What to do in Lisbon? Selection of activities!

If you are making the decision to come and live in Lisbon or are thinking about it, you probably need to be reassured about the activities offered by the city that will occupy your weekends. I have therefore decided to write this article which will be useful for future expats as well as for those who simply wish to come and visit Lisbon. Attention this list is only an extract and there are many other things to do in Lisbon, so I will update this page regularly according to my findings!

You will also find for some of the activities a selection of those that have been most appreciated by those who came before you. To prepare your holiday in Lisbon, just click on the activities you are interested in and book directly on the dedicated website. Booking is very simple, allowing you to plan your visit to the capital and my selection of course includes speakers who speak english.

You should know that there is the Lisboa Card in Lisbon. A card that will give you access to many discounts on entrance fees to monuments, public transport and even free entry to some of Lisbon’s sights. Discover the main discounts and all you need to know about the card by visiting the Lisboa Card page, or click on the card to order it directly online.

Click on the Lisboa Card to order it online

1. Take a Tuk Tuk tour in Lisbon

If you decide to move to Lisbon, this is not something you will do every weekend but you should do at least once in the capital. The prices are not given and there are many providers but you can read my article about Tuk Tuks in Lisbon to help you choose the right one and organize a nice and authentic Tuk Tuk tour.

It is the essential means of transport in Lisbon and will allow you to discover what you want thanks to personalised tours: discovering the city’s gastronomy, visiting Lisbon by night, visiting historical places, tasting the best wines, everything is possible!

Book by clicking below on the Tuk Tuk tour you are interested in

Tuk Tuks are usually led by locals for visits to Lisbon in English, French or Portuguese and by expatriate students for other languages. As the city has recently come under the world’s spotlight, you will have no trouble finding a Tuk Tuk driver who speaks english, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian or Chinese.

2. Spend a day in the Lisbon area

One thing is for sure: if you come to visit Lisbon for holidays and even if it’s only for 3 or 4 days, don’t limit yourself to the city but also open up to the surroundings. The Lisbon region is beautiful and offers exceptional buildings, places or landscapes. You will already find below on this page activities to discover the beaches of Arrabida or to say hello to the dolphins south of Lisbon. But you will also have the possibility to go to the West, along the Tagus and the ocean to visit Sintra, Cascais, Estoril or to the East to go to Evora or to the North to Fatima.

Many excursions are organised every day for Lisbon holidaymakers but beware of the traps. I have made here a selection of the best organized tours around Lisbon. Tours that have been enjoyed by hundreds of visitors before you and are among the Top of this specialized service. I have chosen guides who of course speak english and most of them will also introduce you to the typical gastronomy and wines of Portugal.

3. Discover the fado

Fado is a must in Portuguese culture. A typical music of the country that has become over time a real curiosity for tourists. Whether you like it or not, it is absolutely essential to experience it during your visit to Lisbon. This musical genre appeared around the years 1820 – 1840 in Portugal and has been evolving ever since. Today we know the Fado of Coimbra and the Fado of Lisbon, which is the one you will be able to discover in the capital. I am of course not an expert and will let you learn more from your Lisbon guide!

Having become a tourist activity of interest, you can find good guides as well as bad ones. That’s why you will find below a list of 4 evenings that have been enjoyed by visitors to Lisbon before you and that will allow you to discover Fado in the most charming way. Whether it’s an evening out, a meal or a visit on the fado trail with a private guide, this Portuguese musical genre will no longer hold any secrets for you the next day.

4. Take a bus tour in Lisbon

I’m usually not at all excited about these mass tourism activities such as visiting Lisbon by bus. It’s a nice thing to do but I find it lacks originality and authenticity. That was without counting on the Hippotrip, which goes off the beaten track and offers a bus tour of Lisbon that dusted off the ones I had seen. The Hippotrip is a yellow bus with a slightly military shape and has the particularity of going on the water.

The groups, generally younger than on the other tours, accompanied by background music, will thus be able to start their visit in the streets of Lisbon before boarding the Tagus to continue their tour. Yes, a bus that goes in the water and allows you not to miss any of the city’s most beautiful spots: admit it’s a rather original thing to do in Lisbon, isn’t it?

Book by clicking below on the bus tour of Lisbon you are interested in

You will have to count 25€ per adult and 15€ per senior citizen or for children from 2 to 13 years old to buy your tickets. The reservation of the stay can be done by phone or directly on the website. If there is a bus tour in Lisbon, this is the one!

