Lisbon Bucket List: 15 Must-Try Things in Lisbon

Lisbon is one of those cities you will immediately fall in love with as you plan your trip to Lisbon.

That said, you need things to do, and after visiting Lisbon for years and living there for one year, I’ve made the ultimate Lisbon bucket list.

It’s a mix of things you just MUST experience and things I believe are unique and worth trying.

So get your notepad ready because I’m sure you’ll love these.

Bucket List #1: Explore Baixa and Chiado

Baixa and Chiado are my two favorite areas in Lisbon. They’re in Lisbon’s city center, and they offer a great mix of stores, restaurants, and things to do.

You can experience monuments and attractions like the Santa Justa Lift and Carmo Convent, but also shop on Rua Augusta.

If you’re looking for an event, there is always something happening at Praça do Comércio, right at the Tagus River in Baixa.

My favorite pastel de nata place is also in Baixa. In Chiado, there are many stores and a mall: Armazéns do Chiado.

Both places have lots of great restaurants and are incredible areas where something is always happening. Don’t miss trying some Portuguese wine at the local wine bars.

Tip: For more things to do in Baixa, check out my detailed travel guide.

Bucket List #2: Visit Alfama (Oldest District in Lisbon)

When I first moved to Lisbon in 2017, I stayed in an Airbnb in Alfama, a truly romantic area.

There are so many cute, small local cafes where you can get amazing orange juice and coffee.

Alfama is full of hidden gems you won’t find in typical guidebooks.

Alfama is known for its narrow streets, the famous São Jorge Castle, and Fado music.

I love to walk around Lisbon, wherever it is, but in Alfama, the hills are super steep. So if you’re not up for walking these hills, take Tram 28 around Alfama.

Tram 28 is Lisbon’s most famous tram. It drives through the Alfama, Baixa, Estrela, and Graça districts.

Some of the main attractions in Alfama are:

• Miradouro Das Portas Do Sol
• Miradouro de Santa Luzia
• Visit Fado Houses
• São Jorge Castle

Bucket List #3: Spend A Day in Belém

Belém is the best place to experience Portugal’s rich history, with many attractions and monuments.

Belém isn’t for shopping; it’s for understanding how Portugal has thrived through the years.

There are four things I strongly recommend you visit when you spend a day in Belém:

1. Jerónimos Monastery
2. Pastéis de Belém
3. Walk along the Belem Promenade
4. Belem Tower

Tip: I recommend you arrive early at Jerónimos Monastery to buy a ticket, and if you are visiting Belem Tower, buy a combined ticket. Both monuments are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Experience Jerónimos Monastery’s beauty and see the tombs of Vasco Da Gama and Santa Maria. The Santa Maria de Belem church is part of Jerónimos Monastery, and it’s beautiful.

After that, walk to Belém Tower (learn more about Belém Tower here) and, optionally, the Age of Discovery Monument, both beautiful buildings that are also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lastly, you have to try the famous Pastéis de Belém, the iconic Portuguese egg custard tart, first made in the 18th century.

Tip: You can avoid the entire queue by going to the front and asking for a table. The long queue is for takeaway.

Lastly, end your day by walking the Belém promenade along the Tagus River and finding an amazing restaurant for dinner.

Bucket List #4: Eat a Pastel de Nata

You can’t visit Lisbon without trying a pastel de nata; it’s a must. I’ve tried so many places and can confidently say that you get the best pastel de nata at Manteigaria.

It’s soft in the middle, crunchy on the outside, and tastes wonderful. I just can’t get enough of this amazing pastry.

Other snacks you can try, which are very Portuguese, are:

• Pão com Chouriço (Chorizo bread)
• Bifana(Pork sandwich)
• Pastel de bacalhau(Fried codfish)
• Croquettes (Some great ones at Time Out Market)
• Bolas de Berlim

Lastly, remember to try an authentic Portuguese meal. My favorite Portuguese restaurant is Pica-Pau in Principe Real, but there are so many great ones.

Bucket List #5: Experience Lisbon’s Viewpoints

Lisbon is known to have seven hills, which equals seven viewpoints, and they’re all stunning, but that’s not all.

There are so many viewpoints around Lisbon that are not officially part of the seven hills, and you won’t regret going there.

I’ve seen so many beautiful sights of the city from these viewpoints, and if you’re lucky, you can catch the sunset from these viewpoints.

I recommend some of the following places:

• São Jorge Castle
• Miradouro De Santa Luzia
• Miradouro das Portas do Sol
• Miradouro da Graça

Bucket List #6: Visit Bairro Alto

Bairro Alto is the place to be in the evening and at night if you want a late-night drink or to experience Lisbon’s nightlife.

I’ve had my share of nights in this area, and it’s always been a blast. They have a wide variety of clubs and bars, and it’s a lot of fun.

During the day, you will find amazing restaurants in this area. I lived here for a little more than a month, and it’s a very lively area.

You can also ride the Bica Funicular in Bairro Alto, visit the São Roque Church, or take in the views from Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.

