Best Places to Visit in Lisbon this Fall

Lisboa is the ideal destination for a city break during the fall. There are many things to do in Lisbon, even when it is rainy. In our opinion, if you’ve only got a few days to spend in Lisbon, don’t spend your time in Museums, except if you’re into to some particular topic, but spend your time on the streets. Lisbon’s street are a museum itself. Read further and let us convince you to visit Lisbon this Fall.

Lisbon has got a strong history. By the fifteenth century, Lisbon was the capital of the Portuguese expansion. This era is also known by the Discoveries. The Portuguese had exceptional navigational expertise at the time and had set up trading routes round half the world.

In 1498, the Portuguese Vasco da Gama sailed from Belém, Lisbon, to discover the sea route to India. Sixty years later, Lisbon controlled ports from Brazil to Macau, becoming one of the wealthiest cities in Europe. With such an abundance of richness, Lisbon was able to fund extravagant buildings such as the Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) and the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Belém. Also the emblematic palace at Terreiro do Paço dates back from then, even though, reconstructed after the Great Earthquake of 1755.

Wealth seemed endless in Lisbon with newly discovered gold in Brazil, yet this second “golden age” ended abruptly with the Great Earthquake. Marquês de Pombal rapidly rebuilt the city. Since then, the “Baixa” (downtown), is grid-patterned.

After the Earthquake, Lisbon never recovered its economic clout. Nowadays Lisbon flourishes as a great holiday destination and also among European exchange students and expats. Lisbon is very popular thanks to it affordable costs of living, great climate, awesome parties, location near to the beach and worldwide recognized universities.

Top areas to visit in Lisbon this Fall

Alfama

Alfama es uno de los "Bairros" (barrios) más originales y auténticos de Lisboa, siendo el más antiguo. Se extiende entre el Castillo de São Jorge y el río Tajo. Si le gusta caminar, le recomendamos que se ponga sus zapatos de andar por casa y se pierda por las callejuelas de esta idílica parte de la ciudad.

By foot is surely the best way to explore Alfama, but be prepared for many hills and stairs. It might be a tiring walk, but it’s surely worth it, as you’ll find many hidden squares and breath-taking viewpoints. Joining a walking tour is one of the best ways to discover this iconic part of the city.

Coma un pastel local y una "bica" (expreso) en uno de los cafés locales para recuperarse y quédese hasta más tarde y cene en uno de los muchos restaurantes de fado. El fado es la música local, más bien melancólica, y Alfama es el lugar para escucharla en Lisboa mientras se disfruta de una comida y un vino típicos portugueses. Recomendamos "Mesa de Frades".

Los restaurantes de fado suelen ser un poco más caros que los normales, pero merecen mucho la pena. En la mayoría de los casos, los cantantes de fado empiezan a cantar tarde, sobre las 21.30 o 22 horas, así que no llegues demasiado pronto al restaurante y reserva mesa para asegurarte un sitio.

Castelo de São Jorge

The São Jorge Castle is located on top of one of Lisbon’s Seven Hills. It is a Moorish castle occupying a commanding hilltop with a beautiful view over the historic centre of the city of Lisbon and Tagus River. The Castle is characterized by its fortified citadel and dates from medieval period of Portuguese history. The Castle is surely one of the main tourist sites of Lisbon. You can buy your ticket online:

Si el Castillo pudiera hablar, tendría mucho que contar: fue hogar de los visigodos en el siglo V, en el IX pasó a manos de los moros, de los cristianos en el XII y de la realeza entre los siglos XIV y XVI.

La Torre de Ulises es una de las principales atracciones del Castillo. Su "cámara oscura" ofrece un ángulo único de 360 grados sobre Lisboa. Más allá de las vistas, también hay algunas galerías que exhiben reliquias de siglos pasados.

Para subir al castillo y explorar el barrio de Alfama, le sugerimos que tome el tranvía 28. Aunque no sepa adónde ir o qué hacer y esté cansado de caminar, súbase a este tranvía y deje que le lleve por Lisboa. Su recorrido es circular, así que en algún momento volverás al punto de partida. Es muy divertido (si el tranvía no va demasiado lleno). Ten cuidado con los carteristas.

Bairro Alto

Bairro Alto es uno de los barrios más de moda de Lisboa, se encuentra en la colina opuesta a la del Castillo, estando separado por la plaza Rossio. En Bairro alto, durante el día, encontrarás muchas pequeñas boutiques que venden piezas únicas de ropa súper de moda, tiendas vintage de segunda mano o tiendas de tatuajes.

