Urbanaut

by Srila Located in Principe Real, this bookstore has some of the most beautiful coffee table books, and a good mix of English and Portuguese books if you are looking to get a souvenir, or have some time to browse. The Portuguese love to read, however you can be hard pressed to find stores carrying titles in English. This is one of the few spots where you might find something that can keep you company on your travels.

Lisbon Cathedral

by Srila Located in one of Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhoods, is the oldest church in the city, referred to simply as ‘Se’. Built on the site of the Moorish main mosque, it’s reconstruction in 1147 resulted in a fortress-like facade serving as a stronghold against the Moors. It’s a must do in Lisbon for a first time visit and becomes a perfect starting point to explore the Alfama neighbourhood itself.

Embaixada

by Srila An 18th-century neo-Moorish palace that houses an attractive collection of pop-up boutiques and stores: featuring mainly independent Portuguese designers. You will find high quality design from fashion, jewelry, cosmetics to chic interior decor. The ground floor hosts a cool bar called the “Gin Lovers Bar & Restaurant”. The whole palace is atmospheric and is especially enjoyable for shoppers with a penchant for great design and discovering upcoming artists.

Baixa de Lisboa

by Ana Silva Downtown Lisbon, known as The Baixa or Baixa Pombalina was almost completely destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. Rebuilt under the rule of the Marquis of Pombal, it now stands as a beautiful example of a ‘planned’ city. A stroll through Lisbon’s commercial heart and historic centre with its straight and perpendicular streets, is highly recommended. Make a visit to Praca do Comercio and Praca do Rossio (Commerce Square and Rossio Square). If waiting in long lines like a true tourist is your thing, then check out Elevador Santa Justa - which takes you straight up from Baixa for great views. Lisbon’s vibrant central district is best experienced as an un-hurried walk-through to get a better sense of this incredible city.

Eduardo VII Park

by Ana Silva The Parque Eduardo VII is located north of the Marquis of Pombal square and the views from the top are absolutely amazing. Carry a blanket and some food and drink and spend some time there.

Avenida da Liberdade

by Ana Silva Avenida da Liberdade (Avenue of Liberty) is the sort of Regent Street or 5th Avenue of Lisbon. It’s famous for being one of the most expensive shopping streets in Lisbon. It starts at the Marquis of Pombal Square and ends at Restauradores Square (which marks the entrance to Baixa) - so if you have strong legs and a penchant for window (or real) shopping - take a walk down this famous street. There is art and beautiful tiled pavements to keep it interesting as you walk.

MAAT - Museum of Art, Architecture & Technology

by Ana Silva A grand, stunning building located on the banks of the River Tagus - visitors can walk over, under, and through the museum and the roof offers panoramic views. The structure offers shade while reflecting that magical Lisbon sunlight. The EDP Foundation campus comprises a repurposed power station — the Central Tejo, an iconic example of industrial architecture originally built in 1908 — and a newly built complex designed by the London-based architecture studio AL_A (Amanda Levete Architects). Both buildings house exhibitions and events programmed by the museum and are connected by a landscape project by Lebanese architect Vladimir Djurovic.

Parque das Nações

by Ana Silva Locally known as “Expo” because it was the site of the 1998 Lisbon Expo, this is a vibrant district. Green spaces and art link awesome buildings to each other and there are tons of trendy restaurants in the area.

Oceanário de Lisboa

by Ana Silva One of the best aquariums in the world, this is a great option for a family-friendly or kid-friendly outing.

LuxFrágil

by Ana Silva So this is the most famous club in Lisbon and also has great music (techno, electronica). It gets going around 2 or 3 am and stays open until 7 am so this one is for the nocturnal ones. However - they have been known to turn away people or charge obnoxious fees for no apparent reason so be warned! In that sense it’s a typical nightclub with difficult bouncers and long lines - so it can be hard for tourists. But it’s a great place to dance and really have an all-out night.

