Lisbon is home to some iconic attractions, but if you're looking to experience it more like a local, you'll have to travel off the beaten path a bit. Fortunately, you won't have to look far to find fascinating things to see and do that are typically left out of popular itineraries.
Among the hidden features in Lisbon, you'll find historical spots, museums, murals and other sights and activities. With these on your itinerary, you can enjoy a unique experience that you may not have expected. Check out some of the best things to do off the beaten track in Lisbon.
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History of Lisbon Mural
Take in a comic mural
- Goedkoop
- Gezinnen
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The History of Lisbon Mural is a fascinating work of public art that features a comic series of panels showcasing the history of the city in a tunnel. The work was created by Nuno Saraiva, a muralist and artist who used his talent to showcase the city's rich history in a burst of colour.
The mural is somewhat hidden from normal paths, being located in a tunnel near an overlook on the coast. The tunnel is relatively small, so the mural's location on the overhanging arch won't be too far away. It's located in southern Alfama.
Locatie: R. Norberto de Araújo 14 18, 1100-117 Lisboa, Portugal
Openingstijden: 24/7
Kaartfoto door Nuno Saraiva (CC BY-SA 4.0) bewerkt
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Livraria Bertrand
Visit an old bookshop
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- Geschiedenis
- Shoppers
Livraria Bertrand is one of the oldest operating bookshops in the world and boasts a rich history and wide selection. The bookshop dates back to 1732, and it has been frequented by such famous authors as Fernando Pessoa and Alexandre Herculano.
When you visit, you'll find a wide selection of books available in about every genre you can imagine. While most of it is in Portuguese, you'll still find quite a few English books here. See it for yourself in Chiado, south of the city centre.
Locatie: R. Garrett 73 75, 1200-203 Lisboa, Portugal
Openingstijden: Daily from 9 am to 10 pm
Telefoonnummer: +351 21 030 5590
Kaartfoto door 69joehawkins (CC BY-SA 3.0) bewerkt
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Jardim da Quinta dos Azulejos
Check out a garden with tile art
- Stellen
- Gezinnen
- Geschiedenis
Jardim da Quinta dos Azulejos is a tranquil garden that's home to vibrant greenery and impressive tile work in architectural structures. The garden dates back to the late 18th century, and the use of design practices that were common at the time makes you feel as if you've stepped into the past.
The tile work here is particularly impressive, as you'll find it present among pillars, walkways, benches and other structures, showcasing one of Portugal's best-known traditions. You'll find it a few miles northwest of the town centre near Q.Ta do Pisany.
Locatie: Portugal
Kaart - 4
Águas Livres Aqueduct
Discover a prime example of historical engineering
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The Águas Livres Aqueduct is a massive structure that shows off some of the best of 18th-century Portuguese engineering, and you can explore its still-standing construction. This aqueduct has stood the test of time and even the infamous 1755 earthquake that hit the city.
The aqueduct sports mostly Baroque designs, but the arches tend to have a bit of a Gothic flair to them as well, making it a unique piece of construction compared to other aqueducts. See it all for yourself just north of Campo de Ourique, northwest of the town centre.
Locatie: CC da Quintinha 6, 1070-225 Lisboa, Portugal
Telefoonnummer: +351 21 810 0215
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Museu Nacional do Azulejo
Learn about the history of tiles
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Museu Nacional do Azulejo, or the National Tile Museum, is home to a massive collection of works and artefacts detailing the history of tile and its influence on Portugal. The items on display here go back to the 15th century and include works from the modern era as well.
The museum is located within the former Madre de Deus Convent, which was built in the 16th century and adorned with Baroque designs and artwork. See it all for yourself east of the town centre by Xabregas.
