24 Hours in Lisbon – An Insider’s View

The Epic team live and work in our destinations, which means they have a unique insider view of what is going on, on the ground, in each place. We asked one of our travel planners, Nicole, who lives in Lisbon what her top tips were if we only had 24 hours and to share a few of her personal favourite hang-outs.

“Well first of all, 24h is definitely not enough time, so you’ll have to wake up early in the morning ok?! Anyway, this is what I’d recommend…

Early Morning in Lisbon

It’s  9am – you can get the 28 tram at its first stop, at Praça Martim Moniz, this would give you a glimpse of all the most important places in Lisbon. 

After your ride, stop in one of the miradouros (view points) . I recommend Santa Luzia as it is very charming and central. Sit down in one of the famous Kiosks and enjoy a very traditional Tosta Mista with a Galão (toast and a Latte, the Portuguese way).

Mid Morning Trek to Lisbon’s Discovery Monument

After getting your energy high, it is time to walk to the Castle, you don’t have to go inside – I am not a big fan of lines – then you can continue walking down at Rua Largo dos Lóios. There are lovely pictures of residents around this street – it’s almost like an open air gallery, from there you will reach another viewpoint – a hidden one – but from where you can see the castle and the bridge. There is usually live music playing, just enjoy it for a moment. 

After that, grab a Tuk-Tuk, very popular in Lisbon, and go to an area called Belém, the riders will tell you some nice stories on the way, relax and enjoy the ride. When in Belém grab your original Pastel de Belém and head to the other side of the road to the Discovery Monument, most people don’t know that you can go up this monument, and that when looking down you can see the ‘roses compass’ with dates, ships and caravels that mark the main routes of Portuguese expansion between the 15th and 16th centuries. It is beautiful! You can also spot the traditional sidewalks in the shape of waves.

Lunch on the Tagus River

From Belém, it’s time for a spot of lunch and a boat cruise around Tagus river, or, if you don’t fancy the water, a food walking tour is always fun.

Afternoon

After your tour, get lost in the Bairro Alto neighbourhood, I love to visit a gallery called Oficina Marques, it’s one of my favorite places in Lisbon. Close to it you can go to a shop called Vida Portuguesa, and buy all the souvenirs and presents you promised your family. 

Then continue to one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in Lisbon around São Bento. Stop for a visit at Companhia Portugueza do Chá, even if you are not a tea enthusiastic the shop is worth the visit.

In need of a break? Grab coffee at Café São or go to the funky and delicate pastry shop from Juliana Penteado – her sweets are a work of art. 

Early Evening Dinner and Fado

If you are lucky and it is Friday you can watch a Fado concert in the Patriarchal Reservoir (Reservatório da Patriarcal), finishing your day with a very special and traditional Portuguese dinner in a restaurant called O Velho Eurico – I love this place. Allow yourself to experiment and switch things up a bit!  

From my perspective, I think that’s a perfect balance between being a tourist, seeing the city highlights, and being a local, doing things that only residents do or know about.

Epic can organise all kinds of insider holidays in Portugal, The Azores, Morocco and Sao Tome & Principe, and we’re more than happy to share our insider tips! Contact us at: info@epic.travel