Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and its biggest city. Over the centuries, Lisbon, or in Portuguese Lisboa, has been called many names, "Alis Ubba" (calm bay) by the Phoenicians, Olissipo by the Greeks, Felicitas Julia by the Romans, "Ulixbuna" or "Ulixbona" by the Alans, the Vandals, the Suevi and the Visigoths, the village of Aschbouna, Al-Ushbuna or Al-Lishbuna by the Moors of North Africa and finally Lisboa by D. Afonso Henriques (the first king of Portugal) who expelled the Moors in 1147.
Nowadays, close to 4 million people call this part of the country their home, but Lisbon proper only has close to 500 thousand inhabitants, so it is the perfect place for a weekend break.
Lisbon is spread across seven hills, so expect a lot of steep streets generally paved with cobblestones; bring comfortable shoes, and perhaps your swimming suit as the ocean is not far away and you can always just get an Uber and go for a swim after a long day of sightseeing. Not many other European cities offer both a bustling capital and an amazing coastline a short uber ride away.
Lisbon will offer you a glimpse of Portugal's different regional cuisines and will serve as a good stepping stone as you delve deeper into Portugal's rich history.
So where to go if you only have 1 weekend in this beautiful city? Read on to find out.
Day 1
09:00 am - Visit The São Jorge Castle Early In The Morning
The São Jorge castle sits atop one of the seven hills of Lisbon's historic centre. The castle dates back to the 11th century, and it has had many incarnations. What many people don't know is that the structure you can visit nowadays was actually built at the beginning of the 20th century by the 'Estado Novo', the fascist dictatorship that ruled the country for the most part of the last century. The caste you see today used to look like the one depicted in this ancient painting of the city of Lisbon.
Due to the passage of time and the two massive earthquakes that struck Lisbon in 1530 and 1755, the castle needed some restoration work at the turn of the 20th century. This is exactly when Antonio De Oliveira Salazar (the fascist dictator at the time) decided to rebuild some of these castles as well as other similar structures across the country. The idea behind these restoration efforts was to glorify the fascist government and their achievements. In other words, they didn't care much about the original structures and changed much of the appearance of the old castle. In other words, the 'Castelo de S. Jorge' we now have is a mere 80 years old.
10:00 am - Wander The Streets Of Alfama
Alfama is one of the most quaint neighbourhoods in Lisbon. This part of the city has remained unchanged for centuries. Alfama was built by the Moors, which is easy to understand when you try to navigate its winding, twisting, steep and narrow cobbled streets and alleyways. Alfama is still home to many people, and although many tourists visit this part of the city, there are countless opportunities for you to witness what the day-to-day life of its inhabitants looks like. From the young city dwellers who leave early in the morning to get to work and stop at one of the many coffee places for a quick coffee and a pastry to the grandmothers who walk their grandchildren to school and, later on, hang their clothes to dry outside of their windows to some local characters without forgetting the Fado. Fado is a traditional type of melancholic Portuguese folk music that you can enjoy in many places but is best enjoyed in a 'tasquinha' (tavern) or fado house in this neighbourhood. When in Alfama, other than visiting the Fado museum and trying to spot some famous street art pieces scattered across the neighbourhood, don't forget that the Castelo de S. Jorge is also located within this neighbourhood, as well as the Se de Lisboa.
11:30 am - Brave A Steep Hill To Reach The Sé Cathedral
The Sé de Lisboa is a beloved landmark for the 'Lisboetas' (inhabitants of Lisbon). Constructed in the 12th century on the remains of a mosque by Portugal's first king, this church is one of the city's oldest structures. Remarkably, it has withstood several natural disasters, including the great earthquake of 1755. Over the centuries, the Cathedral has been renovated and rebuilt multiple times.
12 o'clock - Lunch In Baixa
In the Baixa de Lisboa area where you currently find yourself, after exploring Alfama, it's now time for lunch. There are plenty of options here; some are obviously too touristy, and you should stay away from these, especially the restaurants on Rua Augusta. I'll leave you with three of my favourite eateries in this part of the city:
A Licorista - for some superb food in a beautiful dining room;
João Do Grão - for very traditional codfish dishes;
Beira Gare - slightly more out of the way, but this is the cheapest and perhaps the most authentic eatery of the three. Order a bifana (grilled pork sandwich with spices and mustard) and eat it at the counter with the locals.
