Exploring Lisbon, Portugal: A Self-Guided Tour Experience

Our last two days in Portugal in May 2024 were very busy as we enjoyed a self-guided tour of Lisbon. Despite the hilly terrain, the city was very walkable, offering stunning panoramic views. We divided our time into two afternoons to explore distinct areas, including historic streets, stunning architecture, and famous landmarks. Of course, we couldn’t miss sampling the delicious Pasteis da Nata. Two half days were definitely not enough. You can also take guided walking tours in Lisbon through Viator and they have many choices. I do believe there are some free tours available as well in the town. If you prefer you can also take a tour on one of the famous Lisbon Tuk-Tuk vehicles.

History of Lisbon

Lisbon is a city which has deep roots. As one of Europe’s oldest cities, it is known to be settled by pre-Celtic people, a testament to an ancient history that run deep within its streets and structures. The city’s pivotal role during the 15th century as the center of the Great Age of Discovery is a testament to its historical importance and global influence. Positioned along the River of Tagus, Lisbon became the center for numerous expeditions that expanded the boundaries of the known world. Despite the catastrophic destruction Lisbon faced with the 1755 great earthquake, the city of Lisbon rapidly rebuilt, showcasing the spirit of its inhabitants.

Day One

We used Bolt drivers a lot in Portugal and decided to hire one to drive us to the Belem area of Lisbon and then start our self-guided tour.

Belem Tower

Our first stop was to be at the Belem Tower. We were dropped off at the park about a block away. We decided not to tour the tower as we did not buy tickets in advance and the line was longer than we cared to wait. The Belem Tower, built along the Tagus River in the 16th century, functioned as part of Lisbon’s defensive system during that time. This was once heavily armed with a bastion that spanned into the river. in 1983 Belem Tower became an UNESCO World Heritage Center.

Belem Lighthouse

Built in 1940 for the Portuguese Expo this was never used as a lighthouse. Sitting along the Tagus River near the Monument of Discoveries, the lighthouse, surrounded by a fence was inaccessible.

Monument of Discoveries

We saw the Monument of Discoveries and walked towards it. It was originally built in 1940 as a temporary monument for the Portuguese World Expo and was rebuilt in 1960 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the death of King Henry the Discoverer. The monument features 32 sculptures of individuals who played a role in the Age of Discovery.

Belem District

After the Monument of Discoveries we walked towards the road and through the under the road tunnel to the neighborhood of the Belem District. This was a lovely area to walk with cheerfully painted buildings, many with balconies.

We stopped here in the Belem District to eat a late lunch at the Descobre Restaurant. We snacked on bread with olive oil and an assortment of dips, a sausage plate with local sausage, and a pasteis de nata. It was tasty snack and a lovely spot to cool off and relax. We really enjoyed eating here and the staff was very friendly.

St Jeronomiso Monastery

After dining we were ready to continue on past the St Jeronomiso Monastery. This grand monastery, built in the 16th century is another UNESCO world heritage site. Again we chose not to tour inside this beautiful monastery but enjoyed the intricate and splendid architecture from outside.

Pasteis de Belem

If you have been following along on my Portugal blog posts you will see we had a penchant for the Portugese sweet treat of Pasteis de Nata. We sampled them everywhere we went and Lisbon was no different. Pasteis de Nata’s are a delicate, flaky pastry filled with creamy custard, with a hint of cinnamon and powdered sugar on top added an extra layer of flavor. Truly a delight for the taste buds.

Pasteis de Belem has been making this delicious custard treat since 1837. On their website they state they have been making these from an ancient recipe from the Monastery of St Jeronomiso and each day they make these by hand, following the original recipe. We originally wanted to sit inside and slowly savor these goodies but the line was so long, instead we went through the to go line and indulged these on the street.

Streets of Lisbon

While walking through the town we wandered through several historic streets. I love how each area has a distinct feel.

Where are We?

As evening grew near we realized we were quite a ways from our hotel and not exactly sure where we were. We decided the best way to arrive safely back at our hotel was to arrange a Bolt driver. This worked well for us. Once back at the hotel we found that most of the area restaurants were closed on Sunday’s, certainly those within walking distance from our hotel and the hotel’s restaurant had no reservations available. We found ourselves eating pizzas at the hotel’s bar. Not ideal but it worked.

Location

Day Two

Avenida da Liberdale

After visiting Pena Palace and The Moors Castle in Sintra, Portugal we returned to our hotel, DoubleTree Hilton, before heading to the historic part of Lisbon for our self-guided tour. We quickly found Avenida da Liberdade, known as one of the most expensive streets in Europe. As we strolled along the tree-lined street and mosaic walkway, we admired the high-end stores and businesses but didn’t indulge in any shopping, simply soaking in the atmosphere.

The Baixa District and Continuing Through the Streets of Lisbon

As we meandered the Avenida da Liberdale, we found it linking to the Baixa District of Lisbon. This busy district is characterized by its elegant squares, charming streets, and historic buildings. Many of the main attractions of Lisbon are concentrated in this area, making it an ideal starting point for exploration.

The Baixa area is the most visited and therefore most touristy area of Lisbon, attracting many visitors all year around. It is perfect to include in a self-guided tour, allowing you to discover Lisbon, and this part of Portugal at your own pace. Although still hilly, it is very walkable and easy to get around, offering plenty of opportunities to uncover hidden gems and local tastes. Make sure you are vigilant and watch closely for pickpockets!

To keep safe from pickpockets I use the Hero neck purse but wear it as a crossbody as it lays flat against me. Each pocket is zippered shut for safety. You can view this on Amazon by clicking here. Steve wears a hidden money leather belt and this works well for him. He only keeps a small amount of money in his pocket yet has more money available hidden on him if needed. You can view this on Amazon by clicking here.

