Things to Do in Lisbon

Series of hilltop viewpoints in the oldest neighbourhood, offering panoramic cityscapes. No tickets needed, just a good pair of shoes.

🕐 24/7

💡 Start at Miradouro das Portas do Sol for morning light, then walk up to Miradouro da Graça for sunset. Avoid the packed tram 28—walking is faster and free.

Lisbon's oldest neighbourhood, with narrow alleys, tile-covered buildings, and panoramic viewpoints. No entry fee to wander.

🕐 Always open

💡 Start at Miradouro das Portas do Sol just before sunset for golden light on the rooftops. Avoid the tram 28 route for quieter streets.

Lisbon's oldest quarter with narrow alleys, Fado houses, and panoramic viewpoints like Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.

🕐 Always open

💡 Start at the top (Graça) and walk downhill to avoid steep climbs. Best in early morning for fewer crowds.

A monumental 17th-century church-turned-pantheon in the Alfama district. Houses the tombs of Portuguese notables and has a wide dome visible from across the city.

🕐 Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–17:00 (closed Monday)

💡 Free on the first Sunday of every month. The dome isn't a true dome—climb the staircase to the roof terrace for a 360° view. No lift.

A plain Jesuit church exterior hides one of Europe's most ornate chapels, decorated with marble, gold, and precious stones. The chapel of St John the Baptist cost a fortune in 1740s Rio.

🕐 Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00, Sat 09:00-18:00, Sun 09:00-13:00

💡 Skip the paid museum upstairs unless you're keen on religious art. The church itself is free and the main attraction.

The old Moorish quarter of narrow alleys, steep staircases and washing lines. No map needed—just wander.

🕐 Always open

💡 Start at the cathedral and walk uphill towards the castle. The best views are free. Avoid trams 12 and 28 at peak times; locals hate the crowds.

The oldest neighbourhood of Lisbon: narrow alleys, laundry strung across streets, fado bars, and a Tuesday/Saturday flea market. The market runs from Campo de Santa Clara up the hill. Entry is free.

🕐 Market: Tue & Sat 09:00-18:00; streets open 24 hours

💡 Go Tuesday or Saturday early for the flea market. Bargaining is acceptable but keep it polite. The best way to explore Alfama is to get lost — avoid the main tourist drag by the cathedral.

Lisbon's biggest flea market, held in the Alfama district every Tuesday and Saturday. Spills down the Campo de Santa Clara square with stalls selling old tools, vinyl, coins, kitsch, and rusty bullfighting gear.

🕐 Tue & Sat 07:00-18:00

💡 Go early—before 10am—to see the dealers, who have the best stuff. Bring small euro notes. The cheap tourist rubbish is near the top; the good antiques are in the lower part near the church.

Lisbon's oldest flea market, held in Campo de Santa Clara. Browse for vintage tiles, rusty keys, old postcards, and second-hand junk with real character.

🕐 Tue and Sat 09:00-18:00

💡 Go early (9am) for the best finds, and haggle politely in Portuguese if you can. Cash only.

A wide, breezy viewpoint over the Tagus River and the 25 de Abril Bridge. Good for sunsets, and the grass slope fills with people drinking beer from the kiosk.

🕐 24 hours

💡 Get a super bock from the bar across the street—it's half the price of the kiosk. Bring a blanket as the pavement gets cold by night.

One of Lisbon's highest viewpoints, offering a panoramic sweep across the city from the hill of Graça. The terrace is tiled with traditional Portuguese patterns, and there are benches under an olive tree. It's busy but not as packed as Miradouro da S

🕐 Open 24 hours (free and public)

💡 Bring a small bottle of water and a snack – no cafes on the terrace. Come just before dusk to watch the city lights turn on. Weekday mornings are quietest.

A sunny terrace with bench seating and a kiosk bar. You get a wide view over the city and the castle.

🕐 Always open

💡 Go half an hour before sunset to find a spot on the wall. The kiosk does a cheap coffee.

A sun-drenched hilltop viewpoint with tiled benches and a kiosk cafe. Overlooks the castle and the Tagus river without the crowds of São Jorge.

🕐 Always open

💡 Go at sunset and grab a beer from the kiosk; locals sit on the low wall chatting. The view is better than São Pedro de Alcântara and half as busy.

A sunny viewpoint over the city and the Tagus River, with benches and a kiosk cafe. Watch the trams crawl up the hill.

🕐 Always open

💡 Arrive just before sunset for the best light without the crowds of Miradouro da Senhora do Monte nearby.

One of Lisbon's best viewpoints. Overlooks the old town, castle and river. Fewer tourists than the Senhora do Monte viewpoint nearby. Benches and a kiosk bar.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Go at sunset on a clear day. The trams 28 and 12 stop nearby, but the uphill walk from Alfama is manageable if you take it slow.

Large formal park sloping down from the marquês de pombal roundabout. Manicured hedges, geometric flower beds, and a glass-walled greenhouse. Fine view over the city from the top.

🕐 Open 24 hours, greenhouse 10:00-18:00

💡 The greenhouse has a small tropical garden and café — cheap coffee and a quiet spot. The park is breezy, so bring a jacket even in summer.

An 8-hectare botanical garden tucked behind the university. Palm trees, cycads, and a fern grotto. Quiet even in summer.

🕐 Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-20:00 (May-Sep)

💡 Free entry weekends. Bring a book for the bench under the giant rubber tree at the far end. Closed for lunch (1pm-2pm).

A 19th-century botanical garden near Príncipe Real with towering palms, a bamboo grove, and small greenhouses. Peaceful, well-kept, and rarely crowded.

🕐 Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–19:00 (closed Monday)

💡 Free on Sundays. Best mid-morning when it's quiet. Bring a book—there are wooden benches tucked away near the fountain. The cafe outside the gate does a decent espresso.

Viewpoint with a small garden, benches and a kiosk selling drinks. Overlooks Alfama and the castle, with far fewer tourists than Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.

🕐 24/7 public space

💡 Bring a picnic and sit on the wall steps; the kiosk sells coffees for under €1.

Tranquil botanical garden in Belém with exotic plants, peacocks, and shaded paths. Few tourists bother to find it.

🕐 Mon-Sat 10:00-17:00

💡 Best in late afternoon when the light filters through the palms. Bring a picnic—there are plenty of benches near the pond.