Portugal has just been named 2016 Destination of the Year by Travel + Leisure magazine. Although the country nearly crashed when the European debt crisis struck in 2009, Portugal capitalized on its tourism potential. And it has done so successfully.
What better way to start your Portugal trip than visiting its thriving capital – Lisbon. Whether you are in this city for a long layover or on a week-long holiday, there are plenty of unique experiences to seek out. How many can you tick off this list of 10 unique things to do in Lisbon?
1. Ride the charming and historic Lisbon tram 28.
Many of Lisbon’s tourist attractions, historic sites, and cultural landmarks are within the city center, so a ride on board tram number 28 is ideal for a snappy tour. This is the oldest form of transportation many first-time visitors in the city are intrigued to try. During the tour, keep your eyes peeled (and your camera ready) for the oldest vertical elevator in Lisbon, the Santa Justa lift, as well as the oldest functional funicular in the city, the Ascensor do Lavra. If you are planning to get around Portugal’s capital by bus, boat, and tram, it’s best to buy an all-in-one 72-hour ticket to save money on transportation.
2. Look out for Lisbon’s classic landmarks.
As if announcing “welcome and bless you,” the statue of Christ the King (1959) dots Lisbon’s skyline similar to Christ the Redeemer in Rio, Brazil (1922). The shrine seems to embrace visitors with its hand gestures and wide-open arms. It’s equally hard to miss Ponte 25 de Abril, about 2km-long suspension bridge that connects Almada and Lisbon. If you think this bridge resembles the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco, you’re right because the same company built 25 de Abril Bridge.
3. Celebrate the architectural boom of the new Lisbon.
Lisbon boasts modern architecture. To see the progressive side of Portugal’s capital, check out the Ponte Vasco da Gama or Vasco da Gama Bridge, a state-of-the-art cable-stayed bridge that was inaugurated in 1998. The bridge serves as a great lookout point overlooking Tagus River and the city. Other modern and impressive Lisbon attractions include the iconic steel-glass Estação do Oriente, the modernistic roof of Pavilhão de Portugal, the twin buildings of Torres São Gabriel e São Rafael, the towering observation point at Torre Vasco da Gama, and the massive Meo Arena, just to name a few.
4. Have a taste of Lisbon’s 19th century aristocrat’s life.
Stay at Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel to experience what it’s like to live with Portugal’s 19th century aristocrats. The property has changed many hands for centuries yet expert architects and designers strived to preserve classic architectural and interior styles taken from different epochs/eras. This palace-turned-hotel boasts amenities on par with modern 5-star hotels (free Wifi, cable TV, DVD player) blending perfectly with Portuguese-style furniture and ornately-designed rooms, where no two suites have the same interiors. Despite its old-world majesty, this hotel is set in a ritzy district in Lisbon at Parque das Nações, a tourist magnet that reintroduced Portugal in the 1998 World’s Fair as an up-and-coming global power as it was back in its glorious Age of Discovery days.
5. Head to Monsanto Forest Park for a leisurely stroll and outdoor sports.
Pedestrians, cyclists, nature-lovers, or any visitor looking for leisure activities can head over to Monsanto Forest Park or Parque Florestal de Monsanto, Lisbon’s largest green space. This 1000-hectare park is composed of theme parks, leisure amenities, and entertainment facilities for every type of tourist. It also serves as a great vantage point for a postcard-perfect view of the city, river, and vast ocean. You can also enjoy fun activities like mountain biking and cross trail running during your visit.
6. Travel through time inside the Gulbenkian Foundation
Find well-selected works from each epoch during your tour inside one of Europe’s best museums. Five thousand years of world treasures are featured here. Every significant contribution or valuable object from Egypt, Greece, Mesopotamia, Arab, China, and other early civilizations have found a place inside this well-organized gallery. Exhibitions depend on the month of your visit. One of the most recent works displayed here was the glass masterpieces of the famous French artist, Rene Lalique. After a half-day stroll, linger for a while and sip a cup of coffee at a nearby cafeteria with a picturesque lake view.
7. See Europe’s largest indoor aquarium at Oceanário de Lisboa.
Meet penguins, sharks, tropical fish, and other aquatic beauties in this waterside aquarium located in the bustling and swanky district of Parque das Nações. To ease your way inside Lisbon Oceanarium, book your ticket online and come early to be the first in line. Watch in awe as various kinds of sea creatures swim. While this attraction is great for kids, adults who love ocean wonders will also find the trip delightful.
8. Satisfy your craving for authentic Portuguese snacks.
Snack on pastéis de nata at Pastéis de Belém. Sprinkle the top of the custard tarts with cinnamon and icing sugar. Fun fact: the original recipe of this popular Portuguese egg tart pastry came from the monks at Jerónimos Monastery. Be prepared for the crowd in bakeries or pastry shops serving this dessert. Once you’ve had your fill of sweet pastéis de nata, try another widely popular local delicacy: the salted cod bun, or Bacalhau in Portuguese. Many foodies rave about Bolinhos de Bacalhau, a savory cake made with mashed potatoes, fish, parsley, and egg. Most tourists who try this dish end up craving more.
9. Eat, drink, and hang out like the lisboetas.
For a scrumptious dinner, you can’t go wrong with seafood meals served at restaurants near Tagus River. Most local little seafood spots offer a hefty and hearty serving of halibut or salmon with potatoes, broccoli, and carrots infused with lemon and drizzled with olive oil. Many tourists swear by eating seafood meals the entire week without ruining their budget. Before sunset, stop by sidewalk Art Deco coffee shops like Cafe A Brasileira for an inviting atmosphere, delicious coffee, and tasty desserts to cap off the day.
10. Visit the Palace of Pena in Sintra and wander through its gardens.
There’s nothing quite like the combined Manueline and Moorish architectural styles in this castle. Sitting atop Sintra hills, this palace is a great expression of 19th century Romanticism, a brainchild of King Ferdinand II no less. Spend some time exploring the lush forest and rich vegetation surrounding the palace. Take advantage of the view of the city and ocean from the top of the palace before sunset for the most dramatic picture of Lisbon you won’t forget anytime soon.
Have you booked flights to Lisbon yet? Or if you’ve been to this city, what do you miss most about it? Head over to Facebook so we can continue the conversation.
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