• Quake – Lisbon Earthquake Museum
  An immersive, interactive experience about the 1755 earthquake, with simulations and storytelling.

• National Coach Museum
  Displays one of the world’s finest collections of royal carriages.

• Museu da Carris (Technology Museum of puboic transport)
  Displays on public transport in the city, partly occupying old workshops, with working vehicles. 

• FADO museum (Museu do Fado)
  Dedicated to Portugal’s traditional music, with audio recordings, history, and cultural context. Located in Alfama.

• National Pantheon (Panteão Nacional)
  17th-century baroque church turned into modern-day mausoleum for tombs of national
  celebrities. 

• National Tile Museum (Museu do Azulejo)
  Explores the art of azulejos (tiles), from the 15th century to modern times, set in a former convent.

• Castelo de São Jorge
  11th-century, hilltop Moorish castle & royal residence with palace ruins & archaeological museum.

• National Museum of Ancient Art
  Portugal’s most important art collection includes paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts.

• Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
  A world-class collection ranging from Ancient Egypt to European masterpieces.

• MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology
  A modern museum combining contemporary art, architecture, and technology by the river.

• MACAM – Museu de Arte Contemporânea Armando Martins
  A newer contemporary art museum focused on Portuguese works from the 20th and 21st centuries.

• Lisbon Museum (Pimenta Palace)
  Covers the history of Lisbon from ancient times to today.

• Museum of the Orient
  Focuses on Portugal’s historical connections with Asia, including artifacts and art.

• Carmo Archaeological Museum
  Located in the ruins of a Gothic church destroyed in 1755, with archaeological exhibits.

• Oceanário de Lisboa.
  Modern, waterside aquarium with ocean habitats for sharks, rays, penguins & tropical fish.

• Vasco da Gama Aquarium (Aquário Vasco da Gama)
  Late 19th-century aquarium & oceanographic museum, focusing on the sea fauna of Portuguese waters. 

• Water Museum (Museo de Agua)
  Steam-powered 19th-century pumping station with vintage industrial machinery & tours by appointment. 

• Lisbon Military Museum (Museu Militar de Lisboa)
  Baroque rooms with displays of cannons, wagons & armor, plus frescoes depicting
  Portuguese battles. 

• Museum of Contemporary Art – MAC/CCB (MAC/CCB Museu de Arte Contemporânea e Centro de Arquitetura)
  Modern & contemporary art museum, with works by Picasso, Bacon & Warhol plus temporary exhibitions.
  
  

• Money Museum (Museu do Dinheiro)
  Hands-on exhibits, coin making & banknote printing in a museum housed in a baroque-era church. 

LINK TO GOOGLE MAP for Collection of Museums in Lisbon

Lisbon is full of places where history lives behind the counter. These are not just cafés or shops — they are part of the city’s identity.

• A Ginjinha (1840) — the most iconic place to try Lisbon’s cherry liqueur.

• Luvaria Ulisses (1925) — a tiny glove shop, handmade leather, true craftsmanship.

• Pastelaria Versailles (1922) — elegant интерьер and classic pastries.

• Livraria Sá da Costa — a historic bookstore filled with rare finds.

• Leitaria A Camponeza (1907) — from milk shop to traditional restaurant.

• Sapataria do Carmo (1904) — Portuguese shoes, still family-run.

• O Faia (1947) — a classic Fado house in Bairro Alto.

• Pavilhão Chinês (1986) — part bar, part museum, full of character.

And some of the oldest cafés in the city:

• Martinho da Arcada (1782) — the oldest café in Lisbon, once frequented by Fernando Pessoa.

• Café Nicola (1787) — historic meeting place for writers and intellectuals.

• Confeitaria Nacional (1829) — royal pastry traditions and famous Bolo Rei.

• Pastelaria Benard (1868) — known for its croissants and elegant atmosphere.

• A Brasileira (1905) — one of Lisbon’s most iconic cafés, where Pessoa still “sits” outside.

• Livraria Bertrand (1732) – Recognized as the oldest operating bookstore in the world. It opened in the Chiado neighborhood and has survived earthquakes, revolutions, and trends. 

• Bonjardim (1950s) – One of the most iconic places to try “frango com piri-piri” (spicy grilled chicken).

• Casa Macário (1913) – A historic wine and spirits shop where you can still find rare Portuguese liqueurs and old-school charm. Fernando Pessoa was a client, and the vibe hasn’t changed much.

