><\/h2>\n
There are so many great vacation rentals to choose from in Lisbon, so we\u2019ve combed through hundreds of options to put together a list of our favorites.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Santa Catarina Home<\/a> \u2013 Sleeping up to 12 guests in five bedrooms this home is ideal for a bachelorette weekend or girls getaway. The home was recently updated and consists of a charming garden, large open rooms and decorated with traditional Portuguese tiles.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Central Downtown Apartment<\/a> \u2013 With five bedrooms this downtown apartment is located in the historical neighborhood of Lisbon, called the Baixa. This apartment has enough space for up to 17 guests and is close enough to walk to the city’s main attractions.<\/li>\n
- Downtown Duplex in Central Hill<\/a> \u2013 Located on Lisbon’s exclusive Avenida da Liberdade (Liberty Avenue). With 200 square meters, this duplex is on the second floor, featuring 5 bedrooms, a living and dining room, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and a balcony.<\/li>\n
- Five Bedroom Apartment<\/a> \u2013 This 5 bedroom apartment is close to the city’s main landmarks. Sleeping up to 22 guests in 16 beds, this apartment is a great place for a bachelorette party or large family trip.<\/li>\n
- Chiado Designer Flat<\/a> \u2013 Located on the 2nd floor of a historical building, the flat is in the center of Chiado, close to Bairro Alto, Baixa and Cais do Sodr\u00e9. The area is full of restaurants, bars, shops and hidden places.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Best Tours In Lisbon<\/span><\/h2>\n
There are plenty of incredible tours in and around Lisbon. Here are five that are great for a trip to Lisbon.<\/p>\n
- \n
- A great evening activity for you and your family or girl gang is to take a sunset city sailing boat tour<\/a> to watch the sunset on the Tagus River, with great views of the city’s historic waterfront.<\/li>\n
- You and your girl gang can take a one-hour beer or sangria bike sightseeing tour<\/a> of the city. You will get to see the Tejo River, Torre de Belem, Monument of the Discoveries and 25 de Abril Bridge while enjoying your favorite alcoholic beverages.<\/li>\n
- No trip to Lisbon would be complete without a day trip to Sintra, the colorful Pena Palace and Cascais<\/a>. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra is located just 45 minutes outside the city but is home to the Pena Palace, ancient narrow streets to explore, as well as castles and chalets.<\/li>\n
- Not so much a tour but for those who enjoy visiting museums and art galleries it is worth purchasing a Lisbon Card<\/a> with free entry to museums and attractions in addition to being an unlimited public transportation card.<\/li>\n
- Another great way to see the city is on a two-hour tuk-tuk tour of Lisbon<\/a>. With the chance to see the city’s famous landmarks along with the neighborhoods of Alfama, Graca and Mouraria.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Things To Do In Lisbon<\/h2>\n
1) Visit The Tower Of Belem<\/h3>\n
This famous tower, built in the early 16th century to safeguard the entrance to the port of Lisbon, is a UNESCO world heritage site<\/a> and definitely worth visiting.<\/p>\n
Do check the opening times in advance as they vary depending on the time of the year \u2013 we got there too late and were rather disappointed to not be able to go inside.<\/p>\n
Belem has a lot to see and do, a tour of the area can be a great way to see Belem<\/a>, be sure to read our 10 Must-See Places In Belem, Lisbon<\/a> article for more information!<\/p>\n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Lisbon-Belem-Tower.jpg\")
<\/p>\n2) Eat As Many Pasteis De Belem<\/h3>\n
This traditional Portuguese dessert is a true delight. Simple yet so tasty, you will want one after the other once you start\u2026 You can get these cakes anywhere in Lisbon but the original pastry shop and caf\u00e9<\/a> are situated in the area of Belem (hence the name).<\/p>\n
Since 1837 the recipe has remained unchanged so treat yourself to this sweet delight and don\u2019t be put off by all the tourists!<\/p>\n
Related Post: <\/strong>8 Of Lisbon\u2019s Best Coworking Cafes<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Lisbon-Pasteis-de-Belem.jpg\")
<\/p>\n3) Roam The Streets Of Alfama<\/h3>\n
I have to say that Alfama is the prettiest and most charming neighbourhood in Lisbon. You could easily spend your whole day walking around the little cobblestone streets and having a drink or a bite to eat at the local cafes.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also where you will find the National Pantheon<\/a> and the Castle of S\u00e3o Jorge<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Related Post: <\/strong>Complete 3 Day Itinerary To Lisbon<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Lisbon-Alfama2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Lisbon-Alfama5.jpg\")
