Lisbon is one of Europe's most historic capitals, offering a wealth of history, culture, entertainment and places to explore. It offers many things to see and do, no matter what your interests are. Here's an overview of things to do in Lisbon to assist expats who are relocating to the city.
Things to do in Lisbon alone
If you're on a solo trip and wish to get a hold of what Lisbon has to offer, then you should definitely check out some of the Portuguese capital's most popular street markets, selling local produce, homemade goods and other Portuguese specialty items, such as cheese, honey and olive oil. Plus, staples like Feira da Ladra are a great place to find good deals on second-hand goods and trinkets.
If you are more of the outdoorsy type, get yourself a good pair of walking shoes and go for a hike. The architecture within the city is beautiful, of course, but the nearby countryside is simply stunning. Take a train down to Setúbal and have a hike around the Serra da Arrábida, or up to Sintra and have a majestic trek up and down the hills of the medieval municipality. The latter is also home to the fairytale-ish Palácio da Pena, one of the most exquisite palaces in all of Europe.
Last, but certainly not least, you may simply pick up your favorite book and sit down at a cozy café for some well-deserved “me” time. Lisbon is famous for its coffee shops, so spending a couple of hours sipping coffee and having a “torrada” for breakfast is just the most quintessentially Portuguese thing ever!
Portuguese people love to go out for a cup of coffee and just hang out for hours on end (especially when the weather is cold and damp). Though you're certainly spoiled for choice in Lisbon since there are countless coffee shops everywhere, places like The Mill, Cotidiano, A Luz Ideal or Heim Café are great spots to hang with friends and family. On the other hand, if you want to take in the admittedly touristy pazzazz of Lisbon's classic “confeitarias”, visit Confeitaria Nacional, Pasteis de Belém, Pastelaria Versalhes or A Brasileira.
Things to do in Lisbon with friends
If you're traveling or hosting friends in the city and feel like heading out in the evening, nightlife lovers will be delighted to find many bars, pubs and nightclubs all around Lisbon. The most popular quarters in the Portuguese capital to go have a drink and listen to some music are Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré, with loads of places to choose from. Be that as it may, if you just want to hit one club and dance the night away, it's worth checking out Lux Frágil, Rive-Rouge, Lust in Rio or K Urban Beach. For the LGBTQ community, Trumps is the go-to place for a night out in Lisbon!
On the other hand, if you prefer to seize the day and live a more active lifestyle, you and your group can hit one of the many beaches located within 30 minutes to downtown. The biggest and most popular ones, such as Carcavelos, even offer the chance to engage in a surfing lesson or just rent the necessary equipment.
Things to do in Lisbon with your partner
Needless to say, a picturesque sunset cruise over the Tagus River sounds like a wonderful experience for couples in Lisbon. Locals say no other place in the world catches the sunlight quite like Lisbon, so this must be a great spectacle for anyone watching from the water level! However, if you want to keep things low-key, just grab a few snacks from the nearest grocery store and prepare an impromptu picnic at one of the city's many viewpoints, such as the Nossa Senhora do Monte Viewpoint, the São Pedro de Alcântara Viewpoint or the Graça Viewpoint.
As yet another alternative, there are also several pockets of fresh, verdant green all over the city. Among the many possible choices, Parque Urbano do Jamor is one of the biggest and greenest, featuring a canal and lake on which you can rent a kayak. For a nighttime activity, just grab your better half by the hand and take them to Alfama, one of Lisbon's most traditional quarters. This area is extremely popular for its Casas de Fado, small venues where visitors can have dinner while enjoying an authentic Fado performance.
Speaking of dinner, the city is brimming with restaurants that are just perfect for a date night, whether you want to try local food or keep it familiar with your favorite international cuisine. Alternatively, you may also book a lovely spa session for 2.