También encontrará acogedoras cafeterías para los días de lluvia. Por la noche, Bairro alto es popular para salir a cenar, tomar una buena pizza o pasar la noche en un restaurante de Fado, todo es posible aquí. Casi todos los días de la semana, a partir de las 23h00, Bairro Alto empieza a convertirse en un concurrido lugar de copas.

A fun and authentic way to discover Bairro Alto and other “food districts” is by joining a small group food and wine tour. You’ll discover the flavors of Portuguese cuisine on a guided walking tour of Lisbon. With a culinary guide, you’ll enjoy the best food and wine, and get insider tips about the city.

Many small bars open their doors and people tend to grab a Caipirinha or a beer and drink on the streets. Bairro Alto is friendly to all kind of tastes, there is an “Erasmus Corner”, a “LGBT Street”, karaoke bars or Latin bars. Here you can eat some tapas and taste the best cocktails in town while enjoying live music in a very cosy environment.

Rossio

Rossio is the main square of the Portuguese capital. It’s surrounded by Portuguese restaurants and by one of the main theatres of Lisbon, Dona Maria II Theatre. The beautifully paved square, with typical Portuguese “calçada” had two beautiful fountains. Rossio is the location of one of our favorite “tascas” (small local restaurants), “A Tendinha”. Here, you can quickly grab a delicious soup for lunch with some nice pastries and a glass of red wine. Don’t expect the best service, but you’ll find the most authentic bites.

Chiado

Chiado es uno de los barrios más elegantes de la ciudad. Entre Rossio y Bairro Alto, la Rua Garret es muy popular para ir de compras. Aquí encontrará tiendas de moda internacionales como H&M y Zara, pero también boutiques locales que ocupan los impresionantes edificios.

To rest between all the shopping, you must have a coffee at “A Brasileira”, where Fernando Pessoa, a Portuguese poet used to get inspires. If feel like something sweet, grab one of the best croissants at “Benard” or an ice-cream at “Santini”. Chiado is nice to take a walk after dinner and enjoy the animation by some street artists.

Plaza del Comercio

The Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square in English) is located in between the city center, Rua Augusta and the Tagus River. The square is still commonly known as Terreiro do Paço because, until it was destroyed by the great 1755 earthquake, it was the location of the Paços da Ribeira (Royal Palace). After the earthquake, the square was completely remodelled as part of the rebuilding of the Pombaline Downtown by Marquês de Pombal, the Minister of the Kingdom of Portugal from 1750 to 1777.

Several restaurants are nowadays located around the square. We recommend to grab a beer and a “Picapau” (small pieces of meat) with bread at the Beer Museum. Also, enjoy the view by the river where you can usually find some street artists playing music.

Praça do Comércio, or Terreiro do Paço, is where Terminal Fluvial do Terreiro do Paço is located, a major boat station. Here you can catch ferries to the South Bench of the Tagus River. You can join a boat tour on a traditonal boat from Praça do Comércio.

Avenida da Liberdade

Avenida da Liberdade (Avenue of Freedom) is the beautiful avenue that connects Restauradores (next to Rossio square) to the Marquês de Pombal roundabout. This avenue is where all the fashion design shops are located. You can find Gucci, Dolce and Gabanna and some Portuguese designers. It’s worth it to walk up on one side and down on the other for some window shopping.

On your way you can grab a drink on one of the many kiosks or at the São Jorge Cinema, one of our favourite spots for coffee after dinner.

Gulbenkian Gardens and Museum

El proyecto para la Fundación Calouste Gulbenkian y Museo se inauguró en 1969. La fundación del museo se realizó de acuerdo con la última voluntad de Calouste Gulbenkian, para albergar y exponer la colección de arte de Gulbenkian perteneciente en la actualidad a la Fundación Calouste Gulbenkian. El sitio Museo Calouste Gulbenkian es un museo de Lisboa que contiene una hermosa colección de arte, sobre todo antiguo, pero también moderno.

El museo en sí merece una visita, pero también los jardines que lo rodean son espectaculares y un lugar popular entre las familias portuguesas para pasear y dar de comer a los patos.

