The Best Things to Do in Lisbon (2026)

Lisbon is one of Europe’s most loved cities: seven hills of tiled houses and viewpoints, a castle, monasteries, trams, fado and some of the best food anywhere. Here are the best things to do in Lisbon, with 2026 prices and the changes you need to know about, from people who live here.

Quick answer: the must-dos are São Jorge Castle (€17), Alfama’s lanes and miradouros, Belém (Jerónimos €18, Belém Tower €15 with timed entry), a pastel de nata, fado, the Oceanário and a day trip to Sintra. Note: the Santa Justa lift and the Glória, Bica and Lavra funiculars are closed in 2026.

The classics

1. São Jorge Castle: walls, peacocks and the best views in the city (€17). See Alfama. Allow about two hours to walk the ramparts, see the archaeological site and look out over the river. Go early or late to miss the tour groups: it stays open until 9pm from March to October and 6pm from November to February. More in our São Jorge Castle guide.
2. Alfama: get lost in Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood. Its tangle of lanes survived the 1755 earthquake better than most of the city, so the street plan is centuries old. Wander down from the castle towards the river and stop at the Sé, Lisbon’s 12th-century cathedral. Only a small prayer chapel is free; seeing the rest of the inside costs about €7.
3. The miradouros: Santa Luzia, Portas do Sol, Senhora do Monte and Graça. See the best viewpoints. They’re free, and many have a kiosk café for a drink with the view.
4. Jerónimos Monastery: Manueline cloisters (€18; the church is free). Closed Mondays. Built from 1501 with money from the spice trade, it holds the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Allow about an hour, and expect a queue in summer. See our Jerónimos guide.
5. Belém Tower: reopened in 2026 after restoration, with timed tickets (€15) and a daily limit. Closed Mondays. Book ahead in busy months, as slots sell out.
6. Pastéis de Belém: the original custard tarts since 1837. See the best pastel de nata. The takeaway queue moves fast; the tables inside often have a shorter wait than it looks.
7. Praça do Comércio and the Arco da Rua Augusta (€5 to the top). The huge riverside square was the site of the royal palace until the 1755 earthquake and tsunami destroyed it.
8. Tram 28: ride early to avoid the crowds (€3.30 on board, less with a navegante card). The full route from Martim Moniz to Prazeres takes around 40 minutes or more, through Graça, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado and Estrela.

Neighbourhoods to wander

• Mouraria: the multicultural quarter below the castle, where fado was born.
• Graça: local life and two of the best viewpoints. The Graça funicular reopened in April 2026 and saves part of the climb.
• Chiado and Bairro Alto: old cafés and bookshops by day, bars by night.
• Príncipe Real: gardens, concept stores and a calmer feel.

Culture

• Gulbenkian Museum: a world-class collection, reopened in July 2026 after renovation (closed Tuesdays). Adults pay €10, and entry is free for everyone on Sundays from 2pm. The gardens around it are free and a lovely break from the hills.
• MAAT: art, architecture and technology by the river (€16 for visitors from abroad, €12 for Portugal residents), with a free roof walk.
• National Pantheon: rooftop views over Alfama (€10).
• Carmo Convent: the roofless Gothic church ruined in the 1755 earthquake, with an archaeology museum (about €7, closed Sundays).
• Museu do Fado (€5), then fado live. See fado in Lisbon.
• Street art: see Lisbon street art.
• LX Factory: a former industrial complex near the bridge, now shops, cafés and a famous bookshop. See LX Factory.
• Closed in 2026: the National Tile Museum (closed for restoration since November 2025; reopening was planned for the second half of 2026, but there was still no confirmed date in October 2026, so check) and the National Museum of Ancient Art (closed since September 2025, reopening planned for late 2026).

Food and drink

• Time Out Market and the neighbourhood markets. See Lisbon food markets.
• A food tour on your first day. See food tours.
• Rooftop bars at sunset. See Lisbon rooftop bars.
• Portuguese sweets. See Portuguese desserts.
• Ginjinha: a shot of sour cherry liqueur from a tiny bar near Rossio is a Lisbon ritual.
• Petiscos: Portuguese small plates, such as grilled chouriço, clams in garlic and coriander, and bifanas (pork sandwiches). Lunch menus (prato do dia) are the best value.

On the water

• A sunset sail on the Tagus. See sunset sails.
• The ferry to Cacilhas for views back to the city, and Cristo Rei.
• The beaches of Cascais and Carcavelos by train. See beaches near Lisbon.