<\/p>\n4) See The View From The Miradouro De Santa Catarina<\/h3>\n
Considering that Lisbon<\/a> is a hilly city going up and down all the time (just like San Francisco) then there are obviously many viewpoints around the city where you can see beautiful views over the city.<\/p>\n
I particularly liked this viewpoint in Santa Catarina because you get to see all the brick rooftops of the houses and the famous 25 de Abril Bridge<\/a> in a distance.<\/p>\n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Lisbon-Santa-Catarina.jpg\")
<\/p>\n5) Take Pictures Of The Beautiful Fountain On Rossio Square<\/h3>\n
Rossio square is a central meeting point in Lisbon next to the main train station and has the most beautiful fountains on each extremity. Try going at sunset to get a magical sunset like the picture below:<\/p>\n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Lisbon-Rossio-Square.jpg\")
<\/p>\n6) Look Out For Your Favourite Tiled Wall Or Floor<\/h3>\n
One of the things I loved the most about Lisbon was all the beautiful coloured tiles. It actually became an obsession and I ended up taking pictures of nearly every colourful wall and floor in Lisbon\u2026 I\u2019d say my personal favourites are the classic blue and white tiles.<\/p>\n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Lisbon-tiles.jpg\")
<\/p>\n7) Admire The Praca Do Commercio<\/h3>\n
This square, all in yellow, is extremely beautiful and is an iconic spot in Lisbon. It used to be where the Royal Palace was situated until it was destroyed by the big earthquake Lisbon suffered in the mid-18th century.<\/p>\n
You can even go up the Rua Agusta Arch to see some lovely views over Lisbon and the Tagus River.<\/p>\n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Lisbon-Prca-do-Commercio.jpg\")
<\/p>\n8) Have Brunch At Nicolau<\/h3>\n
We stumbled across this place by chance and when we saw all the people waiting outside for a table we knew it was going to be good.<\/p>\n
Nicolau<\/a> serves a healthy brunch with fresh fruit juice, a hot drink, avocado toast and many more delicious things to give you all the energy you need to explore Lisbon.<\/p>\n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Lisbon-Nicolau.jpg\")
<\/p>\n9) Take A Tram Ride<\/h3>\n
The trams and elevators form part of Lisbon\u2019s identity and are a great way to get around if you\u2019re a bit tired from all the walking, especially if you want to reach the higher parts of the city.<\/p>\n
You can read more about the famous Number 28 Tram on the official Lisbon Tourism website<\/a>.<\/p>\n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Lisbon-Tram2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n10) Go To Sintra For The Day<\/h3>\n
Sintra is a beautiful town close to Lisbon (30-40 mins away) which is renowned for its fairytale Pena Palace and the Castelo dos Mouros.<\/p>\n
You can take a tour of Pena Palace Cabo da Roca and Cascais<\/a> or you can either go by train which is really cheap (only 2\u20ac return I believe) or take an Uber for ease of comfort (20-30\u20ac).<\/p>\n
As it\u2019s a small town, you can easily walk around on foot, however, to reach the Pena Palace<\/a> or the Castle I advise taking one of the local tuk-tuks as it\u2019s a steep walk up to the top.<\/p>\n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Sintra-Penna-Palace.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Sintra-Penna-Palace2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nI also suggest visiting the Quinta da Regaleira which is a villa with lovely gardens to walk around. FYI- Sintra has its own microclimate and apparently, if it\u2019s sunny in Lisbon then it\u2019s probably cloudy and raining in Sintra.<\/p>\n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Quinta-Regaleira2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\nWhat To Know For Visiting Portugal<\/h3>\n
Portugal Visas<\/h4>\n
Portugal is part of the European Schengen zone<\/strong>, which typically provides 90 days of free entry every 180 days<\/strong> to visitors from many countries. This means you can enter Portugal and travel between other European countries for up to 90 days per stay.<\/p>\n
Be sure to check the EU Schengen website for the latest information for your specific country.<\/p>\n
Currency<\/h4>\n
The currency used in Portugal is the Euro (EUR)<\/strong>. The current exchange rate is approximately 1 EUR to 1.10 USD. You can check the latest EUR exchange rate on Google<\/a>.<\/p>\n
While traveling, our number one tip is to use a free Charles Schwab Debit Card<\/a> which gives unlimited worldwide ATM Fee Refunds and the true exchange rate.<\/p>\n
Best Tours In Lisbon<\/h4>\n
Some of the best tours and things to do in Lisbon are:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Best of Lisbon Walk – Private 3-Hour Tour<\/a><\/li>\n
- Historic Lisbon 25-Minute Helicopter Flight<\/a><\/li>\n
- Lisbon Private Food Tour<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Where To Stay In Lisbon<\/h4>\n
