Date of publication 25/06/2026
The most surprising charms of Lisbon
If you’re planning a stay at a hotel in Lisbon, get ready to be amazed. Did you know that Portugal’s capital is older than Rome? It was founded several centuries earlier by the Phoenicians. Even the cobblestones beneath your feet are older than they appear. They were rebuilt using debris from buildings destroyed in the Great Earthquake of 1755, some of which had stood for centuries.
In the following lines, we’ll explore historic neighborhoods, scenic viewpoints, and classic experiences that have become true symbols of the city, along with its more contemporary side. We’ll visit Belém and leave the door open to extending your journey even further. All of this begins from a unique place to stay in the heart of the city.
Historic neighborhoods
Baixa and Chiado
Our 5-star hotel in Lisbon, Iberostar Selection Lisboa, is about a 20-minute walk from Baixa and Chiado, two neighboring districts that reflect the city’s cultural character. We’ll return later to its spa, pool, and event spaces for private celebrations and corporate gatherings. The neoclassical buildings and broad, level streets of Baixa, such as Rua Augusta, make it an ideal area for shopping. As you head uphill toward Chiado, the scenery shifts to steeper streets and a more bohemian, literary atmosphere, where culinary and architectural icons like Café A Brasileira await.
Alfama
If you’re spending three days in Lisbon and don’t want to miss a thing, a visit to Alfama is essential. Its authenticity draws you in from the very first moment. According to historians, this seafaring, humble corner of the city is where fado was born. Yet it feels less like an urban neighborhood and more like a traditional Portuguese village, with a maze of steep alleyways and open windows, where neighbors sit and chat in doorways. It is home to several viewpoints, as well as must-see landmarks such as Lisbon Cathedral, São Jorge Castle, and the National Pantheon.
Mouraria
Mouraria, whose name refers to its Moorish origins, is Lisbon’s historic Arab quarter, dating back to the 12th century. Its multicultural atmosphere makes it a vibrant, modern neighborhood where different nationalities and forms of street art coexist, from traditional tiles to graffiti. If you’re looking for international flavors to take home, you’ll enjoy the small grocery shops and the food market in Martim Moniz Square. This district was also home to Maria Severa, the first professional fado singer in history, so music is very much part of its identity.
Belém
Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower
The Belém district lies along the Tagus River, just a 10-minute drive from Iberostar’s hotel in Lisbon. Here, the Jerónimos Monastery, a masterpiece of 16th-century sacred architecture, represents the Manueline style, a late Gothic variation distinguished by maritime motifs such as ropes and shells. Together with Belém Tower, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also built in the Manueline style, this imposing fortress was constructed between 1514 and 1520. A stone-carved rhinoceros adds a touch of fantasy.
If you have your own car or a rental and some extra time, you might consider continuing your journey with a road trip beyond the capital.
Pastéis de Belém
Pastéis de Belém are the original version of Portugal’s famous custard tarts, with a protected designation linked to the Jerónimos Monastery, where the secret recipe is said to originate. Today, their adapted version has become popular both within Portugal and around the world. This delicious pastry dates back to 1837. To preserve its traditional preparation, the pastry chefs who know the recipe are not allowed to travel together. These small tarts are made with flaky pastry and filled with a warm custard of eggs, milk, and sugar, caramelized on top and creamy underneath. To fully appreciate their flavor, they’re best enjoyed fresh from the oven while still warm, ideally with a good cup of coffee. Another globally loved symbol of Portuguese cuisine.
Breathtaking miradouros
Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia viewpoints
After taste, sight is the next sense to sharpen. Climbing Lisbon’s miradouros is an experience of movement and unfolding scenery. The Portas do Sol and Santa Luzia viewpoints sit in Alfama, separated by the Church of Santa Luzia. Both are free and open 24 hours a day. The first offers sweeping views over the Tagus River, the neighborhood’s red rooftops, and landmarks such as the National Pantheon from an open terrace that feels almost suspended above the hillside. It’s an ideal spot to watch the sunrise. The second takes shape as a two-level garden, home to a wooden pergola draped in bougainvillea and benches decorated with tiles dating from before the Great Earthquake. It presents a more intimate scene from above, with views over the port and the towers of the churches of São Miguel and Santo Estêvão.
