Simply put, Lisbon, Portugal is a beautiful city, and there are many reasons why you should visit it. It is full of life and has that compelling attitude that attracts tourists. This is where the traditional naturally marries with the contemporary. You will never run out of things to do once you step on its grounds. Historical treasures abound like the Belem Tower. So does a vibrant nightlife where people stay awake until the wee hours. They just know how to have fun and you will to. With so much life and excitement to offer, tourists have so many choices when it comes being a visitor here. It has literally something for people of all ages. The activities that this city has to offer are so diverse. It is capable of attracting families, couples, business travelers, and solo tourists. For those who want to travel solo, here is our list of things to do alone in Lisbon, Portugal:
1. Explore Escadinhas da São Cristóvão - contributed by Tour Guide, Beatrice Sacco
Immerse yourself in the local narratives by exploring Escadinhas da São Cristóvão where you’ll encounter the fado graffiti in Mouraria. The protagonist of the artwork is Maria Severa, a prostitute and fado singer who had the opportunity for a better life but chose to remain true to herself, fado, and her roots.
Interestingly, the term “fado” may trace its origins to the Latin word “fatum,” conveying the concept of destiny. On a different note, “fado” embodies a myriad of meanings, such as melancholy, love, daily life, memory, loss, poetry, and community. It also serves as a representation of the underdog or the social outcast.
2. Explore Praça do Rossio - contributed by Tour Guide, Beatrice Sacco
Enjoy a sunny, beautiful day at Praça do Rossio, also known as Praça Dom Pedro IV, which is and has always been one of the main squares of Lisbon. It’s located in the heart of the city and serves as a significant meeting spot for both locals and tourists.
As you immerse yourself in the beauty of Baixa’s architecture, take in views of the historic Convento do Carmo, the renowned Elevador da Santa Justa, the neo-Manueline train station, Dona Maria II Theatre, and more. Unbeknownst to many, the area itself holds a long history as a 2,000-year-old Roman circus now adorned with the incredible undulating patterns of a calçada Portuguesa. Am I the only one to consider this some kind of magic?
3. Spend the golden hour on Elevador de Santa Justa - contributed by Tour Guide, Rita Jardim
The golden hour was invented for this city. Before Instagram filters, there was Lisbon on its own splendor. There’s no better place to witness this than from Elevador de Santa Justa, which will give your a magnificent view of the sunlight hitting the city’s rust-coloured rooftops.
Elevador de Santa Justa
Address: R. do Ouro, 1150-060 Lisboa, Portugal
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4. Take a ride on Elevador do Lavra - contributed by Tour Guide, Rita Jardim
Don’t miss out on a ride on Elevador do Lavra, which is the oldest and probably the least popular funicular in Lisbon. It’s hidden in one of the most traditional neighborhoods where real life still happens. The vessels are now covered in colorful graffiti that bring a modern touch to them.
Elevador do Lavra
Address: 1150-122 Lisbon, Portugal
Website: Elevador do Lavra
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 8:30pm; Sat - Sun: 9am - 7:55pm
Lisbon Tour Guide
Rita Jardim
Rita has been a tour guide in Portugal since 2015. She is a passionate storyteller and a history buff whose goal is to immerse curious travelers in the beautiful Portuguese tale. Rita creates customized tours, cultural experiences, and food adventures in Lisbon, Belém, Sintra, Évora, and lesser-explored corners of Portugal. If you're looking for a genuine and immersive experience beyond the typ... Read more
Tours by Rita
Lisbon Tour Guide
Beatrice Sacco
Hello! My name is Beatrice, I'm originally from Milan and I'm currently living in Lisbon. Travel, nature, music and art are among my passions. I'm curious and determined and I love meeting people from different countries. I moved to Portugal after finishing my studies in Art History. Now I'm putting into practice what I have learned by working as a tour guide. I love to share with people all th... Read more
Tours by Beatrice
Lisbon Tour Guide
Francisco
Hello!!! My name is Francisco, but my friends call me Chico, so, feel free to call me that! I was born, raised and live in Lisbon, but I am a well travelled person, as I work for almost 30 years in the Tourism Industry. I am a family man, father of 3 grown up boys, and my friends say I am a "Social Animal" as I easily make friends! I love sports ( especially soccer and rugby), walking the st... Read more
Tours by Francisco
Lisbon Tour Guide
Rui Alves
I offer tours and guide services in Portugal, from North to South, with professionalism and love representing the best hidden gems of our country.
Tours by Rui
Lisbon Tour Guide
Marta Côrte Real
I was born in Lisbon and I'm forever in love with it! After my family, guiding is my greatest passion: I love what I do! I have a 5 year degree called Touristic Information, specifically to work as a Tourist Guide, as well as the Certificate of Competence acquired through a qualifying examination, in order to be able to exercise this regulated profession. I own and manage a tour company licens... Read more
Tours by Marta
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5. Lisbon: 2.5-Hour Hills Tour by Electric Bike (from USD 36.87)
For two-and-a-half hours, you are going to have the time of your life taking in the best scenery Lisbon has to offer. This activity will take you to Graca, Mouraria, and Alfama. You bike through the Seven Hills of Lisbon as well. What sets this apart from the regular tour of the city is that you get the chance to see spots that are not usually visited. And you do it in an eco-friendly manner. You can make stops at different viewpoints and take in the scenery. It comes with bike and helmet rentals, necessary insurance, and a bottle of water. A storyteller/tour guide leads the way.
