This Lisbon bucket list is a compilation of all the must-see and must-do things in Lisbon. From monumental sites to essential bites, make sure you don’t miss out on these essential Lisbon activities.
Lisbon Bucket List
*This post contains affiliate links. Which means that if you purchase something after clicking on a link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Ride a Tuk Tuk through the City
If you’re looking for a fun way to get around Lisbon, hop on a tuk tuk. They range in size and price, but you can usually negotiate with the driver how much you’ll pay.
We took one from Rua Augusta to Belem, and were a little worried because we were prone to motion sickness. But, I’m happy to report we made it to Belem and felt just fine.
Check out the National Coach Museum
Av. da Índia 136, 1300-300 Lisboa, Portugal
The National Coach Museum is filled with all sorts of coaches ranging from sleek and simple to opulent masterpieces. Consisting of vehicles from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries you can see how coaches, carriages, berlins, and sedan chairs have changed throughout the years.
Hours of Operation
Tuesday through Sunday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Mondays: Closed
Closed: January 1st, May 1st, Easter Sunday, June 13th, 24th and 25th December.
Price
Coach Museum
Adults: €8 (~$8.80)
Children (under12 years old): free
First Sunday of every month: free
Free entrance with the Lisboa Card
Wander around Jerónimos Monastery
Praça do Império 1400-206 Lisboa, Portugal
If there’s one place that needs to be on your Lisbon bucket list, it’s the Jerónimos Monastery. Built to commemorate the return of Vasco da Gama from India, the monastery took over 100 years to complete. Majority of the building is constructed in Manueline style (Portuguese late Gothic), and is absolutely stunning.
Take in the beauty of the cloisters of the monastery, and check out the tombs of Vasco da Gama and Luís de Camões in the adjoining Church of Santa Maria.
Hours of Operation
October – April: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
May – September: 10:00 am to 6:30pm
Monday: closed, 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 May, 25 December.
Price
Church: free
Cloister:
Adult: €10 (~$11)
Free entrance with the Lisboa Card
Eat Egg Tarts from Pasteis de Belem
R. de Belém 84 92, 1300-085 Lisboa, Portugal
You can find pasteis de nata all over Lisbon, but the best, in my opinion, are the ones from Pasteis de Belem. They are perfectly warm with the right amount of sweetness, and the crust is deliciously flaky.
Pasteis de Belem is a short walk from Jerónimos Monastery, so you can pop by after visiting. There’s two lines to get in. One is for the cafe which offers a full menu of pastries, sandwiches, and beverages. The other is reserved for to-go orders of pasteis de nata. The to-go line gets long but moves quickly since there’s only one thing to order.
Time Out Market
Av. 24 de Julho 49, 1200-479 Lisboa, Portugal
If you’re a foodie, you’ll love the Time Out Market. This food hall has over 50 restaurants and bars featuring all sorts of cuisines. From donuts to sushi to traditional Portuguese cuisine, you certainly won’t leave hungry.
Hours of Operation
Sunday to Wednesday: 10.00 am – Midnight
Thursday to Saturday: 10.00 am – 02.00 am
Take a Day Trip to Sintra
If you’ve made it all the way to Lisbon, you can’t miss out on Sintra. Located west of Lisbon, Sintra is home to a bunch of beautiful castles and palaces.
We took a self-guided day trip to Sintra our last day in Lisbon, but if you’d rather have it all planned out for you there are plenty of organized tours offered as well.
Explore LX Factory
R. Rodrigues de Faria 103, 1300-501 Lisboa, Portugal
LX Factory is an art center in Lisbon with a variety of retailers and restaurants. With more than 50 shops, eateries, cafes, and bars there’s plenty to see and do in the center. They also host different events occasionally welcoming artists to showcase their works.
Visit Carmo Convent
Largo do Carmo 27, 1200-092 Lisboa, Portugal
Carmo Convent, or Convent of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is another popular tourist attraction in Lisbon. Now in ruins, the former Catholic convent serves as a small archaeological museum housing works such as the Roman “Sarcophagus of the Muses,” the tomb of King Ferdinand I, and some other oddities.
Learn About Portuguese Cuisine on a food tour
One of the most interesting ways to learn a city or county’s history is by taking a food tour. You’ll not only learn about monumental moments, but the historical implications of certain foods.
