Lisbon’s seven hills give it a real sense of drama. This is a city with highs and lows, districts stacked on top of each other, alleys to lose yourself in and shops selling fresh, flaky pastries. Backstreet music clubs are worth looking out for where the locals enjoy the traditional folk music known as fado, and just try to resist the scent of that Lisboan specialty, bacalhau – salt cod.
On top of Lisbon
This is a place that isn’t short of great vantage points. Look down on the sprawling city from one of its many hills, or gaze out to the Atlantic Sea. Castelo de Sao Jorge is almost impossible to miss, and the castle and palace ruins are also well worth a trek to the top.
Built by the Moors in the 11th century – you can still see traces of their life here – it was later the home of the king of Portugal, before the Spanish adapted it to protect the city. It’s now a National Monument, and there are three daily guided tours.
Choose your district
Lisbon is divided into various districts and, while there’s crossover between them as they blur into each other, they all have their own unique character. Belem is where you’ll find Padrao dos Descobrimentos monument, with its tremendous view, and the unmissable 16th century Belem Tower – also called the Tower of St. Vincent.
Both the tower and the Jeronimos Monastery, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture which sits nearby, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area is also the home of the traditional pasteis de nata pastry – try it at Pasteis de Belem, where they’ve been making them since 1837.
The Bairro Alto is known for its nightlife, but its neighbour Chiado is also a very popular destination. A pretty area with many 18th century buildings, it’s a great place to shop, people-watch from cafés or browse in the numerous bookshops. One of them, Bertrand on Rua Garrett, is certified as the world’s oldest, opening its doors in 1732.
Another stalwart is the Restaurante Tavares, here since 1784 and Portugal’s oldest. The interior is beautiful and the food doesn’t rest on its laurels. Look out too for the Chiado branch of A Vida Portuguese, specialising in vintage and retro products designed in Portugal.
Portuguese Plazas
There are some vast plazas in Lisbon, with the stately Praca do Comercio being the largest of them all. With its statue of King Jose I and the painted buildings along the edges, it’s a symbol of Portugal’s former maritime power. The Rossio Square – aka the Pedro IV Square – is busier, however, a place where people gather, sit and chat.
The art deco Café Nicola is here, as well the imposing Rossio Station and the city’s main street, the Avenida da Liberdade. Finish your exploration of Rossio with a traditional Alentejan meal at Casa do Alentejo. Climb the stairs and you’ll find a fine interior and food to match – pork and clams, oven-baked rabbit and a range of regional desserts are an authentic taste of the country.
Whether you fit all of this into a couple of days, or stay longer and cram in the Navy Museum, Cathedral and Oceanarium, what’s certain is that Lisbon isn’t short on things to see and do. Take a look at our Travel Guide and check off as many as you can with Hertz car rental in Lisbon.