5. Surfing around Lisbon

The Atlantic is not known to be the warmest water for swimming but I assure you, it can be done! You won’t find a beach in the centre of Lisbon but you can take the famous yellow train that runs along the Tagus River from Cais de Sodre between Lisbon and Cascais. It will take you to one of the many beaches around Carcavelos, Parede, Oeiras, Estoril, Cascais or Guincho. Miles of fine sand where you can easily take surfing lessons or simply rent equipment for other water activities such as Paddle, Kitesurfing or Windsurfing. Click here if you want to take a great surfing course in Ericeira.

Photo by Miguel ferreira

According to your surfing experience, I invite you to choose different beaches to practice or to book directly your surfing trip around Lisbon :

Book by clicking below on the surfing experience you are interested in

• For beginners, focus on the beaches between Lisbon and Cascais
• For the more experienced, head towards the beach of Guincho where there is often a lot of wind.
• For the experienced +, you can go surfing further north of Lisbon between Ericeira, Péniche or Nazaré.

The Ericeira area being 30 minutes from Lisbon by motorway and having the highest concentration of surf schools to learn or train in, it is the place where I advise you to go or settle if you are a surfing enthusiast. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you want to organize a surfing holiday in Lisbon: let me know your wishes and I will contact the locals to find you the best teachers and the best prices.

6. Visit Portinho da Arrábida

Whether you are in Lisbon for a week or for 5 years, a time will come when you will be looking to enjoy the most beautiful beaches in the region. You will naturally head for all the beaches between Cascais and the capital. This is not a bad choice in itself since the beach of Carcavelos for example is very close to Lisbon and above all large enough to welcome tourists as well as Portuguese people all summer long. For those who are more in search of authenticity than practicality, then I advise you to do one thing in Lisbon: rent a car and go spend the day in Portinho de Arrábida where you will find one of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

Book by clicking below on the tour of Arrabida you are interested in

It’s south of Lisbon that you’ll have to head south if you want to discover this little piece of paradise. Magnificent beaches between a turquoise blue sea on one side and the Serra da Arrábida Natural Park on the other: 10,521 hectares of greenery sheltering rare species, sublime caves and wonderful landscapes on the highest point at 500 metres.

All you need to spend a good day and refresh yourself on one of the many fine sandy beaches:

• Figueirinha Beach
• Galapos Beach
• Galapinhos Beach
• Creiro Beach

I advise you to rent a car for the day, the site being 40km from Lisbon. It is however accessible by Bus or Train + Shuttle for the brave ones. Since 2017, traffic is forbidden on the road between the beaches of Figueirinha and Creiro. You will therefore find car parks further away and can reach the beaches on foot, which only brings more charm to the place. You can also visit the Arrábida convent, built in the 16th century, in the natural park for 3€ (free for children under 6 years old).

7. Enjoying a sunset on the Tagus River

It’s the kind of thing to do that will make you say you’ve chosen to come and live or spend your holidays in the right city! Lisbon is fortunate enough to run along the Tagus River, which allows the locals to offer you romantic or family activities in the city’s setting. How about finishing the day on a boat, sailing along the Tagus, while enjoying a good glass of champagne and watching the sunset reflect on the water? This is something I did to celebrate my arrival in Lisbon and I highly recommend it, memorable memories guaranteed!

Book by clicking below on the Lisbon cruise you are interested in

It may seem expensive or complicated to set up, but there is a whole bunch of local, reliable and serious providers for a romantic, family or friends trip on the Tagus:

• Private boat to enjoy the sunset
• Two-hour cruise on the Tagus in a shared boat
• Group day cruise with seafood barbecue on the Tagus river
• Discover Lisbon with a night cruise
• Romantic dinner on a boat in Lisbon
• Day trip by boat to discover fishing in Lisbon

It all depends on your budget, your situation and your desires. Do not hesitate to contact me for a special request, I would be pleased to organize an unforgettable outing for you.

8. Cycling, scooter or segway in Lisbon

These are just 3 examples of the many means of transport you can use to visit Lisbon. As the city is made of top and bottom, you will have the possibility to rent electric bicycles. For those of you who are keen hikers, I still advise you to choose a walking tour with an english speaking guide. He will be able to take you to the good restaurants, to the top of the buildings to admire the view and of course in the inaccessible alleys. Moreover, being able to visit Lisbon by Segway is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that can be very nice with family, friends or for a company seminar.

