Lisbon - our one-week trip to the city of lights

By: Gate to Paradise | Published: Nov 22, 2025 | Jump to Comments

The best way to discover Lisbon is on foot or by e-scooter – that way you can feel the special vibe of the alleys, squares, and viewpoints. A good place to start is Lisbon Cathedral, which stands majestically in the heart of the old town. From there, it’s worth taking a stroll through the streets, including Green Street and Pink Street – both rather touristy and not particularly spectacular, but still a piece of city life that is worth seeing.

A highlight for the view is the Miradouro da Graça. It’s especially worth coming here early in the morning at sunrise to enjoy the city in peace. If you prefer to go at sunset, you’ll encounter more people, but the view
over Lisbon is still unforgettable. And from there, you’ll find yourself right in the charming neighborhood of Alfama, so take the time to stroll through this great area.

The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is well worth a visit—an impressive monastery full of details. Not far from there is the Torre de Belém, which was unfortunately a construction site during our visit. Therefore, check beforehand so you don’t make the walk there for nothing. If you need a break in the greenery, you can relax in the Jardim Guerra Junqueiro, enjoy the atmosphere, or just let yourself drift.

One highlight for us was the LX Factory. This neighborhood inspired us immediately—its unique, creative vibe is simply contagious. Everywhere you look, there are small shops, street art, cozy cafés, and restaurants that invite you to linger.

Another stop we can absolutely recommend is the Time Out Market. As soon as you enter, you can feel the atmosphere, which is created not least by the music floating through the halls. In the middle of the market, there are seating areas surrounded by various stalls offering specialties—so you can try lots of new things at once and enjoy them right away. Whether you just want a quick snack or are really hungry, the market was the perfect place for us to take a break, discover new dishes, and soak up the lively atmosphere of the city at the same time.

Since we are absolute food lovers and had some really delicious meals in Lisbon, we’ll tell you which food spots we liked best.

• For the famous pastel de nata: Manteigaria
• Incredibly delicious, unique fries: Potato Project
• Pizza: Restaurant Casanova
• Pasta: Restaurant Mattarello
• Brunch: Manifest Lisbon
• Ice cream: Santini
• Sandwiches: Bifanas do Afonso
• Burgers: Street Smash Burgers
• Indian Food: Bengal Tandoori

We visited two towns near Lisbon – and to be honest, Sintra left us with mixed feelings. The town itself is charming: a small, pretty old town, plus impressive sights such as the Quinta da Regaleira and the Palácio Nacional da Pena. But let’s be honest – Sintra is not made for hordes of tourists and tour buses suddenly flooding the streets. We were quite overwhelmed and therefore only explored Quinta da Regaleira and the village center in passing before continuing on to Cascais. Without mass tourism, Sintra would certainly be beautiful, but unfortunately, a large part of its charm was lost.

Cascais is cute, relaxed, and ideal for enjoying the sun. We particularly recommend the Parque Marechal Carmona, right next to the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães – perfect for a relaxing break. You can also enjoy delicious food right by the harbor.

For your beach break, we recommend Praia da Mata. It’s not far from Lisbon, and you can get there quickly by Uber. The beach is perfect for cooling off, having a picnic, and simply enjoying the relaxation by the sea – ideal for forgetting the hustle and bustle of the city.

Both bridges offer unique views that should not be missed when visiting the city. The Ponte 25 de Abril is a red-painted suspension bridge that is strongly reminiscent of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It connects Lisbon with Almada across the Tagus River and offers spectacular views of the city, the river, and the surrounding countryside. The waterfront area in Belém or Cais do Sodré is ideal for a walk, from where you can admire the bridge in all its glory.

The Ponte Vasco da Gama, at over 17 km the longest bridge in Europe, connects Lisbon with the north and east of the city. We recommend a walk along the banks of the Tagus near Parque das Nações, where you can see the bridge in its entirety and enjoy Lisbon’s modern architecture at the same time. Both bridges are not only architectural masterpieces, but also perfect places for a relaxing walk, photo shoots, or simply to enjoy the view.

TIP: These Lisbon highlights are easy to reach by bike or e-scooter, e.g., from Bolt (which you can find throughout the city).