Portugal’s coastal capital city has a different claim to fame depending on who you ask—whether sunshine 290-days a year, a thousand ways to cook bacalhau (salted cod) or its plethora of distinct cultural experiences.
Let’s not forget the accommodations that treat all guests like they are VIPs, whether 5-star gems like the recently renovated Altis Grand Hotel in the city centre, or tucked away seaside boutiques. Sound good? Here are other interesting ideas for getting to know Lisbon.
“Elevated” Meetings and Events
There’s a fan club for lifts (or elevators to us Yankees) in Lisbon. The 360-degree views from the top of Lisbon’s iconic Arco da Rua Augusta (Arch of Augusta Street) on the Praca do Comercio, the original site of the palace and largest of the city’s plazas, are some of the best in the city. A lift to the top was installed a couple of years back and has become a popular attraction since. The century-old Elevador de Santa Justa is a top historical attraction, the lift’s elegant neogothic-style wood and brass structure still connecting Rua do Ouro to Largo do Carmo for locals and visiting groups, and offering more awesome views.
Explore In Style
Tours of the city’s natural spoils and historic, artsy and cultural sides happen via bikes, scooters, motorcycles, boats, Segways, vintage convertible beetles and even classic cars. Or groups can squeeze into tiny electric Twizzy cars with Lisbon Eco Tours, complete with GPS and built-in multilingual audio guides for a self-guided tour.
From Escape Rooms to Great Escapes
There are two main areas of Lisbon that groups will definitely want to hit: Baixa Pombalina, with its traditional shops and museums, and the lively streets of Chiado, its eclectic mix of modern and traditional shops. A lot of must-visit places are located in the plaza—from Martinho da Arcada, the city’s oldest cafe, to the Terreiro do Paco Handicrafts Market, one of Lisbon’s latest markets. There is likely not enough time in the world to experience everything here, but some creative highlights include an hour-long Sherlock Holmes-style escape room adventure with Escape Hunt Lisboa, or a stroll through the Museu Nacional do Coches (National Museum of Cars), which houses four centuries of vehicles, including coaches, berlins, sedan chairs and carriages. Other interesting ideas include The Carmo Archaeological Museum, housed in a 14th-century convent, houses artifacts dating back to 1,500 B.C., neoclassical Ajuda National Palace, the residence of the royals until the end of the Monarchy in the early 20th century, with sections available for corporate buyouts.
