The Checkout.com guide to Lisbon

We're incredibly excited you'll be joining us in Lisbon at Thrive 2023. Aptly named the 'City of Light' because of its abundance of sunshine, Lisbon is a treasure trove of cultural, architectural, and culinary delights.

To learn a little more about the city and help you plan your stay, we've asked members of our team to share their favorite places to visit in Lisbon.

Joana Mosa, Sales Manager, Checkout.com

Having lived in Lisbon for just over five years, there are so many places I could suggest—it really is a wonderful city offering something for everyone. I particularly love the traditional parts of the city, where you can feel its pulse and get a unique sense of its culture and customs.

Pavilhão Chinês

Website | Directions from Epic Sana Marques Hotel

It's an old-school bar with great cocktails, and you can feel the bohemian essence of old Lisbon. But it could be a museum. Its walls are covered with artifacts from the world wars and many other trinkets—there really is so much to see. It's a must-visit.

Darwin

Website | Directions from Epic Sana Marques Hotel

Darwin is a beautiful restaurant on the riverside close to the Torre de Belem, a landmark in the city. The restaurant's building is also home to a scientific research foundation and is the perfect spot if you want to take a late-night stroll along the river after dinner.

Clube do Fado

Website | Directions from Epic Sana Marques Hotel

Clube do Fado is a popular spot with tourists and locals alike, but it's for a good reason. There is nothing quite like dining and enjoying a drink while listening to local Fado singers when in Lisbon.

Jardins da Gulbenkian

Website | Directions from Epic Sana Marques Hotel

Jardins da Gulbenkian is a Small Eden in the city center. Its gardens are the perfect place to unplug and connect with nature.

LX Factory

Website | Directions from Epic Sana Marques Hotel

This refurbished industrial complex is home to several start-ups, restaurants, bars, local shops and probably the most famous bookstore in Lisbon, "Ler Devagar". It's a fantastic place to shop locally and then wine and dine.

Miguel Fernandes, Senior Manager, Sales

For those visiting Lisbon for the first time, I would recommend taking a Tuk Tuk tour to see some of the most breathtaking views and places in Lisbon in a few hours. If you're in the city for a few days before or after Thrive, then you're spoilt for choice of what to do. Here are a few suggestions, all of which you could fit into one day.

Miradouro da senhora do monte

Website | Directions from Epic Sana Marques Hotel

One of the highest points in the city, Miradouro da senhora do monte, offers spectacular views across Lisbon and of the Tagus river. It's one of the best vantage points in the city and a must for first-time visitors.

Quake experience

Website | Directions from Epic Sana Marques Hotel

If you want to step back in time and 'experience' some history, I'd highly recommend the Quake Center. The immersive experience takes you back to Lisbon in 1755, where you can walk recreations of ancient streets and learn more about the earthquake that destroyed the city.

Pastéis de Belém

Website | Directions from Epic Sana Marques Hotel

You can't visit Portugal without having an original Portuguese custard tart. And there are few finer places to do so than Pastéis de Belém, which first opened in 1837. It's also a brilliant spot to take a break when walking by the river.

Alfama 63

Website | Directions from Epic Sana Marques Hotel

A favorite restaurant of mine is Alfama 63, a tiny family-run business serving exquisite local dishes in the heart of the old town. And when done, it's time to head to a bar to watch Fado—the perfect Lisbon evening.

Noemia Almeida, Customer Success Manager, Checkout.com

Although I live in Porto, I love spending weekends in Lisbon ‌exploring all the culture, food and diversity the city offers. Here are some of my favorite places I've discovered so far.

Cantinho do Avillez

Website | Directions from Epic Sana Marques Hotel

Cantinho do Avillez is one of my favorite restaurants serving authentic Portuguese cuisine. Head Chef, José Avillez, is widely regarded as one of the best in the country, known for his innovation and contemporary takes on authentic Portuguese dishes.  

Time Out Market Lisbon

Website | Directions from Epic Sana Marques Hotel

The market is one that you'll find in any city guide. But there's a good reason for that: it brings the best of the city under one roof, making it the perfect place for people with little time to get to experience all Lisbon offers.

Oceanário de Lisboa

Website | Directions from Epic Sana Marques Hotel

Lisbon's aquarium is world-renowned, both as a location that houses stunning marine life in the largest tank in Europe. It's also a place that encapsulates the bond between Lisbon and the ocean.

MAAT

Website | Directions from Epic Sana Marques Hotel

Located on the riverfront in Belém, The Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology is an inspirational place to visit. There is so much to see, both architecturally and across the exhibition spaces, that I visit nearly every time I'm in Lisbon.

Tower of Belém

Website | Directions from Epic Sana Marques Hotel

After exploring the MAAT, you can take a short walk through Belém to visit The Tower of Belém, a few minutes away. Otherwise known as the Tower of St. Vincent, the tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site offering stunning views across the Tagus River.

Vejo você em breve

We will see you soon in Lisbon.