Lisbon, the hilly capital of Portugal

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Part 1 of Portugal Travel Blog Series: Lisbon, the hilly capital of Portugal. Our guide provides complete details on fascinating things to do in Lisbon, along with the most amazing places to dine in and some amazing photo spots.

Part 2: The sun-kissed beaches of Algarve

Part 3: The top 6 things to do in Porto, Portugal

Lisbon, the hilly capital of Portugal, is a picturesque city. It is dominated by charming colonial architecture, tiled facades, wistful Fado music, delicious Pastel de Nata, and vintage transport. Combine this with spectacular hilltop views overlooking the vast parts of the city, & wine bars, and you have a destination you wouldn’t want to leave! Lisbon is a must-visit destination for people who love architecture and those who like a trip down memory lane.

How to get to Lisbon

With multiple airlines flying multiple times in a day, Lisbon is accessible all around the year.

Where to stay in Lisbon, the hilly capital of Portugal

In and around Alfama district is a perfect place to stay as its accessibility to public transport and other attractions. The whole district is like a labyrinthine, with cobblestone paths and curved streets from where a bright yellow tram would appear out of nowhere. Beautifully tiled buildings with excellent craftsmanship are aplenty in this district.

However, Lisbon is a hilly city and requires you to sometimes climb hundreds of steps on your way to the attractions. A physically active and adventurous person will enjoy Lisbon more.

We stayed at DuMont Lisbon Guesthouse. The guesthouse was very conveniently located however, we felt that our room was a tab bit tiny.

Things to do in Lisbon, the hilly capital of Portugal

1. Fado

This soulful, traditional music of Portugal dates back to the early 1800s. Many theories exist regarding how it came into the lives of the Portuguese and the consensus is that the style relates to the feeling of loss. Its melancholic tones, sung by Fado artists hit the right minor notes and convey the sadness in the music. It’s usually performed at pubs and cafes and the instruments include 12-string Portuguese guitars, an impassioned voice, and violas. Even without understanding the language, the great fadistas bring life to the songs that they perform. Tasca do Chico and Parreirinha de Alfama are some of the well-rated places to immerse yourself in this somber music.

2. Explore Alfama and Barrio Alto

These are some of the older parts of Portugal and are so charming. You could probably get lost strolling around Alfama, admiring old buildings and architecture, drinking your way through 1 euro shots. It was so interesting for us to notice Portuguese people sitting outside and chatting with their neighbors and spending hours people-watching from their balconies. It’s a site you sure won’t miss in Alfama.

Don’t miss out on the most famous tram photo location of Lisbon in Barrio Alto – the ones you find on the postcards around the city.

3. Tram 28

A ride in this iconic yellow-and-white vintage electric tram is a must-do activity while in Lisbon. The tram takes you through pretty much all the main locations and it’s quite cheap. However, watch out for the pickpockets inside the tram. The best time to enjoy this ride is during the early morning hours when the tourists are sound asleep. Also, just watching the tram emerge out of a curved street is a great sight to watch.

4. Hilltop views

Lisbon is a hilly city and boasts some of the best hilltop locations from where one can see breathtaking city views. Miradouro da Graça and Miradouro de Nossa Senhora do Monte are some of the best viewpoints to take in the impressive views of the city.

5. Tiles

Polished ceramic tiles decorate the exteriors and interiors of churches, houses, schools, and buildings. The tiles often carry excellent artwork and they are typically a combination of blue/yellow and white. The Azulejos have been there in Portugal since the 13th century and have completely blended into the Portuguese culture. One can never miss these impeccable art forms while walking around Lisbon and they are simply captivating. Largo Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, Fábrica Viúva Lamego and Rua do Possolo are some of the places that carry these amazing tile works.

6. Belem Tower

You will for sure make a trip to Belem for the most famous Pasteis de Belem (read below). Make sure you don’t miss out on the Belem Tower. The real attraction of the Belem Tower is the beautiful exterior stone carving. If you wish to go inside, remember that the queues get very long, so our advice would be to start your day early.

Where to eat in Lisbon, the hilly capital of Portugal

We all travel to eat good food, isn’t it? We are always in search of some delicious meals, and in turn, stumble upon some really good restaurants. Here are some of our suggestions.

Pastéis de Belém – This extremely popular, quintessentially Portuguese treat is crispy on the sides and has a soft custard filling in the middle. A single bite of this and you would be in pastry heaven in no time. With faint notes of cinnamon and quite high in sugar, it is a must-try item when you visit Lisbon. The authentic place (even patented for that matter) to try this is at Pastéis de Belém and they have been in business since 1837! The other cafes sell it as Pastel da Nata.

Dear Breakfast – We fell in love with the aesthetics of this cafe, so airy and beautiful. We filled our stomachs and hearts with some yummy breakfast and coffee. I would go back there in a heartbeat!
Portos do Sol – If you want to kick back, and relax with a drink in hand while enjoying the most gorgeous sunset and orange rooftops, this place is a must-go. We spent a couple of hours just chilling and enjoying our drinks and had a great time. Of course, you can’t miss this place from Miradouro das Portas do Sol, one of the most famous viewpoints in Alfama.

O Corvo – We stumbled upon this spot while walking around Lisbon, and are so glad we did! We absolutely enjoyed our lunch in the outdoor setting on a gorgeous October afternoon. It’s vegetarian-friendly and we rarely experience restaurants offering such gorgeous vegetarian food.

Lisbon, the hilly capital of Portugal , where to eat

Red Frog, Speakeasy Bar – Lastly, if you are a cocktail lover, you can’t miss this speakeasy bar. We enjoyed some of the most delicious cocktails of our life here. I still remember how sneaky it was to get inside as there were no signs or board of the bar. All part of an amazing experience. Now, years later, we still talk about this speakeasy and remember those most amazing drinks of our lifetime.

Day trips from Lisbon, the hilly capital of Portugal

Sintra is only 30kms from Lisbon and can be reached via a short 30 min train ride. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with beautiful castles in a very green foresty surrounding.

Sintra boasts of the beautiful Palacio da Pena (Pena Palace), which looks straight out of a Disney movie. Pena Palace is one of the most colorful palaces we have seen in Europe and definitely should be the main attraction of your trip. Our advice would be to leave early and reach before opening hours as the palace gets extremely crowded with super long queues.

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Lisbon, the hilly capital of Portugal is one of the most beautiful & charming European cities we have traveled to. We hope you enjoy your trip as much as we did. Feel free to pin this article for later. 🙂

How to get to Lisbon

Where to stay in Lisbon, the hilly capital of Portugal