Lisbon is currently one of the most popular tourist cities in the world, and for good reason! Combining centuries of history with a contemporary, cosmopolitan outlook, there's something for everyone here: both for those who want a more refined, elegant experience and for those searching for an authentic flavor of the city. In the following itinerary, you'll find some of our recommendations for restaurants and hotels to visit during two days well spent in the Portuguese capital. Enjoy!
Day 1: Chiado and Alfama
Morning
Having made your way here last night, wake up wrapped in the soft sheets of the Four Seasons Ritz, one of the most prestigious and luxurious hotels in the capital. Housed in a historic building from the early 1960s, it maintains a classic patina full of charm (including murals by the famous Portuguese artist Almada Negreiros) and offers truly special service. If you're looking for a more affordable accommodation option, you can opt for the fun and cosmopolitan Mama Shelter Lisboa, located very close to the city center and with an enticing range of restaurants and entertainment.If you're not sure where to go for breakfast, don't worry: you'll hardly find a better option than the Ritz buffet. Almost everything served is made in-house (from smoked meats to 'viennoiseries') and there's no shortage of classic breakfast dishes such as pancakes and eggs Benedict.
With the cool of the morning to keep you company, take the opportunity to do some shopping on Avenida da Liberdade, the city's main artery, where you'll find iconic luxury brands, or visit Lisbon's amazing Estufa Fria, located next to the equally imposing Parque Eduardo VII. Alternatively, you can always put your cinephile knowledge to the test with a visit to the Cinemateca, a cultural center dedicated to the movies that offers regular film cycles by both national and international creators.
Wander the halls of the Ritz in search of the impressive Almada Negreiros panels (© Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon)
Lunch
Gastronomy is one of Portugal's hallmarks and that's why there's no excuse not to venture out to the capital's many interesting and delicious restaurants. There are several more refined options on the table, such as Belcanto, Lisbon's first Two MICHELIN Star restaurant, which is one of the flagships of Portuguese gastronomic culture around the world. With Chef José Avillez's creations, you can sample the country's most authentic flavors (including plenty of seafood), all surrounded by a dedicated and professional service team who will enhance your experience at every turn. Other options for this style of meal could be Alma by Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa (Two MICHELIN Stars) or EPUR by Frenchman Vincent Farges (One MICHELIN Star).If you want something more relaxed and irreverent, you can opt for Ofício, located right next to the Chiado area, which holds a Bib Gourmand and specializes in small dishes to share. Portuguese recipes and seasonal ingredients dominate the menu and the wine selection is well worth exploring, full of small national and international producers. The Fogo restaurant, the second project by Chef Alexandre Silva, is also a good alternative, especially for fans of food cooked over fire, a method that reigns supreme over the entire menu.
José Avillez's suckling pig dish has been on Belcanto's menu for several years (© Bruno Calado/Belcanto)
Afternoon
There's nothing like a walk to help your digestion. A great option for this is to lose yourself in the alleys of one of Lisbon's oldest and most traditional neighborhoods: Alfama. Always keep your eyes peeled for the little turrets that hide around this area; the fact that it sits on particularly rocky terrain protected Alfama at the time of the devastating earthquake that destroyed the capital in 1755, meaning that parts of the turrets' original architecture are still intact. If you have time, you can even take a trip to the Fado Museum, which is located in the same neighborhood and is a great tribute to a Portuguese musical genre which many say was born right here.Hungry? Take a seat by the river at Zunzum Gastrobar, a more relaxed Bib Gourmand restaurant run by the talented Portuguese chef Marlene Vieira, who focuses on Portuguese cuisine and produce, presenting them in small, fun dishes to share. It could well be the ideal option for enjoying an afternoon of snacking on good food and perhaps even toasting with good wine.
There are plenty of snacks to try at Zunzum (© Zunzum Gastrobar)
Dinner
As night falls, so does the energy levels of those who have spent the day discovering why Lisbon is known as 'The City of the Seven Hills'. You'll need to relax this evening and for those who choose to stay at the Four Seasons Ritz, you won't need to travel far to have a dining experience that is as peaceful as it is delicious. The CURA restaurant is literally the star of the hotel, holding MICHELIN's flagship accolade thanks to the innovative work of young chef Pedro Pena Bastos, whose tasting menus (the vegetarian one is particularly interesting) show the potential of the younger generation of Portuguese chefs.But the options don't stop there, especially if you feel you still have the energy to explore the city a little more. One great choice is Prado, by Chef António Galapito, who is dedicated to presenting highly creative and irreverent combinations of the best Portuguese ingredients. Solar dos Nunes can also be an interesting option for those who want a more traditional Portuguese meal without too much invention.
