On a recent trip to Europe with my little sister Rocio, we visited Lisbon, Portugal. This city had long been on my list of places to see. We both fell in love with this charming and colorful city! The orange rooftops, colorful buildings, and cobble stone streets were like out of a dream. Beautiful views lurked around every corner. Here is a list of my top ten things to do in Lisbon!

Alfama

The colorful Alfama District of Lisbon, also known as Old Town, is lined with Portuguese restaurants, cafes, and shops selling traditional crafts. You will find views of the Sao Jorge castle as you wind through the charming cobbled stoned streets. At night, you can find several restaurants with musicians playing traditional Fado music. Some restaurants to try are Ti Natercia, Parreeirinha de S. Vicente, and Cantinho da Rute. There are also several look outs in this area.

Portas de Sol View

This was easily our favorite view in Lisbon. We stumbled across this lookout while walking back to our hostel at twilight. The lighting was absolutely stunning! The orange rooftops, colorful buildings, and beautiful blue sea were like out of a dream.

Se Catedral

The Lisbon Cathedral is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the city. You can enter this beautiful church for free although there is a section of the church that you must have a ticket to enter. The famous Tram 28 passes right in front of the square.

Praca do Comercio

The Praca do Comercio is one of Lisbon’s iconic squares, located next to the Tagus River. Lemon-meringue yellow buildings, a grand statue, and a magnificent arch make up this beautiful square. It’s a great spot for people watching and pictures!

Sao Jorge Castle

Castelo de Sao Jorge is perched proudly on a hilltop overlooking the city of Lisbon. This castle was the seat of power in Portugal for 400 years. Today, you can step back in time on a visit inside the castle grounds. Tickets are 8.50 euros and you can purchase them here.

Rossio Square

Rossio Square located in the Baixa District, has been one of Lisbon’s main squares since the middle ages. It sits in front of the Maria III National Theatre. Its a very lively area with tons of tourists and locals gathering here because it’s located right off of the busy Rua Augusta. The beautiful fountain in the square and the theatre make for the perfect photo op.

Santa Justa Lift

The Santa Justa lift is located in the Baixa neighborhood. The panaromic view of the city from the top of the lift is pretty amazing. We originally climbed several sets of stairs to get to the Bairro Alto neighborhood. Save yourself the leg work and time by taking this lift up instead! Tickets 5.15 euros and include the lift to the viewing platform.

Bairro Alto

Bairro Alto is the charming central district of Lisbon with marvelous city views. This stylish neighborhood is where you will find trendy boutiques, restaurants, and coffee shops. We loved wandering up and down the streets looking for fun spots to photograph.

Park Bar

Park Bar is a cocktail bar with great rooftop views of Lisbon. It was a little tricky for us to find! It’s actually located at the top of a parking garage along the perimeter of the Bairro Alto district on Calcada do Combro. This trendy bar is a great place to stop and rest with a refreshing drink.

Belem

This suburb area to the west of central Lisbon is famous for it’s pasteis de nata, a custard tart treat. You can visit this area by hopping on a train or taking the bus. The station is across the street from the popular Ribeira Market. Tickets are only a euro with a short 7 min ride. We visited Jeronimo’s Monastery, Torre de Belem, and the beautiful fountain in Praco do Imperio. If you visit this area, you must stop by Pasteis de Belem to try a pasteis de nata!

XOXO