If you are planning a holiday in Lisbon, be prepared to discover a unique city, where the charm of history meets the unbridled fun. In this guide you will find the best things to see, from the most beautiful beaches to the nightlife, with tips on how to live the Portuguese capital.
Cultural holiday or pure relaxation under the umbrella? It is the usual summer dilemma. But fortunately there are destinations where you can have one and the other. One of these, for example, is Lisbon, between the few European capitals with beautiful beaches within easy reach, within a few minutes by car. If you add a wild nightlife, you have the perfect cocktail for a pure-style holiday "toda joia toda beleza".
Index of Article
Lisbon what to see: Culture, Sea and Entertainment
Like Rome, also Lisbon is built on seven hills and often the most characteristic attractions and neighborhoods, such as São Jorge Castle or Bairro Alto, are in high position compared to the center. So put on comfortable shoes and prepared with long scarpinate.
Or, alternatively, you can take advantage of the many transport and guided tours created just to make it easier and comfortable to visit the city to tourists.
First of all the legendary historical trams that climb through the steep streets, saving you tires walking uphill. For a full, or almost, tour of the historic quarters, salts on the legendary yellow eléctrico tram n.28.
Starting from Largo Martim Moniz and travel through a suggestive itinerary between the historic districts of Lisbon, from Bairro Alto, famous for the boutiques of clothes and design, to the Chiado, traditional meeting of artists and intellectuals, to the Baixa mall.
If you prefer to turn the city by following your rhythms, opt for trams and bus hop-on hop-offs: you can choose from different routes of Lisbon What to see and with only one ticket you can go up and get down whenever you want.
Also a walk in Segway allows you to discover Lisbon alternately and without getting tired. These are two-wheel motor vehicles that allow you to move easily and effortlessly. The ideal place to visit a city all ascending like the Portuguese capital.
Or you can try fun tuk tuk tours, led by an expert guide that will make you discover alleys and alleys of the center from a decidedly unusual perspective.
The Best Beaches of Lisbon: Where to go for Surf and Relax
Sea day? Of course I do. Even if you stay in the center you can easily reach the wonderful beaches Lisbon overlooking the Atlantic in a few minutes.
Further east, you will find crystal clear sea and fine sand in Cascais and Estoril, historical seaside resorts frequented by the Lesbonesi. Conveniently accessible by train and well equipped, they are perfect for a relaxing day under the umbrella.
Costa da Caparica
Costa da Caparica is located just outside the perimeter of the city of Lisbon and can be reached by bus or ferry. It is a 8 km long beach famous for the animated nights and flanked by numerous bars and restaurants that remain open until midnight. The beach is so vast that during the high season it is crossed by a train and you can simply ring the bell to get off wherever you want.
The best places along the Costa da Caparica are Morean and Sereia, surrounded by beautiful sandy areas and lively bars. Surfing and windsurfing are the main activities and you will find many points of sale of equipment and surfing schools along the beach. Sereia and Mata are some of the best surf locations.
Praia de Carcavelos
Praia de Carcavelos is definitely the most famous beach of Lisbon. Easily reachable by bus or car in 15-20 minutes from the center, it is attended by a young and lively crowd who appreciates the beach bars and pubs open until late at night.
Surfing is definitely another attraction. The small waves make it a very safe beach for surfing. But if you are looking for a quiet and uncrowded place, then Praia de Carcavelos does not do for you and then I recommend you head a little further north towards the beaches of Sao Pedro or Parede.
Sao Pedro, Sao Joao and Parede
Just 10 minutes north of the Praia de Carcavelos, the 3 beaches of Sao Pedro, Sao Joao and Parede follow each other and are totally different from Carcavelos, less crowded and with few locals and restaurants.
Peace and quiet atmosphere make these beaches a popular destination for those who want to get away from the chaos of the city. Because of the water always quite moving, they are not ideal spots to surf like Praia de Carcavelos, therefore suitable are the most experienced surfers.
Praia do Guincho
If you love surfing and windsurfing, head towards Praia do Guincho, among the youngest and most popular of the Portuguese Riviera, climbed to the limelight after appearing as location of the James Bond film "Agent Segreto 007 – At the secret service of His Majesty".
About 15 km from Lisbon, this beach is one of the best beaches in Europe for windsurfing, surfing and kite surfing. The months from June to August, due to the strong north winds, are the best for windsurfing, while in winter the eastern winds make it an ideal place for surfing.
Praia da Adraga
The beautiful Praia da Adraga from unspoilt beauty was considered among the best in Europe by the Sunday Times and ranked second in the ranking of the 10 best beaches in Portugal by the Independent.
Closer to Sintra than in Lisbon, Praia da Adraga extends only 15 km north of Guincho, encunated between high cliffs and wet by crystal clear waters. Now famous, it is more and more frequented, but among the cliffs there is a lot of space and it is not difficult to cut out some corners of loneliness.
Praia Santa Cruz
Located north of Ericeira, this beach is popular among surfers and not yet discovered by tourists. The powerful waves and wind do not allow a very safe bath, but on the other hand the beauty of the coast is spectacular. To reach it, you can take the express bus to Torres Vedras from the main terminal of Lisbon and then the bus to Santa Cruz, which takes you right on the beach.
Tamariz
Although it is usually crowded with locals and tourists in the summer, this beach can still be very relaxing. Tamariz is dominated by a castle owned by the royal family of Monaco and has numerous bars, many of which remain open during summer nights.
Other surf and bodyboard paradises are Ribeira d’Ilhas and Praia di Erceira, the first European nature reserve for surfers, a short distance from the picturesque fishing village of Erceira. Here, after a day of sun and sport you can stop in the many locals for a delicious dinner based on fresh fish and seafood.
Lisbon Night: Locals, Discos and Nightlife
From sunset to dawn, in Lisbon nightlife you turn on a thousand occasions to get late. Between do fado houses, discos, pubs, theatres and cafes, you only have the embarrassment of choice. Particularly lively is the area of docas andAvenida 24 de Julho, which is full of places to eat, dance and sip a drink until dawn.
For an intimate and quiet evening, in couple or with friends, among the alleys of Bairro Alto find the traditional taverns, pockets, and the houses do fado where you can listen live the gruesome Portuguese folk music.
A good place to start the evening are the Miradors, the panoramic points from which you can admire the city’s skylights under you. My favourite is the Garden of Sao Pedro de Alcantara in Chiado, but I also recommend the Porta do Sol in Alfama
Bairro Alto
You can come in Bairro Alto from Chiado or Prince Real, and you find yourself in the heart of the night life of Rua Norte and surroundings, which is full of bars. Esquina in Rua Barroca is a place with a relaxed atmosphere with excellent music.
Mahjong on Atalaia attracts a younger audience and has a fun atmosphere – there is even the billiard. There near Mexe has good music and a lively and festive clientele.
B
In Lisbon nightlife also pulsates through the streets of Cais do Sodré, the charming neighborhood now become a real city attraction, where you can pull the dawn between discos and DJ sets. Close to the Bairro Alto, but through the Calcada de Combro, this area is known as Bica and is the ideal place for a drink and meet friends in bars like Baliza and Bicanese.
Discos
The coolest place in the city is undoubtedly Lux Fragil, in a complex with trendy bars, restaurants and a gastronomy. Lux Fragil is a must of the nightlife of Lisbon, always crowded with beautiful people. It is located east of the city, under the Alfama in Santa Apolonia; in Playa Alcantara, west of Santos, there are many alternatives, but no one is super like Lux.
To try also Op art, right on the seafront, where you can dance until the morning and then watch the sun rise through transparent glass panels on the river.
