Lisbon Bucket List: 15 Must-Try Things in Lisbon

Lisbon is one of those cities you will immediately fall in love with as you plan your trip to Lisbon.

That said, you need things to do, and after visiting Lisbon for years and living there for one year, I’ve made the ultimate Lisbon bucket list.

It’s a combination of things you just MUST experience and things I believe are unique and that you have to try.

So get your notepad ready because I’m sure you’ll love these.

Bucket List #1: Explore Baixa and Chiado

Baixa and Chiado are my two favorite areas in Lisbon. It’s the city center of Lisbon, and they have such a great diversity of stores, restaurants, and things to do.

You can experience monuments and attractions like the Santa Justa Lift and Carmo Convent, but also shop at Rua Augusta.

If you’re looking for an event, there is always something happening at Praça do Comércio, right at the Tagus River in Baixa.

My favorite pastel de nata place is also in Baixa. In Chiado, there are many stores and a mall: Armazens do Chiado.

Both places have a lot of great restaurants and are just incredible areas where something is always happening. Don’t miss trying some Portuguese wine at the local wine bars.

Tip: For more things to do in Baixa, check out my detailed travel guide.

Bucket List #2: Visit Alfama (Oldest District in Lisbon)

When I first moved to Lisbon in 2017, I stayed in an Airbnb in Alfama, a truly romantic area.

There are so many cute, small local cafes where you can get amazing orange juice and coffee.

Alfama is full of hidden gems you won’t find in typical guidebooks.

Alfama is known for its narrow streets, the famous São Jorge Castle, and Fado music.

I love to walk around in Lisbon, wherever it is, but in Alfama, the hills are super steep. So if you’re not up for walking these hills, take Tram 28 around Alfama.

Tram 28 is Lisbon’s most famous tram. It drives through the Alfama, Baixa, Estrela, and Graca districts.

Some of the main attractions in Alfama are:

• Miradouro Das Portas Do Sol
• Miradouro Das Santa Luzia
• Visit Fado Houses
• São Jorge Castle

Bucket List #3: Spend A Day in Belem

Belém is the best place to experience the rich history of Portugal, which has many attractions and monuments.

Belém is not for shopping but for understanding how Portugal has thrived through the years.

There are four things I strongly recommend you visit when you spend a day in Belém:

1. Jerónimos Monastery
2. Pastéis de Belem
3. Walk along the Belem Promenade
4. Belem Tower

Tip: I recommend you arrive early at Jerónimos Monastery to buy a ticket, and if you are visiting Belem Tower, buy a combined ticket. Both monuments are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Experience Jerónimos Monastery’s beauty and see the Vasco Da Gama and Santa Maria tombs. The Santa Maria de Belem church is part of Jerónimos Monastery, and it’s beautiful.

After that, walk to Belem Tower (learn more about Belem Tower here) and, optionally, the Age of Discovery Monument, both beautiful buildings that are also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lastly, you have to try the famous Pastéis de Belém, the iconic Portuguese egg custard tart, first made in the 18th century.

Tip: You can avoid the entire queue by going to the front and asking for a table. The long queue is for takeaway.

Lastly, end your day walking the Belém promenade along the Tagus River and find an amazing restaurant to get some dinner.

Bucket List #4: Eat a Pastel de Nata

You can’t visit Lisbon without trying a pastel de nata; it’s a must. I’ve tried so many places and can confidently say that you get the best pastel de nata at Manteigaria.

It’s soft in the middle, crunchy on the outside, and tastes wonderful. I just can’t get enough of this amazing pastry.

Other snacks you can try, which are very Portuguese, are:

• Pão com Chouriço (Chorizo bread)
• Bifana(Pork sandwich)
• Pastel de bacalhau(Fried codfish)
• Croquettes (Some great ones at Time Out Market)
• Bolas de Berlim

Lastly, remember to try an authentic Portuguese meal. My favorite Portuguese restaurant is Pica-Pau in Principe Real, but there are so many great ones.

Bucket List #5: Experience Lisbon’s Viewpoints

Lisbon is known to have seven hills, which equals seven viewpoints, and they’re all stunning, but that’s not all.

There are so many viewpoints around Lisbon that are not officially part of the seven hills, and you won’t regret going there.

I’ve seen so many beautiful sights of the city from these viewpoints, and if you’re lucky, you can catch the sunset from these viewpoints.

I recommend some of the following places:

• São Jorge Castle
• Miradouro De Santa Luzia
• Miradouro das Portas do Sol
• Miradouro da Graça

Bucket List #6: Visit Bairro Alto

Bairro Alto is the place to be during the evening and night if you like to get a late-night drink or experience the nightlife in Lisbon.

I’ve had my share of nights in this area, and it’s always been a blast. They have a wide variety of clubs and bars, and it’s so much fun.

During the day, you will find amazing restaurants in this area. I lived here for a little more than a month, and it’s a very lively area.