01:30 pm - Check The Views From Carmo Convent
Like so many historic buildings in Lisbon, the Carmo Convent was almost completely destroyed by the 1755 earthquake and ensuing tsunami. The Gothic convent's ruins shouldn't be missed as, apart from being located in the hip Chiado district, it was the largest church in Lisbon at the time of the earthquake. Where the main altar used to be located, now you have a small archaeological museum where you can appreciate some magnificent tombs, statues, pottery, and tiles.
02:30 pm - Be Amazed At Praça Do Comércio
Praça do Comércio, also known as Terreiro do Paço, is a vast square situated by the Tagus River. It was constructed following the devastating earthquake of 1755 that destroyed much of the city's historic architecture and levelled the downtown area. Surrounding the square, there are several good places to enjoy a meal or a beer. The avenues branching out from the square form the pedestrian shopping hub of Lisbon. Here, you'll find popular brands like Zara and H&M, along with a variety of traditional Portuguese shops offering everything from buttons to codfish. However, many of these have been replaced by souvenir shops, trendy restaurants, stylish hair salons, and international dining options. From Praça do Comércio, you can easily visit Casa dos Bicos, a historic house built in the early 16th century in the Alfama neighbourhood, noted for its unique spiked façade.
04:00 pm - Belém Tower
The Belém Tower is a UNESCO World Heritage site | © Fabiano Mesquita / Alamy Stock Photo
Belém Tower is another UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its role in protecting Portugal’s coast during the Age of Discoveries and later. Portraying a combination of Gothic and Manueline architecture like the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower attracts visitors for its appearance as well as its role in history. Admission Fee: €6
05:30 pm - Jerónimos Monastery
The Jéronimos Monastery dates to the 16th century | © Classic Image / Alamy Stock Photo
When King Manuel I wanted to shout about Portugal’s colonial triumphs in 1501, he gave the go-ahead to build this monastery in fanciful Manueline style. Now part of a Unesco World Heritage site, the monastery is a visual feast, with intricately wrought stonework, plaited arches and twisted turrets in the cloisters and the cross rib-vaulted church where navigator Vasco da Gama lies buried. To beat the crowds and get more insight into the monastery’s history, join the Belém Walking Tour.
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08:00 pm - Order A Cocktail At A Miradouro
In a city perched on seven hills, it's understandable that there are numerous viewpoints. Lisbon's viewpoints, known as 'Miradouros' in Portuguese, require quite a bit of walking on slippery cobblestones to reach (so wearing trainers is advisable). Miradouros are best appreciated either early in the morning for stunning snapshots of Lisbon or late in the afternoon for equally breathtaking views, this time with a cocktail in hand. Most Miradouros have kiosk cafes or restaurants nearby, or if not, one won't be too far away. My all-time favourite Miradouros are the beautiful Miradouro da Graça, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte and Miradouro de Santa Catarina.
09:30 pm - Call It A Day And Go To Sleep With Sharks At Lisbon Oceanarium
It's commonplace to hear that a country has the biggest this and the other or that this restaurant has the best pizza in the world, chocolate cake slice, etc. Some of these statements may be completely false on occasion, but one thing is right: Lisbon has one of the biggest indoor aquariums in Europe. Here, you'll find all sorts of species of aquatic creatures: penguins, sharks, seals, jellyfish, sunfish, stingrays, otters, etc. There's also the opportunity for you to 'sleep' with sharks if you so wish to do so (there's a special for this available on the Oceanarium's website).
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09:30 pm - Explore Marvila AT Night, The Trendiest Neighbourhood In Lisbon Right Now
Marvila wasn't always considered trendy. Just a few years ago, it was merely another neglected port district in Lisbon. However, as is common in many cities worldwide, such rundown areas offer lower rents and larger spaces with unique charm. When creative individuals begin to establish themselves in these areas, urban art thrives, leading to remarkable transformations.
