Lisbon is a lovely city; it’s pretty, affordable, and the people are incredibly friendly. That being said, it’s overall lack of energy and commotion (when compared to other Western European capitals: London, Paris, Madrid) make it difficult to write about. I do think most visitors to Lisbon enjoy their stay; however, there is a reason why Lisbon is one of the last European capitals people visit.

In the summer of 2015, I spent a week in Portugal, which included a road trip starting in Lisbon and the surrounding areas, including Sintra. Here are my favorite places I visited in and around the Portuguese capital.

Lisbon (August 2015)

City Sites

  •  São Jorge Castle
    • The best views in Lisbon can be found at the city’s main castle. A 20 minute walk from the center of town, this is a great place to start your day.
  • Santa Justa Lift
    • This is Lisbon’s most visited tourist site and as a result, the surrounding area can be a trap.
    • It’s an interesting old structure, but beyond a quick photo op, doesn’t worth an extensive visit.
  • Barrio Alto
    • This neighborhood sits on the hillside above the old city center, hence the name “Upper District” in English.
    • This part of Lisbon is by far the most active after dark. It has the best restaurants and the old cobblestone streets are packed with young partygoers until the early hours of the morning.
    • I recommend visiting this neighborhood for the food and the music. See below for more details.
  • Carmo Convent
    • This convent was destroyed by a 1755 earthquake, but the hollowed greyed ruins still stand out among Lisbon’s famous red rooftops.
    • I found this to be one of the most beautiful structures in Lisbon.
  • Praça do Comércio
    • Main plaza right on the waterfront. The surrounding buildings are beautiful but it’s often crowded.
    • Personally, it’s not worth an extensive visit and is the equivalent of San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf.
  • Belém Tower
    • One the way to Sintra, it’s worth a trip down to the water to see Belém Tower.
    • From here, you will have panoramic views of April the 25th Bridge and the Cristo Rei statue, which is inspired by Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer.

Belem Tower (August 2015)

  • Street Art
    • Along the many stairways connecting the old city center to Barrio Alto and São Jorge Castle you’ll find a number of colorful murals.
    • It’s worth taking a morning stroll along these stairways to see the many different pieces of street art.

Day Trips from Lisbon

  • Sintra
    • Spend as much time as you can in Sintra – it’s a magical place filled with forests, forts, and castles.
    • There are literally dozens of castles to explore, so bring your hiking boots and get and explore:
      • Pena National Palace
      • Castelo dos Mouros
      • Quinta Da Regaleira Estate
      • National Palace of Sintra
      • Azenhas do Mar
    • Personally, I recommend staying here for 2-3 days, rather than making Lisbon your home base. Lisbon is a beautiful city but I found it to be Europe’s sleepiest capital city. There was surprisingly little to do after dark (other than getting harassed by ‘drug’ dealers).

Pena National Palace (August 2015)

National Palace of Sintra (August 2015)

  • Cascais
    • To the west of Sintra lies the peaceful beach city of Cascais. Many Californians find Portugal to have  much in common with their home state — I sure did.
    • To me, Cascais is Portugal’s Cambria and Sintra is Protugal’s Hearst Castle.

Restaurant Recommendations

  • Artis Wine Bar
    • I asked the gentleman front desk at my hotel where he and his friends would grab drinks on a Friday night — he directed me to Artis, a place frequented by locals and tourists alike.
    • The food and wine were excellent and it was incredibly affordable. It’s a cozy and authentic Portuguese restaurant.
  • Sol e Pesca
    • This is one of the most unique restaurants I’ve visited. Built to resemble an old bait and tackle shop, this restaurant doesn’t have an oven or a stove — the entire menu comes from the canned seafood products stacked on the store’s shelves.
    • You can find a variety of seafood: anchovies, octopus, clams, mussels, crab, etc. For 5 Euros, they’ll serve one of these canned products with a small green salad, crackers, olive oil, and an ice cold beer. It’s the perfect afternoon snack.

Sol e Pesca (August 2015)

Entertainment Options

  • Fado Bars: Tasca Do Chico
    • Prior to visiting Lisbon, I had never heard of Fado. Given my love for Spanish guitar and Flamenco music, I thought it’d be worth a shot.
    • It’s exact origins are unknown, but some believe it can be tied to the old Moorish influence found throughout this region. To me, Fado is a more gentle and less vocal version of Flamenco.
  • Port/Wine Tasting: Enoteca Chafariz do Vinho
    • I stumbled upon this place while look for pre-dinner cocktails, and in hindsight, it was a lucky find.
    • Chafariz do Vinho is un-marked and easy to miss. It’s tucked into the old city wall in Barrio Alto and occupies an ancient cistern.
    • From 6-8pm they offer wine and port flights. It’s the perfect pre-dinner activity and will allow you to try a variety of Portugal’s best wines and port.
  • Oyster Tasting: Enretanto Rooftop Bar at Hotel do Chiado
    • The views from this rooftop are some of the best in Lisbon, with sweeping views of skyline and São Jorge Castle.
    • The view aside, this place would be worth visiting just for their oysters.