Book by clicking below on the original Lisbon tour you are interested in

The scooter may also be an answer to what to do in Lisbon. It will allow you to travel around the city easily without getting tired. For those who prefer, you can of course rent an electric scooter, Portugal is known for its ecological efforts!

Some names and addresses below to rent a bike or scooter in Lisbon and ride around the capital (Segways are not free to rent but are offered with a tour of the city):

Alegria Ride

• Rua da Alegria 134 In Lisbon
• Open from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm
• Bicycle hire in Lisbon from 4€ per day
• Scooter rental in Lisbon between 23€ and 43€ per day (From 50cc to 400cc)
• Possibility to rent bikes and scooters to visit Lisbon by night, from 16€.

French Connexion LX

• Rua São Bernardo 34 In Lisbon
• Open from 8h to 19h
• Rental of 125cc or MP3 scooters
• Price for 125cc : 25€ per day and 160€ for 7 days
• Price for MP3 : 1 day 65€ / 2 days 125€ / 3 days 180€ / 4 days 230€ / 5 days 280€ / 6 days 330€ / 7 days 380€.

Scooter Solution

• Rua dos Fanqueiros 18-22 Lisbon
• Open from 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 6.30pm.
• 50cc scooter rental: classic scooter at 25€ per day and vintage scooter at 35€ per day
• 125cc scooter rental: classic scooter at 35€ per day and vintage scooter at 39€ per day
• T Max rental in Lisbon for 55€ per day
• Scooter rental prices are degressive from the second day on.
• Possibility to organize a guided tour of Lisbon from 35€.

LX Rent

• Campo das Cebolas 12 Lisbon
• Open from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm
• Rental of scooters or motorcycles
• 20€ to 60€ for 4 hours depending on the model
• 34€ to 80€ per day depending on the model
• Rentals that can go beyond 7 days
• Deposit request from 400€ to 1200€ depending on the model of scooter or motorbike rented.

Motoxplorers 

• Rua Francisco Lyon de Castro 14C Lisbon
• Open from 10am to 8pm from Monday to Friday.
• Rental of large motorcycles in Lisbon (BMW): from 800cc to 1200cc
• 105€ to 150€ per day depending on the model
• Decreasing prices per day of rental
• Rental of the motorcycle with 3 trunks and a helmet

9. See dolphins, whales and turtles off the coast of Lisbon

This is something to do in Lisbon and may surprise at first glance but yes, it is possible to observe dolphins, turtles and whales without going too far from the city by sea. An activity that I strongly recommend for several reasons:

• It is still proposed by locals
• You will be able to find english speaking tour guides.
• It’s a good way to see these unusual animals but also to see Lisbon from the sea.
• We are still far from mass outings with 50 people on a boat, which makes the activity even more authentic.

An outing that I highly recommend with friends or family, whether you are here on holiday or an expatriate. Below you will find some information about this type of trip and a selection of the most popular ones in Lisbon:

• The duration of the excursion is half a day or one day.
• Binoculars can be supplied to get a good view
• Outings can be made all year round
• The boats are for a maximum of 6 people
• Count about 60€ per person
• No exit for less than 2 people
• Free for children under 4 years old

10. Visit the south of Lisbon by Jeep

I find that all the outings around Lisbon are rather limited compared to those available in the Algarve, where it’s even a bit too much for my taste. So for those who are looking for a tour of Lisbon’s surroundings and landscapes that is a little different from the ordinary, I would recommend a trip south of the Portuguese capital by Jeep.

I detail one below but you can also click on one of the following Jeep or 4×4 activities according to your wishes and book directly with an english guide:

The Vasco guide takes you on board his 4×4 to discover nature, birds and landscapes along the coast. I can’t say if all the visits are the same or if your guide varies the pleasures from one client to another but you will certainly be able to go along the cliffs by taking diverted paths, taste good fresh fish in a typical Portuguese restaurant in Portinho da Arrábida, visit a factory of Azuleros (the famous Portuguese earthenware) or visit the Moscatel wine cellars.

Vasco is an excellent guide who will share with passion the Lisbon region he knows like the back of his hand. Of course he speaks perfect english in case you are wondering. Below you will find some additional practical information:

• Binoculars are provided during the excursion
• The price is 50€ per person (Excluding meals: restaurant or picnic according to your wishes).
• Reservation by e-mail info@feathers-and-scales.pt or by phone 00 351 915 158 399

11. Visit the Lisbon Botanical Gardens

If there is one thing not to be overlooked in Lisbon, it is the beauty of the parks and botanical gardens. The capital is full of beautiful zen spaces such as these public gardens, which you can freely visit and where you can relax on the surrounding benches. So that you don’t pass by if you are visiting or settling in Lisbon, you will find below the 2 most beautiful botanical gardens of the city to visit. There are many other things to discover but it’s hard not to know where to start. So I suggest you discover our tips and choose the Lisbon tour that suits you best!

