Lisbon Outdoor Activities

In the capital of Portugal it is worth enjoying outdoor activities to take advantage of the warm summers and mild winters, where the pleasant breeze of the Tagus is always present. Among its streets you will find plenty of things to see and do, starting with the tours that lead you to explore its gastronomy, culture and artistic expressions.

It has innovative proposals such as the bike bar rides that take place on bicycles and offer a bar with drinks on board. You will also find endless natural spaces such as Almada and the Eduardo VII Park. And if you like different plans, you can see dinosaur fossils and walk along themed trails in Dino Park, or take advantage of the city's lifts and funiculars.

To get a feel for the city and understand how its main attractions are laid out, I recommend starting your trip with a walking tour. It's well worth the effort to walk up the hills and get to the most beautiful neighbourhoods. But if you plan to do it on your own, make sure you have a clear itinerary and a map because it's easy to get lost.

Walk through the main streets or get lost in the picturesque alleys. While you're there, take the opportunity to buy a cream cake and visit the squares, the Time Out Market, Pink Street and the promenade. The must-sees are in the Alfama, Belém, Chiado, Baixa and Bairro Alto neighbourhoods.

Getting to know its history and culture takes time, so if it's your first time I recommend you opt for an audio guide or a guided experience. To give you an idea, booking a tour of Lisbon is an enjoyable activity that allows you to connect with other tourists and discover the city with a professional guide. Some people prefer to book a private tour to personalise the route.

All are ideal options and the final choice will depend on your budget, time and preferences. The important thing is to give yourself the opportunity to explore every corner of Portugal's capital.

Buckle up and get ready to set sail on the Tagus River and take advantage of various activities. Many people opt for some of the best cruises in Lisbon to enjoy sunny days with unlimited fun. This way you can cross the 25 de Abril Bridge and go from one end to the other.

For my part, here are some of my favourite options to enjoy Lisbon from the water.

• Book a traditional boat trip: get on a boat dating back to 1947, whose colourful decoration has become a symbol of the city.
• Book a sunset sailboat: there are no words to describe the sunsets in Lisbon, but there is one experience that can prove it. On board you will enjoy a two-hour ride that will take you to the main attractions.
• Book a boat party: this is a circular route that allows you to connect with other travellers and enjoy the best local DJs.
• Book a yacht trip: get on board and enjoy a romantic and historical route, which allows you to sail along the Tagus for an hour.
• Opt for the sightseeing boat: this experience is often combined with the tram and bus and is notable for offering free stops.
• Buy tickets for the Hippotrip: this is an amphibious vehicle that takes you around Lisbon by land and water.

Take a walking tour through the streets of Lisbon in search of the best Fado performers and enjoy traditional Fado music. This genre is characterised by its emotionality and melancholy and originated in the 19th century based on Arab, African and Portuguese rhythms. It is common to hear it in the city's most picturesque neighbourhoods, such as Alfama and Mouraria.

By day you can see street performers playing other, more upbeat genres that complement the energy of the city. Fado concerts, on the other hand, are mainly held at night, as this musical genre is best enjoyed in a more intimate and cosy atmosphere. You can take the opportunity to enjoy a Fado dinner and combine two of the most important elements of Portuguese culture: its music and its gastronomy.

If you don't know where to start, you can sign up for a guided experience to find the best places to listen to Fado. This way, you will discover the bars, theatres and street corners where you can appreciate this spectacle. Note that street performances are usually free, while indoor sessions are charged for.

Lisbon has several funiculars that are an important part of its transport system and a tourist attraction in their own right. If you're not used to walking on steep and rugged trails, your legs are likely to get tired. By using them you can get breathtaking views of the city, save time and enjoy less strenuous rides.

Favourite options include:

• Funicular do Lavra: it is the oldest in the city and goes up a slope connecting Câmara Pestana Street and Largo da Anunciada.
• Ascensor da Glória: it has a colourful design and links Restauradores Square with San Pedro de Alcántara Street. This way you will reach the Bairro Alto without much effort.
• Ascensor da Bica: it is quite peculiar as it starts at the bottom in Cais do Sodré and goes all the way to the top in Barrio Alto.

If you plan to book tickets for Lisbon's tourist tram you can take advantage of the fact that it usually includes free 24-hour access to the Bica, Glória and Lavra funiculars, as well as the famous Santa Justa lift.

Visit Lisbon's liveliest street and delight in a unique atmosphere. This place is impressive, perhaps because of the combination of its pink pavement with the colours of the buildings and the hustle and bustle of the tourists. It is a social meeting point in the city where you can find a wide range of outdoor restaurants. You don't have to worry about the cold, the rain or the intense sun because the umbrellas will cover you and create a colourful contrast.

Tours of Lisbon usually stop here because a few streets away you will find the Time Out Market and some interesting museums. In fact, booking a guided tour of the highlights of Lisbon would be ideal to go through Pink Street and on to the Belem Tower.

Lisbon at night is breathtaking and this little street is famous for its entertainment and variety of tapas bars.

If you want to feel the wind against your face and get to know the hidden corners of Lisbon, then you need to book a bike tour. This experience offers low and high intensity routes to suit all tastes. If you prefer a leisurely ride, I recommend exploring the centre of Lisbon until you reach the Belém promenade.

