Lisbon, the capital and biggest city in Portugal
A city full of history but it’s also a city where you won’t get bored. It may be the second-oldest capital city in Europe after Athens, but it’s a place where history and modernity meet to create an innovative and exciting city.
If you make it to Lisbon, here’s what you can’t miss:
1) Visit the Estádio da Luz
Check out the Stadium of Light, the home of S.L. Benfica, the most supported Portuguese football club. It is one of the biggest stadiums in Europe with over 64,000 seats. You can visit the stadium and the museum as well where you will find Benfica’s 37 league trophies, 2 European Cups and much more.
The stadium and museum are both open from 10am to 6pm and you can visit them for just €17.50. There are also other prices if you just want to see just the stadium or the museum separately.
2) Go to the beach, obviously
You can’t go to Lisbon and not go to the beach. There’s plenty of options to choose from. Figueirinha beach, Ribeira do Cavalo beach, or Meco beach are just some of the stunning beaches you can visit in Lisbon. You can also go on boat tours, surf or just lay on the beach and enjoy your little piece of paradise.
3) Try the food and drinks on the rooftops
Any proper trip requires having great food and drinks and you can’t go wrong in Lisbon. With plenty of terraces and rooftops to see the stunning views of the city, you’ll find delicious food at any time of the day. Estrela da Bica, Fonte das Sete Bicas, Tasca Cardoso, Pateo 13, Bairro do Avillez are some hot spots to visit with affordable prices.
4) Popular Saints’ Festivals
The celebrations begin in June where people from every neighborhood take to the streets with parades and festivities. There’s plenty of street food, places to have a drink and dancing all night long. The main days are on June 12th and 13th for the Festas de Lisboa which is St. Anthony’s day.
5) Music festivals
Some of the best summer festivals in Europe are in Lisbon. You won’t want to miss NOS Alive and Super Bock Super Rock.
NOS Alive (July 6 - July 9)
Enjoy the music of artists like Phoebe Bridgers, The Strokes, HAIM, Stromae, Metallica, Florence + The Machine, Stormzy, and many more. This festival has merch booths, a food hall and plenty of spaces to chill. Not to mention the fact that it’s right by the beach and only 8 minutes from downtown Lisbon.
Super Bock Super Rock (July 14 - July 16)
A$AP Rocky, Flume, Metronomy, C. Tangana, Goldlink, Nathy Peluso,, Jamie XX, Boy Pablo, among others will be performing at this festival which has been around for more than 25 years. Live it up with friends as huge international and up-and-coming artists perform across the 4 stages of the event.
6) Visit Cascais and Sintra
Two of the most beautiful spots that you have to visit are Cascai and Sintra. There’s amazing beaches, shopping and tons of outdoor activities.
Cascais has a lot to offer. If you want a relaxed day you can have great drinks and then visit the MAAT, the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology. If you’re looking for something more intense, you can go surfing, biking, sailing, abseiling, or ziplining. You also can’t miss Boca Do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth) which is a scenic oceanfront cliff that’s really a sight to see. Guincho beach, besides making an appearance in a James Bond movie, is great for water sports or just taking in the sun.
Sintra has sites to see such as castles and palaces. The Palácio e Quinta da Regaleira and the Park and National Palace of Pena are two very unique spots known for their architecture and historical significance. You can also go hiking through the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park or visit different beaches like Ursa beach, Praia das Maçãs (Apple beach), or Adraga beach. Trying the queijadas, a local cheesecake, but not like what you’d expect is also a must if you visit Sintra.
7) Visit LX Factory
LX Factory is a creative space where you can find stores & and over 50 unique restaurants, cafes and bars. It also contains Ler Devagar, a two-story bookshop with a little cafe.
8) Go out at night
Going out for some drinks in Bairro Alto, the Upper District of Lisbon is obligatory. Walk through this neighborhood and you’ll find boho and chic spots with great DJs or live music.
If you and your friends want a place with good vibes and great drinks at affordable prices, these places might work for you:
Jäger Corner
Cheers Irish Pub
Tasca Mastai
Majong
Cave Rock Bar
Groove Bar
Nova Tertúlia Bar
Kitsch'n Bairro Alto
Bar Cubano
Eclipse Rock Bar
Maria Caxuxa
9) Take a trip through downtown
Take the yellow #28 tram and it’ll take you on a scenic route through all the neighborhoods in downtown Lisbon. Take the tram in the morning or later in the day to avoid all the crowds. Buying a ticket onboard can be complicated so buy a 24-hour ticket for €6.40 (includes metros, trams and buses) from any metro station to make the trip easier.
10) Visit Belém
Known for the 16th-century Tower of Belém, this area on the Tagus River can be seen in half a day. You can see the Monument of the Discoveries, visit the Jerónimos Monastery and try the pastries at the Pastéis de Belém bakery.
11) Go to concerts
If you can’t make it to the music festivals, there are some big concerts going on this summer in the capital of Lisbon. There’s shows for different music tastes. You can’t go wrong with Harry Styles, Guns N’ Roses, Dua Lipa, and Scorpions. Going to any one of these shows will be an incredible experience.