The Estrela Garden that stretches behind the basilica of the same name is the nicest in the capital. English style, open-air sculptures, green budgies and magnificent trees offering different colour palettes according to the season: Ginkgo Biloba, fig trees, conifers, horse chestnuts or Kapok trees. This botanical garden is located near the Estrela Basilica, is open from 7am to midnight and can be reached by tramway 28. Allow about 1 hour to discover the natural treasures of the park.

The second botanical garden to plan in your visit to Lisbon is the Tropical Garden of Belem. It is one of the things to do in Lisbon, simply because it has the particularity of being dedicated to exotic species. You will also certainly appreciate the Italian architecture of this place built in the 18th century, in which there are several greenhouses to visit. In the summer there are many concerts but this garden can be visited all year round. Entrance is paying, count 2€ per person. It will also be necessary to allow an hour to visit the park, which is open from 10am to 5pm and accessible by tramway 15.

12. Take tramway 28 from Lisbon

Lisbon’s tramway 28 is not just a simple means of transport to get you from point A to point B. It is also and above all an atypical and authentic way to visit the most beautiful tourist areas of Lisbon. It is not for nothing that the activity is and will remain forever in the Top 10 things to do in Lisbon! Tramway 28 has been a city institution on the rails since 1930. Called the “Remodelado”, this historic tramway will probably be a highlight of your Lisbon vacation.

For your information, line 28 starts next to the Martin Moniz metro station and ends in the Estrela district. A ticket costs about 3€ for one way only. If you wish to return, you will need a new ticket for the tram. You won’t pay anything if you have the Lisboa Card (A paid pass for 24, 48 or 72 hours during which you will have free transport and discounts on activities in the city – The pass costs around 19€).

13. Drinking a drink with a panoramic view

Lisbon is a city known for its beauty and architecture. There are many ways to discover it, but for an overview, I suggest you stop for a drink on one of the many rooftops overlooking the capital. I recommend the one I know best, the Park. Designated as the most beautiful rooftop in the city by Tripadvisor, you can drink an aperitif there while admiring the landscape and listening to the DJ in the evening. The rooftop Park Bar is located at the top of a parking lot at Calcada do Combro 58, Lisbon 1200-115.  One more thing to do in Lisbon that will give you a great view of the April 25th bridge during a drink. If you are interested in the beautiful views of the capital, check out the article on the best views of Lisbon.

I haven’t been to the others, but the city is known to have a lot of great bars in high places. You will find below the list of the best rooftops in Lisbon according to the reviews on Tripadvisor (here) :

• Topo
• Sky Bar Lisboa
• Rio Maravilha
• Entretento Rooftop Bar
• Terace BA

14. Eating at Time Out Market

Even if you only come to visit Lisbon for 24 or 48 hours, you should definitely eat at least once at the Time Out Market. There is a large hangar with a contemporary coworking area upstairs and a local market on the ground floor as well as a large open dining room. Lisbon’s best restaurants have deployed miniature kitchens and offer you each at their stalls to taste their dishes. You will find about thirty stands spread out on the 4 sides of the hall and in the centre there are tables on which everyone can sit, without any reservation. A good way to see what you can eat in Lisbon.

The Lisbon Time Out Market or “Mercado Da Ribeira” is located in Cais de Sodre, 10 minutes from the shopping square and just in front of the train station, at 49 Avenida 24 de Julho. This place is very popular with the people of Lisbon and there may not be a place at rush hour around 1pm. You just have to wait a bit, I always manage to sit down!

One more thing to do in Lisbon to get a global view of the city’s gastronomy. You will be able to eat top-of-the-range meat and fish dishes, sushi, hamburgers, pizzas, Portuguese specialties like bifana, cold cuts, cheese, local wines and so on. It’s very good, I recommend it!

I think you will already have with this article an idea of answers to questions like what to do in Lisbon, top 10 things to do in Lisbon or what to do in Lisbon and whose answers provided by big sites like Tripadvisor may lack originality. This page will be regularly updated and a new one will be created to help you know what to see or visit in Lisbon. For more ideas, you can also visit our article on Lisbon districts.

For more information about the city, don’t hesitate to consult our news about Lisbon and Portugal!