Locatie: R. Me. Deus 4, 1900-312 Lisboa, Portugal
Openingstijden: Tuesday–Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm (closed on Mondays)
Telefoonnummer: +351 21 810 0340
Kaartfoto door Vitor Oliveira (CC BY-SA 2.0) bewerkt
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Hospital de Bonecas (Dolls Hospital)
Take a trip to an old doll repair shop
- Geschiedenis
Hospital de Bonecas (Dolls Hospital) is a repair shop that specialises in fixing old dolls and has been in business for nearly 200 years. Bringing old toys back to life is their speciality, and they've been a staple of the community since 1830.
When you visit, you can see an array of dolls from various time periods on display that they have repaired and were subsequently unclaimed. More eerie sights can be seen in their doll parts section featuring displays of arms, eyes and half-finished works. You'll find it all about halfway between Alfama and Bairro Alto.
Locatie: Praça da Figueira 7, 1100-240 Lisboa, Portugal
Openingstijden: Saturday–Monday from 10 am to 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm to 5 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Telefoonnummer: +351 21 342 8574
Kaartfoto door Jeremy Thompson (CC BY 2.0) bewerkt
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Museu da Marioneta
Explore the history of puppetry
- Geschiedenis
- Bijzonder
Museu da Marioneta is a museum dedicated to preserving the history of puppetry with exhibits covering the practice from all across the world. Puppetry is something that has developed independently across multiple cultures throughout history, and this museum shows off how that happened and how it all merged as the world became more connected.
As you may expect, the puppetry here primarily focuses on the Portuguese tradition, but you'll still find plenty of other influences as well, including quite a bit from Southeast Asia. See it all for yourself about a mile or so southwest of the town centre near the riverbank.
Locatie: Rua da Esperança 146, 1200-660 Lisboa, Portugal
Openingstijden: Tuesday–Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm (closed on Mondays)
Telefoonnummer: +351 21 394 2810
Kaartfoto door Paulo Valdivieso (CC BY-SA 2.0) bewerkt
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Tejo Power Station
See an old power station
- Geschiedenis
The Tejo Power Station is a historic thermoelectric power plant that also serves as an electricity museum where you can learn all about the history of power in the city. The building dates back to 1909, and the power station functioned until the 1970s, though it stopped being a major contributor to local power in the 1950s.
When you visit, you'll be able to see numerous artefacts and well-maintained machine systems that allow for power production. You can even gain insight into the working conditions of the plant. You'll find it along the riverbank in Santa Maria de Belem.
Locatie: Av. Brasília, 1300-598 Lisboa, Portugal
Openingstijden: Wednesday–Monday from 11 am to 7 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Telefoonnummer: +351 21 002 8130
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Livraria do Simão
Stop in at a tiny bookshop
- Shoppers
- Bijzonder
Livraria do Simão is a unique bookshop in that it's so tiny that only a single person can fit inside at a time. The bookshop's interior standing space maxes out at about 4 square metres. The owner of the shop will have to step outside if you want to have a look around inside, but he's used to it.
Despite the small space, you'll still find plenty of books inside, with about 4,000 available. They tend to consist of secondhand books, including some from famous writers like Fernando Pessoa and Eça de Queirós. You can visit it in western Alfama, just south of the town centre.
Locatie: Escadinhas de São Cristóvão 18, 1100-213 Lisboa, Portugal
Openingstijden: Tuesday–Friday from 8 am to 1 pm, and 3 pm to 7 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)
Kaartfoto door Jeremy Thompson (CC BY 2.0) bewerkt
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Casa dos Bicos
Go see a house with a spiked facade
- Geschiedenis
- Bijzonder
Casa dos Bicos, or the House of Beaks, is a fascinating house that features spikes on its facade and a rich history you can explore. The building dates back to the 16th century, and even then it stood out in contrast to typical Renaissance architecture.
Throughout the years, this building has been used for a variety of purposes, including as a residential house, a warehouse, an art gallery and a fish market. It's currently used by the Jose Saramago Foundation. You can visit it south of the town centre in southern Alfama.
Locatie: Rua dos Bacalhoeiros 10, 1100-135 Lisboa, Portugal
Openingstijden: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 5.30 pm (closed on Sundays)
Telefoonnummer: +351 21 880 2040
Kaart