Lisbon



Food & Drink


Top Restaurants
  • Belcanto Two Michelin Stars and #42 on the World's 50 Best Restaurants List, we had to try Belcanto while we were in Lisbon. The experience was like tasting menu theatre. Over the top presentation, standout dishes from chef Jose Avillez, and impeccable service where our plates were set down on the table at the exact same time.
  • Bairro do Avillez Restaurants within restaurants is the best way we can describe PÁTEO at Bairro do Avillez. There’s a terrace, a Taberna (tavern), a Mini Bar, a Pizzaria, and a Páteo... our personal favourite. All designed by chef José Avillez.
  • Alfama63 We ate at this restaurant on our last night in Lisbon and it was one of the best meals of our trip! Alfama63 is a family run business, service run by the son (Nuno) and cooking by the mother. The food is delicous and feels home-made. Nuno is one of the coolest hosts of any restaurant, telling stories and serving shots of Ginjinha (Portuguese liqueur) to the entire restaurant all night.
Top Bars
  • Ulysses An Alfama speakeasy with craft cocktails and the best bourbon selection you will find in Lisbon. Unfortunately, we did not get to try Ulysses since it was undergoing renovations. We spent some time speaking with the owner, Manuel, who is Portugese Canadian, and we are looking forward to going when we are back in Lisbon!
  • Red Frog We laugh about how many times we walked around the block looking for the red frog doorbell to find this speakeasy. Our search was worth it. The prohibition-era bar serves up some of the best cocktails in Lisbon, and is #67 on the World's Best Bars List of 2021.
  • Memmo Alfama Terrace The view from this terrace is one of the best we found in Alfama! This is the perfect spot to lounge away from the tourist spots in the area. We recommend going around dusk to watch the sunset while drinking rosé.
Markets
  • Time Out Market Lisbon’s most famous food market. You can try almost anything from the Portuguese cuisine and then finish up with a 1€ espresso. We would recommend going midday during the week tp avoid the crowds and guarantee a seat at a table.
  • Feira da Ladra / Mercado de Santa Clara Alfama's historic flea market is the place to go for antique shopping. The market originated in Lisbon in the 12th Century. Sellers display their store in a stall or on a stretched-out blanket, ready to negotiate. After walking around the market, we snagged a table at the Copenhagen Coffee Lab nearby, which was great for market and people watching.
  • Campo de Ourique Market Smaller and less touristy than Time Out Market, Campo de Ourique Market is one of the oldest neighbourhood markets in Lisbon. Stalls sells fresh produce, fish, and meat. There are plenty of restaurants serving all different types of food, including traditional Portuguese dishes. We passed by Campo de Ourique Market while riding Tram 28, and took note that we need to visit on our next trip to Lisbon!
Other Food & Drink
  • Pizzeria Romana BIO, Lost In, Needle in a Haystack, Alfama Cellar, Pateo 13, Cantinho do Avillez, Alma, PÁTEO Bairro do Avillez
  • Imprensa Cocktail and Oyster Bar, LUMI Rooftop, Rooftop Bar at the Hotel Mundial, Monkey Mash, Foxtrot
  • Any place for 1€ espresso, Copenhagen Coffee Lab, Buna Specialty Coffee Shop, Melbourne Elouera, Fábrica Coffee Roasters

Activities & Attractions


Top Activities
  • Get lost in the Alfama District The oldest district of Lisbon. We lived in Alfama for one month and it felt like we were living in the soul of the city. Breathtaking views and a medieval maze made everyday a new adventure.
  • Ride Tram 28 The iconic Tram 28 has been working its way up the steep, cobbled roads and into the old Alfama district for decades. Since we were staying in Alfama, we would always hop on Tram 28 to go to Bairro Alto, Baixa or Chiado. We loved this route because there were tons of landmarks and sites you could see along the way!
  • Torre de Belém If there is just one landmark you visit when touring through Lisbon, make it this one. Built in the 16th century and one of the most iconic features of the city. An added bonus: we took the Tagus River Bike Path, which finishes at BelémTower.
Other Attractions
  • Sites • Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon Cathedral), St George’s Castle, Monastery of Jerónimos, Lisbon Oceanarium, ride the Funiculars, Padrão dos Descobrimentos
  • Parks • Tagus River Bike Path, day trip to Sintra, day trip to Cascais
  • Museums & Galleries • National Tile Museum, National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon Oceanarium

Stays


Top Stays
  • A
    TRV3 in Lisbon's Historic Alfama District
    This is an absolutely fantastic unit! The location is amazing. The style and space of the unit are incredible. We highly recommend it. Alfama is also a beautiful neighbourhood that is easy to fall in love with—and this unit makes it that much easier to.
  • H
    Memmo Alfama Hotel Lisboa
    This hotel is a hidden treasure inside the heart of Alfama. The poolside and rooftop terrace views over Lisbon are amazing, especially at sunset. Although we only got to experience the rooftop terrace, this hotel would be our top pick for our next stay in Lisbon!
  • H
    Valverde Hotel
    A luxury hotel located in the center of Avenida da Liberdade. A 3-minute walk from Avenida metro station, 2 km from dining at Praça do Comércio district, and 3 km from medieval Castelo de São Jorge.
AREAS/NEIGHBOURHOODS
  • Alfama, Bairro Alto, Chiado, Baixa