If you choose Prado as your dinner destination, then you're already very close to two interesting hotel options for the night; both Memmo Alfama and Pestana Rua Augusta are just around the corner.
One of the dishes at Prado restaurant (© Isaac Almeida/Prado)
Day 2: A Trip Down the Tagus River
Morning
You can't talk about Lisbon without mentioning one of its crown jewels: the Tagus river. This majestic waterway, which begins in Spain and flows here into the heart of the Portuguese capital, can inspire a day well spent. In terms of hotels, the aforementioned Memmo Alfama provides one of the best views of the river. Located next to Lisbon's imposing cathedral and tucked down an alleyway, its unobstructed views are due to the fact that it sits on the side of one of many Lisbon's hills. The hotel offers a good combination of natural beauty and contemporary design and architecture.Pestana Rua Augusta is another good option near the river, situated next to one of the oldest streets in the capital and also Terreiro do Paço, the imposing square next to the river that for centuries was the gateway to Lisbon. This is also the home of the Lisboa Story Center, a museum and interactive experience that reveals the rich history of the capital. But beware: before venturing out to explore the city, it's important to have a bite to eat. An unmissable treat that you must try while you're here is the famous pastel de nata (custard tart) and, although you can find them in hundreds of places, the ones at Manteigaria are probably the best. Eat one (or two, let's be honest), have a coffee, and be on your way.
The view of the Tagus river from Memmo Alfama hotel (© Memmo Alfama)
Lunch
The extensive riverside area is an excellent option for those who want to take a long stroll and enjoy the view; if you want to get around a little faster, you can use the city's public bicycle service, the Gira, which you can easily rent from various places along the way. There's no shortage of small kiosks selling snacks and drinks along this long stretch, but all that walking may have worked up a bigger appetite best satisfied by a MICHELIN Guide restaurant.Taberna do Lopes, for example, is a relaxed place that specializes in matured meat served simply and without too much formality. Another option is the fun O Frade, which offers creative reinterpretations of Portuguese 'tasca' classics in a straightforward, satisfying way. Sitting at the counter, you can choose to eat a variety of small snacks or slightly larger dishes.
At O Frade the best place is at the counter, watching the kitchen team in action (© O Frade)
Afternoon
One of the many wonders that the 1998 International Exhibition (EXPO '98) left behind was the Parque das Nações area. It was here that the pavilions dedicated to an endless number of countries and continents were concentrated more than 20 years ago; today it is home to new features such as concert halls, monuments, and museums. As this is an area with lots of open-air spaces and with the Tagus river right next to it, it's a great place to spend the afternoon, whether you're walking or taking a cable car ride. It's also here that you'll find the Lisbon Oceanarium, a real gem of the city that almost rivals another neighboring 'Star', the Fifty Seconds restaurant, which is located at the top of the old Vasco da Gama Tower.
One of the best ways to visit Parque das Nações is by cable car (© Getty)
Dinner
One of the best ways to end the day is to watch the sunset bathe the city in the famous 'Lisbon light'. You can do this from one of the many viewpoints scattered around the city's hills; Miradouro da Graça and Jardim do Torel are perhaps two of the best. Another option is to climb up to the iconic Castelo de São Jorge, a structure that has protected the city for centuries and is now one of its most popular landmarks.There's no shortage of choice for dinner either. One of them could well be Boubou's restaurant, which offers contemporary cuisine with a strong creative streak from Chef Louise Bourrat. All of this is served in a relaxed and lively atmosphere where the establishment's pleasant patio is a particular draw. Another good option is the lively Carnal, the Mexican-influenced project headed by Chef Ljubomir Stanisic (of One MICHELIN Star 100 Maneiras), which is as unstuffy as it is delicious. Proof of this can be found in the chef's pork or fried cauliflower tacos.
Finally, why not end the day with a glass of wine or a cocktail? For the former, Black Sheep wine bar is well worth a visit. Initially, this place was practically cupboard-sized, but they recently moved in next door and now have a much larger space, where there's no shortage of both Portuguese and international wines, almost all from small producers. For cocktails, an unmissable classic is the Red Frog speakeasy bar, a little nook serving ultra-creative drinks, tucked away inside Monkey Mash, another bar owned by the same team.
Discover Carnal's Mexican cooking (© Tiago Maya/Carnal)
NEW City Guides:
Hero Image: Lisbon city center © Gettyimages