You can also ride the Bica Funicular in Bairro Alto, visit the São Roque Church, or take in the views from Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcantara.

Bucket List #7: Explore Electric minicars

If you’ve been to Lisbon, you’ve probably noticed all these small electric cars, three-wheel cars, or scooters in all sorts of colors driving around.

They’re yellow, green, and some even red. Some are electric, and others run on gas.

I tried the yellow with my partner, and I’ll have to be honest, it’s a bit scary if you drive off to Belém or drive on big roads in general because you feel so small next to the cars.

If you drive around in the center, it’s much more fun, but just remember it can’t reverse. So if you park behind a car on a hill, you’ll have to push your way out; it’s something to have in mind.

Bucket List #8: Day Trip To Sintra

You can go on many day trips from Lisbon, but the most famous is visiting Sintra. It’s 40-50 minutes by train, and then you’re in a magical part of Portugal with palaces like Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, and much more.

Sintra is known for its nature and palaces. I went there once with a friend, and even though it was raining a bit, it was still beautiful.

You can walk around in the huge forest and experience the castles and the beautiful gardens.

You can also head to Cascais, where you’ll find beautiful beaches. You can easily get here by train as well.

Bucket List #9: Eat at Time Out Market

I love eating at the Time Out Market in Cais do Sodré. It’s a massive food hall with 30+ restaurants, and the best part? You buy your food and sit in the middle of it all with everyone.

This means you and your companions can buy food at different restaurants and still eat together.

I love eating at Ground Burger, but Henrique Sá Pessoa serves the best bifana(pork sandwich) with truffle that I’ve ever had.

You can buy drinks at the restaurants or at one of the many bars in the middle, where you can get local beer, cocktails, and even port wine.

Bucket List #10: Drink Ginjinha

Ginjinha is a cherry liqueur that you can buy in many places in Lisbon, often places you wouldn’t even think about.

I love this drink; it’s sweet, and you can’t taste the alcohol. It’s served in a dark chocolate cup, and if you’re lucky, you get a refill, and then you eat the cup in the end. It’s incredible.

My favorite place to get it is at Praca do Comercio, on the corner at a little stand, but you can get it in many places.

Bucket List #11: Watch The Azulejo Tiles

As you walk around Lisbon, you’ll notice the beautiful tiles around the city, and you have to stop up once in a while to snatch a photo.

Sadly, people are stealing these tiles to try to sell them off, which is why they’re missing from a lot of buildings.

You can also visit the National Tile Museum. Here, you can learn where the blue and white ceramic tiles started and see them in all sorts of shapes.

Bucket List #12: Ride Tram 28

Tram 28 is the most famous tram in Lisbon because it takes you through the popular areas of Chiado, Baixa, Alfama, and more.

You don’t have to ride it; you can ride other trams, but you just have to try a tram.

There are the old romantic trams in Lisbon and the newer modern ones. The older trams don’t have as great accessibility as the new ones, but they’re incredible to try.

Bucket List #13: Pink Street

One of the most Instagrammable spots in Lisbon and a must on your bucket list is the famous Pink Street in Cais do Sodre.

It used to be the red light district but is now painted pink, and it looks stunning, especially when it’s freshly painted.

To take the best picture, visit the spot early before it gets busy.

On the street, you can also find bars and restaurants, as the lights really light up at night.

Bucket List #14: Coffee at A Brasileira

One of the most famous cafes in Lisbon is A Brasileira in Chiado. It’s one of the oldest cafes in Lisbon.

During the 19th century, the cafe sold Brazilian coffee, which was super rare back then.

Here you find a sculpture of Fernando Pessoa, a famous poet and writer, sitting outside the café.

There are many more amazing cafés in Lisbon if you’re up for an incredible cup of coffee.

Bucket List #15: Visit LxFactory in Alcantara

LxFactory is a little ride outside Lisbon to Alcantara, and it’s an old factory that’s turned into stores, restaurants, and co-working spaces.

You can explore it on a rainy or sunny day, as it combines indoor and outdoor space.

It has a hipster vibe, and the food here is amazing. It is definitely worth a visit.

The shops are super niche, and you can buy anything from handmade jewelry to art and home decor pieces.

Wrap-Up

Your Lisbon bucket list doesn’t have to include all these items, but I recommend most of them.

You can easily do a lot of these in one day, just as you can in Belém. On another day, you could explore the city center, have a coffee at A Brasileira, and enjoy the panoramic views from the viewpoints.

If you’re not sure which area to base yourself in, check out my guide to Lisbon’s neighborhoods to plan your route.

If you need help fitting it all in, check out my Lisbon itineraries for plans from 1 to 7 days.

Lisbon is not that big of a city, so you can really do a lot in a short period of time because you can easily walk between the places, and that’s just what I love about Lisbon.

One area I haven’t mentioned, which is my favorite area to stay in Lisbon, is Principe Real; you can add that to your list if you need something different, with great restaurants and small romantic stores.