The best things to see and do in Lisbon

Lisbon pairs dramatic history and wonderful architecture with a delightfully Mediterranean climate. The winters here are warmer than any other capital in Europe, and the long summer stretches from late April to October, with temperatures reaching an idyllic 25°C. This makes Lisbon an exceptional destination to explore on foot, dotted with ceramic-tiled shops and traditional cafés.

A short stroll through Lisbon’s ancient streets will introduce stunning examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Modern and Postmodern architecture, stretching through beautiful boulevards and squares. And as you step through this delightful city, you’ll notice the almost total absence of cars – creating a wonderfully quiet and relaxed atmosphere.

For those travelling to Lisbon as part of an upcoming Portuguese river cruise, our guide to the city’s must-see sights, culinary highlights and hidden gems is a helpful and inspiring introduction to Portugal’s illustrious capital.

Just a short stroll through the ancient streets of the city will introduce stunning examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Modern and Postmodern architecture, all positioned without rhyme or reason across beautiful boulevards and squares. And as you step through this delightful city, you’ll perhaps notice the absence of cars – creating a wonderfully quiet and relaxed atmosphere.

Modern Lisbon is a beautiful marriage of the old and the new, with Gothic architecture sitting alongside glamorous hotspots. Two and a half millennia of history is ripe for exploration, and no matter which way you turn, you’ll stumble across something astonishing.

A city for foodies, the local culinary offering in Lisbon is on par with any of Europe’s gourmet powerhouses. From the city’s famous pastry, Pastel de Belém, to Bacalhau (salted cod served one of over 350 different ways); the cuisine of Lisbon is steeped in history and tradition, although a new generation of chefs have taken the mantle and are running with it.

And as evening starts to fall in Lisbon, it is time to partake in one of the great local traditions: Ginjinha. This Portuguese liquor, made with sour cherry berries, is the very lifeblood of the city, and can be bought from innumerate small vendors throughout Lisbon. You’ll be amazed as the vendors skilfully pour you a measure from the bottle, depositing a singly cherry into your glass with a flick of the wrist. To drink like a local, sip your measure as you make plans to find the next vendor to repeat the trick. 

A city for foodies, the culinary offering in Lisbon is on par with any of Europe’s gourmet powerhouses. From the city’s famous pastry, Pastel de Belém, to Bacalhau (salted cod served one of over 350 different ways); the cuisine of Lisbon is steeped in history and tradition, although a new generation of chefs have taken the mantle and are running with it.

Join us as we explore Lisbon’s culinary highlights below.

• The population of Lisbon is around 504,718 people (2016 UN data)
• Lisbon has never been officially declared Portugal’s capital, and has simply served as the de facto capital since 1255.
• The city is roughly 400 years older than Rome.
• Lisbon’s famous trams were originally called ‘americanos’, a nod to the transport’s origins in the USA.
• Ravens have been a symbol of Lisbon since they escorted the body of Saint Vincent to the city in 1173. Subsequently, every coal merchant in the city would keep a pet raven, all of them named Vincent.
• Lisbon was the first city to serve Guinness outside of the UK.
• D. Pedro IV square in Lisbon is home to a public tie-mirror, complete with the message ‘componha o nó da sua gravata’ (correct your tie’s knot).
• The recipe for Lisbon’s most famous pastry, Pastel de Belém, is known by only five men. To protect the recipe, they are sworn to secrecy and will never travel or eat together.
• Lisbon’s Vasco da Gama bridge is the longest in Europe, at more than 10 miles long.