Dining in Lisbon
There is a huge range of dining options in Lisbon, from traditional food in tascas and bakeries to Michelin-starred, fine-dining restaurants run by famous chefs. Many restaurants are offering traditional Portuguese cuisine, which includes mostly salted cod, seasonal seafood, traditional stews, soups, local wines and lots of custard-based desserts. In addition to the everyday Portuguese options, Lisbon is an international city and offers cuisines from all over the world, especially Brazilian, Indian, Nepalese, Japanese, Chinese and Middle Eastern.
Special events and tourist attractions in Lisbon
Luckily, Lisbon is quite the bustling city, as there are always different events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals and special exhibits. Out of all the music festivals that take place in Lisbon every year, none is more popular than the world-famous Rock in Rio (every 2 years), although you are also welcome to check out its smaller (yet incredibly cool) counterparts, such as NOS Alive, Super Bock Super Rock, Sumol Summer Fest, Festival Evil Live (for metal heads) or MEO Kalorama.
Equally impressive are the Santo António festivities, which celebrate the city's patron saint every year in June. It's a juggernaut of a party, complete with impromptu bars and street marches, on what is considered to be the longest night of the year.
Be that as it may, and even on the rare instances when there isn't much going on in the city, Lisbon is still very much worth exploring for the typical “tourist experience”. Just take a walk, explore the backstreets, and hit all of the classics, such as the Belém Tower, the Jerónimos Monastery or the São Jorge Castle.
Activities with kids in Lisbon
It is worth noticing that Lisbon is quite traditional when it comes to family, so there are plenty of kid-friendly activities.
The Lisbon Oceanarium is one such activity, attracting families from all over the world to one of the biggest aquariums in all of Europe. From sea to land, the Lisbon Zoo is also highly rated among the younger visitors. For something a bit more active, you can take your kids to one of the many beaches located 30 minutes away from the downtown area or go for a (literal) walk in the park at Park Eduardo VIII or Jardim da Estrela.
To combine keeping them busy with doing some sightseeing, ride one of Lisbon's historical trams and elevators or take the scenic Lisbon Cable Car over Parque das Nações, with great views of the Tagus River. Furthermore, and since Portugal is a nation that is absolutely obsessed with football, catching a local game at either Estádio da Luz or Estádio de Alvalade can also be a pretty cool thing to do with kids.
But what if it's rainy or particularly cold outside? Well, in that case, you can either take the kids to the theater (such as the National Theater of São Carlos, the Trindade Theater or the Tivoli BBVA or just snuggle up, buy a bag of popcorn and hit the movies at one of the city's many cinemas (mostly located inside shopping malls). As an alternative, you can also discover one of the city's many museums, such as MAAT, the Museum of Puppetry, the National Tile Museum or the Museum of Fado, as well as the fun interactive experiences at Lisboa Story Center and Quake.
Sports in Lisbon
Football is by far the most popular sport in Lisbon, with the overwhelming majority of locals supporting either Sporting CP or SL Benfica. Needless to say, matches usually attract big crowds, with people who didn't make it to the stadium gathering to watch the games in pubs, restaurants or cafés. Even if you don't feel like catching a game, fans can simply take a tour of the city's largest and most modern stadiums: Estádio de Alvalade and Estádio da Luz. Other popular sports in Lisbon include rugby, cycling, futsal (a 5vs5, indoor variation of football), basketball, tennis, handball and roller hockey. Lately, it has also become quite common to meet people who play either padel or pickleball on a regular basis.
Joining a sports club or team can be a great way to meet new people and to stay fit. There are many recreational teams throughout the city for children and adults of all levels, as well as mobile apps that help you find other players interested in joining a game of padel, tennis or football, such as AirCourts or Getfield.
Moreover, with many beaches within 30 minutes of Lisbon, surfing is another sport that some Portuguese natives are very passionate about. As mentioned above, most beaches like Carcavelos, Cascais and Estoril will have surfing boards for rent, and even surfing schools if you are new to the sport.
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