Today, many people consider it one of the city's trendiest areas. Marvila is easily accessible via a short Uber ride from the city centre, or you can rent an all-electric moped or a scooter or take a bus (about 20 minutes from Terreiro do Paço). In Marvila, alongside some long-standing shops, formerly abandoned warehouses have been transformed into workspaces, offering artisanal beer, art galleries, art exhibitions, gigs, and even a restaurant called The Place That Doesn't Exist (the food here is quite good, featuring Portuguese classics and some international cuisine staples).
Day 2
09:00 am - Get The Tram Number 28
Getting tram no. 28 is probably the most famous tour in Lisbon, and it costs less than what you pay for a pack of chewing gum. Lisbon does have a metro system, but since there are so many hills, there are also plenty of trams that take you to most parts of the historic centre. Tram no. 28 crisscrosses the city, passing by many of old Lisbon’s top attractions. The tram usually departs from Martim Moniz to Campo de Ourique and vice-versa at 15-minute intervals. I'd strongly advise either getting to the tram stop early in the day or late in the afternoon to avoid queuing for too long (the first train departs at 5:40 on weekdays, 5:45 on Saturdays, and 6:45 on Sundays, and the last train departs at 21:15 on weekdays and 22:30 on weekends).
The Tram makes various stops along its route, but the ones you should focus on are
Graça - Graca Church & the amazing Miradoura Da Graca
Lg. Portas Sol - Alfama District's best viewpoint
Sé - Santo António Church & Castelo de São Jorge
Chiado (Metro) - Lisbon’s arts quarter, adjacent to the hip Bairro Alto
Calhariz (Bica) - There are some amazing restaurants and bars around here
Estrela (Basílica) - Estrela Park & Basilica da Estrela
Campo Ourique (Prazeres) - Indoor and outdoor market & Cemiterio dos Prazeres
01:00 pm - Try Some Of The Best Seafood In Lisbon At O Ramiro
Purists will argue Ramiro is now too famous or that you can't have proper seafood in Lisbon - nonsense. Ramiro is a seafood Portuguese restaurant ('Marisqueira' in Portuguese). These institutions also exist in one form or another in other countries, but just to be clear - you'll mainly eat seafood and drink either beer or white wine (maybe some Vinho Verde, which is spPortuguesarkling wine). One thing to bear in mind is that although seafood in Portugal is common, it's still somehow pricy (at least for Portuguese wallets). Ramiro became world-famous after Anthony Bourdain ('god rest his soul') decided to pay it a visit. Booking in advance is highly advisable, and so is ordering some gooseneck barnacles or 'percebes' in Portuguese (pictured above). Percebes also exist in other parts of the world, such as Spain, Ecuador, etc., but at least in Portugal, they are of excellent quality, and you won't have to rob a bank to have some.
02:30 pm - Go To The Beach At Praia de Carcavelos
Carcavelos is the nearest beach to Lisbon, easily accessible by taxi/Uber or public transport. Dominated by the São Julião da Barra Fort at one end, Carcavelos Beach is the largest sandy area on the Estoril coast, frequently hosting beach volleyball, football, and surf competitions. This beach features numerous excellent surf schools and camps where you can book lessons and rent surf equipment. Close to the beach, you'll find a variety of amenities, including restaurants, cocktail bars, and shops, so plan to spend your afternoon here.
09:00 pm - Go For Drinks And Food In Cais Do Sodre (Pink Street)
All good things must eventually conclude, and the same goes for a weekend in Lisbon. If you have the time and energy for one final activity, make it a meal or drink in one of Lisbon's trendiest nightlife spots, Cais do Sodre. This is where you'll discover the renowned pink street. Over the years, this area has been synonymous with one thing: FUN! Portugal’s Pink Street in Lisbon hosts some of the city's best bars, and nearby, you'll find numerous excellent dining options. Since this might be your last evening in one of Europe's finest cities, make it unforgettable by enjoying a royal dining experience!
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