What to do in Lisbon: an ideal destination
Famous for its cobbled streets and pastel colours, the Portuguese capital is a wonderful and accessible destination. We tell you what to do in Lisbon.
If you are wondering which is the ideal destination for your next trip with your family, partner or friends, we suggest one of the most charming cities in Europe. The capital of Portugal has countless attractions to visit and an atmosphere of joy and contagious cordiality. What to do in Lisbon and some essentials.
Things to do in Lisbon
During your visit you will be able to discover the excellent historical, artistic and cultural legacy of the city and enjoy the beauty of its magnificent natural landscapes, capable of leaving everyone who visits it breathless.
What to see in Lisbon
Lisbon conquers you upon arrival with its castles and palaces, its cobbled streets and why not, also with its modern life. With an average annual temperature of about 15 degrees, it invites you to visit it at any time of the year.
Its nightlife is very attractive as well as its little cafes, which positions it as one of the coolest cities in Europe.
We list the most important attractions and detail them below.
- The Park of Nations
- The Alfama neighborhood
- The Upper Quarter
- The Baixa
- The Lisbon Trams
- The Lisbon Oceanarium
- Carcavelos Beach
- The April 25th Bridge
- The Castle of Saint George
One of the most recommended visits is the Parque de las Naciones, site of the 1998 World Exposition. It is a very considerable cultural center, which has a modern and innovative architectural style.
In the Parque de las Naciones you can see the Museum of Science and Technology with its interactive installations, the Lisbon Oceanarium, which is one of the largest in the world, and the Church of Our Lady of the Navigators.
The Alfama neighborhood
Alfama is the oldest and most fascinating neighborhood in Lisbon. It is one of the most characteristic of the city and has an atmosphere of joy and incomparable cordiality.
You have to know that this neighborhood is quite elevated, which is why it offers considerable views over the rest of the city and some of its most valuable attractions, such as the Castle of São Jorge.
Finally, Alfama has numerous bars and restaurants where you can try the best of local food.
The Upper Quarter
Very close to the Alfama neighborhood is the famous Bairro Alto, which is one of the liveliest in Lisbon. This neighborhood was built at the end of the 16th century and is also known as Vila Nova dos Andrades.
The Bairro Alto is well known for the large number of shops, bars, cafes, restaurants and, above all, night spots where it is possible to listen to live music and enjoy the company of others. This area of the city is also perfect for attending a Portuguese fado show and getting to know the traditions of Lisbon and Portugal in general.
The Baixa
Afterwards, if you are wondering what to do in Lisbon, you should know that you cannot miss a visit to La Baixa, which is the most central neighborhood in the city. It is a very popular place, as it is characterized by many shops and entertainment.
In this neighborhood, which has a very suggestive classical architectural style, some of the most important places in Lisbon are located, such as Avenida de la Libertad and Praça do Comercio.
The street, in fact, is characterized by many charming 19th century buildings and the square is one of the most beautiful and emblematic of the city.
The Lisbon Trams
Lisbon's yellow trams are undoubtedly one of the symbols of this wonderful city and are one of the best ways to get around the capital of Portugal. It is worth knowing, in fact, that the trams of the six lines of the city have crossed Lisbon since the 20th century.
The 28 tram route is well known among tourists because it passes through all the most emblematic places in Lisbon, such as the Alfama district, the Bairro Alto, the Castle of São Jorge, the Baixa and much more. So, enjoy a tour of Lisbon's highlights by taking one of these trams.
The Lisbon Oceanarium
The city's Oceanarium is the second largest in Europe and is located in the Parque de las Naciones.
Particularly, this considerable marine biology museum is located in the dock, on the banks of the Tagus River, and has innumerable species of marine mammals, fish and birds.
The Oceanarium, in fact, is divided into four different zones, which correspond to the four habitats of the oceans: the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Antarctic and the Indian.
Carcavelos Beach
Between one visit and another, don't forget to also enjoy the beauty of nature in the Portuguese capital by stopping at one of its most famous and charming beaches, that is, Carcavelos Beach.
It is a very long beach, one kilometer long, located between Lisbon and Cascais, a wonderful town on the Portuguese coast. Carcavelos Beach has beautiful waters and is perfect for lovers of water sports, particularly surfing.
The April 25th Bridge
Another of the symbols of the city, which is worth visiting, is undoubtedly the 25 de Abril Suspension Bridge, which crosses the Tagus River estuary and stretches for almost 2 kilometers. This structure was made of steel and is characterized by the iconic reddish color.
The Castle of Saint George
The already mentioned Castle of São Jorge, which can be admired from the Alfama district, is undoubtedly another of the stages that you cannot miss in Lisbon.
It is a very large fortification, which has several towers and a moat and was probably built in the 1st century BC, although it is not very sure. However, it is known that the castle was the seat of the royal palace until the 16th century.
This castle, which is in an excellent state of preservation, dominates the hill on which it is located and therefore offers visitors the most stunning views of the entire city.
Attractions to visit around Lisbon
Also consider the most relevant attractions around the city. Among the essential visits are:
Cascais, a really beautiful little town,
Cabo da Roca, located at the westernmost point of Portugal.
Sintra, extremely fascinating villa.
View to some of the incredible beaches of Portugal.
#Lisbon #WhattodoinLisbon #CarcavelosBeach #beachesofPortugal #ThingstodoinLisbon #Travelguide #tourist