Lisbon Hidden Gems: 21 Unusual Things To Do In Lisbon

LISBON ESSENTIALS

Accommodation: Booking.com / Hostelworld

Getting there: flight (Skyscanner), train (Omio), bus (Flixbus)

Activities: GetYourGuide

Getting around: walk / Metro / bus / taxi

Guidebook: Lonely Planet Lisbon

Beautiful Ler Devagar bookshop may soon lose its reputation as a Lisbon hidden gem because more and more people are finding out about it. Still, it’s a cool place in Lisbon that’s not overrun with tour groups like some of the more mainstream attractions.

With over 50,000 new and second-hand books, a flying bicycle mascot, permanent and temporary exhibitions, a coffee shop and various pop-up events, it’s cool and quirky to a T.

Opening times: 10am-10pm, Sun-Weds and until midnight from Thurs-Sat.

Don’t stop at the Bordallo II murals: there’s tons of street art dotted around the many alternative places in Lisbon.

These are no means the only ones; just a few I found while wandering around:

• Mouraria area – find the graffiti mural dedicated to fado
• Barrio Alto – this pink woman on the side of a house is one of the murals I found
• Saudade mural by Mário Belém – I found this when walking between Miradouro da Graça and Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
• The street art tram AKA Glória Funicular – not quite a Lisbon hidden gem but funky nonetheless!

Related activity: guided street art tour with a group

Senhora do Monte is one of Lisbon’s most famous panoramic viewpoints but most people miss this quirky Lisbon location just below it. After noticing it on Google Maps, I wondered how on earth to enter because it’s not remotely obvious.

Although you may feel like you’re breaking and entering, you should persevere by pushing your way through an unassuming gate at the viewpoint and following the steps down. You’ll arrive at Secret Garden LX, a hidden bar with colourful murals, cityscape views and a solid range of beers, wines and cocktails.

For a hidden secret in Lisbon’s upmarket Principle Real neighbourhood, have Embaixada on your radar because you probably wouldn’t stumble upon it. Nestled inside an old mansion, this collection of boutique shops boasts several floors decorated with Moorish details like grand pillars, tiled floors and impressive artwork.

Although the prices were a bit high for me, I loved browsing the numerous boutiques selling clothes, jewellery, homeware and accessories. There’s even a gin bar!

Address: Praça do Príncipe Real 26, 1250-184 Lisboa.

Opening times: 12pm-7pm, Mon-Sat, 11am-8pm, Sun.

Afterwards, take a walk in the botanic gardens, head to nearby sunset viewpoint Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, or indulge in coffee and artisan chocolate at Bettina & Niccolo Corallo cafe.

Mouraria neighbourhood

During a fabulous food tour with Taste of Lisboa, I discovered the charming neighbourhood of Mouraria. Despite being close to Baixa, it has an entirely different vibe. Rather than wide, adjacent streets, this Lisbon hidden gem is a maze of winding alleyways with colourful houses where locals hang their laundry from the upper floors.

Translating as ‘Moorish Quarter’, this historic ‘hood is home to Asian, African and Arabic communities. Another noteworthy resident in the 1800s was Maria Severa, the first famous fado singer who died at just 26 of heartbreak or tuberculosis, depending who you talk to.

Fado is a type of music from Lisbon loosely translated as ‘fate’. Catch a show or learn about its history at the Fado Museum in Alfama.

While in Mouraria, spot the fado singer murals on Rua dos Cavaleiros, admire street portraits of the locals (many of whom had to move away due to gentrification) by artist, Camilla Watson, and visit Maria Severa’s old house, now a restaurant and music venue.

A specific hidden gem in Lisbon’s Mouraria neighbourhood is this teeny-tiny bar with room for just a few customers (standing) at a time. I’d have wandered past its unassuming facade if it weren’t for our Taste of Lisboa guide who ushered us inside.

For those who don’t know ginja, this liqueur made from brandy or fortified wine is a hidden Lisbon treasure. Many tourists try it at popular bars in Baixa like A Ginjinha but I preferred sipping it off the beaten path in Lisbon at this historic bar.

Don’t let the sweet, cherry taste fool you: ginja has a potency of up to 24% alcohol!

Continue down the alleyway outside to admire portraits of the neighbourhood’s favourite fado singers.

Address: Parada Alto de São João 3, 1900-053 Lisboa.

