Lisbon, Portugal: Where To Stay, Eat & Explore

Happy Sunday, everyone – and happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mamas out there! I had a great time with my mom this weekend checking out the Niagara-on-the-Lake In Bloom festival – the weather was beautiful and all the flower installations were so pretty. More to come on that, but for now, I’m (mentally) back in Europe with the newest instalment in my Portugal-Spain travel series: my guide to the beautiful city of Lisbon!

Filled with iconic sights, historic landmarks and stunning architecture, Portugal’s capital and largest city is an absolute must-visit. From breathtaking viewpoints and charming streets to riverside squares and delicious local cuisine, Lisbon is a city that rewards wandering. In this latest guide, I’m sharing some of my favourite spots and can’t-miss attractions, and I’m so excited to bring you along for the ride.

In This Post (Click the links to jump right to any section!)

Where We Stayed In Lisbon

As Portugal’s largest city and most popular tourist destination, Lisbon has a ton of hotels to choose from – but that also means they tend to run on the pricier side, especially if you want to stay in the city centre. We lucked out and ended up finding a place for €162 a night (approximately $260 CAD) and while it wasn’t a five-star resort by any means, The Editory Riverside fit the bill. This hotel is located right inside the Santa Apolónia train station, which made it super convenient – we hopped right off our evening train from Porto and checked right in. The décor leans heavily into the vintage train station theme and is very cute.

I’ll be honest: the only downside of this hotel is that the rooms are absolutely tiny. Especially coming from our last hotel in Porto, the spacious Renaissance Porto Lapa, which felt like a mansion in comparison! But The Editory was clean, affordable, and not too far from downtown. I’d rank it a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars for the price. For more hotel deals in Lisbon, check out Expedia – my go-to site for hotel bookings.

The Best Things To See & Do In Lisbon

Explore the ruins of the former Carmo Convent. One of the most unique and beautiful historic sites in Lisbon, this 14th century Gothic church was left roofless after a massive earthquake in 1755. Instead of rebuilding, the ruins were preserved, and the Carmo Archaeological Museum opened on-site in 1864. Tickets cost €7 and include access to both the ruins and the museum. A great place to learn about Lisbon’s history!

Tour the majestic Fronteira Palace. This hidden gem is a bit of a trek from the city centre, but it’s worth wandering off the beaten path for! The 17th century Baroque palace was built for the first Marquis of Fronteira, and it’s still in the family to this day – the 13th Marquis actually lives here! The unoccupied areas of the home are accessible via private tour, and the interiors are stunning (there’s no photos allowed inside the house, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.) The breathtaking gardens – where you can take as many photos as you want – are worth the visit alone! Tickets cost €17 for garden access with a palace tour, or €8 for the gardens only.

Enjoy drinks and live entertainment on the Insta-famous Pink Street. Instantly recognizable for its hot pink pavement and canopy of rainbow umbrellas, Rua Nova do Carvalho is one of the most colourful spots in Lisbon. The street itself is a short walk – only about 800 feet – but you’ll want to reserve a couple of hours to soak up the vibes from one of its many bar and restaurant patios. If you’re lucky, you’ll be treated to a live musical performance or drag show!

Take a day trip to the fairytale town of Sintra. This charming medieval town is only an hour from Lisbon by train, but it feels like stepping into an entirely different world – if not a different century! With majestic castles, lush forests and a beautifully preserved historic centre, this magical destination is a must on any Lisbon itinerary. Stay tuned for my full guide to the ultimate day trip in Sintra.

Marvel at the grandeur of the Jerónimos Monastery. Built in the 16th century, this breathtaking former monastery – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is renowned for its ornate Gothic architecture, intricate stonework and two-storey cloister. Unfortunately we didn’t have enough time for a proper visit, so we just admired it from the outside. Tickets are €18, and the monastery offers free admission for everyone on the first Sunday of every month.

Stroll along the Belém waterfront. Lisbon’s bustling Belém district is where you’ll find the Jerónimos Monastery, Monument to the Discoveries, Torre de Belém and other historic landmarks. Stroll along the picturesque Tagus River, shop at local market stalls, and relax at the Jardim da Praça do Império, a quaint city park built for the 1940 Portuguese World Exhibition. We were so excited to see the iconic Torre de Belém – but sadly we didn’t realize it was under construction. (Good news: they plan to reopen in June 2026!) After you walk up an appetite, stop into Pastéis de Belém – the originator of the custard tart – for a sweet treat (more on that below!)

Be inspired by the Monument to the Discoveries. Located along the Tagus River, this soaring 184-foot-tall monument is a stunning tribute to Portugal’s Age of Exploration. Built in 1940 for the Portuguese World Exhibition and rebuilt in 1960, the striking sculpture honours the maritime heroes – navigators, explorers, artists, scientists and missionaries – who contributed to Portugal’s maritime expansion in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Admire the architecture. From historic churches and majestic castles to its iconic pastel facades, Lisbon’s architecture is truly a sight to behold. In addition to the iconic buildings I mentioned earlier, one of my favourite architectural gems in Lisbon is the Elevador de Santa Justa. This 19th-century elevator is instantly recognizable for its Neo-Gothic architecture, intricate ironwork, and dramatic silhouette soaring above the city streets. While the elevator is typically open for tourists to ride, it’s currently closed for maintenance and safety reviews following the funicular accident last September. (We happened to be in Lisbon during the crash and had gone to see the funicular just the day before… so incredibly scary and tragic. I’m glad to hear they’re putting safety measures in place to prevent it from happening again.)

