1. Sunset Sail

Everyone in the group agreed that this was their favorite activity in Lisbon. The Vinho Verde was flowing and everybody had a smile on their faces with the wind in their hair. Not only is the sunset over the city gorgeous but this was the best way to see Belem Tower, Padrão dos Descobrimentos , Sanctuary of Christ the King-Portugal, and Ponte 25 de Abril.

2. Hire a tuk-tuk around the city

Typically I am not the first person to hire a tuk-tuk or pedicab, I like to save my money and walk. You can’t go very far in Lisbon without stumbling into a crowd of tuk-tuks for hire and eventually we gave in. We were hot and sweaty and our legs were burning, and this was the absolute best way to keep exploring while taking a rest. Before boarding we purchased cocktails along the waterfront and over the two hour ride up and down the hills our driver made stops at all of the view points, major architectural sites AND made sure we stopped at the grab and go bars for top offs. We all laughed the entire time and got to see the stunning views of the city without an uphill trek on foot.

3. Ride a funicular or tram

All through the streets of Lisbon you will see charming yellow tram cars that make for great photo opps but they do serve a purpose aside from their looks. Some of these cars are routes around the city and some go up and down a particular hill as a funicular so that people don’t have to walk up a steep hill. (If you aren’t gathering it by now, the hills in Lisbon are intense). Not only is it a novelty to ride one while visiting but it can save you some energy, especially in warmer temperatures.

4. Explore some of the architectural gems

• Carmo Convent - I thought the remains of this catholic convent were gorgeous with the gothic architecture open to the blue sky. You do have to pay to go in but seeing what is left standing from the 1755 earthquake is an intriguing experience.

• Praça do Comércio - If you have come to a massive yellow building with a stunning archway (Arco da Rua Augusta) and a statue in the middle of the square, you have come to the right place. This is the largest square in Lisbon and sits on the waterfront.

• Santa Justa Lift - I personally think this is an eerie looking tower but it does again serve a purpose. This elevator connects two different districts that sit at different levels in Lisbon. The Baixa District, sitting at ground level, and Largo do Carno sitting above. You can take the lift to go between the two.

4. Visit the Green Street and Pink Street

The Pink Street in Lisbon is easily identifiable with its actual pink street beneath your feet and its umbrellas hanging overhead. This particular street used to be known as a Red Light district but has over time evolved into a street of nightlife for both locals and visitors. I personally enjoyed Lisbon’s Green Street more than the instagram popular pink street. This charming alleyway is lined with locally owned businesses, cafes, and restaurants. In line with its name, the architecturally pleasing green street is lined with lush plants giving you the feel of a secret garden.

5. Peruse the local shops

Lisbon has a lot of authentic charm and local artisans. While there are luxury retailers all along Av. da Liberdade that I will happily shop in, my favorite way to spend time is exploring the local boutiques. My favorite street where I had a lot of luck for local charm was along Poiais de São Bento.

6. Atmosfera - Inspiração & art de vivre.

If you have a passion for home design and decor, do not miss this shop. I wanted to buy every plate, chair, and candle in this store and bring it all back to New York with me.

7. Have a drink at a Lisbon Quiosque

All throughout the city, particularly in the squares, you will see these circular kiosk cafes surrounded by outdoor seating. They serve drinks, coffee, snacks, etc. Sitting and having a beer or a glass of wine here was one of my favorite activities. Typically these are located in an area that has beautiful architecture and tends to have a lot of foot traffic, which is great for people watching. We found ourselves huddled around tables at these kiosks quite often on our trip.

8. Experience Nightlife in the Bairro Alto

Bairro Alto is a neighborhood that is blocks and blocks of streets lined with bars and nightclubs. While you can go into most of the establishments, a lot of them simply have a window you can walk up to and order your drink…to go! The thing about Bairro Alto is that the party is in the streets. Everyone walks from bar to bar with their drinks in hand and keeps the party alive. Something I found to be amazing was that the neighborhood is LGBTQ-friendly and has a large selection of bars catering to all crowds. On our girls trip this was a night we didn’t forget!

Day Trips

1. Sintra

We hired a private driver and took a day trip to Sintra from Lisbon. Sintra is home to beautiful landscapes, historical architecture, and amazing food. Due to the history of the region being home to royalty, there are castles and regal homes of all kinds to see. While Pena Palace and its bright colors attract a lot of visitors, we opted to use our time to visit the Moorish Castle (Castelo dos Mouros) and Quinta da Regaleira.

The Moorish castle was very easily accessible and at 10am we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Walking along the castle walls and towers was an incredible experience and provided jaw dropping views of the ocean and surrounding hills, including a view of the colorful Pena Palace.

