Travel Guide: Lisbon

Melanie Colwell
June 20, 2023

Gourmands, take note: Portugal's capital city should be at the very top of your foodie bucket list.

Your packing list for Lisbon must include two items: comfortable shoes and stretchy pants. For the extreme amount of walking you’ll do up and down the cobblestone streets, you’ll do even more eating and drinking. Ideally, the latter cancels the former out, but we offer no guarantees.

Although, in your food coma-induced state, will you even care? (Over)indulging is what holidays are all about — and with OTT sandwiches, buttery pastries, oodles of seafood and more on offer, Lisbon is the place to do it.

But that’s not all. With an abundance of historical buildings — some charmingly well-preserved and others transformed into cultural hotspots — Lisbon gives off a surprisingly cosmopolitan energy and is also just a stone’s throw from stunning natural sites. In partnership with HSBC, we’ve put together this helpful starter guide to the city, so you can start planning your itinerary.

Gourmands, take note: Portugal's capital city should be at the very top of your foodie bucket list.

PLANNING AHEAD

Before you launch into weeks (or months) of responsibility-free fun in Europe, you’ll need to get some adult stuff out of the way first. Organise a pet (or plant) sitter, hand all your unfinished work over to your poor colleagues and, most importantly, sort out your payment plan. With an HSBC Everyday Global Account, you can have up to ten currencies (including EUR) preloaded so you can use your Visa Debit Card for all purchases and ATM withdrawals. The best part? You won’t be stung with international transaction fees.

GETTING AROUND

As a coastal city, Lisbon is extremely hilly. You’ll want to do some exploring on foot to get a feel for the city, but when those legs start getting a little tired, public transport — particularly the metro — is a convenient and affordable alternative. And, of course, you can’t leave without taking a ride on the famous number 28 tram, which passes through some of the city’s thriving neighbourhoods. It’s extremely popular, so jump on early (or late) in the day.

LOCALS LOVE

Fado is a traditional music genre unique to Lisbon. It’s said to have originated in the ports — sailors lamenting a lonely life at sea. Nowadays, you can expect to hear the soulful, somewhat-haunting tunes — usually performed by a solo vocalist accompanied by a guitar — in the small bars and restaurants lining the cobblestone streets.

DON’T MISS

You may think you’ve had a Portuguese egg custard tart before, but you’ll stand corrected after just one bite of an authentic pastel de nata in Lisbon, served warm from the oven with a light dusting of cinnamon on top. Yep, the real deal is infinitely tastier, so expect that bite to be followed by many, many more — at just a couple of euros per tart, it’s impossible to stop at one. Pastéis de Belem, Fábrica da Nata and Manteigaria‘s tarts are all superb.

Five of the Best

Tick these must-visit haunts off your bucket list.

Restaurants

Decades-old institutions, boundary-pushing fine diners and hip brunch spots abound.

1. Prado

Housed in a former fish factory, this greenery- and light-filled restaurant is one of Lisbon's best examples of farm-to-table dining.

2. Cervejaria Ramiro

Lisbon is known for its incredible seafood — and this charmingly retro eatery is considered one of the best places to enjoy it.

3. Belcanto

Classic and contemporary flavours collide at this two Michelin-starred eatery run by renowned chef José Avillez.

4. Alma

Henrique Sá Pessoa's long-running fine diner pairs traditional Portuguese flavours with innovative techniques.

5. Augusto Lisboa

Fuel up for a day of exploring at this funky brunch spot.

Snacks

It's impossible to go hungry in Lisbon. From sweet treats to epic sambos, the city's snack game is superior.

1. Manteigaria

This butter shop turned pastry factory is home to some of the tastiest pastéis de nata you'll ever try.

2. Casa Piriquita

The iconic Sintra bakery, famed for its fluffy travesseiro cakes, now has a Lisbon outpost.

3. Santini Gelados Artesanais

It's (almost) all about the ice cream at this artisanal gelateria — but the chocolate cake is equally excellent.

4. Conserveira de Lisboa

Established in 1930, this family-owned specialist grocery store is celebrated for its canned products.

5. As Bifanas of Afonso

It may be a hole-in-the-wall eatery, but the flavours of its namesake pork sandwich are huge.

Bars

Bespoke cocktails, sweeping city views and sweet cherry liqueur — drinking is as good as it gets in Lisbon.

1. A Ginjinha Espinheira

You can't leave Lisbon without sampling its famed cherry liqueur — and this historic hole-in-the-wall is where you should try it.

