Tips and Recommendations: Helping You Create Your Own Perfect Journey to Lisbon, Portugal

Welcome to Lisbon, Portugal! In this post, we will be discussing places to stay, eat, experience Fado, and enjoy some nightlife, as well as a few city and general travel recommendations, local recipes, and talking the how, when, and why of one of our favourite Lisbon photos.

For more information on the top experiences and a detailed two-day itinerary, please check out our posts, “Top Ten Experiences in Lisbon, Portugal ” and “How to Make the Most Out of Your Two-Day Visit to Lisbon, Portugal, With Detailed Itinerary ”. Let the planning begin!

   **Please note, due to the tragic accident involving the Elevador da Gloria, all of the CARRIS lifts & elevators are temporarily closed until further notice. Our hearts go out to everyone involved. **

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that we would get a small commission if you decided to make a purchase through one of them, at no extra cost to you and you would be supporting our small Canadian business. This would allow us to continue creating informative travel content. All the businesses we are recommending are ones we use in our travels and feel comfortable doing so!

Table of Contents

1. 1. Places to Stay
   2. Places to Eat
   3. Places to Experience Fado
   4. Lisbon Nightlife
   5. A Few Helpful Recommendations
   6. My Favourite Photo From My Time in Lisbon
   7. Local Recipe
   8. References
   9. The Wrap-Up

1. Places to Stay in Lisbon

Depending on how long you’re staying and how many people you’re travelling with, you could check out Airbnb or Vrbo. I always check out the reviews, then look at price and location. If you can’t afford anything in the city centre, look for something close to a metro or transit line. This goes for any city! I also like the travel sites Expedia, Hotels.com, and Booking.com.

Here are four suggestions all with great reviews!

• We stayed at the Memmo Alfama Hotel, which is located at Travessa das Merceeiras 27, very close to the Se Cathedral. We splurged a little on it, but it was amazing. We got a terrace room, and the views were outstanding! It also has a small infinity pool, terrace restaurant and great buffet breakfast. Click on the link and book today!

• Madalena by the Beautique Hotel in the Baixa at Rua Madalena 271. It’s a little less expensive and a great location within walking distance to most major sites and has a restaurant in it. Click on the link to take a look.

•  Villa Baixa – Lisbon Luxury Apartments in the Baixa at Rua de Santa Justa 45. Great location in a historic building near the Santa Justa Elevador. It is an apartment with a small kitchen and sitting area. Click on the link to check it out.

• Brown’s Central Hotel also in the Baixa at Rua da Assuncao 75. It’s a great location as well and offers a free welcome drink, 10% discount to its restaurant and bar, luggage storage and a cruise ship terminal and airport shuttle for a fee. Click on the link to book.

• Esquina Urban Lodge Located at Rua dos Sapateiros 92, in the Baixa area. A 3 mins walk to the Santa Justa Elevator and Rua Augusta pedestrian street. Amazing location and reviews. Click on the link for some great deals.

2. Places to Eat in Lisbon

I typically don’t make reservations unless there’s an activity included with the food, like the Fado show or a food tour. I find that if you make reservations, it dictates the pace of your day. I like stopping when we’re hungry or when we see a place that piques our interest. That said, here are a few suggestions of what Lisbon has to offer. Some I enjoyed, some come highly recommended, and some have great reviews! Note: if the waiter brings you appetizers (cheese, olives, bread, etc.) as you sit down, they are not free. If you don’t want them, tell them. If you eat anything from the plate, they will charge you.

• The Terrace Tapas Restaurant at the Memmo Alfama Hotel. It’s open 12:30pm to 10:30pm daily, located at Travessa das Merceeiras 27 in Alfama, between the Se Cathedral and Santa Luzia Viewpoint. They serve Portuguese tapas on the menu. Perfect for lunch, dinner or an afternoon snack with great cocktails. The view is outstanding with beautiful sights of the red tile roofs of Alfama and the Tejo River. We stayed at this hotel, so we ate here a few times and enjoyed it very much!

• Ponto Final Restaurante. It’s open 12:30pm to 11:00pm every day but Tuesday, located at Rua do Ginjal 72 across the Tejo River in Almada. You can take the ferry over from Cais do Sodre. This restaurant is great for a sunset meal or after sunset in Jardim do Rio. They have traditional Portuguese food and outdoor seating with a fantastic view of Lisbon and the 25 de Abril Bridge. Check them out on Facebook.

• Rooftop The Art Inn Lisbon. It’s open from 5:30pm to 10:30pm, so it’s great for late afternoon drinks or dinner, as well as 1:00pm to 4:00pm on Sundays for brunch. Located at Rua Primeiro de Dezembro 31 in the Baixa near Rossio Square, with amazing views.