• A Provinciana (1932) – A classic tasca in downtown Lisbon that kept its Art Deco interior. Known for generous servings of traditional food and regulars who’ve been going there for decades.

• Imperial de Campo de Ourique (1947) – An old canteen-style restaurant with marble counters and daily dishes. It’s been feeding locals with no fuss and great prices for over 70 years.

• A Paródia (1974) – Opened just 2 days after the Carnation Revolution, this bar was named after Bordalo Pinheiro’s satirical magazine. It became a meeting point for Lisbon’s bohemians and artists, and the retro interior still looks untouched.

• Manuel Tavares (1860) – One of the oldest gourmet grocery shops in Lisbon. Specializing in cheese, wine, and cured meats.

• Drogaria Oriental (1930s) – A beautiful pharmacy-style shop selling soaps, oils, and herbal products. The vintage furniture and glass jars make it feel like a time capsule.
  
  

Here is the link to Google Maps for all those places.

Lisbon is built on hills, and the views are part of the experience.

Some of the best (with links):

1. Senhora do Monte — the highest and most complete view

2. Graça — similar view, but with a café

3. Santa Luzia — classic postcard Lisbon

4. Chão do Loureiro - in Alfama

5. São Pedro de Alcântara - This sizable, landscaped terrace with a fountain offers panoramic views of the city. 

6. Penha de França - Hilltop lookout known for panoramic views of the city, Vasco da Gama Bridge & sunsets. 

7. Jardim do Torel — quiet and less touristy, located in the park.

8. Santa Catarina — best for sunset.

9. Sunset without the crowd. Skip the Santa Justa queue and head to the Amoreiras 360° rooftop.  €5, rarely a line, 360° skyline. Try the night view.

• If you stay in Lisbon, you don’t need a car. Parking is difficult, and traffic can be chaotic.
  
  

• For exploring the country, renting a car makes sense. Local companies are often cheaper and more flexible.
  
  

• Skip tourist traps:

  • Don’t wait for the Santa Justa elevator — the view is free from nearby streets

  • Instead of tuk-tuks, take Tram 28 or ...just walk
    
    

• If someone is actively pulling you into a restaurant, don’t go. Instead, find a small family-owned restaurant. Keep in mind, you might need to make a reservation or arrive 20 minutes before it opens for dinner. Most of them open at 7 pm.
  
  

• Bread, olives, and cheese on the table are not free — you pay if you touch them
  
  

• Small cafés and local spots often accept cash only
  
  

• Wear proper shoes — Lisbon is hills + cobblestones
  
  

• From the airport to the city, you can hire Uber or Bolt (15 minutes), or get on the Metro / Linha Vermelha (red line) (30-40 minutes)
  
  

• Public Transportation: One card, cheapest fares.
  Grab a reusable Navegante card (€0.50) and load ‘Zapping’ credit.  Every metro or tram tap is €1.70 instead of €2+, and it also works on the train to Cascais and the ferry to Cacilhas.

• For Sintra, the Navegante card can still be used, but you’ll need to load a separate train ticket or use Zapping with a higher fare (around €2–3.50 depending on the route). Get on the train at Rossio Station. The train departs every 15-20 minutes, and the trip takes about 40 minutes, or from Gare do  Oriente (45-50  minutes).
  
  

• On the train, you can get to Caiscas, departing from Cais do Sodré Station. It will take about 40 minutes. The train departs every 15-20 minutes and costs €2–3 (with Navegante/Zapping).
  
  

• You can check train (and buses) routes and schedules on Omio App, but it is better to reserve your tickets on the official site "Comboios de Portugal" for trains and official bus apps (check this page for other links to bus and train operators).

• Internet: Most cafés and accommodations offer free WiFi; however, it’s still a good idea to have your own connection. After trying different providers, I found Vodafone to be the most reliable. At the airport, there is a Vodafone kiosk where you can buy a physical SIM (usually more expensive than e-sim. Last time it was unlimited data for €20 for 20 days) or an eSIM. Note: prices could change.
  The best deal I’ve found so far was purchasing an eSIM through the TAP Air Portugal app — around €15 for 30 days. MEO is good for rural  areas and road trips and NOS -  in the big cities l;ike Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, etc.
  
  

• If oyu are in Portugal for the short time, visit Time Out Market, a popular food hall in Cais do Sodré with top local dishes and chefs all in one place. It is convenient, but often crowded and slightly pricier.