We recommend booking your hotels on Booking.com<\/a> to get the best rate and many hotels offer free cancellation in case your plans change.<\/p>\n
We recommend staying in the Baixa\/Chiado<\/a> or Bairro Alto<\/a> neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
Some of our favorite hotels in Lisbon are:<\/p>\n
- \n
- LX Boutique Hotel<\/a>: Located in the best location in the city overlooking the river and luxurious rooms.<\/li>\n
- TURIM Boulevard Hotel<\/a>: Very nice hotel with on site restaurant in a great location.<\/li>\n
- EPIC SANA Lisboa Hotel<\/a>: Upscale hotel with a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the city.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
AirBnB is also a great option in Lisbon and you can save $55 using our link to sign up!<\/p>\n
Best Time To Visit Portugal<\/h4>\n
The best time to visit Portugal is during the dry season between April and October<\/strong>. July and August can be very crowded, so we prefer the shoulder months of April, May, September, and October.<\/p>\n
Best Books About Portugal<\/h4>\n
Read more about Portugal before you go! Some of the best books about Portugal<\/strong> are:<\/p>\n
- \n
- DK Eyewitness Lisbon (Travel Guide)<\/a><\/li>\n
- Lonely Planet Portugal<\/a><\/li>\n
- Night Train to Lisbon<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What Power Adapters Do You Need<\/h4>\n
Portugal uses standard 2 prong Type C<\/a> and Type F adapters<\/a> also commonly used throughout Europe.<\/p>\n
You can buy a universal adapter<\/a> that will work in any country and has extra ports for USB cables to charge your phone and other devices.<\/p>\n
We also always travel with a portable battery pack<\/a> which is great to keep your phone charged on long journies.<\/p>\n
Transportation In Portugal<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Public Transportation: Portugal has extensive public transportation<\/strong> by both buses and trains. The trains are particularly good, but make sure to book your tickets in advance to get the best price.<\/li>\n
- Rental Cars<\/a>: If you want flexibility, we recommend renting a car<\/a> at the airport. This provides the easiest way to see certain landmarks.<\/li>\n
- Uber: Uber is sometimes available<\/strong> in Portugal, though it depends on the area (mostly in major cities like Lisbon and Porto). However, the rules are constantly changing about Uber in Portugal due to the strict permits that are required for drivers to offer rides. An a similar rideshare alternative is Bolt<\/a>, and you can use code BC222<\/a> for a free ride when you first sign up! Metered taxis are readily available is Portugal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Travel Insurance<\/h4>\n
Our top recommended travel insurance<\/strong> companies for Portugal are:<\/p>\n
- \n
- World Nomads<\/a>: Comprehensive coverage for medical, travel delays, and electronics.<\/li>\n
- SafetyWing<\/a>: Cheaper monthly coverage primarily for medical, starting at $37 for 4 weeks of coverage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For more information, read our article on why you need to book travel insurance<\/a> for your next trip!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"10](\"https:\/\/wearetravelgirls.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Quinta-Regaleira.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nI hope that this article has inspired you to visit Lisbon. If you have any questions about the destination please leave these in the comments below. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
To receive our articles and reviews straight to your inbox Subscribe Here<\/a>. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
\n - SafetyWing<\/a>: Cheaper monthly coverage primarily for medical, starting at $37 for 4 weeks of coverage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Rental Cars<\/a>: If you want flexibility, we recommend renting a car<\/a> at the airport. This provides the easiest way to see certain landmarks.<\/li>\n
- Lonely Planet Portugal<\/a><\/li>\n
- TURIM Boulevard Hotel<\/a>: Very nice hotel with on site restaurant in a great location.<\/li>\n
- Historic Lisbon 25-Minute Helicopter Flight<\/a><\/li>\n
- You and your girl gang can take a one-hour beer or sangria bike sightseeing tour<\/a> of the city. You will get to see the Tejo River, Torre de Belem, Monument of the Discoveries and 25 de Abril Bridge while enjoying your favorite alcoholic beverages.<\/li>\n
- Central Downtown Apartment<\/a> \u2013 With five bedrooms this downtown apartment is located in the historical neighborhood of Lisbon, called the Baixa. This apartment has enough space for up to 17 guests and is close enough to walk to the city’s main attractions.<\/li>\n
- Le Consulat<\/a> \u2013 This four-star boutique hotel has just 18 rooms, in a mixture of apartments, suites and double rooms. This hotel offers incredible views of the city along with bright and airy rooms.<\/li>\n