Snap postcard-worthy photos at Praça do Comércio. Lisbon’s most famous public square is built on the site of the former Ribeira Palace, which was destroyed in the same 1755 earthquake that took down the Carmo Convent. The square was part of a major city-wide reconstruction, and today it’s one of Lisbon’s most recognizable landmarks. Stroll down towards the water for beautiful views of the shoreline and 25 de Abril Bridge.

Shop for the prettiest ceramics. You’ll find no shortage of beautiful souvenirs in Lisbon – from cork purses to azulejo tiles to local artwork – but in my opinion, ceramics are some of the best treasures to bring home. From whimsical fruit and vegetable-shaped serving dishes to lucky roosters and hand-painted dishes adorned with intricate patterns, there’s truly something for every style. Ceramic shops can be found on nearly every street corner in downtown Lisbon, but one of my personal favourites is Arte Rústica, a family-run craft shop with a decades-long history.

Another place for a truly unique souvenir? Casa das Vellas Loreto, one of the oldest candle shops in the world – established in 1789!

Where To Eat In Lisbon

Carmo Rooftop – Located just a few steps away from the Carmo Convent ruins, this rooftop bar and restaurant has the prettiest views of Lisbon’s iconic pastel buildings. They serve casual favourites – salads, pizzas, burgers – and a wide assortment of tapas.

Casa do Alentejo – Unassuming from the outside, this hidden gem is housed in the former Alverca Palace, a 17th century noble residence. From its grand courtyard to its azulejo-tiled walls, every detail is absolutely breathtaking. We enjoyed girl dinner, Portugal-style: charcuterie with local cheeses, freshly baked bread and a bottle of wine. What else does one need?

Pastéis de Belém – This bustling bakery is the birthplace of the pastel de nata (custard tart) so obviously, they have to be the best! As a mere tourist, I’m not authorized to make that claim – but from my limited worldview, I will say that these were both mine and Tania’s favourite tarts from the trip. I also loved their orange roll! This place is busy – we arrived early in the morning and there were already lines out the door – but the staff are incredibly efficient and run the operation like a well-oiled machine. Between its legendary pastries, iconic history and chaotic yet charming vibe, it reminded me a lot of Café Du Monde in New Orleans.

Confeitaria Nacional – Founded in 1829, this is Lisbon’s oldest bakery still in operation, and once served as the official confectioner to the royal family. With its gilded details, coffered mirrored ceilings and grand staircase, the interior exudes old-world glamour. Naturally, they’re famous for their traditional Portuguese pastries and sweets, which certainly taste fit for royalty.

Fábrica da Nata – If you read my Porto guide, you already know that Fábrica da Nata makes some of my favourite custard tarts! Their commitment to traditional 19th century recipes and top-quality ingredients have made them one of the most popular bakeries in Portugal, and with three locations in Lisbon alone, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to taste-test. We loved looking through the open kitchen window and seeing the tart-making process in action.

Landeau – According to various food critics, this tiny chocolate shop has the best chocolate cake in the world – and who am I to argue with the experts? Like all the best desserts, the cake is deceptively simple – no fancy frostings or garnishes – just two layers of rich chocolate sponge and silky chocolate mousse, dusted with a generous helping of cocoa powder. I only like dark chocolate cake, and can confirm this one is truly incredible. The cake is very rich and decadent, so one slice is the perfect portion for two.

A Brasileira – This iconic storefront houses one of Lisbon’s oldest and most famous cafés. In the 1920s, it was a buzzing hotspot for artists, writers and intellectuals. Today, it’s just as lively – now filled with a mix of tourists and locals who come for its strong espresso and traditional pastries. Worth a visit for the glam interiors alone!

Pastelaria Versailles – This delightful Art Nouveau jewel box dates back to 1922. With its mirrored walls, drippy chandeliers and ornately detailed ceiling, it feels more like a museum than a bake shop. Pastelaria Versailles is conveniently located just a few minutes from Entrecampos Station, where we were catching the train to our next destination. We enjoyed a quick cappuccino at the counter, then grabbed a couple of pastries and marzipan fruits (my favourite) for the ride – they were so good!

Taverna do Marisco – Okay, I was slightly hesitant to include this restaurant on my list, only because the service was… questionable. (It did make for a funny story though!) I won’t go into details on that, but I will say I really enjoyed the Bacalhau à Brás I ordered here! This is a traditional Portuguese dish made from salted cod, onions and fried shredded potatoes – think of it like a cod hashbrown. Whether you order it here or at another restaurant, you should definitely add it to your Portugal must-eat list!

Still hungry? Check out Lisbon’s best food tours here!

Thanks for joining me on this virtual tour of Lisbon! If you have any questions about our trip, feel free to drop them in the comments or shoot me an email – I’m always happy to provide suggestions whenever I can. Next week, I’ll be talking about our incredible day trip from Lisbon to Sintra, and how we made the most out of just one day in this ethereal fairytale town.

Have a wonderful week ahead!

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