Praia do Creiro

by Urbanaut A stunning beach just an hour away from Lisbon in Setubal. It’s less complicated to just make the drive in a rental or your own car rather than try public transport. Cool waters (maybe too cold for some), beautiful sandy beach, kayaks, an area kind of separated for the swimmers - what more can one ask for?

Irmão

by Urbanaut Bali meets Burning Man in this ‘place of happiness’. Lounge beds, seasonal food, and a transcendent sense of community is what you’ll get at this gorgeous beachfront restaurant and bar. Located in the popular Costa da Caparica area - this is a great place to feel beautiful and be surrounded by beautiful people and ‘happy’ vibes

MARQUISE

by Urbanaut Concept store, cafe, bakery and overall design forward space - Marquise is also a cute place to work from, if you’re so inclined.

Belém Tower

by Urbanaut Built in 1515 as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisbon's harbor, the Belem Tower was the starting point for many of the voyages of discovery, and for the sailors it was the last sight of their homeland. It’s a pretty iconic symbol of Lisbon and Portugal. It's a monument to Portugal's Age of Discovery and UNESCO has listed it as a World Heritage monument. When in the Belém area - make sure to stop and admire this icon - although actually going inside might not be essential.

by Urbanaut A chic and trendy spot where the food, wine and events are all curated thoughtfully. It’s an experimental space and their events are worth going to.

Casa do Alentejo

by Urbanaut Chances are you’ve seen this very photogenic building on the ‘gram. This beautiful Moorish palace is worth a visit just to admire the architecture - but they also often host events and cultural happenings. There’s a restaurant and taberna in the courtyard as well for once you’re done admiring the palace.

Sintra

by Srila A day-trip to the charming resort town of Sintra is an absolute must do. Set high in the hills just a half-hour drive from Lisbon, this UNESCO World Heriage Site is lush and historic, with its own unique micro-climate. Home to hilltop palaces, beautiful estates, magnificent gardens, and a medieval castle, the town is rich in history. It is also steeped in myth and the occult, having served as a center for medieval religious orders like the Knights templar, whose symbols are strewn across the township. This will be a full day out, at the very least.

Miradouro da Senhora do Monte

by Srila If you are visiting the old city, the stunning viewpoint at Miradouro da Senhora do Monte is a must do. Located on the top of one of Lisbon's seven hills in an old churchyard and with gentle live music, it is the best place to start your very own walking tour through some of Lisbon's most charming and historic neighborhoods, and visit one viewpoint (miradouro) after the other.

Cavalos na Areia

by Urbanaut If you’ve dreamed of riding a horse on the beach, the Atlantic on your left and the wind in your hair - then you’ve come to the right place. A short drive from Lisbon brings you to Comporta beach, where you can spend an amazing day with horses. The route takes place along rice fields, crossing a pine forest and dunes before reaching this paradise of sand on the Atlantic coast where you’ll feel like you’re on a movie set - but it’s your life. Definitely worth a visit as a day trip - and for those who don’t want to ride horses, you can rent a cycle or kayak down the river to explore the beautiful countryside.

LxFactory

by Srila One of the coolest stops in Lisbon has to be LX Factory. Situated in a redeveloped 19th century industrial site is a modern art centre that houses restaurants, book stores, designers and artists and very interesting start-ups. It’s a great place to hang out, kid-friendly too with plenty to see and discover over the course of the day. Their graffiti-laden walls are glorious and will surprise you at every corner. There’s live music in the evenings and check their calendar for bigger bands/ artists over the year. Definitely explore their website before you head over.

Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

by Srila The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is a foundation that is invested in improving the quality of life through art, charity, science and education. It houses a collection of modern and contemporary art; an orchestra and a choir; an art library and archive; a scientific research institute; and a most magnificent landscaped garden, which surrounds all the Foundation buildings. Stroll among the trees, enjoy an open-air concert, or relax by the lake.

Miradouro de Santa Luzia

by Srila A romantic terrace by the church of Santa Luzia, with sweeping views over the houses of Alfama and the Tagus River.

