To see the highest highlights in Lisbon you want a minimum of a number of days. But if you happen to’re staying longer (otherwise you’re primarily based in Lisbon) you’ll have an ideal alternative to see a number of the lesser-known sights and areas.
Whether you’ve acquired a nostril for secret off the crushed path spots, otherwise you’re primarily based in Lisbon and on the lookout for some enjoyable weekend actions, you’ll discover there’s all the time extra to see and do. I’ve been residing in Lisbon for 4 years now and I’m nonetheless discovering new issues!
Here are 17 uncommon issues in Lisbon — what you would possibly name the hidden gems, or just which aren’t within the typical prime 10 checklist. Don’t miss my different prime issues to see in Lisbon for first-time guests.
1. Visit Queluz National Palace
Spend a while in Portugal and also you’ll rapidly study this nation has completely no scarcity of ornate palaces. They’re throughout Portugal, however Queluz is one which’s simply exterior of central Lisbon.
This 18th-century palace was as soon as the royal residence for Queen D. Maria I and her husband Dom Pedro III. It has a Versailles-esque design, that includes glimmering golden ballrooms and historic gardens. It takes an hour or two to go to and likelihood is you’ll see just about no vacationers there.
How to get there: Take the prepare from Rossio Station to Sintra and get out after 20 minutes at Queluz.
2. Dine at a secret Chinese restaurant
Did you come to Lisbon to eat Chinese meals? Of course not. But when you’ve sampled all of the Portuguese delicacies, it’s possible you’ll fairly take pleasure in eating at a secret Chinese restaurant, which is an fascinating a part of immigrant tradition in Lisbon.
Around Martim Moniz sq. exist many speakeasy-style Chinese eating places, working inside condominium buildings and generally contained in the proprietor’s houses.
Going for a meal in a Chinês Clandestino is a enjoyable expertise. The employees in all probability gained’t communicate English or Portuguese, so that you’ll need to level at footage on the menu. You’ll get some low cost home-cooked Chinese meals in a eating room-like setting.
If you sort “illegal Chinese restaurant” into Google, you’ll simply discover one, however this one isn’t so hidden nor superb. Ask an area as a substitute, or discover the streets and alleys round Martim Moniz sq. (particularly on the northeast facet into Mouraria). Look for Chinese lanterns or discover a doorbell with Chinese characters or a word saying ‘restaurant’. Press the buzzer and go inside.
3. See the dolphins within the Sado Estuary
This exercise isn’t strictly in Lisbon however it’s inside simple day-trip distance of the town.
Not many individuals know this, however the Sado Estuary south of Lisbon is dwelling to a number of shoals of playful bottlenose dolphins. Since that is their everlasting territory, you’re nearly assured to see them on a dolphin watching tour.
The boat departs from the city of Setubal, which is definitely reached from Lisbon by bus or automotive. From the deck of the catamaran, you’ll get nice views of the dolphins in addition to the Arrábida nature reserve. When I did this journey, we have been fortunate sufficient to see the dolphins show searching behaviour, throwing fishes into the air after which catching them. It’s fairly a magical expertise!
4. Take the mini-train to Lisbon’s greatest seashores
map – R. Parque Infantil 1, Costa da Caparica
I lived in Lisbon for 3 years earlier than I lastly realized of the mini-train — and now it’s my favourite factor!
The Transpraia prepare runs in the summertime months, connecting Costa da Caparica to a dozen or so seashores. The rickety previous vacationer prepare ends at Fonte da Telha, which is presumably essentially the most stunning seaside close to Lisbon. Normally you want a automotive to get there, however not when the mini-train is operating.
To be trustworthy, it’s simpler and extra handy to Carcavelos seaside, which is simply 20 minutes by prepare from the central Cais do Sodré station. But when you’ve been to Carcavelos a number of occasions, it’s possible you’ll be prepared for Fonte da Telha.
How to get there: First, take the bus to Costa de Caparica. Then, stroll to the mini-train departure level (right here on the map). It goes each half hour from June 1 till September 30.
Choo choo!
5. Discover the Tapada das Necessidades
map – Near the final cease of Tram 28
Truly a bit gem hiding in plain sight, the park is the place King Don Joao V went for picnics within the seventeenth century. Today, the place is a bit uncared for, however it has one of many oldest cacti gardens in Europe, a lovely previous round greenhouse, and phenomenal views of the Lisbon bridge.
Even although it’s centrally situated between the Alcantara and Estrela neighborhoods, this beautiful park has a little bit of an deserted really feel. It’s nice for a stroll or to have a picnic with loads of area.
6. Get on prime of the Lisbon bridge
map – Pilar 7 Bridge Experience
It in all probability hasn’t escaped you that Lisbon has a lovely purple suspension bridge that reminds a bit of the one in San Francisco. (Fun truth: it was constructed by the identical firm because the San Francisco Bay Bridge, however not the Golden Gate Bridge.)
