Restaurants

• Time Out Market: Kind of cliché but it covers all bases by offering lots of different varieties of local food and drink, with a fun ambiance. the location is: Mercado da Ribeira, Av. 24 de Julho.

• Olá Sangria, just a little hole in the wall next to the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara but we highly suggest that you grab a sangria, find a seat at the viewpoint, listen to great music (which is where we found Fael, our Friday night entertainment) and enjoy the view. You won’t be sorry.

• Taberna da Rua das Flores

• Polémico, great food, and great service

• Tricky’s

• Cosmos

• Caruma

• Ramiro

• O Velho Eurico

• Taberna Sal Grosso (yum)

Shopping

• Lisbon has a ton of pop-up shops that sell locally made wares from shoes to handicrafts to clothing. Check some of these out:

  • EmbaiXada, Praça do Príncipe Real 26. This 20th century palace was transformed into an innovative commercial gallery where several national brands and artists work on design, craftsmanship, fashion, cuisine, and Portuguese culture. And it’s down the street from the best viewpoint in Lisbon: Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara.

  • Loja Real Pink Palace Pop-up, Praça do Príncipe Real 19. Just down the street is another fun pop-up, with clothing, shoes, etc. Our favorite shoe store, Flabelus, R. Dom Pedro V 101, is also right there.

  • Depozito, R. Nova do Desterro 21. Home goods with local pottery and other locally made wares.

  • Avenida Liberdade: It’s not quite the Champs Elysées, but it’s Lisbon’s version, with designer shops, plus a fun flea market with lots of inexpensive crafts. The craft market is not there every day.

  • Oficina Marques, 71 Rua Luz Soriano, Bairro Alto. Beautiful gallery of pottery and other artwork

Other things to do:

While not the definitive guide but off the top of my head, here are some places not to miss. Everything is walkable, if you don’t mind the hills:

• Bélem: The only location that isn’t walkable but a fun scooter ride along the coast (or Uber for the less adventurous). This is where you can find the famous statue the Monument to the Discoverers, which celebrates Portuguese explorers and navigators. Also in Belem is the Jerónimos Monastery, the Tower of Bélem and the world famous Pastéis de Natas bakery, Pastéis de Bélem.

• Tram 28: may or may not be the most overhyped ‘attraction’ in Lisbon, but it’s a great way to see a few of the hillier neighborhoods without hiking up the hills (and you don’t want to wear yourselves out before the big weekend). Tram 28 route runs between Martim Moniz, near the centre of Lisbon and winds through Alfama, Baixa, Estrela, and Graca before ending at Campo de Ourique. It’s 40 minutes one way, cost 3 Euro, and originates in the city center at Martim Moniz—go before 9AM to avoid the crowds. Tram 28 gets you to Aflame.

• Alfama: The oldest section of the city with lots of narrow streets, small restaurants and fado music. Famous sites include the Tuesday/Saturday market, the Feira de Ladra, the Miradouro de Santa Luzia, and Castelo de San Jorge. The best thing to do is just meander the streets and feel the vibes. A site to check out with more details is here: https://lisbonlisboaportugal.com/Alfama-Lisbon/Alfama-district-lisbon.html

• Avenida Liberdade: Even if shopping isn’t your groove it’s a beautiful street to walk up, often hosts a craft market, and ends at the Parque Eduardo VII (think Central Park).

• São Jorge Castle: 9th century Moorish castle with great panoramic views of the city

• LX Factory: This is a combo shopping/eating district with an industrial vibe. Lots of arty retailers and interesting food. We ate at Barouk, the Lebanese restaurant, so yummy. The link to the location is here: https://lxfactory.com/en/lx-factory/. It’s either a long walk or Uber ride to the spot under the red bridge. About ½ way to Bélem.

• If you have a day to spare don’t miss Sintra. You won’t be sorry. And if you go, there is a restaurant about 20 minutes away, tucked into the mountains called Azenhas do Mar (seafood). Worth the trip and the view.