LISBONNE - week end & good tips
Welcome to Lisbon, the pearl of Portugal, where ancestral history blends with vibrant modernity to create a captivating destination. In this travel guide dedicated to the Portuguese capital, we will reveal to you tips from seasoned travelers to get the most out of your stay.
Get ready to explore the city's most beautiful neighborhood, stroll through its charming cobbled streets, and immerse yourself in a unique culture.
What to do in Lisbon?
This question will find inspiring answers here, from suggestions for cultural activities to unforgettable gastronomic experiences. To complete your trip, we will share our carefully selected good addresses, inviting you to discover emblematic places as well as little-known gems.
Prepare to be spellbound by the intoxicating blend of ancient and modern, picturesque and contemporary, that characterizes this enchanting city. Whether you are an intrepid traveler looking for adventure or a lover of relaxation, Lisbon will satisfy all your aspirations. Follow us on a journey to the heart of this Mediterranean metropolis, where every street tells a story, and every corner reveals a treasure to discover.
How to get to Lisbon?
The easiest way is to take the plane. There are many companies to make the connection from France. Easy jet, volotea, Vueling, Tap Portugal or Air France.
Then take the metro, bus or Uber to reach your hotel.
Getting around Lisbon?
In Lisbon, there are plenty of ways to get around the city. The best way to discover this great Portuguese city is to do it on foot! But wear good shoes. It is nicknamed the city of 7 hills and you will quickly understand why.
You can take the metro, it is inexpensive and allows you to travel medium-long distances.
In the historic center, take the tram or bus.
If you want to go to Sintra or Cascais, you can take a train that runs along the coast and which is really super pleasant and affordable.
There is a 24-hour UNLIMITED PASS valid on all trams, buses and metros. It costs around €7.
For a city trip of a few days from Lisbon to Portugal, taking this tram is obligatory! Don't hesitate to go with your family, Lisbon with children is easy. A city on a human scale facing the Tagus. The neighborhoods are typical, the streets winding and steep. Historical monuments are interesting and easy to explain to children. The adventures of Magellan and Vasco da Gama all began here...
Discover how a weekend in Lisbon can transform your getaways into an unforgettable adventure. Lisbon awaits you, but are you ready to succumb to its irresistible charm?
We talk about it a lot and I really wanted to discover this Portuguese capital: Lisbon.
At first glance, the city seems to have suffered a violent attack, the buildings are damaged and seem completely uninhabited, fortunately their facade and their old-world charm are intact.
The city is therefore in full reconstruction and I can't wait to return there to see all this change. A trendy capital, it remains a first-ratecultural destination, with a well-established architectural heritage. Its fado music tunes and its azulejos create a captivating charm.
You will not come out of this experience unscathed.
Discover our good addresses in Lisbon to guide you in this captivating exploration.
Can we visit Lisbon as a family?
As for time difference, Lisbon is simple, there is only an hour difference with France in summer. It's ideal for children, the weather is nice almost all year round. A little sunny break, less than a 2-hour flight from Bordeaux, it’s very tempting!Day 1: Discovery of Lisbon
10 a.m.: Alfama district
Alfama embodies the vibrant heart of Lisbon, having withstood the earthquake of 1755. This district exudes a unique atmosphere. Its winding streets create a magnificent theater and let us witness the captivating local life. Lisbon residents from all walks of life exchange peacefully along the facades decorated with pastel-hued azulejos.
As you stroll by chance and the gentle breath that animates the laundry hanging from the windows, you will successively discover shaded squares, flowered balconies, panoramas of the Tagus, thousand-year-old churches and local grocery stores. In this medieval labyrinth, be sure to stroll through Santo Estêvão Street with its belvedere, as well as the São Vicente de Fora Church, the National Pantheon and the Chafariz d'El Rei Palace.
11 a.m.: Tram 28 and breathtaking view of the Tagus
The famous tramway of line 28 is undoubtedly the most colorful symbol of Lisbon...
A journey aboard this racing car in which it is better to hold on! The streets are so narrow and winding that the journey becomes a thrilling attraction.
So get on the yellow tram 28 and get off at the Santa Luzia viewpoint. This place is quite busy but what beauty! The building is covered in blue tiles and has a romantic and flowery pergola. You will see the view from the lookout is to die for.
12 H : Déjeuner portugais chez Alpendre
Sit down in this small restaurant to taste truly good Portuguese cuisine. Here we meet a lot of locals, the dishes are served for the whole table. The products are fresh and the owner speaks French.
Don't have dessert, we have a quality dish in store for you in a few meters.
Walk towards the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maior, Sé de Lisbon. Then go down to the famous Place du Commerce.
Où manger à Lisbonne ? 10 meilleures adresses de cuisine portugaise à Lsibonne
2 p.m.: Chiado district and pasteis de nata
You arrive at this historically symbolic square! The triumphal arch on Augusta Street is an incredibly beautiful building. You can go up by elevator to admire the view or take the 284 steps. The ticket costs a single price of €13.
Passing under the triumphal arch you arrive in rue Augusta.