Bucket List #7: Explore Electric minicars

If you’ve been to Lisbon, you’ve probably noticed all these small electric cars, three-wheel cars, or scooters in all sorts of colors driving around.

They’re yellow, green, and some even red. Some are electric, and others run on gas.

I tried the yellow one with my partner, and I’ll be honest: it’s a bit scary if you drive off to Belém or on big roads in general because you feel so small next to the cars.

If you drive around in the center, it’s much more fun, but just remember you can’t reverse. So if you park behind a car on a hill, you’ll have to push your way out; keep that in mind.

Bucket List #8: Day Trip To Sintra

You can take many day trips from Lisbon, but the most famous is visiting Sintra. It’s 40-50 minutes by train, and then you’re in a magical part of Portugal with palaces like Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, and much more.

Sintra is known for its nature and palaces. I went there once with a friend, and even though it was raining a bit, it was still beautiful.

You can walk around the huge forest and explore the castles and beautiful gardens.

You can also head to Cascais, where you’ll find beautiful beaches. You can also get there easily by train.

Bucket List #9: Eat at Time Out Market

I love eating at the Time Out Market in Cais do Sodré. It’s a massive food hall with 30+ restaurants, and the best part? You buy your food and sit in the middle of it all with everyone.

This means you and your companions can buy food at different restaurants and still eat together.

I love eating at Ground Burger, but Henrique Sá Pessoa serves the best bifana (pork sandwich) with truffle I’ve ever had.

You can buy drinks at the restaurants or at one of the many bars in the middle, where you can get local beer, cocktails, and even port wine.

Bucket List #10: Drink Ginjinha

Ginjinha is a cherry liqueur that you can buy in many places in Lisbon, often places you wouldn’t even think about.

I love this drink; it’s sweet, and you can’t taste the alcohol. It’s served in a dark chocolate cup, and if you’re lucky, you get a refill, and then you eat the cup in the end. It’s incredible.

My favorite place to get it is at Praça do Comercio, on the corner at a little stand, but you can get it in many places.

Bucket List #11: Watch The Azulejo Tiles

As you walk around Lisbon, you’ll notice the beautiful tiles around the city, and you have to stop up once in a while to snap a photo.

Sadly, people are stealing these tiles to try to sell them off, which is why they’re missing from a lot of buildings.

You can also visit the National Tile Museum. Here, you can learn where blue-and-white ceramic tiles started and see them in all sorts of shapes.

Bucket List #12: Ride Tram 28

Tram 28 is Lisbon’s most famous tram because it takes you through the popular areas of Chiado, Baixa, Alfama, and more.

You don’t have to ride it; you can take other trams, but you should try one.

Lisbon has old romantic trams and newer modern ones. The older trams aren’t as accessible as the newer ones, but they’re incredible to try.

Bucket List #13: Pink Street

One of the most Instagrammable spots in Lisbon and a must on your bucket list is the famous Pink Street in Cais do Sodre.

It used to be the red-light district but is now painted pink, and it looks stunning, especially when it’s freshly painted.

For the best photo, visit early before it gets busy.

On the street, you can also find bars and restaurants, as the lights really light up at night.

Bucket List #14: Coffee at A Brasileira

One of Lisbon’s most famous cafes is A Brasileira in Chiado. It’s one of Lisbon’s oldest cafes.

During the 19th century, the café sold Brazilian coffee, which was super rare back then.

Here you find a sculpture of Fernando Pessoa, a famous poet and writer, sitting outside the café.

There are many more amazing cafés in Lisbon if you’re up for an incredible cup of coffee.

Bucket List #15: Visit LxFactory in Alcantara

LxFactory is a little ride outside Lisbon to Alcantara, and it’s an old factory that’s turned into stores, restaurants, and co-working spaces.

You can explore it on a rainy or sunny day, as it combines indoor and outdoor space.

It has a hipster vibe, and the food here is amazing. It is definitely worth a visit.

The shops are super niche, and you can buy anything from handmade jewelry to art and home decor pieces.

Here are the best things to do in Lisbon in October 2026

I’ll send you a list of the best things to do in October and every month thereafter.

It’s based on my personal experience of living and traveling around Lisbon for years. I’m sharing many hidden gems.

Looking for weekly Lisbon tips? Check out my Lisbon Newsletter.

Wrap-Up

Your Lisbon bucket list doesn’t have to include all these items, but I recommend most of them.

You can easily do a lot of these in one day, just as you can in Belém. On another day, you could explore the city center, have a coffee at A Brasileira, and enjoy the panoramic views from the viewpoints.

If you’re not sure which area to base yourself in, check out my guide to Lisbon’s neighborhoods to plan your route.

If you need help fitting it all in, check out my Lisbon itineraries for plans from 1 to 7 days.

Lisbon is not that big of a city, so you can really do a lot in a short period of time because you can easily walk between the places, and that’s just what I love about Lisbon.

One area I haven’t mentioned, which is my favorite area to stay in Lisbon, is Principe Real; you can add that to your list if you need something different, with great restaurants and small romantic stores.

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