Lisbon Lifestyle

Last Updated on March 28, 2026

Food, Culture and Sightseeing in Lisbon, Portugal

I’m a big fan of city breaks. Each destination has its own character and unique set of experiences. Lisbon, in contrast with the big imperial capitals of London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna and Madrid, operates on a human scale.

There are the big tourist attractions, but much of the pleasure from visiting Portugal’s capital comes from exploring the local culture. The city is easy to navigate by bus, tram or reasonably priced cabs. There’s also a fast and efficient metro system with its signature cork seats and easy access to the airport.

Portuguese Food and Drink

The first thing I like to investigate when I arrive in a city is the local food culture. We were invited to experience the Tastes & Traditions of Lisbon Food Tour booked through City Experiences.
It’s a brilliant way to immerse yourself in Portuguese food and drink, visiting seven quiosques (kiosk cafés), tascas (informal neighbourhood canteens) and pastelaria (pastry shops) over the course of a morning, as well as the famous Time Out food market. You won’t need breakfast or lunch!
The tour took us through three neighbourhoods: Baixa, Chiado, and Cais do Sodré.

We feasted on Lisbon’s signature Pasteis de Nata custard tart as well as other traditional pastries and coffee. Bifana, the stewed pork roll, will be a highlight for meat eaters, and I loved the dry, nutty goat’s cheeses and tinned Papa Anzois sardines with olive oil. A wonderful lunch of Portuguese-style codfish with onions and tomatoes, crisp tuna croquettes and a herb-infused seafood rice was washed down with a delicious glass of Vinho Verde.

A Lisbon food tour wouldn’t have been complete without a shot of Ginjinha, the sour cherry liqueur, served in atmospheric little bars dotted across the city. Our tour guide, Helena, was brilliant. As well as the food, we came away much better informed about Portuguese history, the global interconnections with different food cultures and contemporary Portuguese society. You might want to check out our London Unattached guide on where to find the best Pasteis de Nata custard tart.

Restaurants in Lisbon

Lisbon was named the ‘Best Culinary Destination in Europe’ at the World Culinary Awards in 2024. The Olivier Group, founded by Portuguese chef-entrepreneur Olivier da Costa, is Portugal’s leading restaurant group. There are three flagship Lisbon restaurants – Yakuza, ÀCosta by Olivier, and SEEN, but the group has over 35 restaurants across seven countries and three continents. We were invited to visit ÀCosta by Olivier, a space that transforms from being an elegant daytime riverside location in the Doca da Marinha on the banks of the Tagus River, to a glamorous, nightclubby space in the evening.

With laid-back R&B being played on the sound system, the atmospheric space has a
huge marble bar and carved stone mythological figures dotted around. The menu is primarily seafood-based with traditional Portuguese dishes mingling with Hispanic South American, Japanese and Southern European influences.

After a couple of well-made cocktails, a refreshing elderflower-based Lemanja, and a classic Negroni served with a delicious selection of breads, we tried three starters. A hearty traditional dish of creamy cod with chickpeas, which I loved, a scallop ceviche that zinged with citrus notes, and a beautifully plated octopus carpaccio, which had finely chopped peppers adding some crunch.

Our main dish was a showstopping sharing plate, Rice À Costa; black rice, cuttlefish, shrimp, monkfish, peppers, bacon, and lemon, creating a seafood extravaganza lubricated by the gentle umami notes of cuttlefish ink. We finished our meal with a portion of Sericaia, a satisfying traditional sponge pudding studded with juicy Elvas plums.

If you’re looking for somewhere more informal for a seafood blowout, then Cervejaria Ribodouro (The Ribadouro Seafood & Beerhouse) on Avenida da Liberdade is a great bet. It’s been serving up the best local seafood since 1947. We feasted on sweet-tasting ‘Bulhão Pato’ clams and shrimp, perfectly dressed crab and strong, soft cheeses, all washed down with a local beer. It’s a bright and buzzy option full of locals enjoying themselves.