Lisbon: 2.5-Hour Hills Tour by Electric Bike
Duration: 2.5 hour
6. Pena Palace & Park Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket (from USD 21.69)
The Pena Palace sits atop the second highest peak in the Sintra Hills. And the long lines here make the wait even longer. By getting this entrance ticket, you get to skip the long lines and enjoy the features of the two wings. The first wing is the Manueline Monastery, and the second wing was built by King Ferdinand II. These two wings are connected by an architectural structure that looks like a castle. Watchtowers, drawbridges, and battlements are located on this edifice. The tour includes an entrance ticket to the Pena Palace and the park. Tickets can be booked online.
Sintra: Pena Palace and Park Entrance Ticket
7. Lisbon: Luz Stadium Tour and SL Benfica Museum Ticket (from USD 17.89)
If you are a football fan, you will certainly go gaga over what you will see during this tour. The stadium itself has hosted so many historic matches between the home team and most of Europe’s top football clubs. You get information about these games as you take the tour around the stadium. The SL Benfica Cosme Damiao Museum provides a deeper look into the history of the team. The whole place epitomizes the passion and love of football by the Portuguese. You get to walk through the field, locker rooms, and the press room. The team’s mascot awaits for a photo op during the tour.
Lisbon: Luz Stadium Tour and SL Benfica Museum Ticket
8. Lisbon: Two-Hour Sunset Cruise on the Tagus River (from USD 428.32)
This tour starts off from the Belem docks. For two hours you get a different perspective of what Lisbon has to offer. For some tourists, the two-hour sunset cruise brings you a little closer to some of the famous landmarks. The foremost of these is the 25 de Abril Bridge. The Basilica da Estrela becomes a sight to behold as well. The Cristo Rei welcomes you with his open arms. From the top of the revered Seven Hills stands Castle Sao Jorge. These are just a few of the sights you will see once you take a two-hour cruise on the Tagus River.
Lisbon: Private Sunset Cruise on the Tagus River with Drink
Duration: 2.0 hour
9. Best Live Fado Show in Lisbon: 'Fado in Chiado' Tickets (from USD 22.77)
Fado is the traditional folk song of Portugal. However, if you watch Fado in Chiado, you get to see two singers and two guitarists perform live. In addition, you get to witness the one thing that sets this performance apart from any other Fado performance. In this performance, you not only get serenaded through song, you also get to see some of Lisbon’s most famous landmarks through a backdrop film showing. The songs in this 50-minute performance is best described as cultural and nostalgic. All this is enhanced by the showing of the city’s sights. This has been declared as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Lisbon: 'Fado in Chiado' Live Show Tickets
Duration: 50.0 minute
10. Lisbon Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (from USD 26.02)
This is among the best ways to explore the city of Lisbon. Here you have four routes to choose from. Whatever route you choose, you will get to visit some of the city’s famed historical landmarks. Tickets are valid for one day or two days. The tour comes with audio guides that contain fourteen languages. All you need to do is identify where the starting points are and off you go. As the tour goes on, you can simply hop-on and off at the sites that interest you. This tour gives you full control of how many tourist spots you can visit.
Lisbon: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Duration: 1.0 to 3.0 day
11. Lisbon: Pub and VIP Club Crawl (from USD 21.47)
If you want to discover what the nightlife is like in Lisbon, sign up for the Pub and VIP Club Crawl. Imagine having fun and meeting new friends over the five-hour crawl. You also get the VIP treatment by skipping the long queues and cover charges at clubs while getting to down free drinks. The tour is led by two local guides and brings you inside three bars and a club. What do you get? Two welcome drinks to start the tour. Then in each establishment you visit you have a choice of bottomless beer, sangria, or a pair of long drinks. Drink up and enjoy.
Lisbon: Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry
Duration: 5.0 hour
12. Belém Tower Fast Track Entrance Ticket (from USD 8.67)
The Belem Tower is one of Portugal’s most iconic symbols. It is listed as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The tower is actually a fortress that was built in 1515 to defend Lisbon from any type of attack that passes through the Tagus River. The ticket aims to fast track your entrance to the structure and skip the long lines. It allows you to get to the top floor where you get the best view of the Belem District. You get information on what role the structure played as a passage to the city during its rich history.
Lisbon: Belém Tower Entry Ticket
13. Jerónimos Monastery: Fast-Track Ticket
Built during the sixteenth century, Jeronimos Monastery is full of history and charm. That is why thousands of tourists come to visit it every year. If you dread the long lines, here is your chance to skip them and have a better look at what it offers. Inside, you get to see the monuments of Luis de Camoes and Vasco da Gama. You will get information about how King Manuel I was motivated to build the church in honor of St. Jerome. This is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once inside, you get to realize that both the architecture and history play an important part in this magnificent work of art.
Lisbon: Jerónimos Monastery Entrance Ticket
14. National Palace of Sintra: Fast Track Ticket
Skip the long lines by availing a fast track ticket to see the famed National Palace of Sintra. You get to experience over a millennium’s worth of history within the walls of the revered structure. The palace was built in the eighth century and served as a castle for the Moors. Walk on the same floors as those the first king of Portugal stepped on. Those who are into architecture will stand in awe at how craftsmen back then were able to maximize the slopes of nature’s landscape with additional structures built on it. This is surely one work of art not to be missed.
National Palace of Sintra and Gardens Fast Track Ticket
Explore Lisbon on your own
Lisbon is a great place to explore on your own. These are the best things that you can do as a solo traveler.
History
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