Getting there: Catch the metro Green Line destined for Telheiras and get off at Arrojos. From here, catch a bus or walk for 15 minutes. It’s open from 9am-5pm daily and until 6pm in the summer.

The cemetery isn’t far from my next hidden gem in Lisbon…

Set far enough away from the city centre to escape the typical tourist crowds, there are plenty of cool and quirky things to do in Lisbon’s Anjos neighbourhood including several cultural centres.

One is Anjos70, an alternative venue known for pop-up markets and alternative performances. I visited to browse the weekend flea market, overflowing with boutique clothes, quirky art, jewellery and coffee carts. Grab a matcha latte and peruse to your heart’s content with no pressure to buy.

Other quirky venues nearby include BUS – Paragem Cultural Centre hosting parties and live music events, and Crew Hassan, a two-level venue (open from 3pm) with veggie food and nightly jam sessions for €2.

While in Anjos, soak up city views at Monte Agudo Viewpoint and indulge in the food scene. There’s tasty brunch at Fauna & Flora, authentic Japanese food at Kapitan Ramen and – although it’s no Lisbon hidden gem after appearing on Bourdain’s Parts Unknown – unrivalled seafood at Cervejaria Ramiro.

If you’re looking for non touristy things to do in Lisbon, I’d tell you to avoid Chiado as a general rule. However there’s one exception that can be found on the 8th floor of the POLLUX building.

This stylish cafe terrace can only be reached by walking through the homeware store below and catching the lift. If you weren’t looking for it, you’d never find it. Most tourists don’t!

Reward yourself with coffee or lunch, peering down at the busy streets below. Prices are a little high, as can be expected from Chiado. I didn’t eat here but I can vouch for the coffee.

Address: POLLUX, R. dos Fanqueiros 276, 1149-031 Lisboa.

Mercado de Campo de Ourique

For an alternative to the busy (and expensive) Time Out Market, consider a trip to Mercado de Campo de Ourique. Expect everything from a local fish market to homemade honey and jam, Portuguese wines and global favourites like falafel, pizza and sushi, plus some authentic Lisbon dishes.

This market never feels too crowded so you can relax while wandering the stands and deciding what to order; glass of wine in hand.

Despite the fact it’s a cool market, I did prefer the food options at Time Out as they were more inventive and ‘Portuguese’. There is local food at Campo de Ourique but it has more of an international feel. But then who doesn’t love sushi and wine?

Address: 12-10.30pm.

Address: 106, Rua Coelho da Rocha 104, Lisbon.

FREE fado

The internet might lead you to believe that fado shows can only be accessed with a pricey dinner package. Budget travellers will be pleased to learn this is far from the truth: many Barrio Alto bars offer intimate evening fado concerts for the small price of buying a drink.

As I mentioned already, fado is typical Portuguese music originating from Lisbon. If your lingo skills aren’t strong, a little research will tell you fado speaks of heartbreak, fate, the life of the poor, and the sea (perhaps because many men worked as fishermen).

It’s not upbeat but it’s worth experiencing when in Lisbon. A few bars known for free fado shows include Tasca do Chico (usually requiring a reservation), Tasca do Jaime and Solidó.

Shopping at Mercado de Santa Clara (also known as Feira da Ladra or ‘Thieves Market’) is a wonderfully weird thing to do in Lisbon. It’s a real mix of souvenirs, crafts items and plain old junk like single shoes and broken watches.

On Tuesday and Sunday mornings, the eclectic mix of stalls overflow into the streets, stretching from the colourful tiled mural across from the National Pantheon to São Vicente de Fora church. Browse to your heart’s content and pick up some goodies at this hidden gem in Lisbon… Or simply marvel at the stranger items and wonder how on earth they got there!

Fado Museum & Alfama backstreets

Alfama as a neighbourhood couldn’t be described as off the beaten track Lisbon: it’s one of the best-known parts of Portugal’s capital. However, there are so many hidden gems nestled in this warren of small streets from cosy tavernas with meals for €5 to museums in former prisons (Museu do Aljube).

Another quirky place is the Fado Museum, detailing the rise of Portuguese folk music. From the craft of humble fishermen to a UNESCO-protected trade, the museum is a captivating spot to escape the crowds. Entry is €5.

Address: Alfama, Largo do Chafariz de Dentro 1, 1100-139 Lisboa.

Opening times: 10am-6pm, closed Monday.