With kids

The Oceanário (from €25.50), the cable car and science centre at Parque das Nações, and the castle’s peacocks. See Lisbon with kids and Parque das Nações.

Day trips

Sintra, Cascais, Arrábida, Óbidos and Fátima are all within 1h30. See the best day trips from Lisbon and Lisbon to Sintra.

Practical tips

• Wear good shoes. The pavements are steep and the polished limestone gets slippery when wet.
• Use the metro and buses for the hills. With the lifts and most funiculars closed, the metro, buses or a short Uber or Bolt ride are the easy way up.
• Book timed tickets for Belém Tower, Jerónimos and Sintra’s palaces in summer.
• Mondays: many museums and monuments close, so plan Mondays around neighbourhoods, markets and viewpoints.
• Late-night drinks: since February 2026, shops can’t sell alcohol to take away after 11pm Sunday to Thursday or after midnight on Friday and Saturday, so buy before then if you plan a drink at a viewpoint.

Plan your trip

• Itineraries: 1 day, 2 days, 3 days.
• Where to stay: by neighbourhood, with a view, with a pool, hostels.
• Getting around: public transport and the Lisboa Card.
• On a budget: free things to do in Lisbon.
• Tours: the best tours in Lisbon.

Is Lisbon worth visiting?

Yes. Lisbon is worth visiting for its atmosphere, viewpoints, food, history and easy day trips to Sintra and Cascais. Be ready for steep hills, crowds in summer and pickpockets in busy areas. Spend at least 3 days.

Why Lisbon is worth it

• Atmosphere: trams, tiled façades, laundry lines and miradouros.
• Food: pastel de nata, seafood, petiscos and great value lunches. See what to eat in Portugal.
• History: Belém’s monuments, the castle and museums. See the classics above.
• Day trips: Sintra, Cascais and beaches nearby. See day trips from Lisbon.
• Climate: mild winters and lots of sunshine. See the best time to visit.

The downsides

• Hills and cobbles: tiring, especially with mobility issues. See accessible travel.
• Crowds: tram 28, Belém and the viewpoints get busy in summer.
• Pickpockets: watch your bag. See is Lisbon safe?
• Rising prices: hotels in peak season aren’t cheap.

Who will love it

Food lovers, history buffs, photographers, couples and anyone who enjoys wandering. See romantic Lisbon and Lisbon on a budget.

How many days do you need in Lisbon?

3 to 4 days is ideal: 2 days for the city (Alfama, the Baixa, Chiado and Belém), 1 day for Sintra, and 1 day for Cascais or another day trip. With only 2 days, focus on the city. With 5 days, add more day trips like Évora or the Arrábida coast.

What you can do

• 1 day: the highlights at speed. See Lisbon in one day.
• 2 days: the old town and Belém. See 2 days in Lisbon.
• 3 days: add Sintra. See 3 days in Lisbon.
• 4 days: add Cascais or slower days. See 4 days in Lisbon.
• 5 days: add Évora, Óbidos or Arrábida. See 5 days in Lisbon.

Day trips worth adding

• Sintra: see visiting Sintra.
• Cascais: see the Cascais day trip.
• Évora: see the Évora day trip.
• More: see the best day trips from Lisbon.

FAQ

Are the Santa Justa lift and Lisbon’s funiculars open?

No. The Santa Justa lift and the Glória, Bica and Lavra funiculars have been closed since the September 2025 accident, and the Glória isn’t expected back before about 2029. The Graça funicular reopened in April 2026. See Lisbon trams.

Do you need to book Belém Tower in advance?

It’s a good idea. Entry is by timed ticket (€15) with a daily limit, and summer slots sell out. Jerónimos (€18 for the cloisters) is next door, and both are closed on Mondays.

What can you do for free in Lisbon?

The miradouros, Alfama’s lanes, the MAAT roof walk, the Gulbenkian gardens and the Jerónimos church are all free, and the Gulbenkian Museum is free for everyone on Sundays from 2pm.

Is there a tourist tax in Lisbon?

Yes. Hotels and guesthouses charge €4 per person per night from age 13, up to a maximum of seven nights. Under-13s don’t pay.

See also: Lisbon’s churches, unusual things to do in Lisbon, the best time to visit Lisbon, the best things to do in Portugal, the Santa Justa Lift, the best restaurants in Lisbon, what to eat in Lisbon, the Feira da Ladra flea market, Lisbon Cathedral, Lisbon Zoo, Baixa and Rossio, Belém Tower, the Carmo Convent and football in Portugal.

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