Lisbon is a city full of historical monuments, delicious food and great places to enjoy a drink with a view. And the best part is that you can actually walk your way through it.
The best time to travel to Lisbon is from March to October – you can expect great weather and the sun shining every day. From November to February it can get a bit cold and rainy, but still very enjoyable and at potential much lower prices in terms of flights and accommodation.
The best and fastest way to explore the big city’s inside Europe is by train. Check HERE for deals and discounts on your tickets.
There are many ways to get around Lisbon (bus, subway, tram and even tuk-tuk!), but the best way to explore the city is definitely by foot. That’s why I decided to make a walking tour that crosses all the major historical neighbourhoods and landmarks.
This tour is about 6 km by foot (up and down hill) and takes, without stops, around one and a half hour. You will find so much amazing spots on the way, like viewpoints and local restaurants, that this tour will probably take you the entire day! And don’t forget to bring your walking shoes!
Here you see the walking tour on the map:
So Let’s Start:
Old Quarter
We will start at Point A in the lower part of the historical neighbourhood of Alfama. Here we will find the Fado Museum, a tribute to Portugal’s most typical music. From this point, we will walk our way up through a maze of tiny streets, friendly locals and groups of tourists. It’s quite a way up, but definitely worth it, since it’s the oldest and most picturesque part of Lisbon.
On the upper part of Alfama, right at the top of the hill, we will reach Point B, the São Jorge Castle. Initially built more than 2.000 years ago, the castle suffered several reconstructions and offers today one of the most breathtaking views over the city.
After we visited the neighbourhood of Alfama and the São Jorge Castle we will go to Point C, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. This will take us about 20 minutes, up and down the road, but the view is definitely worth the travel. The view from up there is AMAZING! You have a clear sight over a big part of the city (including the Castle) and the river.
Grab a drink, enjoy the view and when you are ready to go, we will continue to the Point D, the Martim Moniz Square. Here we’ll find the most multi-cultural area of the city, with Chinese and Indian restaurants, markets and stores, mixed with the traditional Portuguese flair from the nearby neighbourhood of Mouraria.
While at Martim Moniz, and if you are in for a drink, let’s visit Topo Bar, one of the coolest rooftops in town!
Check out Spotahome if you are planning to stay longer than 30 days in Lisbon, they have some great houses for you to rent.
Downtown Lisbon
From here, we will walk about 6 minutes to the Rossio Square, our Point E. Officially named D. Pedro IV , this square is better known as Rossio due to the monumental building of the same name that is also one of Lisbon’s main train stations. Besides the Rossio train station, we will also find the D. Maria National Theater and other beautiful XIX century buildings that are already part of Lisbon’s landscape.
Point F, Baixa-Chiado will be our next stop! After about a few meters walk, we’ll arrive to the heart and soul of Downtown Lisbon. From Rua Augusta, to the Santa Justa Lift, from Convento do Carmo to Rua Garrett – there’s just so much to see and do here! We will find shops, restaurants, bars, squares and beautifully ornamented buildings all-around. This is definitely the area that definitely better defines Lisbon and its culturally busting atmosphere.
A short walk away from Baixa-Chiado, we will find Praça Luis de Camões also known just as Largo de Camões, the Point G. This square separates the monumental and shopping-orientated area of Chiado and the nightlife district of Bairro Alto. Here’s where locals and tourists meet up and enjoy live musicians, street art performs and freshly-made cocktails. There are great restaurants and bars all around the square and it’s the perfect introduction to Lisbon’s bohemian lifestyle.
After about 6 minutes walking from Largo de Camões, we will find our Point H, the Santa Catarina Viewpoint. You will easily recognise it by the stone stairs and Kiosk at your left. It’s the perfect place to take a picture of Lisbon during the sunset, with the River Tagus and the 25 de Abril Bridge on the background.
Riverside
After so much walking, nothing is better than stop and grab a bite. Just about 10 minutes away, our next stop will be the Mercado da Ribeira, Time Out Market – Point I. In one side of the building we will find a traditional fruits, vegetable and fish market, while on the other side there’s a gourmet food court with a lot of options for Portuguese Tapas – definitively a great place for food lovers like me!
From here, we will walk next to the river to our final destination Praça do Comércio (or Terreiro do Paço), Point J. Since the Portuguese Discoveries, that Praça do Comércio has been the city’s gateway. This was the place where the Portuguese caravelas set sail to the New World and opened the city to new cultures and flavours.
The square was completely rebuilt after the Great Earthquake of 1755, including the Arco da Rua Augusta, a classical arch that borders the square and offers an interesting 360º over Downtown Lisbon.
Now that we came to the end of our tour, you can relax and enjoy your evening next to the river. I hope that you found that walk your way though Lisbon is probably the best way to get to know the city, its history and charm.