We took this food tour during our 3 days in Lisbon, and it was definitely the highlight of our time in the city. We tried a bunch of traditional foods and drinks, which we probably would have missed out on otherwise.
Take a Catamaran Tour
See some sites as you sail along the Tagus River on a catamaran cruise. They’re plenty of tours that operate throughout the day, but I recommend taking one near sunset.
Visit the Tower of Belém
Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal
Built in the 16th century, the Tower of Belém is known for being the point of disembarkation and embarkation for Portuguese explorers. However, the tower wasn’t just built to be a gateway to the city, it was also meant to defend the city from enemy ships.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most symbolic places in Lisbon, the Tower of Belém deserves a visit. You can either admire its beautiful architecture from the outside, or pay the admission fee to explore the different halls, chapel, and terrace.
Hours of Operation
October – April: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
May – September: 10:00 am to 6.30 pm
Closed: Mondays, 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 May and 25 December.
Price
Adults: €6 (~$6.60)
Over 65: €3 (~$3.31)
Children under 12: Free
Free entrance with the Lisboa Card
Snap Photos of the Rua Augusta Arch
R. Augusta 2, 1100-053 Lisboa, Portugal
Opened in 1873, the Rua Augusta Arch, or Arco da Rua Augusta, is one of the most iconic sites in Lisbon. It was built after the 1755 earthquake to celebrate the city’s reconstruction.
Hours of Operation
Everyday minus holidays: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
On Holidays (December 24 and 31 and January): 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cost
Adults: €3 (~$3.31)
Children under 6: Free
Free entrance with the Lisboa Card
Ride the Iconic Tram
You can’t visit Lisbon, and not take a ride on the tram! These yellow and white cars are a symbol of the city. Tram 28 is the most famous, but just beware of pickpockets!
Try Ginjinha
Ginjinha is a Portuguese liqueur made from ginja (sour cherries). The thick, red liqueur is served in a shot glass, and sometimes has a ginja berry in the bottom.
Rather than describe the taste to you, I implore you to visit A Ginjinha, a historic bar known for serving up Ginjinha.
A Ginjinha
Largo São Domingos 8, 1100-201 Lisboa, Portugal
Catch the Views from the Santa Justa Lift
R. do Ouro, 1150-060 Lisboa, Portugal
Towards the end of Rua de Santa, you’ll find the Santa Justa lift. Opened in 1902, the lift connects lower Baixa to Largo do Carmo. From the top of the lift, you’ll be able to catch a beautiful view of Lisbon.
The line for the lift gets long because only 25 people can fit inside the cabins. If you can, ride early in the morning (7:00am -9:30am) or after sunset, when the crowds die down.
Hours of Operation
May to October: 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
November to April: 7:00 am – 10:00 pm
Price
Elevator: € 5.30 (~$ 5.80) (return)
Viewpoint: € 1.50 (~$1.60) (elevator not included)
Free entrance with the Lisboa Card
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
Largo Santa Luzia, 1100-487 Lisboa, Portugal
Miradouro de Santa Luzia is a popular viewpoint that offers beautiful views of Lisbon and the Tagus River. The observation deck is next to the Church of Santa Luzia, and features a grapevine-framed pergola.
Enjoy the views of Alfama, Lisbon’s Old Town, and then make your way to this Lisbon bucket list location…
The Lisbon Bucket List
Castelo de S. Jorge
R. de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129 Lisboa, Portugal
While in the Miradouro de Santa Luzia area, you can also tick off another Lisbon bucket list location and visit Castelo de S. Jorge.
Castelo de S. Jorge, or São Jorge Castle, is an 11th-century Moorish castle and royal residence. The castle has eleven towers and a small museum and restaurant/bar. You can easily spend an entire morning exploring the grounds and having lunch at the onsite restaurant.
Hours of Operation
November – February: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
March – October: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Price
Adult: €10 (~$11)
Student: €5 (~$5.50)
Over 65 and disabled guests: €8.50 (~$9.40)
Children under 12: Free
See Christ the King
Av. do Cristo Rei, 2800-058 Almada, Portugal
Inspired by Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Sanctuary of Christ the King sits across the Tagus River in Almada overlooking Lisbon.
If you want to see the statue up close, you’ll need to take a ferry from Cais do Sodré ferry terminal and then take a bus from Cacilhas station. Alternatively, most of the catamaran tours along the Tagus River will sail past the monument for you to catch a glance.
Save this Lisbon Bucket List for later!
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Leave a Comment