Quinta da Regaleira is expansive and home to a palace, gardens, and a system of underground tunnels and wells that you can explore. To get into the tunnels you walk down what seems to be an inverted tower leading to nowhere until you reach the caves at the bottom where you can find waterfalls and what I describe as ferry pools. This was such a unique experience and in my opinion one that shouldn’t be missed if you have limited time in Sintra.

We can’t forget the actual town of Sintra with its eclectic colors and cobblestone streets. Take yourself on a food tour through town and try all the local delicacies.

Our route was as follows:

Casa Piriquta for the Travesseiro which is a puff pastry filled with almond cream or nutella... I recommend trying one of each.

Fabrica da Nata for the famous Portuguese delicacy Pasteis de Nata. A puff pastry made with lemon and egg yolk. While you can find these all over Portugal this was by far the best one we had. Of course, you have to top off all your snacks with a sip of Ginjinha, a traditional Portuguese cherry liquor. The best is when they serve it in an edible chocolate cup. You are in luck, because right across from Casa Piriquta you can find a window serving exactly that.

2. Cascais

Cascais is definitely a local favorite. No matter where we went in Lisbon the locals would ask us if we had made it a point to go to Caiscais. Once you arrive it is easy to see why it is a location loved by all. The beaches and seaside cliffs remind you of something from the California coast and it is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Lisbon without having to go far. While we didn’t get to spend time on the beaches we did get to visit Boca de Inferno, a natural rock formation that forms an opening due to the waves hitting it over time. Our driver also took us to one of his favorite restaurants for lunch O Farleiro which provided stunning views of the ocean and Cabo da Roca which is a cliff that is the westernmost point in continental Europe. We had fresh seafood that was hand picked by the chef and a local white wine. On my next trip to Lisbon, I will definitely spend a day on the warm inviting beaches.

1. Alma

A two Michelin Star restaurant, this fine dining experience was a highlight of the trip.You start off by walking up to a grand wooden door where you have to ring the doorbell to be let in by the host, with a reservation of course. We were lucky enough to be sat at the chefs table with the perfect view into the stunning kitchen, I highly recommend requesting this when you make your reservation. While you can order al a carte the best way to experience culinary excellence is by partaking in the tasting menu with the wine pairings. There are two options for the tasting menu but we ordered the Costa A Costa which is a seafood inspired menu. Each dish was not only delectable, but a work of art as well.

2. Rocco

This is a Lisbon hot spot right now. Friends from New York, Los Angeles, and London all asked if we had reservations for this chic Italian restaurant. The gorgeous bar and warm yet glamorous interior are inviting and the food is delicious, especially any pasta that is ordered and spun into the cheese wheel at the table.

3. MiniBar

Going to dinner at MiniBar is an adventure. When you arrive at the door on the street, you walk through a series of multiple restaurants and hostesses until you arrive at the back of the giant building where you are met with a brick wall and a bookcase. Once you open the hidden door on the bookcase you are encompassed by a red neon light and that is when you have arrived at Minibar! This speakeasy has a variety of small plates and mains you can easily share. Some of our favorites were the tuna tartare, massaman curry with duck, and the croquettes. If you take a later reservation you can join in the party that starts at midnight when the DJ arrives.

4. KOB by Olivier

KOB stands for Knowledge of Beef, which says it all. At this modern and elegant steakhouse you can try cuts of beef from Portugal, Argentina, the United States, and so on. They will cook whatever you choose to perfection and don’t forget to order some of their flavorful sides. Our table had a local Portuguese ribeye and the Bief Olivier (a special topped with egg and a sauce) along with truffle mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. We ate every last bit.

5. V Rooftop/Blue Restaurant at The Vintage Hotel

If you are looking for a laid back rooftop with craft cocktails, V Rooftop is the perfect spot. They serve the food from their restaurant on site called Blue and it is the perfect bar food. We shared an order of hummus, chicken pitas, and a very flavorful tuna tarte.

6. Numa Cafe

Numa Cafe has a modern, minimalist feel. The atmosphere is light and bright and is a place I could picture myself sitting with my laptop for the day watching the people of Lisbon walk by their floor to ceiling windows. Their coffee (and milk) selection is extensive along with their menu full of toasts, fresh juices, and chia based bowls. We ordered a few different things and these were some of our favorites: Choco Berry Smoothie Bowl (banana, berries, cacao, oat milk), Green Toast (charcoal baked sourdough with sliced avocado and a boiled egg), and the pancakes that were covered in caramel and coconut cream along with fresh fruit.

Drink at any and all of the Ginjinha places. Who doesn’t love a sweet liquor treat when you are walking around the city.