Best things to do in Lisbon

Best places to visit in Lisbon

Beginning at your base, one of our hotels in Lisbon, the NH Collection Lisboa Liberdade, let’s head south on Avenida da Liberdade and then turn right along Rua das Pretas until you reach Plaça da Alegria. It’s maybe worth getting that second morning coffee from the hotel ‘to go’ and enjoy it here. 

Continue south working your way between Jardim António Nobre and the Igreja de Sáo Roque (boasting a museum inside) until you reach the Museo Nacional de Arte Moderna. This wonderful building, originally a convent, is the place to get an understanding of Portuguese art. Naturalist, romance, modern and contemporary styles are depicted across both the permanent and temporary exhibitions, and your knowledge of the nation’s works is certain to grow.

We now proceed eastwards along Rua do Arsenal before you are welcomed by the Praça de Comércio. Once home to Lisbon’s royal palace (one of the many casualties of the 1755 earthquake), this grand square is built up on three sides with the other looking out over the Tagus estuary. 

The magnificent Arco da Rua Augusta is an impressive entrance, while other things to do in Lisbon are going to the central statue of King Jose I (who survived the natural disaster), the Cais das Colunas (marble stairs leading into the water) and the city’s oldest café, Martinho da Arcada, which dates back to 1782. The more modern beer museum also lies on the edge of the square, if that takes more of an interest. 

We head up through the great arch and passed the fashion and design museum to our next planned stop, Fundação Millennium BCP. An archaeological excavation in the early 1990s uncovered a number of structures of ancient civilizations, giving you a glimpse into around 25 centuries of the city’s history. You can really get a sense of traveling back in time.

Returning to the 21st century, another obligatory stop within this guide on what to do in Lisbon is to take a walk to Alfama. En route, along Rua Augusto Rosa and then Largo Sao Martinho, you have a number of churches and other fantastic buildings to keep your eyes occupied. This includes the Sé de Lisboa, a 12th century cathedral that you should certainly take a few moments to relish. You’ll also find various eateries and cafés to ensure your energy levels are topped up.

Once you reach the oldest and most traditional neighborhood in the capital you will realize that the walk there was worth it. Beautiful cobbled streets, delightful old houses, and views over the city and beyond that will take your breath away, Alfama has been transformed from a poor district to one famed for style and fashion. As with much of Lisbon, there are some literal ups and downs to the walk, but fortunately attractive squares are there for rest. 

Sitting just north of Alfama, another thing to do in Lisbon is to visit the Castelo de Sao Jorge. Wander around a site full of Lisbon’s early history: the watchtowers, ramparts, royal quarters, courtyards and gardens, much of which was restored in the first half of last century. The views from the castle are spectacular and try to locate the huge drawing showing the city before the devastating earthquake. 

From the castle we continue onto our final stop before returning to the hotel, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. One of the main reasons for climbing to this viewpoint, one of several miradouro's in this hilly city, is to look back on the castle that you were previously exploring. Take a well-deserved rest, and absorb the vista on offer. Also, see if you can take a quick ride on the old-fashioned tram, which helps on some of those steep climbs.

More about Lisbon

As you learn about the delights of this city, you will soon appreciate that there are a lot of plans within this guide on what to do in Lisbon to encourage several vacations to the city. 

Here are a couple of further options to discover more of the city. Portugal’s rich history and modern life is portrayed across its many museums, but three in particular get our recommendation. The Museo Nacional de Arte Antiga and the Museu Coleção Berardo give you the contrasting choice of wondrous old paintings and artifacts from Europe and Asia, or contemporary art in a minimalist setting respectively. Pick your preference or, better, check them both out. 

Another thing to do in Lisbon is visiting the Calouste Gulbenkian Museo, which lies just off Praça de Espanha in a lovely garden full of sculptures and a water feature. Promoting universal human values through art, science and education, this site boasts the largest collection of art from the last century. 

As you may know, fado music forms a key component of Portuguese culture and where better to get a full understanding than in the Museo do Fado. Visual and audio delights await you as the exhibition leads you through the history of this genre, one that has been dated back to the 1820s. The museum is situated in a neighborhood full of opportunities to listen to live performances after your knowledge upgrade. 

