The Ultimate Luxury Guide Of Lisbon, The City of Seven Hills

Lisbon is a city full of heritage, history, and culture and has a vibrant scene of restaurants, luxury hotels, and bars. The city sprawls across seven hills on the coast and is characterized by its famous ruins, cathedrals, and cobblestone streets, along with traditions. Lisbon is a breathtaking city. It's the lights, it's the Tejo, it's the great offer of luxury, the multiculturality that makes us feel at home, and the cuisine... the vibration of the sky from the saturated blue sky, the evocative shadows in the narrow streets of the old quarter of Alfama, and the brightness of the sun's rays reflecting on the colored tiles that adorn so many houses.

Lisbon has its historical soul, all dignity and temperament, and its contemporary creative culture. It's dark and lush at the same time. We may cry at a traditional fado show one night, dance until dawn the next, and it's the perfect place for a true luxury vacation: the stores are incredibly unmissable; the food is to die for; the wines are especially unforgettable, and the list goes on! 

Today we bring an ideal guide for travelers who want a luxurious vacation full of variety: culture, history, sophisticated shopping and dining, and beautiful landscapes and cityscapes. We saved the best for last! At the end of the article, we present a tour that is based on some of the main wine experiences in the capital, private visits to the monuments we will refer to, stays in luxury hotels in Lisbon, in general, a comprehensive private city tour and the most interesting excursions in the region.

CULTURAL SITES

LISBON, LUMINOUS AND LIVELY

Crowded during the summer and often rainy in winter (yet magnificent, especially during Christmas time), Lisbon is best visited in autumn or spring, when a new live flower seems to sprout on trees across the city every few weeks.

Tower of Belém

This is one of the city's most emblematic icons and a symbol of the Age of Discovery. It was built in the 16th century and has been declared World Heritage Monument by UNESCO.

The Monument of Discoveries

Also in Belém, walking on the riverside path from Tower of Belém, you'll get to what is also one of the most iconic Lisbon monuments. It was conceived in 1939 to celebrate the Portuguese Age of Discovery during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Pastel de Belém (portuguese custard tarts)

This Portuguese pastry was created by Catholic monks at the Jeronimos Monastery around the 18th century. It has become one of the mandatory food experiences when visiting Lisbon. They are also known as Pasteis de Belém because, well, they were created and are available in Belém.

Jeronimos Monastery

Also built in honor of Portugal's Age of Discovery, this monastery is a stunning historical and cultural monument. Built-in the 16th century, it was commissioned by King Manuel I to honor the great Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama and his epic voyage to India in 1498. His tomb can be found inside Santa Maria Church. 

St. George's Castle

The castle is located on the top of one of Lisbon's seven hills and it offers a unique view over the city. Built by the Moors to stop the invading Christian forces, it was taken in 1147 by the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques.

Carmo Convent

This 14th-century medieval convent and its gothic church were mostly destroyed in the great earthquake of 1755. The church was only rebuilt in the 20th century and it is one of the few places that still hold visible traces of the earthquake that devastated the city.

Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon's Cathedral)

Located near Alfama, one of Lisbon's most emblematic neighborhoods, you can find this imposing Romanesque cathedral. It was built in the 12th century but it also suffered from the devastating earthquake disaster. It was rebuilt in a blend of architectural styles.

Alfama

Despite the tourist invasion, it still manages to keep its genuine soul, as if it were an authentic village in the middle of the bustle of the capital. Take note of our selection and prepare a tour of the beautiful Alfama, with our private guide, see how here. 

National Tile Museum

The Museu Nacional do Azulejo is housed in the former Convento da Madre de Deus founded in 1509 by Queen Leonor. Its collection presents the history of tiles in Portugal, from the second half of the 15th century. Century to the present day, proving that the tile continues to be a living expression and identity of Portuguese culture.

National Coach Museum

The Coach Museum has a collection of carriages, saloons, carriages, trolleys, fetones, coupés, sedan chairs, and chairs from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, richly decorated.

Private Tram tour 

The tiny trams dating back to 1930 are still part of the public transport network, as they are the only means of transport capable of passing through the narrow streets of the old quarters. The tram passes through the popular tourist districts of Graça, Alfama, Baixa, and Estrela. Ride up and down Lisbon's hills like an old roller coaster as you pass through monuments, landscapes, and history. Taking advantage of a private tour accompanied by drinks or snacks makes it a special occasion to experience the real Lisbon! Book with us

FASHION STORES

Where to shop when in Lisbon?

Fashion Clinic Avenida

Fashion Clinic is a luxury store that currently sells around 80 brands of clothing, accessories, bags, shoes, perfumes, candles, cosmetics, among many others. It is the ideal choice for the most demanding customer, who is looking for unique pieces by designers such as DKNY, Givenchy, Gucci, YSL, Stella Mccartney, among others. Currently, you can also find the store at our partner JNcQUOI. 

Torres Joalheiros (Av. da Liberdade)

Official representative of a range of renowned brands, Torres Joalheiros perpetuates the values of distinction and excellence shared by its partners. In addition, as an Official Rolex Retailer for almost 5 decades, in 2020, the year of its 110th anniversary, Torres Joalheiros was distinguished by the brand with the opening of the only Boutique Rolex in Portugal, located in Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon.

WHERE TO STAY WHEN IN LISBON?