Nearby, discover the Lisbon pastry shop, Manteigaria, renowned for making the most exquisite pasteis de nata in Lisbon. These puff pastry delights have become emblematic of Portuguese gastronomy, and those from Manteigaria are simply irresistible: warm, soft, perfectly flaky, and enhanced with a delicate touch of cinnamon. Sit on the terrace with a coffee.
Walk around the neighborhood, then join theBica funicular.
16 H: Funicular of Bica and Cais do Sodré
How to get to the Bica elevator?
The Ascensor da Bica represents an emblematic funicular in Lisbon, connecting the Bica district (at the foot of Bairro Alto) to that of Cais do Sodré. You've already seen it for sure, since it's one of the most photographed things in the Portuguese capital.
This yellow funicular was inaugurated on June 28, 1892. At the time it operated with a water counterweight system. This Bica collector is classified as a national monument. It isthe most popular in Lisbon. It is very small since it only has a 23-passenger train. It allows you to travel 283 meters, that's not much you might say... But the slope will quickly dissuade you and you will board this Portuguese emblem.
The ticket costs €3.70 for a round trip. It's super expensive but it's a typical and unusual activity.
Get lost in the streets of the Cais do Sodré district. Walk to Dom Luis's. It is distinguished by its red kiosk and its immense palm trees.
6 p.m.: Mercado da Ribeira
The Mercado da Ribeira is made up of halls, a covered market which has been modified and to which the Time Out Market was added.
It's a food court with multiple restaurants lining the market and large tables in the center where you can come and eat.
The atmosphere is friendly around the long tables that we share. The idea is to draw from all the restaurateurs present a little piece of their specialties and to come together to share them.
10 p.m.: Barrio Alto
In the evening, go to Bairro Alto, a lively district of the city popular with night owls, all in a festive and friendly atmosphere. The idea? Explore the bars along Rua da Atalaia and Rua da Rosa, while enjoying a drink in the narrow streets of this neighborhood.
WHERE TO GO OUT IN LISBON?
Day 2: The magic continues on your second day in Lisbon!
10 a.m. – Immersion at the LX Factory and brunch
This morning, go explore the LX Factory, a former industrial site completely rehabilitated in 2008 to transform into a creative, artistic and cultural hub.
From the center, take a bus to go to the LX factory. We took the 15E bus for €2 and got off at the Algés stop. The entrance to the LX factory is 100 meters on the left.
The street art atmosphere is striking, there are of course many frescoes on the walls.
11 a.m.: Have brunch at Brigadeirando.
Let yourself be tempted by homemade treats, hearty toast and pretty breakfast platters to share, before setting off to explore the Belem district.
Take the time to stroll around the site. You will find pretty vintage shops, restaurants, an ax throwing stand and plenty of unusual places... We fell in love with the Ler Devangar bookstore. Here you can sit down to read a book or buy one, but you can also enter simply to admire the place.
2 p.m. - Walk in Belem
Take a bus back to the LX factory, heading to Belém. Go down in front of the Jeronimos Monastery.
Walk 5 minutes to buy the famous pasteis of Belem. The ancestral pastry shop is to the right of the monastery when you face it. There is often a queue but it's quick and definitely worth a look.
The Belem district offers a pleasant break for a stroll. It notably houses the Jeronymites Monastery, dating from the 16th century. This monument is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can visit it but remember to take skip-the-line tickets, as the wait can be long. Inside, there are beautiful gardens, a nave, its cloister and its ornaments are absolutely sumptuous.
Nearby, we also find the largest modern art museum in Portugal: the Berardo Museum. It brings together beautiful works from the 20th century created by Duchamp, Warhol, Dalí, Bacon, etc... This museum is part of the Belém Cultural Center and it is free on Saturdays. We visit it quite quickly.
4 p.m.: Belem Tower
Explore the banks of the Tagus River to admire the Monument to the Discoveries, an imposing stone sculpture dedicated to Portuguese explorers. Continue your walk to quickly reach the famous Belém Tower. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is richly decorated with religious and national symbols, testifying to Portugal's historical links with the East and Africa. Note that the entrance ticket for the climb is set at €6.
7 p.m.: Dinner on the terrace and sunset
Cross the Tagus to have dinner on the terrace by the water at Ponto Final. You will have a breathtaking view of Lisbon from the other bank. No reservations here, the dishes are from Portuguese cuisine. The large yellow and white gingham check tablecloths contrast perfectly with the blue of the sky.
Take the boat back to reach Lisbon's commercial square.
And if your Lisbon getaway extends further... consider these new avenues of discovery:
Climb to the top of CHRIST KING
Have a drink at sunset in the LOST IN ESPLANADA bar
Randomly choose one of the restaurants on the pretty RUA VERDE
Sipping a drink at the LAS DOCAS marina
Enjoy the evening on the street of RUA DO ALECRIM
Take in the view from CAFÉ DA GARAGEM
Visit the incredible palaces of SINTRA
Take the train and go see the sea in CASCAIS
Visit PORTO</ span>