Belém

Belém es un barrio del Oeste de Lisboa. Es un lugar muy popular para los turistas dos visita, muchos debido a cuatro atracciones principales que alberga, entre hermosos jardines y edificios típicos:

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

En Monasterio de los Jerónimos is a monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome. It is one of the most noticeable examples of the Portuguese Gothic Manueline architectural trends in Lisbon. In 1983, the Monastery was classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the nearby Tower of Belém.

Belém Tower

The Belém Tower is a fortified tower which is a UNESCO World Heritage because of its important role in the Portuguese Discoveries. The tower was commissioned by King João II to be part of a defense system and a ceremonial entrance to Lisbon at the mouth of the Tagus River. As such, the tower was built in the early 16th century and is another prominent example of the Portuguese Manueline style along with other architectural styles.

Padrão dos Descobrimentos

También conocido como Monumento a los Descubrimientos, este monumento celebra los Descubrimientos portugueses (o Era de las Exploraciones) durante los siglos XV y XVI. Junto a la estatua principal de Enrique el Navegante, a ambos lados de las rampas del monumento hay un total de 33 figuras de la historia de los Descubrimientos, como Vasco da Gama (descubridor de la ruta marítima a la India y Pedro Álvares Cabral (descubridor de Brasil). 

Pasteles de Belém

No hay palabras para describir lo deliciosos que son estos pasteles típicos. Por favor, vaya a Belém y pruébelos.

Docas de Santo Amaro

At the Docas, you can fins multiple nice restaurants and bars. Locals love to have lunch at “Rui dos Preços” for some clams with a “Prego no Pão” – beef on a bun.

Docas de Santo Amaro is the place where most touristic boat tours depart from. Joining a boat tour in Lisbon is a must to enjoy the city from a unique point of view and to feel the Tagus River. This area is also popular for corporate events as there are boats suitable for groups in Lisbon.

Parque de las Naciones

The modern Lisbon parish of Parque das Nações was established in 2012. It’s a leisure, commercial, and residential area since the 1998 World Exposition (EXPO ’98). Parque das Nações is located in north-eastern Lisbon next to the Tagus estuary, one of the biggest and diverse estuaries of the European Continent and formerly used for mainly industrial purposes. Nowadays, Parque das Nações hosts one of Portugal’s most modern Marinas.

Hay varias cosas que hacer en el Parque das Nações, puede dar un paseo o correr por el impresionante paseo marítimo para disfrutar de las vistas sobre el Puente Vasco da Gama, la Torre Vasco da Gama, las torres gemelas de São Gabriel y São Rafael y el puerto deportivo. Puede disfrutar de un concierto en la enorme sala de conciertos Atlantic Pavilion o acudir a un evento de congresos en FIL.

Si aprecia la naturaleza y el océano pero el tiempo no le permite dar un paseo en barco u otra actividad relacionada con el mar, el Oceanario es el lugar al que debe acudir. En Oceanario de Lisboa es un acuario a gran escala que presenta un hábitat oceánico con animales marinos, especialmente grandes habitantes del océano como los tiburones.

El Parque das Nações alberga Casino de Lisboa - "Casino Lisboa". El Casino es un edificio muy moderno con un Arena Lounge y tres Gambling Bars. Aunque no le gusten los juegos de azar, merece la pena visitar el "Cascino Lisboa" para cenar o disfrutar de un espectáculo o concierto. El "Casino Lisboa" está abierto todos los días de 15h a 03h. Los viernes, sábados y vísperas de festivo, el casino abre de 16h a 04h, por lo que podrá disfrutar hasta un poco más tarde.

Para los fanáticos de las compras, el Parque das Nações alberga uno de los principales centros comerciales de Lisboa, el Vasco da Gama Shopping Mall. El moderno edificio cuenta con un enorme supermercado, muchas marcas internacionales y pequeñas boutiques y un patio de comidas.

Getting Around During Your Visit in Lisbon this Fall

The best way to get around Lisbon is by foot, Uber or Bolt, or public transport. We recommend buying a Lisbon Card to enjoy free admission to top attractions and discounts at various landmarks. You can buy this card for 24, 48, or 72 hours, the Lisbon Card provides unlimited free access to the public transport system.

Final Words

Lisbon in fall is magical. The crowds fade. The light softens. Streets invite you to wander. Old neighborhoods charm with stories. Tasty food and local music greet you. The river sparkles at dusk. Museums, gardens, and castles await. Walk, rest, explore. Lisbon shows its heart in every corner. You’ll leave richer in memory. And feel free to reach out to us, as Lisbon locals, we’re happy to help!