2. Park Rooftop

When is a carpark not just a carpark? When it's also home to one of Lisbon's coolest rooftop bars.

3. Topo Martim Moniz

Enjoy crafty drinks and stellar bar snacks as you take in sweeping views of the city at this rooftop cocktail bar

4. Red Frog Speakeasy

Venture into an intimate subterranean speakeasy for some of the most well-crafted cocktails in town.

5. Lost In

Part rooftop garden, part Portuguese wine bar.

Historic Sites

Despite its many metropolitan features, Lisbon has evidence of its storied past all over.

1. Belém Tower

This medieval fortified tower is a UNESCO World Heritage site — and an unmissable addition to your itinerary.

2. Castelo de Sao Jorge

The Moorish-style fortress atop Lisbon's highest hill will transport you back to Portugal's Middle Ages.

3. Jeronimos Monastery

Transport yourself to the golden era of Portuguese history with a visit to this impressive gothic monastery.

4. Elevator de Santa Justa

It gives serious Eiffel Tower vibes, but this neo-gothic structure is more than just a popular tourist attraction.

5. Santa Luzia Viewpoint

The views over Lisbon's weaving streets don't get much better than from this two-level church terrace.

Cultural Spots

It's not all ruins and historic monuments — here's where to experience Lisbon's edgier side.

1. LX Factory

A former industrial complex reborn, this buzzing precinct is packed with restaurants, bars and retail stores.

2. Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology

Known by locals as MAAT, this huge complex on the waterfront is Lisbon's home of contemporary art.

3. The Pink Street

By day, Cais do Sodre's rose-tinted lane is filled with snap-happy tourists. By night, it's a lively party spot.

4. Immersivus Gallery

A multi-sensory digital art gallery displaying the dazzling works of Frida Kahlo, Monet, Klimt and more.

5. Casa das Velas Loreto

Lisbon is home to the oldest candle store in the world (and arguably one of the the most beautiful).

Accommodation

From simple hotel rooms to luxe palatial estates, Lisbon has something to suit every type of traveller.

Five of the Best

Tick these must-visit haunts off your bucket list.

Further Afield

If you've got a little extra time, here are four day trips you should plan from Lisbon.

Sintra

Day trippers flock to the picturesque town of Sintra to explore two key attractions: the vibrant Romanticist castle, Palácio da Pena (pictured), and Quinta da Regaleira, a magical 19th-century estate filled with hidden caves, tunnels and exotic plants. This 6.5-hour tour will take you to both, plus other attractions in the town. Book now with your HSBC Everyday Global Account Visa Debit Card for AUD$138 per person.
Cascais

This charming seaside town is just 40 minutes from Lisbon. Wander past the pastel-coloured buildings of the old town, tuck in to fresh seafood and visit Boca do Inferno (Hell's Mouth), a stunning cliff formation and cave. Join this five-hour tour to see the highlights from AUD$364pp.
Costa da Caparica

If all the walking around Lisbon has left you craving some downtime, we have the answer. Just 25 minutes from Lisbon, you'll find Costa da Caparica, a lovely coastal town with a 30-kilometre stretch of beach to explore and relax on.
Parque Natural da Arrábida

With over 100 square-kilometres of hiking trails, beaches and ancient ruins to explore, Parque Natural da Arrábida is where to go if you need a big dose of nature.

Get Started

Ready to start planning? We've found five experiences you can book right now, fee free, using your HSBC Everyday Global Account Visa Debit Card.

Street Art Tour

Adorning the walls of historic buildings and sites, Lisbon's street art is not only some of the most striking but it's also considered some of the best in the world. Go beyond the typical tourist traps and see Lisbon from a different perspective on a 2.5-hour guided tour, from AUD$37pp.
Portuguese Pastry Class and Tasting

Perfect the art of making Portuguese sweets in an old-school patisserie with baker Filipa. You'll learn to make pastéis de nata and travesseiro de Sintra (almond-filled puff pastries). Book now from AUD$144pp.
Lisbon Sunset Cruise

Step aboard a traditional Lisbon sailboat to enjoy a two-hour cruise as the sun sets. You'll pass by top tourist attractions and sip local wines, all from AUD$53pp.
Authentic Fado Experience

Enjoy a guided stroll through the historic Alfama neighbourhood, then get a front-row seat to a Fado performance. Book now from AUD$56pp.
Lisbon Tiles and Tales

Portugal is known for its handmade and intricately handpainted tiles. On this private tour, you'll learn to make your own and visit the National Tile Museum to admire some of the city's oldest and most beautiful tiles up close, from AUD$284pp.