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Lisbon Castle tour

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Explore Lisbon at your own pace on this Castle Tramcar tour. Your 24-hour hop-on hop-off ticket lets you explore the city at your leisure.

The 50 best things to do in the world right now

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Going out and doing things satisfies our need to explore, to learn and to grow (and then to brag about it on social media). Our hope is that the DO List becomes not just your bucket list, but your inspiration to experience and appreciate the corners of magic in the world.

The best places to see the sunrise in Lisbon

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Don't worry about the weather too much, in Lisbon the sun is usually shinning. In this list you'll find the best views in Lisbon: viewpoints, or "miradouros" as we say in Portuguese, terraces, by the shore or from the river. A sunrise you won't want to miss.

The best spa hotels in Lisbon

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Lisbon is getting busier and we don’t mind that at all. With so many cool streets to go, shops to browse and restaurants from all over the world to experience, besides the good and old traditional ones, of course, you can end your holidays more tired than when you began. Whether you're looking for a relaxing treatment or to spend a full weekend, these hotels have the ideal recipe to forget the craziness of the urban life for a while. Lean back, place some cucumber in your eyes and enjoy some zen music at one of the best spa hotels in Lisbon

Lisbon's best bakeries and cake shops

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We've tracked down and taste-tested Lisbon's most delectable bakeries to bring you this definitive top 6 of Lisbon's best bakeshops to go for breakfast or brunch, tea, or even lunch.

Best Art Galleries in Lisbon

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Are you into photography or would you rather stare at some amazing illustrations? Perhaps you are crazy about paintings. We've already covered the artworks you can't miss and now bring you the best art galleries in Lisbon with something for all of us. Recommended: The best Lisbon museums

The 148 best Lisbon restaurants to try right now

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Welcome to the Time Out EAT List, our handpicked ‘best of’ Lisbon’s food scene. These are the tastiest places to eat in this city right now: the freshest, most inventive and most memorable, ranked by expert local editors. Time Out’s local experts scour the city every day for great eats, great value and insider info (like a certain steak place’s secretive BYO Mondays). We value fun, flavour, freshness – and value at every price point. We update the EAT list monthly, plus whenever there’s a truly spectacular new opening. It could be a mega-hyped destination restaurant or a pop-up-turned-permanent in a shipping container: if it’s on the list we think it’s awesome and reckon you will too. Eaten somewhere on this list and loved it? Share it with the hashtag #TimeOutEatList Recommended: The best fish restaurants in Lisbon

52 of the best attractions in Lisbon

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Warning: this list is bound to grow, Lisbon being one of the best cities in the world. So don’t approach the sights listed below as a definitive guide, but rather as a taste of everything Lisbon has to offer, including the activities that are excluded from our recommendations (for now). Wear comfortable trousers and go from there.

Discover Alfama blindfolded

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What is it? Discovering Alfama blindfolded is an idea suggested by Lisbon Walker, in collaboration with ACAPO – The Portuguese association for the blind and visually impaired. Why go? The tour is called Lisboa Sensorial (sensory Lisbon), and he objective is to sense the smells, noises and flavours of Lisbon’s most typical neighbourhood, with your eyes covered – and a guide. It lasts an hour and a half. Don’t miss: Book in advance (they need 10 people minimum) on www.lisbonwalker.com

Listen to Fado at Mesa de Frades

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What is it? Mesa de Frades, the azulejo-lined former chapel of the Quinta da Dona Rosa, a palace built by Dom João V for one of his lovers, is a fado’s house owned by guitarra player Pedro de Castro. Why go? It has a reputation of being the fadistas’ canteen and you never know who might roll up in the wee hours and do an impromptu performance. The food is Portuguese, prettified – bacalhau com natas with parmesan and the like – but really not up to the quality of the fado. Don’t miss: Booking is a must for dinner. If you drop in later (and can squeeze in) there’s no minimum spend.

Discover the best indie night at MusicBox

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What is it? It's one of the city's most interesting venues, with a regular programme of rock bands, electronic live acts, singer-songwriters and DJ sets (all night on Fridays). Why go? The managers of this key club in Cais do Sodré have music industry connections and exploit them creditably. Note that some shows may start as late as 2am; for details, check the website, which is comprehensive. The space has an underground feel and look (it's literally beneath steep Rua do Alecrim) and is located in what was once one of Lisbon's seediest streets - and is now one of its buzziest at night. Don’t miss: You’re at the nightlife district, enjoy the rhythm of the night.

Take a Portuguese tile with you by visiting Cortiço & Netos

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What is it? For over 30 years, Joaquim José Cortiço dedicated his life to collecting and studying industrial Portuguese tiles, which belonged to factories that went out of business. Today, it’s his grandchildren that continue to give life to his project with Cortiço & Netos, where you can find several ceramic tiles that tell its history from the 60’s onwards. Why go? Unlike other azulejo shops listed in this guide, this place stocks mostly mass-produced tiles. But with hundreds of discontinued lines, it's a veritable museum of style through the decades and a great place to pick up one-off decorative bargains. For years, the owner snapped up stock from factories as they closed; now his grandchildren (the netos of the name) are busy selling it. Don’t miss: Buy one now while you can!

