White and dark blue marble cobblestones under your feet, Portuguese meals scent the air, street performers move, sing and dance in every square - this is Lisbon. Lisbon is Portugal's capital city that's large, beautiful and full of life! There's a lot to do and see, but if you have only one day and want to have a wonderful time, keep reading and watch the video above for how to have a perfect 24 hours in Lisbon, Portugal!
Praça do Rossio
Our day starts at Rossio Square. In the past, bullfights, military parades, political rallies, and other important events would take place here. Today, vendors with paintings, sculptures and even caricature artists line the square to greet you as you grab snacks and enjoy the two gorgeous fountains at either end. This is a great place to start your morning in Lisbon!
Rua Augusta
Not too far from this square you can stroll down Augusta Road. This famous street has shopping, dining and performers that do everything from soccer tricks to statue imitations (see in video). The Arco da Rua Augusta is a famous landmark of this road that could mark its beginning or end (depending on how you enter). It was even featured in the movie Gulliver's Travels, in which the Lilliputians wheeled Ted Danson, as Gulliver, through the arch. It offers one of the best viewpoints in Lisbon. The observation deck at the top of the arch shows panoramic views over Baixa, Tejo River, Rossio Square and even as far as Saint George Castle.
Photo Tip: Set your camera to 0.5 zoom to capture the full arch in your photograph! There will be people in your shot, so act fast if there's a break in the crowd.
Praça do Comércio
Arco da Rua Augusta is at the entrance of this most iconic and largest of Lisbon's squares! Facing the harbor of the Tagus River, the Praça do Comércio has been a staple of commerce and history since the 1500s. There was an earthquake in 1755 that destroyed the plaza but since then it was rebuilt and continued to be Praça do Comércio, the Square of Commerce, a name which illustrates its purpose in the economy of Lisbon. During this rebuilding a statue of King José I was made. The statue shows the king on his horse riding on top of snakes to symbolize him crushing snakes on his path.
Tram 28
The areas above are in walking distance of each other and free to enter, but for the rest of the day you will want to acquire a 24 hour Lisbon City Pass. This day pass is $30 USD and includes all public transport and access to all major destinations in Lisbon. After getting this pass you can ride the famous Tram 28. These are little yellow trolleys that ride all over the hilly streets of Lisbon city. They are an iconic staple and are often featured on tourism images of the city. There are reports of pickpocketing on these trams since they are small and crowded, so keep your belongings close or wear an antitheft chest hugging bag and know your route!
Photo Tip: In every photo you see, the trams will have a vintage, clean look. However, this is only one of the trams in the whole city that's used for the Elevador da Bica. It's not an actual Tram 28, it's just a cable car ride! All the other 28 trams have plastered advertisements on their trolleys. Just a warning so you're not surprised like me. 🤦♀️ Both the photo-prop cable-car tram and the regular trams still look great in photos!
Here's the address for the ad-free cable car tram:
Elevador da Bica: R. da Bica de Duarte Belo 2, 1200-057 Lisboa, Portugal
Rua Nova do Carvalho
When on the Tram 28 you must get off at stop R. Vitor Cordon / R. Serpa Pinto. This stop is only a 5-minute walk from the famous Pink Street. While the other sites we've discussed are historic landmarks, this attraction is fairly recent, only being painted thirteen years ago in 2011. This used to be a seedy street where mayhem would occur, but the government saw an opportunity to give this road a new life and purpose for locals and travelers alike. So the road went from a red light district to a pink bubblegum district! The sketchy activities are over but partying still happens on this street in the night. During the day tourists can dine, shop and take photographs with the brightly colored alley and umbrellas that line the street's front entrance.
Photo Tip: The front side with the umbrellas is always packed and crowded with tourists trying to get the perfect shot, it will be impossible not to get people in your photograph. My best pink streets snaps were from the other side of the road, which includes a quaint bridge and barely any people! Wear the perfect dress to match this hot pink road!
Tasca do Chico
Fado is traditional Portuguese singing and guitar playing. It's a must-see when you visit Portugal. Some bars in the area will try to lure tourists by saying they are the "real fado," but those places involve gimmicky performances that don't stay true to the art of fado. Instead, you'll want to see fado at Tasca do Chico. Opened in 1993, this quaint and cozy restaurant features famous professionals and local artists. This restaurant is adorned with photographs of celebrities that have visited the venue (such as Anthony Bourdain), as well as newspaper clippings and articles of the restaurant's success. The best time to visit is during the amateur performances on Mondays and Wednesdays starting at 9:00pm, but go there earlier since the bar is not that big and it usually reaches full capacity early.
Fado Show Tips:
- Arrive 20 minutes before opening time at 7pm (the lines get long and if you don't arrive this early, you'll never get in!)
- Bring cash (this is a cash-only bar)
- One chance to give waitress order before show (unless you go up to the bar yourself, which will distract you from the performance)
- No flash for photographs or videos (they don't want to blind the performers while they are singing, so turn off your lights!)
Praça Luís de Camões
Just when you thought the day was over, there's one more stop you have to explore! This square is right around the corner from Tasca do Chico. The music can continue for hours more as street musicians play lively dance music for people to enjoy during dinner before they go out and party for the night. We danced to classic songs like "Twist and Shout" with other travelers and locals in the streets. The performance area is big enough for large crowds to shake it and bust a move! No matter what you decide to do in the night, I recommend ending your perfect day in Lisbon at this square! Dancing with my husband in the streets was one of my favorite memories of our Europe trip!
Which of these activities would you love to do in Lisbon? Comment on the Lisbon YouTube video which was your favorite and stay tuned for my favorite foods eaten in Lisbon video, coming up next on Deanna Troy Travels YouTube Channel and travel blog.
