Portugal’s fantastic capital has so much to do and see, from the Castelo de Sao Jorge to the main square Praca do Comercio, as well as Belem Tower for world heritage aficionados to Time Out Market Lisboa for food lovers. But the best thing to do to soak in Lisbon’s stunning architecture, fascinating history and youthful atmosphere is just to wander! Whether by iconic yellow tram or on foot, explore the labyrinth of historic and characterful Alfama, and climb the hilly streets of artsy and lively Barrio Alto. Seek out stunning miradouros (viewpoints) from one of the city’s seven hills. Enjoy traditional Portuguese drinks, pastries and music. Put simply: just enjoy!

Live History

Walking tours are often the best way to get to grips with the main attractions of a city, as well as getting to learn some history and gain some local insight and tips for the rest of your stay. The downtown Lisbon walking tour is definitely one of the best I’ve done. Live History guides are all locals with extensive knowledge and fun anecdotes. This particular tour had a fair amount of walking compared to some, so make sure to have comfortable shoes and a drink in your bag! Then let your guide take you on a tour through time, discovering the city’s ancient origins, notable periods, and current must-dos.

National Pantheon

Santa Engracia, also known as the National Pantheon of Portugal, is a large church close to the waterfront with a huge dome, which looms over the Alfama District. Many important Portuguese figures are buried here, from past presidents and poets to explorers and football players! The church was built in the 17th century, but the dome was only added in 1966. The vast interior is visually stunning, but the real attraction is the view from the top. Climb one of the 6 staircases up to the dome and walk the interior balconies, viewing the patterns of the magnificent hall below. Then head outside to the terrace for unbeatable views over the Tagus River and the historic center of the city.

Pastelaria Santo António

Pastel de Nata is a traditional Portuguese tart filled with egg custard, often dusted with cinnamon. This sweet treat is an icon of Portugal! In Lisbon, there is one place known to have the best in town: Pastelaria Santo Antonio. This blue and white tiled building displays some of Lisbon’s classic architectural facades, and inside offers award-winning pasteis, as well as coffee, ice cream and sandwiches. Its status as the ultimate pastel de nata source means the shop often has a queue, but the staff are wonderfully efficient so it moves fast. On the way up to the Castelo de Sao Jorge, the location is ideal for a short break between sightseeing itineraries.

Tram 28

Lisbon is serviced by six iconic yellow trams, crisscrossing the most historic districts of the city. The most scenic is the Tram 28 route, which snakes through the Alfama, Biaxa and Chiado districts, past many favourite tourist hotspots in the city. Because of this, the tram gets very busy during the day, so the best time to ride is early in the morning. A single ticket to ride the entire length of the line is €3. While many travel blogs suggest that riding the tram is a must-do in Lisbon, it is just as enjoyable to find a beautiful corner of the city and watch the old yellow vehicle rattle gently past. Seeing the city from the tram is one experience, seeing the city with the iconic tram in the picture is entirely another!

São Vicente De Fora

Portugal is known for its azulejo tiles, blue and white ceramic tiles which have been used to decorate buildings and monuments across the country since the 14th century. Tile art is a huge part of Portugal’s history and architecture, so it’s no surprise that the largest collection of Baroque tiles in the world can be found in the country’s capital. Head to Mosteiro de Sao Vicente de Fora to view this extensive collection, which includes illustrations of famous stories and important scenes from history. The monastery’s name means St Vincent outside the walls, due to its placement outside of the city’s original fortifications. Nowadays the location provides an excellent view of the Alfama district from the rooftop.

Ginginha Do Carmo

The drink of choice in Lisbon has to be ginjinha, a traditional sour cherry brandy. The drink was first created by a friar, who accidentally discovered that leaving ginja berries in alcohol resulted in a delicious infusion. Today, spices such as cinnamon or cloves are added, along with sugar. You can have a glass with or without the cherries still in it, and it is customary to eat the cherries that are left once the drink is gone. Most bars serving this concoction are tiny establishments with barely enough room for 5 people, meaning sometimes there can be a bit of a wait to be served. Despite its location close to Rossio Square in the centre of Lisbon, Ginjinha do Carno is usually less busy than some of the other ginjinha taverns in town. This particular bar also offers the drink in an edible chocolate cup, making it one of the best spots to try this traditional liquor! The sweet chocolate is a delicious addition to the sour cherry flavour.

Tasca Do Chico

Fado is a music genre that originated in Lisbon in the 1820s and has been performed in pubs, cafes and restaurants ever since, becoming a symbol of Portuguese culture and tradition. The mournful singing accompanied by a classical guitar is expressive and profound, and something that should be experienced live on any trip to Portugal. While shows are often expensive and sell out fast, there are a few places you can enjoy Fado for free, the best being Tasca do Chico. This traditional bar offers music every night from 8pm, from local artists both well known and up and coming. It is small and cozy, so it is best to make a reservation or get there early!

Carmo Convent

Igreja do Carmo, built in 1389, was one of the many buildings destroyed in 1755 when a strong earthquake, followed by a fire and then a tsunami, devastated the city of Lisbon. The church was never rebuilt, and today the ruins stand as a memorial to the infamous earthquake. The Carmo Archaeological Museum, the first art and archaeology museum in the country, is now situated inside the ruins. It is a fascinating visit by day, and at night the walls of the church are illuminated in an immersive light show depicting the history and culture of Lisbon. There are often additional events such as outdoor cinema showings, concerts and theatre plays, so make sure to check out the schedule to see what might be on during your visit.

Santa Justa Lift

The city of Lisbon was built on seven hills, and wandering the city on foot can be a bit of a workout! To make getting around a little less sweat-inducing, you can use one of the many funiculars and elevators to transport you up the hills. The most famous and historic of these lifts is the Elevador de Santa Justa, built in 1902 to connect the central Baixa district to Barrio Alto. The lift is now more of a tourist attraction than anything else, standing 45m tall with a stunning viewing platform at the top. If you want to ride it you will probably have to queue for a while, and a ticket includes travelling in both directions and entrance to the viewing platform. Interestingly it can take 20 people at a time on the way up, but only 15 going down. If you get the 24 hour metro card, this lift as well as the funiculars are included, making it a cheaper option if you want to take two or more public transport options in the day. The metro card does not include entrance to the viewing platform. Alternatively, there are two free elevators that locals favour. One of these will take you up to the Castelo de Sao Jorge area, while the other heads to the Igrejo do Carmo ruins.

Pavilhão Chinês

Lisbon, and Barrio Alto in particular, is packed full of quirky bars and hidden gems, and one particular recommendation has to be Pavilhao Chines. Converted from an old grocery store, this bar is now decorated with an enormous assortment of memorabilia and collectibles. Everywhere you look in each of the five rooms you will find oddities such as children’s toys from the two world wars, model planes, vintage maps, antique mugs, and even a life-sized mannequin of a Buckingham Palace guard in full uniform. You have to ring a bell to be let inside, giving the place a speakeasy feel. Find a cozy booth or make use of the pool table, sip on a traditional port wine or craft cocktail, and enjoy the eclectic décor and joyful atmosphere.

This article was originally published as “Enjoy Lisbon, Portugal” on Wanderdash (follow me @rosroundtheworld)