Lisbon is one of those places where you can simply wander the streets and be entertained. Or at least that’s how I felt about it! But if the colorful architecture and tiled buildings aren’t enough, you’re still sure to be entertained by what to do in Lisbon.

Lisbon is a beautiful city of steep hills painted with colorful buildings contrasted with a wide river lined with bridges. It’s one of the oldest capital cities in Europe, only outdone by Athens, so it has plenty of history and culture. Add great food, warm weather, and friendly locals, and now you know why Lisbon — and Portugal as a whole — is so popular.

What to Do in Lisbon

Search out the best view of the city.

Everyone in Lisbon seemed to be talking about the best view of the city. Locals and tourists alike leaned in close, as if to tell us a secret, only to recommend somewhere in a half whisper, followed by “…it has the best view in the city.” As someone who lives in a high rise in downtown Chicago, I think my idea of a good view might be a little different, so I wasn’t inclined to search out a view.

But after a dozen people revealed their spot for the best view in the city, we finally decided to see what all the fuss was about. Some people suggested taking funiculars up steep hills to see the view or climbing atop The Rua Augusta Arch while others recommended The Elevator, also known as the the Santa Justa Lift, which is literally just an elevator.

Instead we found the best view at the São Jorge Castle, which overlooks the city, the Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge, the River Tagus, and — if I really squinted — the Christ the King statue. I admit it was rather beautiful. And while I can’t vouch whether or not the view was Lisbon’s best, it does bring me to my next point.

Have wine at the São Jorge Castle.

The São Jorge Castle sits above Lisbon on the highest hill in the city. It looks straight out of a fairytale and has been around, in some form, since the 1st century BC. (So it’s definitely what fairytales are made of!) The castle standing today dates from the 12th Century and is surrounded by a fortified wall and dried up moat.

Not much remains of the palace that was once there, or anything inside the castle for that matter. But it’s still fun to wander around the wall’s edges and, most importantly, admire the view. As the highest point in the city, the views of the city are superb. So grab some wine at the cafe (they’ll even give you glass glasses!) to sip on while enjoying the view. It’s the perfect way to pass the time on a sunny afternoon.

Grab a skip-the-line ticket online before you arrive or tour the São Jorge Castle as part of a full day tour of Lisbon.

People-watch at a plaza.

Once you’ve seen the city from above, dive into it by visiting one of Lisbon’s many plazas. Praça do Comércio is one of the most iconic, anchored by pastel-painted government buildings surrounding a statue of King José I. One side opens to the water while the other opens to the Rua Augusta Arch. Through the Rua Augusta Arch is the Baixa district, Lisbon’s version of the famously touristy street every city has lined with overpriced restaurants, menus with nothing but pictures, and excellent people-watching. As with most cities, it’s worth a stroll.

Plazas are scattered throughout Lisbon, usually surrounded by cute cafes with outdoor seating, some centered around a statue or monument. Public squares are one of the things I love about Europe and stopping for a bite or a pint is one of my favorite things to do while traveling. There’s always good people-watching and it’s a perfect excuse to take in the city and its energy.

Taste your way through Portugal at Time Out Market.

In case you haven’t heard, Portugal is packed with good food. And the capital, Lisbon, has more than its fair share of amazing restaurants and outstanding chefs. Knowing what to eat can be a doozy, so try out the city’s best chefs at the Time Out Market Lisbon.

The massive food hall is stocked with stalls from the city’s best chefs, most serving Portuguese food. Each stall offers a condensed menu but the portion sizes aren’t small, so choose wisely. (Or opt to share them, like we did.) Once you’ve done a lap for research, dive in and order away. And don’t forget to try a glass of Portuguese wine and to leave room for dessert!

If you really want to dive into Portuguese food, add a food tour to your what to do in Lisbon list. This half-day food tour of Lisbon combines some of Portugal’s most iconic dishes with history and sightseeing. Plus here are six Portuguese dishes you can’t miss.

Explore Lisbon’s neighborhoods.

Lisbon is a city of neighborhoods, each with their own history and character. It’s worth exploring as many as you can to truly see the city. The Alfama neighborhood is Lisbon’s oldest, home to São Jorge Castle, the Lisbon Cathedral (go see the rose window!), and the popular tourist attraction Tram 28. Spend an afternoon strolling through the cobblestone streets in between stops at the highlights. Near the water is the Baixa neighborhood, entirely rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. It’s packed with restaurants and squares, with plenty of tiled architecture to keep you entertained.

To the west is Belém, Lisbon’s museum district at the mouth of the River Tagus. It’s where Portuguese ships set sail off into the world in the 15th and 16th Centuries. Today it’s full of museums and monuments, with the most famous being Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, and Belém Palace. Plus the Padrão dos Descobrimentos monument celebrating the Portuguese Age of Discovery. And don’t forget Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém, famous for the Pastel de Nata pastries.

Experience more of Portugal with a day trip outside of Lisbon.

I’m a huge fan of day trips because they allow you to see more of a place, especially small cities and towns. Luckily, Lisbon is surrounded by fascinating places just a short distance away. The most popular is Sintra, where the iconic Pena Palace is. The colorful castle can be combined with a stop at the Quinta de Regaleira (that’s the 88-foot well you’ve seen pictures of on Pinterest). But don’t forget to actually stop in Sintra, a cute town with great restaurants. (This day trip took us to all three spots in just one day.)

Évora is another day trip-worthy destination, just 2 hours outside of Lisbon. The entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its Roman ruins, medieval wall surrounding the city, and historical old town. But you’ll want to go for the Chapel of Bones, decorated with 5,000 human remains, and the black pork. The nearby cork factory and wineries are just bonuses. (We took this tour to Évora, if you’re curious.)

The beach town of Cascais, the Arrabida wine region, even Porto are possible day trips from Lisbon! Viator has a whole list of Lisbon day trips here.

Eat Pastel de Nata pastries.

No matter what else is on your what to do in Lisbon list, don’t miss Pastel de Nata pastries! The mini egg custard desserts are famous in Portugal, and with good reason! Made with egg custard dusted with cinnamon in a puff pastry, they were created by monks in the 18th Century. The monks sold them until the monastery closed in 1834, so they sold the recipe to the Fábrica de Pastéis de Belém, who still makes the original recipe.

But even if you can’t have the original in Belém, they’re served all over Portugal with slight variations, which means they’re all worth trying!

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There’s plenty to do in Lisbon, so don’t skip on Portugal’s capital. We spent four days there, including two full day trips, and could have easily spent another day exploring the city. But that just means I’ll have to return to finish the rest of my what to do in Lisbon list!

Related :: A Day Trip to Évora from Lisbon, A Day Trip to Sintra from Lisbon, and What to Eat in Portugal 

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