32 Best Things to Do in Lisbon, Portugal's Sun-Soaked Capital

Condé Nast Traveler

09-07-2025

In the past five years, Portugal's capital city has had something of a makeover—in fact, there are so many things to do in Lisbon that it's becoming difficult to see the city in just a weekend. The magic of this city captures visitors from their very first trip, meaning many return multiple times in a year, never running out of activities or sights to see.
Its historic cobbled lanes, pretty wooden trolleys, sparkling river, and striking tiled façades are all still there, but the city is ever-changing and there's now a host of intriguing new spaces to visit, too. As someone who knows the city like the back of my hand, having explored every neighborhood and new opening over the past few years, I feel confident that I can share top tips, from the can't-miss spots all tourists should see to something a little more off the beaten path.
Chefs from around the world are opening some of the best restaurants in Lisbon, challenging the excellent local restaurants to raise the bar even further. Young Portuguese mixologists and baristas are returning from time spent in London, Paris and New York to launch bars and cafés that blend the best of home and away. And emerging fashion designers, artists, ceramicists, and furniture makers are exhibiting and selling their wares in new stores and galleries that celebrate the skills of talented locals.