Sol e Pesca in the city’s ‘Pink St’, Ria Nova do Carvalho is the place to go for tinned fish and a beer. The Portuguese do the best tinned fish, and the restaurant is well worth a visit. For other restaurant options, visit our Lisbon restaurant scene article.

Lisbon Culture

Portuguese culture has retained its relevance and integrity; from the gorgeous tiles that adorn the city and its Metro stations, to the plangent sounds of Fado, the melancholic songs of ‘saudade’, a sense of longing infused with nostalgia. I love the purity of Fado, just two guitarists and a singer all tasked with making you weep into your G&T. My favourite Fado house is O Faia, which has been running since 1947. If you have a busy schedule, catch the late show when just drinks and snacks are available rather than dinner. The musicians perform three sets back-to-back, making it the perfect place to unwind after a hard day of touristing.

Must-See Sights of Lisbon

Two must-sees in Lisbon are the Castle of St George (Castelo de São Jorge), an imposing ruin that overlooks the city, giving fabulous views, and Lisbon Cathedral, the oldest church in the city.

Built in 1147 on the footprint of the city’s mosque, it has an austere charm and a fine collection of relics and liturgical artefacts.

A lesser-known gem is the Museu Medeiros e Almeida, a stunning townhouse owned by a wealthy businessman and art collector who would throw glamorous dinner parties for his guests at the house, including Prince Rainier of Monaco and Grace Kelly. With fabulous interiors and art, it’s a glimpse into a bygone era.

The smart Chiado neighbourhood is great for shopping. Check out the historic Brasileira coffee shop, opened in 1905 and a favourite hangout of poet Fernando Pessoa, and order a bica, an espresso with attitude. Or visit Livraria Bertrand, the world’s oldest bookstore in business.

A short bus or taxi ride will take you to Belém, home of the Jerónimos Monastery with its extraordinary cloisters and the imposing Belém Tower. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they are well worth a visit. Entry to both is free with a Lisbon Card.

If art is your thing, then we have a well-researched and informative London Unattached guide to Lisbon’s art museums.

Where to Stay in Lisbon

The NH Collection Lisboa Liberdade, which we were invited to review, couldn’t be better situated for visitors to Lisbon. It sits as part of a modern retail development on the elegant tree-lined Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon’s central promenade, which combines elements of London’s Park Lane, Bond Street and Shaftesbury Avenue. The hotel is brilliantly connected with the Avenida metro stop just outside its entrance. If you need some retail therapy, right next to the hotel, you can find Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. With its rooftop swimming pool and bar area, which is buzzing in the summer months, it’s the perfect business or city break destination. See our review.

Lisbon is a delightful destination for a short stay, with plenty to keep you occupied and food and drink options that won’t break the bank.

We flew to Lisbon from London Gatwick, making our journey smoother with Holiday Extras. Their airport parking service made parking hassle-free, and we started our trip in style with a hearty lunch at the Plaza Premium Lounge before our long flight. The lounge is attractively furnished with fabulous views of the airfield. Hot and cold drinks are included as well as beer, wines, spirits and mixers. For more complex concoctions, there is bar service. There were hot rice-based meals with a vegetarian option, soups and salads and even strawberry jelly for the kids! It was an oasis of calm after the hustle and bustle of the airport.

Holiday Extras is the market leader in UK airport parking, hotels, lounges, and transfers – and in 2025, its customers saved an average of £200 per trip by booking their airport parking in advance. Plus, with Flextras, if you need to cancel or amend, you can do so without charge. Three days’ Maple Meet & Greet Parking at Gatwick North Terminal is available for £57.25 based on arrival on 25/03/2026. Entry into the Plaza Premium Lounge at Gatwick North Terminal is available for £44.00 based on arrival on 25/03/2026.
 
For more information and to book, visit HolidayExtras.com or call 0800 316 5678.       
 
*All costs supplied are the cheapest available rates for the product specified, and therefore availability may be limited at this price. Prices are correct as of 27/02/2026.