Carmo Convent

by Ana Silva Completed by 1423, the Carmo Convent and its church were heavily influenced by the Gothic style of architecture - with its vaulted ceilings and arched windows. The structure was almost completely destroyed in the 1755 earthquake, so the ruins now stand testament to medieval building excellence.

Pensão Amor

by Ana Silva Lisbon locals hang out in two main areas at night before going out (much later!). These areas are Cais do Sodre and Bairro Alto. The bars in these neighborhoods start getting busy around 11pm. Pensao Amor is a great place in Cais do Sodre to hang out in the evening and even for a little warm-up dancing before you hit the club. I think you’ll like it. Think burlesque erotica meets raucous fun and you’ll get the vibe. They even have an erotic book library collection!

Jerónimos Monastery

by Urbanaut The former monastery of the Order of St. Jerome near the river Tagus in Belem. Along with the Tower of Belem, it was classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site and is worth a visit as it’s another iconic structure.

The SPA - Corinthia Lisbon

by Srila Tired from climbing all those hills, and walking from one historic site to the next and need to recharge? "The Spa" at the Corinthia Lisbon is the place to go to experience luxurious relaxation in the midst of a city holiday. With one of the largest hydrotherapy rooms in Europe and some of the best trained therapists in the world, this spa has ‘Me-time’ written all over it.

Castelo de S. Jorge

by Ana Silva A historical castle at the top of one of Lisbon’s 7 hills with brilliant views over the city. You can buy tickets online or get it on the spot (might need to wait just a bit) and explore the entire castle at leisure. It’s a must-do when you visit Lisbon and you can also try a guided tour if you are so inclined.

Pastéis de Belém

by Ana Silva The birthplace of Lisbon’s legendary custard tart - Pastel de Nata. You’ll find endless queues, long waits and a busy, buzzy space. Many locals think you get better Pastel de Nata in smaller establishments but this is a legendary , historical establishment. Go early to try and beat the queues, pair with a trip to the Jeronimos Monastery (which is where the custard was truly invented - by the nuns of the monastery who handed the tarts over to a nearby sugar shop - voila - Pasteis de Belem) and walk away the calories during the rest of the day.

Padrão dos Descobrimentos - Monument of the Discoveries

by Ana Silva Conceived in 1939 by Portuguese architect José Ângelo Cottinelli Telmo and sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida, The Monument of the Discoveries presents a romanticized view of Portuguese exploration. You’ll find some of the greatest explorers carved onto this monument. It’s situated on the northern banks of the Tagus river and close to the Belem Cultural Centre and Jeronimos Monastery.

Boca do Inferno

by Ana Silva When you travel to Cascais, make sure you check out Boca do Inferno. Maybe you’ve seen it on the internet and know the iconic structure - but these oceanfront cliffs with its natural archway and crazy waves is quite something !

Pavilhão do Conhecimento - Ciência Viva (Pavilion of Knowledge)

by Ana Silva A lovely contemporary kid-friendly museum in the Expo area with interactive exhibits. Definitely a good place to visit.

Miradouro da Graça

by Srila Like the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte above it, this viewpoint has panoramic city views, and is situated in Graça, an old Lisbon neighborhood with immense charm, drawn not only from its fabulous views but from its resilient sense of community.

Miradouro das Portas do Sol

by Srila A viewpoint with a majestic view of Lisbon's historic hillside neighborhoods, set against the deep blue of the Tagus. It can get crowded in the summers, but there's a café if you want to grab a table, and spend some time with the view.

Campo de Ourique Market

by Srila Campo De Ourique Market is the smaller, more local and perhaps saner version of Time Out Market. It’s a nice break from the tourist heavy center of Lisbon, with its restaurant stalls serving fresh fish, oysters, steaks and a host of local produce for you to try. Its cheerful, family friendly vibes extend to the neighborhood beyond, and lunch here can be a nice way to kick off an exploration of a modern Portuguese neighborhood that has retained all of its cultural charm.