Planning a trip to Europe and looking for the best things to do in Lisbon? Here is the ultimate Lisbon guide for first time visitors to Portugal!

Lisbon is truly a magical European city. As Portugal’s capital city and one of the oldest capital cities in all of Europe, Lisbon boasts stunning architecture, coastal views, iconic yellow trams, dusky pink buildings, historic churches, and more. With a rich history, and Moorish influences combined with a modern European style, Lisbon is truly a special place quite unlike other European cities. 

Once a city under-the-radar, now Lisbon is on most of the “up-and-coming” lists of European cities. While tourism is still growing, prices remain lower here on average than other, more touristy cities in other European countries – which means now is a GREAT time to visit before prices rise to be on-par with other European destinations! And solo travelers rejoice – this is one of the SAFEST cities in Europe to explore for solo travelers! 

So if you’re looking for a city-on-the-sea vibes for a classic European summer with a mild, Mediterranean climate, or if you’re just looking for a unique city to add to your Europe trip, absolutely add Lisbon, Portugal to your must-visit bucket list. From seafood to sunsets to fado and more, here are (over) 20 best things to do in Lisbon, Portugal, for first-time visitors, complete with a full guide on everything you need to know before visiting.

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Pink Street, also known as Rua Nova do Carvalho, is a bright pink lane in the middle of Lisbon’s nightlife in the bustling Cais do Sodre neighborhood.  Brightly colored umbrellas line the top of the street, making for quite a sight, welcoming you to the bars and clubs of the area. Visit for the photos during the day and come back at night to party!

On your list of things to do in Lisbon, put watching a sunrise or sunset at one of Lisbon’s iconic view points at the top! Miradouro de Santa Luzia, a beautiful ceramic tile decorated terrace, looks over Alfama district and is one of the most popular viewpoints of the city. This popularity does mean it will be JAM-PACKED at sunset! Make sure to arrive extra early for sunset, or to avoid the worst of the crowds, my top tip is to come at sunrise when there are less visitors to share the view with. After sunrise, make sure to walk over and enjoy the views from Miradouro Portas de Sol as well!

The Praca do Comercio is a large, harbor-facing plaza with stunning architecture and unforgettable arched corridors. This is one of the largest squares in Europe and it is well-worth a visit! On certain weekends in summer, you might even be treated to a local art market, which was one of my favorite experiences!

If you’re wondering which viewpoint to watch a stunning Lisbon sunset from, look no further than Miradouro da Senhora do Monte! Located in a churchyard, this spot is the highest point in the local neighborhood and offers panoramic views of the city, all the way down to the river waters below. It’s also a much larger viewpoint than some of the others in the city – so while this viewpoint will still undoubtedly be packed at sunset (arrive EXTRA early!), there is a lot more room to spread out and still get epic views. My top tip: bring a pizza & drinks and have a picnic while taking in the views!

The Carmo Convent, also known as The Convent of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is a former Catholic convent that, like so much else of Lisbon, was ruined in the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake. The convent’s origins can be traced back to the late 14th century and it is truly one of Lisbon’s most beautiful sights. There are several archaeological relics housed in its museum, but seeing the ruins alone is honestly worth it. When I visited, parts of the convent were under repair & restoration, but it is safe and open to visit.

The Santa Justa Lift connects central Lisbon’s lower streets to the much higher Largo do Carmo. It is also the quickest way to get from the Baixa neighborhood to the Bairro Alto district! Riding this iconic lift is a great way to avoid some of the most steep hills in Lisbon, while also having a unique experience with an epic view.

There is soo much more to explore in Lisbon! Don’t miss out on everything this amazing city has to offer. Here are even more suggestions on things to do in Lisbon, Portugal:

• Explore Green Street
• Visit Rossio Square
• Enjoy the colorful Rua do Telhal street 
• Visit the Jeronimos Monastery
• Tour the National Pantheon
• Shop & eat at Rua Augusta 
• Shop at the Feira da Ladra (Flea Market) at Campo de Santa Clara 
• See city & ocean views from Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara 

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