Nossa Senhora do Monte viewpoint
Planning a family trip to Lisbon? The Nossa Senhora do Monte viewpoint captivates visitors of all ages with its 210-degree panorama. It is the city’s highest point, rising about 330 feet above sea level. Located in the historic Graça district, the easiest way to reach it is by taking tram 28 and walking the final stretch uphill. The best time to visit is at sunset, when the sky and rooftops take on a burnished golden glow. This lookout features a charming courtyard, home to the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Monte. Food and drink stalls are available for a quick break, while street musicians often add to the atmosphere with live performances.
Santa Justa Lift
The Santa Justa Lift is an elegant wrought-iron vertical elevator designed in 1902 by engineer Raoul Mesnier de Ponsard. It connects the Baixa district with Chiado. Its striking neo-Gothic design, with original polished wood cabinets, mirrors, and brass details, seems to grow more impressive as it rises toward one of the best views in the city. The upper walkway leads directly to Largo do Carmo and the ruins of the Carmo Archaeological Museum. Back at your hotel with a pool in Lisbon, you can choose between rooms and suites overlooking either the pool and sun terrace, designed with warm wood and a snack bar, or the city’s tallest buildings.
Industrial art and modern edge
LX Factory
Lisbon’s contemporary side exists in natural balance with its ancient legacy, especially in places like LX Factory, a former industrial complex transformed into a cultural, creative, and leisure hub. Its youthful, boundary-pushing atmosphere, combined with its concept of open-air urban art, makes it a compelling space to experience the dialogue between past and future. Murals and graffiti cover the entire site. Bookstores such as Ler Devagar, set inside a multi-level former printing press, share space with a Sunday antiques and vintage market, cafés, and restaurants. These coexist alongside artists’ studios and coworking spaces that bring energy to everyday life in the Alcântara district.
Parque das Nações
Our hotel in Lisbon is located in the heart of the business district, near Avenida da Liberdade, a modern yet bohemian area that conceptually connects with the industrial-art spirit found in other iconic locations such as Parque das Nações. Built for Expo ’98, this area stands out for its forward-looking architecture, wide pedestrian and cycling paths, green spaces, and cultural offerings. From the Oriente Station designed by Santiago Calatrava to the cable car, and from the Vasco da Gama Shopping Center to the Portugal Pavilion, with its famous wave-shaped concrete roof by Siza Vieira, everything here reflects a reimagined sense of futurism.
Unique experiences you shouldn’t miss
Ride Tram 28
Before heading back to your hotel with a spa in Lisbon to unwind in a wellness space with a sauna, massage rooms, sensory showers, and a heated pool, there are still more memorable experiences to enjoy. The Portuguese capital blends its distinctive character with activities suited to all ages, such as riding Tram 28. You’ve likely seen it in photos and videos. This historic wooden tram travels through Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, and Estrela, winding through steep, labyrinthine streets and offering an accessible, affordable way to explore the city, with departures every 10 to 20 minutes. It’s ideal for combining stretches on foot with time on board, using either a single ticket or a day pass to hop off at the stops that interest you most.
Cross the Tagus by ferry to Cacilhas at sunset
The Tagus River landscape rivals some of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve. The traditional ferry that crosses to Cacilhas, on the south bank, is locally known as the cacilheiro. At sunset, it reveals a vivid palette of color, with views of the 25 de Abril Bridge and a city just beginning to glow under the first streetlights. The crossing takes about 10 minutes, yet captures a perspective that is hard to match. Once in the Cacilhas district, you can take the opportunity to visit the Cristo Rei Sanctuary, stroll along Cais do Ginjal, and sample the renowned seafood served in local restaurants.
Dinner at a traditional tasca with “fado vadio”
When it comes to dinner, food takes on a richer flavor in traditional Portuguese tascas, where the essence of fado vadio—informal and improvised—offers a unique way to step away from more tourist-driven shows and experience the destination at its most authentic. Music flows naturally between tables, woven into the rhythm of the meal.
Arrive early, and you can enjoy dinner alongside the performances, sampling petiscos, Portugal’s small, shareable dishes. Book your hotel in Lisbon and continue savoring the best of this culinary culture, where every meal is accompanied by music and emotion.