Try one of the best cocktails in town at Red Frog

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What is it? This place inspired by Prohibition-era bars in the US has a clandestine air, not least because it is in basement and you must ring the bell to be let in. Why go? Head up Rua do Salitre, and stop when you see a red frog at the door. Ring the bell, descend the staircase and you’ll find a space – Red Frog – that recreates the secret atmosphere of bars in the US Prohibition era. The drinks list was drawn up by an expert and has lots of very creative, very good and well mixed cocktails. Don’t miss: It is impossible to recommend one, because the list is constantly changing. The best thing is to leave it to the barman’s imagination.

Go for a drink at Rive-Rouge

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What is it? You can find Rive-Rouge, the heir to Lux Frágil, at Time Out Market. Why go? The design is unusual with red lighting, metallic structures, high tables and benches here. It’s not massive, but don’t despair, there’s still plenty of space for booty-shaking when the music starts. Don’t miss: Its signature cocktails!

Be part of a jam session at Tejo Bar

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What is it? Tejo Bar is an alternative, informal place with a handful of tables with low seats and shelves loaded with books and board games. Why go? Its Brazilian owner, nicknamed Mané do Café, is an amateur artist, novelist and poet, and presides over daily readings. Anyone may strum the house guitar (but don’t clap: patrons instead rub their hands together to show their appreciation, thus minimising noise). The bar has many regulars – who help themselves to drinks, noting down what they’ve taken – but it’s also a magnet for students and musicians. Don’t miss: Mané is incapable of throwing people out, so the place sometimes closes after 5am.

Travel abroad without leaving the country at Museu do Oriente

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What is it? The Portuguese were the first Europeans to have an enduring presence in Asia and the Museum of the Orient, opened in 2008, tells the story. Why go? The core exhibition includes unique maps and charts, priceless 17th- and 18th-century Chinese and Japanese painted screens and other Namban (Western-influenced) art, and an important collection of artefacts from Timor. The separate 'Shadows of Asia' display has shadow puppets from a swathe of countries from Turkey to south-east Asia, drawn from the vast Kwok On collection. The museum runs courses on everything from languages to cuisine and ikebana, as well as hosting concerts of Asian, fusion and world music and dance. Don’t miss: The top-floor restaurant has fine views.

Go to Lisbon's newest viewpoint Panorâmico de Monsanto

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What is it? Lisbon’s latest viewpoint is almost 50 years old. In the past, it was a luxury restaurant, a bingo hall, a nightclub, an office building and a warehouse. Why go? This architectural UFO designed by Chaves da Costa has been given a new lease of life - and a much more peaceful one: it is a viewpoint, which was always its second calling anyway. We won’t lie: it’s the best view of the whole city. Abandoned since 2001, the Panoramic received only sporadic visits from urban explorers, tourists, curious onlookers and people armed with spray paint, who went there to do what people generally do with spray paint. Since September 2nd, 2017, it can be visited legally and safely. Don’t miss: The 360º view of the city and great location, in Alto da Serafina Recreational Park, make this derelict building the best place to check out the sights in Monsanto.

Learn about History of Art at Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

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What is it? One of Europe's leading fine arts museums, with exhibits dating from 2000 BC to the early 20th century. Why go? Save time for the final room and its breathtaking glass and metal art nouveau jewellery by René Lalique. Audio-guides are available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese to help you get the most from the experience. There are also excellent temporary exhibitions, with pieces lent by institutions around the world. Downstairs is an art library (which often hosts midday classical recitals on Sundays), an excellent café and a small gift shop. Don’t miss: Don't miss the Centro de Arte Moderna at the southern end of the park.

Dance until dawn at Lux

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What is it? Lisbon's best club, with two dancefloors (one loungey, one sweaty) and a roof terrace overlooking the river. Why go? There are loads of clubs in Lisbon, but none compares to Lux Frágil. The décor is
on point and the music is second to none, courtesy
of the resident DJs and top international guests who swing by each week.
 As the hip furniture indicates, it's a see-and-be-seen place, but the crowd is friendly and the measures Lisbon-large. House and guest DJs offer everything from electro and hip hop to bursts of '80s music. Thursdays are popular with locals keen on leftfield names; on Saturdays the place is mobbed by out-of-towners. Lux's programme - which includes live bands and the odd Sunday afternoon event, as well as big international DJs - and its catch-all social role remain unrivalled. Exude photogenic importance at the door if you arrive after 2am. Don’t miss: The sunrise in the balcony.

Stroll around LX Factory

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What is it? Markets, exhibitions, shops, cafes, concerts, parties. There is a whole world to discover in this cosmopolitan "factory" that completely altered the landscape of Alcantara in 2008. Why go? Essential things to do on your retail therapy excursion include a trip to renovated industrial complex LX factory, a shopping city within the city. This uber-trendy venue hosts an eclectic selection of places to eat, drink, dance and spend some serious Euros.  Here you can cut your hair, look for surfboards or even sleep. Don’t miss: The weekly market on Sundays.