Lisbon District Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Palace of the Marquises featuring a house, heritage elements and a park

Lisbon District Travel Guide Video

See medieval castles while street musicians serenade you, learn about ancient nautical explorers and try the city’s signature seafood in the Portuguese capital.

Explore Lisbon and experience a rich cultural fabric characterised by medieval architecture, whitewashed houses and contemporary art. Bask in great weather year-round, socialise with relaxed locals and tour the best of this coastal city’s sights.

Wander through Lisbon’s historic Alfama district and find medieval plazas alongside ancient cathedrals. From cobblestone streets, admire the Castle of São Jorge, which is perched atop a hill outside Alfama. Near the castle, street guitarists serenade visitors. While passing bars and performers, listen out for the soulful melodies of the “fado” (fate), a moving style of music created in Lisbon.

Shop in high fashion boutiques surrounded by colourful, tiled houses in the Chiado neighbourhood. This stylish district has cafés and restaurants where you can try traditional dishes like bacalhau (salted cod). Being situated on the fertile Atlantic coast, Lisbon restaurants are known for their freshly caught and delicately flavoured seafood dishes. Sample catch-of-the-day specials like octopus, sea bass and sardines.

Try Lisbon’s signature cinnamon-topped pastry or grab an afternoon coffee at the world-famous Pastéis de Belem. Nearby, learn about the city’s Catholic history at the Jeronimos Monastery.

The country’s history is also preserved in a number of museums. Learn about the ancient Mediterranean civilisations while browsing a collection of over 6,000 Greek, Roman and Moorish relics at The Gulbenkian Museum. Admire contemporary culture exhibits at the Museum of Design and Fashion.

Discover Portugal’s exploratory naval history at the Maritime Museum, which displays boats and maps dating back to the 1800s. View maritime wildlife at the Lisbon Oceanarium. This colossal enclosure has one of the world’s largest collections of fish, birds, mammals and ocean critters, with a population approaching 8,000 animals.

When you need a break, the Botanic Garden provides a welcome green oasis to relax.

Central Lisbon is a short drive from its international airport, just a few minutes north of the city. Get around using the underground subway system, buses or aboveground trains.

Where to stay in Lisbon District

Lisbon showing château or palace, views and a city

Lisbon City Center

Avenida da Liberdade and Campo Pequeno Bullring are top sights in Lisbon City Center, and you should be sure to explore the popular shops. Hop aboard the metro at Campo Pequeno Station or Saldanha Station to see more sights in the area.

Lisbon City Center
Carmo Convent featuring heritage architecture

Lisbon Old Town

4/5(49 area reviews)

Lisbon Old Town is highly notable for its stunning river views, and you might want to visit top sights like Rossio Square and Avenida da Liberdade. See more of Lisbon by jumping on the metro at São Pedro de Alcântara Stop or Elevador da Glória Stop.

Lisbon Old Town
Santa Justa Elevator showing landscape views and a city

Baixa

4.5/5(90 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants interesting history and top sights from Rossio Square to Rua Augusta – discover Baixa, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Baixa
Alfama showing a sunset and a coastal town

Alfama

4.5/5(22 area reviews)

Alfama is a destination travellers like for its historical sites, and you might hop aboard the metro at Lg. Portas Sol Stop or R. Escolas Gerais Stop to explore sights like Portas do Sol Viewpoint.

Alfama
Chiado which includes views and a sunset as well as a couple

Chiado

Spend some time visiting places like Camões Square while getting to know Chiado, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Chiado Stop or Lg. Academia Nacional Belas AR Stop to see more of the area.

Chiado
Default Image

Bairro Alto

4.5/5(22 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the lively bars in Bairro Alto. Spend some time visiting top spots like Principe Real Square, and catch the metro at Elevador da Glória Stop or São Pedro de Alcântara Stop to see more of the area.

Bairro Alto
Holiday Inn Lisbon Continental, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Lisbon Continental, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
Rua Laura Alves 9, Lisbon
Fully refundable
The price is NZ$293 per night from 19 May to 20 May
NZ$293
per night
19 May - 20 May
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,062 reviews)
"The property is in a great location for walking to shopping or entertainment. They could provide better options for food in their restaurant. All food was served cold. I was looking for a microwave to heat it up."

Reviewed on 11 May 2024

Holiday Inn Lisbon Continental, an IHG Hotel
InterContinental Lisbon, an IHG Hotel
InterContinental Lisbon, an IHG Hotel
5 out of 5
Rua Castilho, 149, Lisbon
The price is NZ$382 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
NZ$382
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9/10 Wonderful! (996 reviews)
"Great staff helpful"

Reviewed on 8 May 2024

InterContinental Lisbon, an IHG Hotel
Corinthia Lisbon
Corinthia Lisbon
5 out of 5
Avenida Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, 105, Lisbon
The price is NZ$431 per night from 9 Jun to 10 Jun
NZ$431
per night
9 Jun - 10 Jun
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"allowed an early check-in, late check-out and upgraded my room"

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

Corinthia Lisbon
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Lisbon Serviced Apartments - Estrela
Lisbon Serviced Apartments - Estrela
4 out of 5
Rua de Buenos Aires, 8, Lisbon
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and cable TV channels. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (175 reviews)
"Clean and good sized apartment in a great, peaceful residential area. Close enough to walk most places with a decent selection of cafes and restaurants nearby, yet outside of the noise and constant foot traffic. Definitely recommend!"

Reviewed on 8 May 2024

Lisbon Serviced Apartments - Estrela
Altis Prime Hotel de Apartamentos
Altis Prime Hotel de Apartamentos
4 out of 5
Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca, 4, Lisbon
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (588 reviews)
"SIMON IN THE FRONT DESK AT OUR CHECKIN WAS VERY POLAIT, THE GIUYS IN THE BREAKFAST ALSO WAS HELPFUL."

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

Altis Prime Hotel de Apartamentos
Upon Lisbon Prime Residences
Upon Lisbon Prime Residences
4 out of 5
Rua Luciana Stegagno Picchio, 12, Lisbon, Lisbon
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (748 reviews)
"It’s a great place to stay."

Reviewed on 5 May 2024

Upon Lisbon Prime Residences
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Lisbon District

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
106
" "5 - Excellent 56.38297872340426%
4 - Good
73
" "4 - Good 38.829787234042556%
3 - Okay
8
" "3 - Okay 4.25531914893617%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.5319148936170213%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
31 Jan 2020

If you have the chance to do a walking tour you should - great way to get to know a place. Great little place to eat was Da Mae Vagabundo!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
8 Jan 2020

There are good parts and bad parts to this city. Graffiti everywhere would be my pet peeve. Many parts of old Inner city are deserted and have been allowed to run down. Such a shame for many of the beautiful but neglected buildings and communities

5/5 - Excellent

Thomas
6 Dec 2019

The most amazing part of Lisbon are the great historical sites and welcoming and friendly people. It’s a very safe place to be in.

4/5 - Good

Ross
23 Nov 2019

If you love old buildings, narrow streets and alley ways with small family-owned and operated businesses and restaurants this is a great place.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
17 Nov 2019

Leave PLENTY of time at Lisbon airport to get through security, it took us 1/1-12 hrs to get through, they closed the gate for the flight in front of us and although we were already checked in wouldn’t let us through. 300€ each for flight next day.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
27 Oct 2019

Intersting place, lots of history old and new, great food and culture.

Cities near Lisbon District