Ginjinha

Ginjinha can be found in many places in the Biaxa area of Lisbon, as a matter of fact, it can be found in many places throughout Portugal and was a nice little treat during our self-guided walking tour. For thous not familiar with Ginjinha, it is a strong liquor made from fortified wine or gin which also has been infused with cherries and is very sweet.

Rossio Square

Rossio Square is a large and busy plaza in the north part of the Baixa area. There are lots of shops and restaurants here. Many of the sites of this area can be found just off of this plaza.

Saint George Castle

Believe it or not, this is one castle we did not explore. Sitting high on a hill we admired it from below as we just didn’t want to climb back up the hill at this time!

Santa Justa Lift

While walking through the Rossio Square we looked down the street and could see the Santa Justa Lift. This 19th century elevator carries people from the Biaxa district to the Largo de Carmo which is another plaza. While we were there, the Santa Justa Lift was not operating. We were disappointed as this is one of the iconic spots in Lisbon we wanted to utilize on our self-guided tour and the Largo de Carmo is considered one of the most lovely squares in Portugal. We were hoping to maybe walk up to Largo de Carmo later but we just ran out of time.

Pasteis de Natas and More Ginjinha

After walking through Rossio Square we made our way down Rue Augusta Street. This charming street is very busy with locals and tourists, offering a wide variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants to explore.

As we strolled along, we found several bakeries serving Pasteis de Nata. We stopped at two of them! It was hard not to stop at more! In addition one of the bakeries we stopped at also offered Ginjinha, which I had to sample yet again!

Our first stop, Nata de Lisboa, was our favorite.

Our second stop was Manteigaria and was very good as well, it also was more popular.

Rua Augusta Arch

The Rua Augusta Arch was built to celebrate the city’s rapid recovery after the 1755 devastating earthquake. You can go up in the arch although we decided not to do this. We were truly enjoying just walking through this vibrant city.

Pink Street

One of my favorite spots is Pink Street. This pretty little street, although busy, was still pretty sedate as we wandered through. It is known as the hottest night spot in Lisbon. During the day it is more of a tourist attraction but at night the scene heats up and people party until the sun comes up.

View From Jardim Julio de Castilho

Continuing on our self-guided tour, we wanted to see the panoramic view of Lisbon from Jardim Julioo de Castilho as it overlooks the city. It was quite a trek all up hill to get here but the view was really terrific. This view is from a terrace in the gardens of a small church near the terrace. From this spot you can look across the rooftops of the city and view the Tagus River.

Portas do Sol Viewpoint

Located just a short distance from the previous viewpoint, but in a different direction, it provides a lovely view of the Monastery of St Vincent and also the National Pantheon, set against the picturesque backdrop of the Aflama District. Although one of the most photographed views in the city, there were few people here when we stopped.

Alfama District

The Aflama district is the oldest and most historic district in Lisbon, as a matter of fact, it is also one of the oldest neighborhood districts in Europe. The pretty streets have many charming houses and buildings. We spent very little time here as it was getting late and we had a long way back to the hotel. Unfortunately, my biggest regret is we did not have the time to explore this area more thoroughly.

Back to the Hotel

As it was getting dark and I was exhausted we called a Bolt driver to return us to our hotel. We were only about 5 minutes away from the hotel by car, but that last hill up to the hotel was just too much! Once at the hotel we crashed. As a matter of fact, we didn’t even go out for dinner, although missing a meal after all of those Pasteis de Nata’s was probably a good idea!

Where We Stayed

We stayed at the DoubleTree Hilton in Lisbon. It was very nice but up on a hill so there was a lot of walking. Although it made for good exercise. The area the hotel is in is quiet which is nice. I do think if I were to return to Lisbon I would stay in the Biaxa or Aflama district. Not because I did not like the hotel, but because I did not like walking up the hill so much!

Locations Day 2

Conclusion

Exploring charming Lisbon, Portugal with its narrow cobblestone streets and lively vibe was a lot of fun. Overall, our self-guided tour allowed us to immerse ourselves in the vibrant culture and rich heritage of this captivating city. If we were to go again or advice I would give to people wanting to visit Lisbon is 2 half days are not enough. I would give Lisbon 2-3 full days to explore it properly. I also would stay in the Biaxa District or Alfama District for convenience.

Planning

Planning is an important part of traveling.Here are a few books and a map I used for planning my trip to Portugal.

DC Top 10 Lisbon- The DC Top 10 Guides continue to be my favorite no matter where I travel. Reliable, easy too use and great format.

DC Top 10 Algarve Another great tour book which really helped us narrow down what we wanted to see in the Algarve.

DC Eyewitness Portugal This book gives a great comprehensive breakdown of all of Portugal.

National Geographic Spain/Portugal Map– GPS woorked well for us in Portugal but I always bring a map wherever I go. The National Geographic maps are durable and easy to follow.

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Check out my other Portugal Posts!

Pena Palace, Sintra, Portugal-May 2024

Exploring the Castle of the Moors, Portugal May 2024

Hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, Portugal May 2024

Kayaking to Benagil Caves, Portugal, May 2024

Castle of Silves, Portugal May 2024

Cromlech of Almendres, Portugal May 2024

Evora Portugal and the Chapel of Bones, May 2024

Arraiolos Castle, Portugal May 2024

Knights of Templar, Portugal May 2024

The Gen-X Travels recommendations for hotels, restaurants, activities or tour companies are based on our own experiences unless noted. We are not sponsored by any business or company and all trips are at our expense. All photos are by myself or my husband unless otherwise noted. We are affiliates of some companies such as Amazon,Viator, and others which we do receive a small commission from, at no cost to you if you buy or book through one of our links.