• Lumi Rooftop. It’s open from 7:30am to 12:00am. Great for a meal, drinks and a snack or brunch. It’s located at R. de Sao Pedro de Alcantara 35 in Bairro Alto. A great view!

• A Brasileira (The Brazilian Lady Café). It’s open from 8:00am to 12:00am and located at Rua Garrett 120/122 in Chiado. This café has been here since 1905 and is one of the most famous in the area. It started out by importing and selling Brazilian coffee, which was a rarity at the time. Great for the ambiance.

• Manteigaria Bakery. It’s open from 8:00am to 12:00am, located at Rua Augusta 195-197, right in the heart of the Baixa. Great for some sweet treats and a coffee while you’re wandering down the pedestrian street of Rua Augusta.

• Pasteis de Belem. It’s open from 8:00am to 9:00pm daily, located at Rua de Belem 84/92 in the suburb of Belem. This bakery is a must-see! It opened in 1837 and sells the original Pastel de Belem (Pastel de Nata), a delicious custard tart served fresh out of the oven, so it’s best to eat it right away. If there is a big line at the takeaway window, move over to the dine-in line. It goes fast, as the restaurant in deceivingly large.

• Organi Chiado. It’s open Monday to Wednesday from 12:30pm to 3:30pm and 7:00pm to 10:00pm, Thursday and Sunday 12:30pm to 3:30pm and 7:00pm to 11:00pm, Friday and Saturday from 12:30pm to 3:30pm and 7:00pm to 12:15am. Located at Calcada Nova de Sao Francisco 2. This is a vegan restaurant in Chiado, just south of the Plaza do Carmo.

3. Places to Experience Fado in Lisbon

It is highly recommended to make reservations well in advance (weeks to months prior to your trip), as they can book up fast. Depending on what area you are staying in or where you want to venture out to, here are some suggests for restaurants that offer a Fado show with dinner:

• Mesa de Frades (The Friar’s Table). This Fado restaurant opens at 8:30pm and is 65 euros per person for a full authentic Portuguese dinner and Fado show. It is in a unique setting in an old chapel. It’s in the Alfama district at Rua dos Remedios 139.

• Clube de Fado. With an authentic atmosphere and Portuguese food, it opens at 7:30pm. You can order off the menu, and the Fado music is complimentary, so no set price. It’s also in the Alfama district at Rua de Sao Joao da Praca 94.

• O Faia Casa de Fado. This restaurant opened in 1947 and offers an authentic experience and great Portuguese food. It opens at 8:00pm and is 72 euros per person for a full dinner and show. It is in the Bairro Alto district at Rua da Barroca 54-56.

• Fado ao Carmo, near Largo do Carmo. This restaurant opens at 7:30pm and is 54 euros per person for an authentic Portuguese dinner and the Fado show. This one is in the Chiado district at Rua da Condessa 52.

*Prices may change. Please check the website before you make your reservations.

4. Lisbon Nightlife

The most popular areas for night life in Lisbon are Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodre (Pink Street), but you can find fun, interesting bars all over the city. Here are a few I’ve tried, were recommended, or had great reviews.

• The Red Frog Speakeasy. It’s open 6:00pm to 1:00am Tuesday to Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday. Located at Praca da Alegria 66b, just off Avenida da Liberdade. It was voted one of the world’s 50 best bars in 2022. Reservations are recommended. It is a speakeasy, so very intimate and stylish, with great cocktails, and you must ring a bell to get in.

• Pink Wine Point. It’s open 6:00pm to 2:00am every day, but open till 3:00am Friday and Saturday. Located at Rua Nova do Carvalho, 29 (Pink St.) It’s a 4-minute walk from the Cais do Sodre ferry terminal if you want to stop by for a drink after your sunset and dinner over in Cacilhas. It has great reviews and is in a unique area. Check them out on Facebook.

• Portas Largas. It’s open Monday to Saturday from 6:00pm to 2:00am and Sundays from 7:00pm to 2:00am. Located at Rua da Atalaia 105, in the Bairro Alto district. They serve great cocktails and have live music. Portas Largas means wide doors, as the party often spills out into the street. Check them out on Facebook.

• The Terrace at the Memmo Alfama Hotel. It’s open from 12:30pm to 10:30pm daily, so not as late as some, but with amazing views. Located at Travessa das Merceeiras 27 in Alfama. Great for some cocktails and appetizers.

5. A Few Helpful Recommendations

City Card and Public Transportation

If you plan on using public transportation, including the elevators and funiculars, plus exploring some of the main attractions such as the Torre de Belem, Lisboa Story Centre or Rua Augusta Arch, then I suggest you get the Lisboa card. You can get it for a 24-, 48- or 72-hour period. Visit this website for more information, current pricing, and a list of what is included or discounted. You can purchase it online and pick it up at any tourist information spot, including the one at the Lisbon airport. This allows you to make use of it right away by taking the metro into town. We picked up our Lisboa cards, maps, and schedules from the airport information centre and took the metro into town, which was straightforward and easy to navigate.

