What are the best tips for accommodation, markets, and restaurants in Lisbon?

Hi everyone,

It’s been ages since I last dropped by here... maybe simply because, apart from Nepal, I haven’t really had the chance to hit the road lately. 😉

This year, I’d love to spend a few days in Lisbon, probably in late May or early June. But with my budget being what it is, I’m looking for great tips to avoid wasting time once I’m there and risk missing out on hidden gems or unusual culinary specialties and/or quirky activities! I’m hoping to find a room in a local’s home where I can stay in a quiet neighborhood near the center, so I can get around without relying too much on public transport—my walking shoes are my best travel buddies. I’d love all your recommendations, especially for parks, small neighborhood markets, casual eateries for a quick bite, your favorite viewpoints to soak in the scenery (I’m bringing my travel journal to sketch my getaway in watercolors), events around traditional art and crafts, and so on. All your advice will definitely help me travel peacefully and come back with my head full of vibrant memories! Thanks in advance, everyone! Isabelle

Hi there,

Is this your first trip to Lisbon, and how long are you staying?

Are you interested in museums? There are several great ones—it really depends on what you like.

Beyond the city center, you’ve got Parque das Nações, Belém, and you can cross the Tagus River for a beautiful view of the Vasco da Gama Bridge. There’s also Eduardo VII Park, the largest in the city. If you love street art, there’s plenty to explore—it’s almost everywhere. There used to be a neighborhood in the Lisbon suburbs with amazing murals, but they’re no longer there. Lisbon’s metro is also an art gallery, with walls covered in azulejos and signed by Portuguese and international artists.

Since I love açaí, I take advantage of it in Lisbon, where there’s a chain that makes excellent bowls with the same toppings as in Brazil. I even found cupuaçu juice—perfect for anyone feeling a bit of saudade for Brazil... At the super touristy Time Out Market, in addition to Portuguese specialties, you’ll find quite a few Brazilian dishes too. Pastéis de nata are good everywhere—no need to wait in line at the most touristy spots. The ones from the Manteigaria chain are really good, and there are shops all over the city.

I’ve spent two two-week trips in Lisbon and still haven’t seen everything.

I recommend picking up the *Cartoville Lisbon* guide—it has street maps and highlights points of interest neighborhood by neighborhood.

By late May/early June, there’ll already be quite a few tourists, so start looking into accommodation now.

Thanks Marie! These are some great ideas to start with for my first trip to Portugal!! I’m taking notes, and I know you’re right—I really need to figure out where to stay soon... What’s holding me back with accommodation is not knowing whether my husband will be in Brittany or Nepal at that time, so it’s hard to choose between a basic room with a local or a studio for two. I should have a clearer picture by the weekend. Street art and the metro—must-dos. Any museums or exhibitions you’d recommend? I love anything visual/pictorial. Since you know the city well—do you think a paper guidebook is essential? And is one week *just* in the city too much, in your opinion? Thanks again for all your invaluable tips! !

Hello,

Regarding the travel guide, the *Cartoville* is very handy—it’s a set of maps for different neighborhoods with points of interest, restaurants, shops, etc. It’s lightweight and fits in a pocket. It costs 10 €, but if you’re used to traveling without a paper guide and just relying on online info, you can probably skip it.

The *Calouste Gulbenkian Museum* is a stunning museum featuring Asian and Islamic art, Art Nouveau jewelry, and more. It’s free one day a week, but I saw on their website that it’s closed for renovations until July 2026.

I really love the Museu do Oriente—it’s a fantastic museum about Asia, with a beautiful permanent collection and interesting temporary exhibitions. In February 2025, I saw an exhibit on Japanese festivals and celebrations, which was gorgeous and very comprehensive. It runs until May 31st. If you’re interested, you can check out the museum’s website.

Nearby, there’s the Museu de Arte Antiga, a museum dedicated to European art from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century, featuring works by Hieronymus Bosch, Dürer, Courbet, and others. It’s one of Lisbon’s most important museums.

In the same area, you’ll find LX Factory, with shops, bars, restaurants, a bookstore, and—most notably—lots of street art. You’ll see street art all over Lisbon, especially works by Portuguese artists like Vhils and Bordalo II. Bordalo II is particularly interesting—he creates animal sculptures from waste to raise awareness about overconsumption and its impact on the planet.

There are plenty of other museums, churches, and sights to explore.

Here’s a link about the Lisbon metro: the Olaias station is my favorite—it’s often ranked among the most beautiful in the world. Contrary to what this article says, you *can* take photos in the metro, but avoid photographing the tunnels and security cameras: https://www.wheretwogoto.com/exploring-lisbon-underground-art/

Personally, a week doesn’t seem like too much time for Lisbon—there’s so much to see! It’s also a city made for wandering through its different neighborhoods (Alfama, Mouraria, Graça, Parque das Nações, etc.).

The Jerónimos Monastery in Belém is impressive, even just from the outside (there’s often a queue to get in). Strolling around Belém is lovely—head toward the *Torre de Belém*, the *MAAT* (Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology), and more.

All the miradouros (viewpoints) offer beautiful vistas, and I’d also recommend crossing the Tagus River for a different perspective.

The Amoreiras Shopping Center has a panoramic view of the whole city. It costs 5 €, and you should go when the sky is clear: https://www.amoreiras360view.com/fr/miradouro/41

From Lisbon, you can visit places like Cascais (a seaside resort) or the Palace of Sintra (which I haven’t been to yet). Both are accessible by train.

Hi Marie,

Thank you so much for all this information! It’s really inspiring—I can already picture myself there, thanks to you. I think I’ve found a place to stay and some affordable flight tickets. Just a few more days, and I hope I’ll have everything sorted. Your help is really appreciated; you’ve made me even more excited to go. If you ever have a similar project for Nepal, I’d love to return the favor. Have a great day, and happy travels! Isabelle

I’ve never been to a Casa de fado, those places where you can eat, have a drink, and enjoy fado concerts. Some are very touristy, but during my February 2025 trip, I noted down Fama d'Alfama. It was mentioned on TV—they said the former manager of Porto’s football club, who had just passed away, used to frequent it. So maybe there are fewer foreign tourists and more real fado enthusiasts there than in other spots around the city. I haven’t tried it myself, but if you’re interested, it’s not far from the Fado Museum, where they provide headphones to listen to fado from all eras.

Hi there, while wandering around the Alfama district, try to find the two little grandmothers who’ll let you taste *ginja* (a Portuguese liqueur made from wild cherries macerated in *aguardente*) in a small dark chocolate cup. You sip a bit of the pure liqueur, then crunch the whole thing! 🙂 Otherwise, you’ll find it just about everywhere.

Thanks Sophie! That sounds like a great idea! I’ll make a note of it! 😉