The more adventurous opt to cycle up the steep hills that connect the most popular neighbourhoods. However, you can also book an electric bike tour, which guarantees comfort and makes it easy to get around the winding paths.

Alternatively, there are Segway tours and the opportunity to sign up for a bike bar tour, a dynamic and different experience that takes you on a vehicle that combines a bike with a bar. On board you can socialise with other travellers, while enjoying a local beer or wine.

Lisbon was not the city we know today, but throughout the 19th and 20th century it experienced an impressive cultural growth. The introduction of new artistic trends and the popularity of Fado contributed to create a livelier and more dynamic atmosphere. Nowadays, the Portuguese neighbourhoods stand out for their street art, with the focus being on the Marvila neighbourhood, the Barrio Alto and the Fábrica Braço de Prata.

Every corner of the city offers art in different presentations and the muralsand graffiti are something special that takes more time to locate. To access a wide gallery of outdoor art creations, I suggest booking a guided street art tour. This is highly recommended considering that many of these paintings have a cultural background that only locals and professional guides know about.

Portugal's gastronomy is one of the richest and most varied in Europe, with street food and restaurants that are not to be missed. You will taste the Mediterranean influence and the legacy of the former colonies in every mouthful. In addition, most savoury dishes are prepared with fish such as cod, sardines, clams and octopus. In fact, it is said that there are more than 1,000 ways of preparing cod in this city.

Portuguese cuisine is also known for its cheeses, wines, pastries and melt-in-the-mouth desserts. The best gastronomic tours in Lisbon take you through different gastronomic options. If you have particular requirements and want to customise your tour, you can book a private gastronomic tour.

In general, the best place to try a variety of food is the Time Out Market However, if you prefer to eat outdoors and soak up the local energy, take to the streets and visit:

• Ponto Final: this is a restaurant in Cacilhas on the banks of the Tagus River where you can eat with the sound of the waves in the background. It has become a local tradition and is ideal for eating outdoors, while admiring the Lisbon skyline.
• Feira da Ladra: is a Lisbon street market that comes to life on Tuesdays and Saturdays. It is considered the best place to sample street food, walk among the antique stalls and enjoy live music.

St. George's Castle is an attraction that can be seen from different parts of Lisbon. It can be seen from Almada, from some local viewpoints and when taking cruises. Inside you can find an impressive façade, as well as outdoor gardens that will leave you speechless.

The surroundings of this castle are part of its charm, offering medieval alleys that vibrate with music, street art and outdoor restaurants. I recommend losing yourself in the Calle de las Flores de Santa Cruz, which is behind the castle's church and is lined with traditional houses with colourful facades. Or soak up the local energy on Espiritu Santo street, whose cobblestones do not go unnoticed.

If you don't want to miss anything, you can book a tour of the Alfama and São Jorge neighbourhoods to lose yourself in the maze of alleys and discover the castle's Moorish past.

Lisbon is a privileged city with green spaces that will leave you speechless. During your visit you must stop by the Parque Eduardo VII which is located in the highest part of the city. It is famous for offering panoramic views of the whole city and the Tagus River.

Some of the best adventure and nature activities in Lisbon are hidden here Lisbon Adventure and Nature Activities For example, you can visit a greenhouse called La Estufa Fria, which has plants from all over the world. It also has a connection to the Amalia Rodrigues Garden, whose mazes of fountains and sculptures were built in honour of one of Fado's amateurs.

In addition, this park is home to picnic areas, live entertainment and swimming pools ideal for summer in Lisbon.

The Sanctuary of Christ the King is an impressive place with a historical and religious significance that does not go unnoticed. It is home to a statue inspired by Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer, which stands 28 metres tall on a 73-metre base. Its main attraction is to climb up to the viewpoint and enjoy the most impressive views of Lisbon.

You can also stay at the bottom and visit the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Paz. This monument is located in the Almada area, which can be reached by crossing the Tagus River. From Lisbon you can take a bus directly to the monument, which passes over the 25 de Abril Bridge. Or, perhaps, take a ferry ride to the Cacilha coast, where there are metro and bus options.

In Almada I suggest walking along the waterfront to the free Boca do Vento Panoramic Lift, which I have no doubt will blow your mind.

The Lisbon cable car is an attraction that allows you to admire Lisbon from another angle. It is ideal to watch the sunset in a comfortable seat with 360° views, or to move from one end to the other. In general, it has two stations located in the north and south of the city.

Each cabin holds a maximum of 8 people and the ride lasts approximately 8 to 12 minutes. You will pass 30 metres above the river and you can see the Lisbon Oceanarium, the Vasco da Gama Tower and part of the Vasco da Gama Bridge.

On the way down you can take advantage of the outdoor activities on the Passeio das Tégides (north) or the Passeio de Neptuno (south). Both promenades are known for their vibrant atmosphere, relaxation areas and paths for cyclists or skaters.

On the outskirts is one of the best parks in Lisbon. Dino Park is a wooded space not to be missed if you plan to visit the city with children. Get ready to travel back to the Mesozoic era through more than 180 life-size models of dinosaurs.

For a breath of fresh air you can take advantage of its themed trails that take you to the Paleozoic, Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous. This place has an interactive laboratory, where you can be a palaeontologist for a day and discover the findings related to dinosaurs. It also offers interactive activities, fossil exhibits and replicas of eggs of different species.