Ahead of his voyage to the Far East, Vasco da Gama – one of Lisbon great explorers – spent his final night in the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. This magnificent white-stoned monastery will enthrall you with its architecture alone, and the detail contained in the cloister, ceilings and altar just adds to the overall beauty.

Eating out in Lisbon

As a port city, you’ll not be surprised to learn that seafood takes a major focus of the dining scene in Lisbon, and bacalhau (cod) is one of the most versatile of dishes for local chefs. That said, global influences over the years have ensured that almost any taste is catered for. 

Best place to have breakfast 

Although you’re unlikely to make it out of our hotel at the start of the day without being lured in by the delicious aroma of coffee and fresh pastry, cafés are dotted around the streets of Lisbon in abundance. One of our favorites things to do in Lisbon is going to Maria Limão Brunch, Crepes e Limonadas, located on Rua da Verónica. As the name suggests, there are snacking options aplenty and the view over the Tagus just adds to the appeal. 

Enjoy the local food 

Spectacular seafood is coming your way at Taberna Anti-Dantas on Rua São José. Be sure to order the octopus. There’s a great vibe about this small tavern as the waiting staff rush around catering for everyone’s needs, and the chocolate shot glasses for a port-filled pudding go down an absolute treat. 

Best dinner restaurants 

Stepping away from all the seafood around you, Sala de Corte is the place to go when a good old piece of meat is desired. Award-winning chef Luís Gasper has a carefully chosen selection of cuts for you, and no matter what you go for you can be sure that it will arrive cooked to perfection. 

If you are really looking to impress somebody, you will not be disappointed after reserving a table at Loco. Contemporary in style, head chef Alexandre Silva’s team present you with a tasting menu that will provide joy for the eyes as well as the taste buds. The combinations surprise as much as delight with the serving manners just as inventive. Plates optional.

Nightlife Lisbon style

This city offers all the alternatives you could imagine, and we’ve got a few suggestions of things to do in Lisbon that may take your fancy as the sun sets and the nightlife welcomes you in. 

Lisbon’s streets come to life at night even more so than during the day, which is saying something, and the selection of tempting bars available can rival most European capitals. Wander through the alleyways of downtown Principe Real, Bairro Alto or Cais do Sodre and take your pick depending on the vibe you are looking for. Each area offers its own unique feel and rarely disappoints. 

For those ready to burn the candle at both ends, down by the river is where you’ll find some action, as well as the neighborhoods mentioned above. Look out over the water sipping cocktails from the rooftop bar of LuxFragil, or head underneath to their basement to dance away. 

We mentioned fado before so why not catch a show while you’re in town, and aim to do so like a local. O Povo is an excellent example of how the musical style should be performed but you’ll almost certainly pass by alternatives that can lure you in. 

Another live music treat for your team would be at the Teatro Nacional de Sao Carlos, where classical acts take over in the gorgeous setting. A pre-show glass of wine can be savored in the Wine bar do Castelo in Alfama. 

You will be leaving with many more memories than you came with about a stunning city, full of the vibrancy of its people and color. Our team at NH Collection Lisboa Liberdade are on hand to give you further pointers about things to do in Lisbon and they’ll not be surprised to see you come through our doors at sometime in the near future.

Author: Rafael Gomes

Guest Relations Supervisor of Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa Hotel

Olá! I am Rafael Gomes and I have the privilege of being the Guest Relations Supervisor of Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Lisboa Hotel. I have joined the company on December 2022, however I started as a receptionist 7 years ago and I soon realized the Hospitality business was the one I wanted to be in. I chose to venture into this position with the main goal of making our guests' stays memorable, being able to exceed their expectations and, consequently, making them loyal to our brand. It is fantastic to be able to welcome guests from all over the world on a daily basis and provide them with experiences that they will carry with them for a lifetime. I extend an invitation to all readers to visit us in the heart of Lisbon, in the city's most emblematic hotel.