21 must do’s in Lisbon | Portugal

Lisbon is a perfect getaway to enjoy the sun, sip a glass of wine and enjoy some Fado music. Here are my 21 must do’s in Lisbon.

Before you go

Lisboa Card

When I was in the Algarve, I didn’t use public transportation because my parents and I rented a car. Having the Lisboa Card in Lisbon gives you the advantage of using public transportation for free, skipping waiting lines, and getting discounts on some must see’s and do’s. You can visit the Torre De Belem, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Santa Justa Lift for free for example. You can buy your Lisboa Card here. Eva and I didn’t buy a Lisboa Card because we’re enjoying a student discount on almost everything already.

Fun Fact: A tram ticket costs €3 (€1.5 if you buy it at an office), a bus ticket costs €2 and a tram ticket in the Elevador da Glória costs €3.5.

Time change

It’s a time change in Portugal! For us, it was 1 hour earlier.

Lisbon ~ 1 day

1) Águas Livres Aqueduct

Start your Lisbon tour at the Aqueduct of Lisbon. This aqueduct is 60 km long, has 35 bows and has a height of 65 meters. People used to walk on the aqueduct but too many people committed suicide so it’s not allowed anymore. They closed the aqueduct in 1844.

Entrance fee: €2, €1 with Lisboa Card.

Fun Fact: Take the bus from here on to number 2 and from there on you don’t need transportation for the rest of your tour!

2) Jardim Botánico Lisbon

This botanical garden in Lisbon has tropical plants from America, Africa, and Asia and it also has a butterfly section. It’s like the Botanic Garden Meise in Belgium.

Entrance fee: €2

3) Reservatorio da Patriarcal

Ever wanted to visit underground water reservoirs and aqueducts? Then head on straight to Principe Real Square and take the stairs downstairs. Open on Saturday and Sunday.

4) Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara

This small garden is a perfect place to chill in Lisbon. It’s not the only one in this blog post but this one has a beautiful view over Castelo de São Jorge, the city and the Taag (river).

Warning: There is a giant fence to keep people from jumping. Try to find a spot where the bars are more opened to have a perfect photo.

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5) Elevador da Glória

Next to the Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara is the Elevador da Glória. This tram is on a 265-meter high hill with a steep slope of 20%! While hiking the slope (in my case), you can enjoy yourself some cool art.

Entrance fee: €3.5, free with Lisboa Card

Warning: This tram is usually active from 7 AM – 0 AM but it was inactive when we were in Lisbon. It was only active on Friday night and during the weekend.

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6) Praça dos Restauradores

When you’ve walked the steep slope downwards, you’ll end up at the Praça dos Restauradores. This square has an obelisk that commemorates the restoration war. From upon this square, you can see the front of the Rossio Station that has 2 horseshoes. Double luck!

Dinner Tip: Eat at the Resto Il Mulino Lisboa or Locanda Italiana Lisboa

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7) Praça Dom Pedro IV

When you pass the Rossio station, you’ll end up at the Praça Dom Pedro IV. This square used to be the center of Lisbon in the Middle Ages and was used to burn witches. On this square, you can find the beautiful Teatro Nacional Dona Maria II (1846) and the Igreja do Convent de Sao Domingos (1242). A church where royal weddings and funerals used to take place but also where witches were burnt at the stake.

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8) Santa Justa Elevator

This iron elevator was built in 1901 and has 2 entrances: the elevator and the stairs. The stairs are accessible by walking from the Praça Largo Do Carmo past the Museu Arqueológico.

Entrance fee: €5, free with the Lisboa Card, €1.5 if you’re with the stairs.

Fun Fact: A student of Eiffel built this elevator, the reason why it resembles the Eifel Tower.

Bar Tip: The rooftop bar next to the Santa Justa Platform has normal prices! €4 for a glass of wine.

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9) Convento Museu do Carmo

When you step out on top of the Santa Justa Elevator, you’ll pass the Convento Museu do Carmo. This church has no roof due to the earthquake of 1755. A real Instagram photo opportunity!

Entrance fee: €4, €3.50 student or discounted with Lisboa Card.

Fun fact: There lies a sarcophagus in this church, mummy included.

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10) Arco da Rua Augusta &
Praça do Comércio

The Praça do Comércio is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. Its second name is Terreiro do Paço. Walk from the Praça do Comércio to the Arco da Rua Augusta. The arc is 30m high and we went straight to the top for a beautiful view of Baixa. The square and arc were built to commemorate the earthquake and tsunami of 1755 that destroyed a part of the city.

Entrance fee: €3

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11) Casa dos bicos & Sé Patriarcal

Casa dos Bicos is a building that has stone pikes (in the form of a diamond) on the front of the building. The Sé Patriarcal church resembles a castle (and the Notre Dame) and was built to replace a mosque.

12) Castelo de São Jorge

Walk further (or hike further) and you’ll end up at the castle. If you say Lisbon, you say Castle de São Jorge (2th century before Christ). Many remains from the Greeks, Arabs, and Romans can be found. The castle we see today is a remnant of a Moorish castle.

Entrance fee: €8.5, €5 student, discount with Lisboa Card.

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Belém & Beach ~ 1 day

13) Torre de Belém

After taking tram 15 and a ride of 20 minutes, you’ll arrive at Belém. The tower of Belém used to be a watchtower to watch the ships sail into the harbor with all the gold they have found on their journey.

Entrance fee: €6, €3 student, free with Lisboa Card

Fun fact: This is UNESCO protected.

Warning: Only a certain amount of people are allowed in the tower. We were there at 10 AM and had no problem. When we left, there was a huge queue to enter the tower.

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14) Mosteiro dos Jerónimos Belém

This beautiful monastery was built in the Portuguese Manuelino style, a late Gothic style that can only be found in Portugal. That’s why it is UNESCO protected. I was stopped at the entrance because my shoulders were “naked”, so cover yourself if you want to see the interior.

Entrance fee: €10, free with Lisboa card.

Search Tip: Go find the grave of explorer Vasco de Gama.

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15) Padrão dos Descobrimentos

This monument commemorates the Portuguese Age of Exploration. You can definitely see Colombus at the front.

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16) Pasteis De Belém

Walk further to Pasteis De Belém, the best bakery to find Pasteis de Belém or Pasteis De Nata. They make the pastéis since 1837.

Tip: Just walk to the back of the bakery to find empty seats!

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17) Ponte 25 de Abril & Cristo Rei

This bridge resembles the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. These 2 bridges were built by the same company in 1966. Another duplicate of a monument: Cristo Rei. This monument resembles the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. This statue has a height of 28 meters but is nonetheless magnificent.

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18) Praia de Carcavelos

Take the train to Cascais and step out at the stop of Carcavelos. Beware, this beach has no trees so there is no shade!

Train Ticket Lisbon – Carcavelos: €4.10

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Sintra ~ 1 day (or more)

Sintra is a city worth visiting when in Lisbon. There are palaces and castles (and it’s all under UNESCO protection). Eva and I decided to visit the Castelo dos Mouros, Palacio de Nacional de Pena, and the Quinta da Regaleira.

Lis’bon Hostel

Eva and I stayed at the Lis’bon Hostel. This hostel is near the bus, tram, and train, and has its own rooftop where you can take the most beautiful photos! The only problem is that there are almost no restaurants in the neighborhood, so you’ll have to walk to Rossio Station where most restaurants are (yes even in the evening you’re not done hiking).

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So this was my Lisbon must do’s!
I hope it helps you on your trip!

Life of a Passion