The bridge was initially named after the dictator Salazar, however it modified to turn into the twenty fifth of April Bridge, commemorating the revolution of 1974.
A museum opened in 2018, providing you with background on its development. It additionally permits you to go contained in the spectacular concrete construction housing the big cables. Finally, you may take an elevator as much as the bridge itself the place you may stand on a clear platform and catch some epic views of the bridge and the river.
7. Learn about Lisbon’s road artwork
If you’ve spent any time in Lisbon in any respect you’ll know that it has some superb road artwork! Since Lisbon has lengthy had many deserted buildings, it’s led to road artwork bringing a few of their crumbling facades to life. Later, the native authorities took steps to permit this artwork kind to flourish.
You can discover every kind of inspiring murals usually in hidden locations. One nice approach to uncover them and to study concerning the artists is with an skilled information. After happening a road artwork tour, you’ll be capable to acknowledge particular artists, making your individual exploration of the town all of the extra rewarding.
8. Take a day journey to Sesimbra
Sesimbra is a small seaside city 30km south of Lisbon that’s common largely with the locals. Although it has a number of huge motels on its fringes (they’re eyesores, if you happen to ask me!), the previous middle of Sesimbra is tremendous cozy and has numerous nice marisqueiras (seafood eating places).
In summer season, you may take pleasure in all kinds of water actions like kayaking, scuba diving, and stand-up paddle boarding. A ruined fortress on prime of one of many hills gives good views of the bay.
But the very best little bit of Sesimbra is its hidden cove known as Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo [location]. You’ll want both a automotive to succeed in it, or stroll about 45 minutes from the middle of city. This sheltered cove is beautiful and will remind you of the craggy coves of the Algarve.
How to get there: take bus 3721 from Sete Rios prepare station in Lisbon. Alternatively, take the ferry from Cais do Sodre station throughout the river to Cacilhas, and take the 3536 bus to Sesimbra. You can view routes and timetables on the official Carris Metropolitana web site.
9. Stroll the Estufa Fria greenhouse
map – close to Parque Eduardo VII
The Estufa Fria is a big semi-open botanical greenhouse that’s price a stroll on a lazy afternoon. It’s truly simple to overlook, because it’s tucked beneath a hilltop within the Eduardo VII park, however it’s one of many nicest inexperienced areas within the metropolis.
You’ll really feel such as you’re strolling in a bit Garden of Eden with stunning flowers and vegetation surrounding ponds, a waterfall, a cactus backyard, tunnels, and different options. It’s open till 7 pm in summer season, 5 pm in winter, and it prices €3 to enter.
10. Relax at Jardim do Torel
map – R. Júlio de Andrade
Of all of the unbelievable miradouros (vistas) in Lisbon, a number of will all the time stay off the vacationer map. The Jardim do Torel is one such place: it feels a bit like a secret island that’s hidden in plain sight.
The views at Jardim do Torel don’t level in the direction of a few of Lisbon’s most distinguished historic buildings, which might be why it’s not vacationer spot. But this stunning miradouro is actually like an oasis, unknown even to many locals.
One cool approach to attain the hill that it’s on is to take the Elevador do Lavra, the least-known of the three previous funicular in Lisbon.
11. Catch a jam session at an associaçao
Lisbon is dwelling to many associations, that are non-profit organizations that function cultural hubs all through the town. If you’re native, these are a number of the most enjoyable locations to exit at night time, as they arrange all kinds of jam periods, open mics, and concert events all through the week. Technically they’re ‘member clubs’ so you must pay a small price to enter.
Some of the good associations are within the space of Anjos, particularly Anjos70, BUS – Paragem Cultural, and Crew Hassan, which could be discovered within the basement of a document retailer.
12. Stroll the Jardim Botânico d’Ajuda
map – Calçada da Ajuda
Lisbon is so spoiled for botanical gardens {that a} beautiful one as this one can nonetheless handle to fly beneath the radar. It was constructed by Marques de Pombal in 1768, who stuffed it with bushes and plant species from Portugal’s former colonies.
It’s the oldest backyard in Lisbon and now managed by the agricultural college, however it’s publically accessible any day till about 5pm (entrance 2€). You can discover these botanic gardens simply up the hill from Lisbon’s museum quarter of Belem. Don’t confuse it with the Tropical Botanical Garden, which is nearer to the riverfront (but in addition very good!).
13. Visit the free Berardo trendy artwork museum
map – Praça do Império, Belem
The Berardo Collection Museum is an outstanding trendy artwork museum, that includes works by iconic artists together with Warhol, Picasso, Dali, Pollock, Mondriaan, and lots of extra. It’s probably the greatest cultural sights in Lisbon, and the very best of all entry is free.