Ritz Four Seasons

With decorated facades adorned with shiny tiles and an Art Deco decoration, the Ritz Hotel of Lisbon follows the group's communication in the other hotels. situated in the heart of the capital, the hotel reflects the soul of Portuguese culture mixed with an up-to-date Louis XVI style, with a luxurious and important collection of works of art by Portuguese artists.

Myriad by Sana Hotels

Myriad Hotel is located in one of the most beautiful and vibrant places in the capital. Here, the Tagus accompanies you in a 360º view. Vibrant, contemporary, unrivaled, and striking, this hotel has it all!

Pestana Palace

This luxurious and elegant hotel has an extraordinary view over the Tagus River. It is a privileged member of the group ‘The Leading Hotels of the World’ and is considered a national heritage. Around the hotel, there is a lush private park, with varied subtropical plants and trees, offering a magnificent panoramic view over the city of Lisbon.

VERRIDE PALÁCIO SANTA CATARINA

Unique, straight out of a fairy tale, neutral, comfortable, serene.... this historic palace from the 18th century in the heart of Lisbon has
rich environments, exquisite details, and a dreamlike view!

WHERE TO EAT WHEN IN LISBON?

Alma

Designed to the smallest detail by Chef Henrique sá Pessoa, another of the most recognized names in Portuguese author cuisine. Created to offer you the best gastronomic experience, the Alma restaurant, located in the Portuguese capital, strictly follows the ideas of the chef who conveys his influences and culinary references through the food. Get ready to enjoy a journey through the flavors of the world.

Belcanto

Here, the romanticism of Chiado and Lisbon's downtown is combined with contemporary Portuguese cuisine designed by chef José Avillez. With two Michelin stars, this restaurant is also on the list of “The World's 50 Best Restaurants”. With a unique, welcoming service, designed to provide you with an unforgettable meal, the restaurant also has a wine cellar complete with traditional and international wines.

Eleven

The Eleven restaurant is characterized by its Mediterranean cuisine using seasonal products, and with a philosophy of using only fresh and natural products worked with creativity. Located on one of the highest points in Lisbon, above the emblematic Parque Eduardo Sétimo site, the restaurant has one of the best views in the city. With a minimalist and traditional architecture, here who steals the spotlight is the food. 

Feitoria

At Feitoria, a Michelin-starred restaurant located at the Altis Belém Hotel & Spa, it is possible to experience a reality that goes beyond dinner. Chef João Rodrigues, who once aspired to be a marine biologist, brings to this restaurant a focus on matter and seasonality.

100 Maneiras

Ljubomir Stanisic, the famous chef from the East who settled in Portugal in 1997, is the creator of the concept of Bistro 100 Maneiras. The purpose of this restaurant is to go beyond the obvious and get away from the normal, focusing on the infinity of forms in a restaurant that has no rules. The name of this restaurant was created to make you think, being a mirror of its creator.

Loco

A project that aims to value the most organic and natural products and lives according to the seasons, inspired by tradition and Portuguese cuisine. With a creative personality, this restaurant inherited its name from the meaning of the word: LOCO which means place. For chef Alexandre Silva and his team, everything is done with the heart in the place of choice, the kitchen. With a fine-dining concept of signature cuisine, this restaurant promises to be able to make you fall in love with your first bite.

Fifty Seconds

This restaurant makes the difference above all for its location. Fifty seconds is located at the top of Torre Vasco da Gama, in Lisbon, making the whole experience a dream. Starting with the elevator to the 360º view of the city of Lisbon, the Vasco da Gama Bridge, and the Tagus river, the package is complete here. The breathtaking view is completed with wonderful tasting menus that introduce us to Martín Berasategui's cuisine.

JNCQUOI AVENIDA

The Restaurant is composed of a beautiful room, attentive service, solid cuisine with classics from Italy, France, and Portugal, an incredible chef António Bóia, and one of those incredible atmospheres that all restaurateurs dream of and only a few achieve, like JNCQUOI Avenida. The inside of the whole restaurant is extraordinary, it must be said. High ceilings, the same windows of the old Tivoli theater, white or black stone tables, interior trees, cork, wood, and gold, a unique and sophisticated decor without a doubt. 

About the 5 Days Luxury Tour in Lisbon

Experience Lisbon like a local during a private tour with an expert local guide. Stroll through the historic neighborhood of Alfama, the sophisticated neighborhoods of Bairro Alto and Lapa, and the riverside neighborhood of Belém. See the Castle of São Jorge, the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower, and other impressive monuments of Moorish and Manueline architecture. Visit selected stores that offer Portuguese specialties such as tiles, embroidered linen, Indo-Portuguese furniture, gold jewelry, Portuguese designer products, and antiques. Try local food specialties such as pastels de Nata.

Other than all these incredible options you can also enjoy a tour of Lisbon aboard a helicopter. Fly over Paço D’arcos, Oeiras, Estoril, and Cascais, and fall in love with the natural landscapes of this 20-minute Helicopter Tour. You will discover the Portuguese Riviera, one of the most cosmopolitan and touristic places in Portugal ever since King Luís I chose the bay for his summer residence in the late 19th century. It is an impressive journey, trust us!

Enjoy a private tour of Sintra, an aristocratic city of fairy-tale palaces and gardens set amongst wooded hills. During a private tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit highlights such as the romantic Pena National Palace, the spectacular Sintra National Palace, and the narrow streets of the historic city center, including the old Jewish quarter. If you wish, also visit the luxurious seaside town of Cascais.