Like every city, Lisbon is stuffed with cool places off the beaten track. Unlike many cities, Lisbon is small enough to explore on foot, about the size of Glasgow or Leicester. And that makes it a great place for photos and video. Here are some very cool hidden things to see in Lisbon, each a mini-treat for the senses, mind, and spirit and all infinitely Instagrammable.
Extraordinary Bordalo II street art
Lisbon’s Street Art is a bit of a legend. There’s a host of fabulous artworks to admire around the old Graça neighbourhood, now called São Vicente, and beyond. But those by Bordalo II are top of the ‘totally awesome’ scale, absolutely extraordinary. The artist’s huge, beautifully painted 3D creatures quite literally stand out.
Bordalo II, who’s also an activist, creates his masterpieces from trash, recycling the things we throw away into moving artworks that make you gasp… then think about the sheer amount of stuff we consume and maybe decide to cut down. Don’t miss the raccoon in Belém and the bee inside the LX Factory. Your social media followers will love them.
Lisbon’s Ancient Roman tunnels
In 1755 Portugal was struck by a terrible earthquake. It took a lot of work to get back to normal and while the people cleaning up they came across the remains of a Roman village buried underneath the newer streets of the city. On climbing down into the scary hole they discovered a load of stone passages, rooms, chambers and bridges, hidden since the 1st century AD when the emperor Augustus ruled Rome.
Now named the Galerias Romanas and flooded a lot of the time, they’re only open to visitors for a few days every year once the floods retreat and city workers have cleaned and cleared them. The entrance is weird too, taking you through a hole in the road on Rua da Prata. Catch them if you can!
Treat yourself to a legendary brekkie at A Brasileira
On the go since 1905, A Brasileira is one of the city’s oldest eateries, once the go-to destination for cafe society’s intellectuals, lawyers, doctors, teachers, writers and artists. The Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa is commemorated outside by way of a statue and the frontage of the Art Nouveau building itself is a looker, curved and sinuous. Inside it’s very grand, a cool spot for people-watching with wonderful food. Their cakes are exquisite.
The window of Lisbon – Miradouro de Santa Luzia
This city is all about the views. Particularly gorgeous and nicknamed the Window of Lisbon, Miradouro de Santa Luzia isone of the most popular. But few people find the little church on the lower level, a lovely place full of flowers with tiled benches to chill out on. Sweet.
So – go to the lower level, where there’s a small square with a fountain and a green space. The wall has a tiled image of Lisbon on it. The other wall, facing the river, has two round windows. There’s your view. The way the round windows frame the landscape makes this place a must for social media sharing.
Vintage and second-hand heaven – Feira da Ladra market
Feira da Ladra, the ‘Flea Market’ is Lisbon’s best-fun place to buy unusual treats, souvenirs and gifts. On every Tuesday and Saturday, the setting next to the National Pantheon and behind São Vicente de Fora church is truly lovely.
Shop for treasures with a multitude of ‘stalls’ – actually mostly blankets and tents – where people sell a thrilling variety of often-strange stuff. Everything from old tiles to funky Portuguese antiques, craftworks, rugs, bags, clothes, art, you name it. The odder the better.
Up on the roof at the Estrela Basílica
Away from the hustle and bustle of the centre, the Estrela Basilica is a very pretty church. Queen Maria I of Portugal is buried inside. The difference between this and the city’s many other beautiful churches is you can climb the tower to get spectacular close-up shots of the dome and two bell towers, along with more breathtaking panoramic vistas. You can even go inside the dome itself. There’s a small fee but it’s worth every Euro.
The Amoreiras Reservoir – A National Monument
Built in 1746, this old reservoir used to receive and water from the river and send it via the 18km Águas Livres Aqueduct to the city. Now out of action, you get excellent view of the huge Águas Livres aqueduct from it as well as of the reservoir itself, a monster of a structure. There’s a roof terrace for even more splendid views.
Too cool for school – Panoramico de Monsanto
Colourful graffiti, creative installations, a bold modernist design, a patina of gentle decay to die for and an exciting setting makes the Panorâmico de Monsanto one of the best off-beat Lisbon attractions. It is very cool indeed, another brilliant photo op.
This curvy concrete chunk of an abandoned multi-story building was once a posh restaurant with high altitude views over the city. Back then the darling of city society in the ‘60s, now it’s decaying in an artistic sort of way, to some an eyesore but to others a thing of unusual beauty.
Whatever your take on the place you can’t deny it is stylish. Get there by cab or, if the journey is part of the experience for you, walk it to see and feel the setting up close and intimate.
You’ve seen the pink street – Now check out the Green Street
The buildings aren’t painted green. But Green Street is lush and verdant thanks to the abundance of greenery on display. A visual feast of pretty plants, flowers, lanterns, bunting, flags and tinsel, here’s where you can sit in out outside a trendy caff or go buy clothes, a vibrant independent shopping experience.
A secret tunnel full of Lisbon history
Head for the Miradouro das Portas do Sol viewpoint, find the staircase down to Rua Norberto de Araujo, look left and there it is. The walls of this decorated tunnel are lined with cartoon illustrations by the artist Nuno Saraiva telling the story of Lisbon. Another great snap for social media sharing.
Particularly photogenic pottery tiles
There’s a gorgeous display of famous Portuguese tiles to see for no charge at Convento da Graça, perched on the city’s highest hill. Being quite a climb it doesn’t attract as many tourists, great for photographing tiles without constantly people wandering in front.
The convent itself is a survivor of the 1755 earthquake and dates back to the 1200s. On the ground floor there’s a lovely courtyard surrounded by graceful arches, featuring some of the best tile paintings in the city that weave the story of Lisbon.
There’s an extra treat. Pay a few Euros to go up onto the roof of the convent, claim a free glass of wine or juice, and take pics of the panoramic views to share.
Lisbon magic at your fingertips
Lisbon is perfect for urban hiking, a great way to find out how real people live in Lisbon and hook up with some of the locals. And there are plenty more wonderful off-beat things to see in this lovely city, mostly easy to get to on foot. All at your fingertips thanks to efficient, comfortable Lisbon transfers.
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