The works belong to the Portuguese businessman José Berardo, who lent them to the state for public show. He’s been a supply of some controversy, as he borrowed nice sums utilizing the artwork as collateral, which a number of banks have since been attempting to grab on account of unpaid money owed. Regardless of who now owns the artwork, the museum is definitely probably the greatest in Lisbon.
14. Explore the Natural History Museum
map – R. da Escola Politécnica 56
The Natural History Museum has a number of good exhibitions that may preserve you busy for a minimum of a few hours. It’s an ideal museum take a look at on a wet day, although it needs to be talked about most reveals are in Portuguese solely.
Half the enjoyable is simply seeing the historic constructing with its previous science lab, lecture corridor, and quite a few cupboards full of samples, taxidermy, fossils, and extra.
Don’t miss the attractive botanical gardens subsequent door both (you will get a mixed ticket for each).
15. Shop on the Lojas com historia
When strolling round central Lisbon (particularly the Baixa space) you could have observed many conventional shops promoting just one specific product, resembling basic hats, buttons, gloves, or sweets. You may additionally surprise simply how these shops handle to outlive in an age of H&Ms and Zaras.
In truth, these are historic retailers that take pleasure in protected standing, a lot of them that includes stunning wood interiors. Some have been round for over 100 years, proudly remaining inside households for generations. The web site of Lojas Com Historia lists all of them.
16. Take the cable automotive in Parque das Nações
map – on Esplanada Dom Carlos I
The Parque das Nações (Nations’ Park) space of Lisbon is comparatively trendy, so it’s not all the time the primary space that guests to Lisbon search out. It’s however an fascinating space, having as soon as hosted all of the pavilions of the Expo ‘98. It’s stuffed with boulevards, putting structure, and is dwelling to the spectacular Oceanarium.
Another leftover from the Expo ’98 is the 18 meter excessive cable automotive (Telecabine), which provides nice views of the Tagus river and the Vasca de Gama Bridge, at the moment the longest in Europe.
17. Take the Boca do Vento elevator
map – R. do Ginjal 72, Almada
The historic middle of Lisbon is greatest considered from the opposite facet of the river. Take the ferry from Cais do Sodré station to Cacilhas, which takes simply 5 minutes. There are good eating places and cafes going through the riving for excellent views of the town and the bridge.
If you stroll a bit additional west, you may take the Elevador Panoramico da Boca do Vento to get excessive up on the cliffs. Next to the elevator is the Casa da Cerca [map], a mansion became a up to date artwork middle. It additionally a small however good botanical gardens and a beautiful place to have a espresso with a view. Entry to Casa da Cerca is free.
18. Peek inside Casa do Alentejo
map – Rua das Portas de Santo Antão 58
Back within the day, Lisbon had completely different assembly homes for folks from all of the provinces of Portugal — a bit like cultural embassies for the areas. The Casa do Alentejo served this function for the Alentejo area and is price seeing for its great constructing. Its courtyard is publically accessible and seems like a Moorish mansion, however don’t miss the restaurant on the second ground with its superb ballroom with intricate tile work.
19. Eat on the Campo de Ourique Market
map – R. Coelho da Rocha 104
The TimeOut Market could also be Lisbon’s most well-known, however I favor this smaller market, which is in a residential neighborhood. Part of the market nonetheless sells fish and fruit, whereas the opposite half has many connoisseur meals stalls with bar stools the place you may pattern some nice Portuguese and worldwide dishes.
20. Check out Lisbon’s different aquarium
map – Vasco de Gama Aquarium, Alges
The Lisbon Oceanarium is likely one of the world’s greatest and you will discover it in Parque das Nações, which was as soon as the exhibition grounds for the Expo ’98. But there’s one other a lot smaller aquarium in Alges. The Vasco de Gama Aquarium feels extra like a non-public assortment, with many amphibians and fishes on show in a captivating previous constructing.
It might exist merely within the shadows of the epic Oceanarium, however however, it’s surprisingly good enjoyable. It’s excellent to go together with younger children or if you happen to’re merely a curious native.
The aquarium offers you an excuse to take a look at Algés, a neighborhood that’s technically simply exterior of Lisbon. Afterward, you may eat on the Mercado de Algés, which is sort of a mini model of the TimeOut Food Market in central Lisbon.
21. Be fancy at Palácio Chiado
map – R. do Alecrim 70
The Palácio Chiado would possibly simply be essentially the most opulent place in Lisbon. Its palatial rooms and large 18th-century murals are already spectacular, although the inside decorators took issues up one other notch — as an example, by hanging an enormous golden lion with wings from the ceiling.
Despite its extravagant look, you don’t must be rich to benefit from the Palácio. The connoisseur meals courtroom and champagne bar are fairly priced, making this a enjoyable and beautifully over-the-top place to take pleasure in some good drinks and dinner.
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Posted SEP 21, 2022 (Updated Oct 10, 2022)