If you’re not sure you will make good use out of the card, but you will be taking public transportation, then get the Viva Viagem transit card. It can be picked up at any metro station. For more info on this card, including pricing, visit this website. While you’re at the tourist Information spot, make sure to pick up a city map, including Belem, plus schedules and information for the metro, trams, and ferries, as these can change at any time, so it’s best to have the most up-to-date information.

Phone Service

When travelling in Europe, we use Hippocket wifi. They are based in France, but you can simply order it online, and they mail it to you 3 days before you leave for your trip. It comes with a small carrying case, charger, including a car charger if needed, and an addressed return mailing envelope. The great thing about this is that if you are traveling with other people, you can all use it and share the cost. You can have up to 10 users at the same time. If you have multiple users, I recommend getting the unlimited options, as the 1GB/day option may not be enough. The unlimited works out to be approximately 8.00 to 9.00 euros per day, including all shipping. It’s a great option.

Before you leave, you simply put the Wi-Fi unit into the return envelope and drop it into the mailbox at the airport.

Start Your Day Early

Lastly, start your day off early. This will always be my suggestion! When I say early, I’m talking 6:30/7:00am, but I know that’s not for everyone, so just get started as early as you can and always keep in mind open/closing hours and open/closing days for the attractions that you really want to see. If there is something you really want a photo of without people in the shot, start there! For more information on this, check out our post “Three Significant Reasons to Get Up Early While travelling”.

Speaking the Language

For some people, speaking different languages comes easy, and for some, it does not. I’m the latter. Although it’s not easy, I always make an effort to learn at least the pleasantries when I’m travelling. It’s actually one of my favourite things! I also carry a language pocketbook with me, and I have Google Translate on my phone. I also like the free language app, Duolingo!

Viator

For all your activity and tour planning you can use Viator, we’ve had a lot of success using this app.

**All pricing, opening/closing hours and days listed here are as of March 2024 and are subject to change, so be sure to check before you go. I like these websites for all your current information:

LisbonLisboaPortugal.com

VisitPortugal.com

6. My Favourite Photo From My Time in Lisbon

It’s always hard to pick a favourite photo from our travels, but I chose this one of the Se Cathedral with the Tram 28 in front of it because it is quintessential Lisbon. I also love the colours of the stone façade in the early morning light and the feeling of pure joy I had in that moment. Our last morning in Lisbon, I got up at 6:00am and just wandered the streets taking photos for about 2 hours. Our hotel was in between the Cathedral and Miradouro de Santa Luzia, so I started at the cathedral and eagerly awaited that perfect moment for a tram to come squealing around the curve of the road and positioned itself perfectly in front of the cathedral. It took a while, but getting that perfect shot takes patience!

I had my camera lined up and ready to go. I took some practice shots to see how the light would look and to judge how much space I wanted around the cathedral. I liked having the tracks on the road and the tram wires up above. The people also helped with perspective. Once I heard the Tram coming, I was ready! Click, click, click, and there it was. Of course, I continuously clicked until it was out of sight, but I had it! I ended up choosing this particular one as my favourite because I liked how the tram was positioned in the frame.

After, I made my way up to Santa Luzia and took photos of the view, the beautiful square, and yes, more trams. Walking around early in the morning in any city is my favourite part of the day. The crowds are minimal, the lighting is usually perfect, and you get to experience this time with the locals.

7. Lisbon Recipe

Caldeirada de Peixe (Portuguese Fish Stew)

This hearty stew is easy to make and delicious. It’s filled with veggies, potatoes, shrimp, white fish, diced tomatoes, and spices and goes great with fresh bread. Lisbon is known for its wide variety of seafood, but especially for its cod and sardines! For the recipe, check out our post “How to Make Caldeirada de Peixe (Portuguese Fish Stew) ”

8. References

All of this information, research and suggestions came from my own experiences while exploring this beautiful city, as well as countless hours spent reading reviews, travel books, like DK Eyewitness Portugal, DK Eyewitness Top 10 Lisbon, Rick Steves Portugal, and Lonely Planet Pocketbook Lisbon. I also read multiple travel blogs and Portugal/Lisbon tourism websites like LisbonLisboaPortugal.com and VisitPortugal.com.

9. The Wrap-Up!

I hope these tips and recommendations help you plan an amazing adventure filled with new experiences! Don’t forget to try new things, talk to locals, indulge in traditional foods, people watch, enjoy nature, and speak a little of the local language, but most of all, focus on the journey!

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Thank you,

From Focus on the Journey,
with Wild Meadow Studio
A Travel and Photography Blog