You’re in Lisbon and you don’t know what to do.
Want to see something different from all the great artwork and architecture?
Today we will be focusing on some unusual things to do and how to best see them in Lisbon. If you’re looking for more ideas, we have already discussed some of The Best Things to Do in Lisbon.
You can either rent a vehicle and drive yourself, or take a train to Lisbon from Porto via Omio . There are many confusing Portuguese Toll Roads so be careful when driving if you rent a vehicle.
LISBON PORTUGAL: UNUSUAL THINGS YOU CAN DO
These are our top unusual, quirky, or unique things to do in Lisbon.
GET TANGLED IN THE MUSEU DA MARIONETA MUSEUM OF PUPPETRY
The Museu da Marioneta is a must-see for anyone who loves marionettes.
There are marionettes from all over the world and many from Portugal. The collection spans centuries and ties together the rich history in Portugal and Europe of puppet opera since the Middle Ages.
The museum of puppetry, originally constructed in 1665 and rebuilt in 1786 after the Great Earthquake, is housed in a renovated convent. Convento das Bernardas in Madragoa in central Lisbon, was remodeled again in 2001. It now includes a museum, restaurant, cafe, and outdoor areas.
How to get there
Museu da Marioneta- Tram 25 during the week and bus 774 at weekends. Both depart from Praca da Figueira in downtown.
STAND ON THE LISBON BRIDGE
Have you ever wished that you could stand on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco? The same developers that built the Oakland Bay Bridge also made the Lisbon Bridge in 1965.
When it was first built, the bridge was known as the Salazar Bridge. It was also the longest suspension bridge in Europe. The bridge was renamed the 25th of April Bridge after Salazar’s removal from power (after the day of Liberation in 1974). The Portuguese name is Ponte 25 de Abril, but it’s more commonly called the Lisbon Bridge. It spans the Tagus River and connects Lisbon with Almada to the south.
The museum at Pier 7 will give you an overview of the construction of the bridge and you can even see the cables that hold the bridge up close. You can also take an elevator to the top, where you will be able to step onto a glass-enclosed outdoor viewing platform. This allows you to see the bridge as well as the river below. This is a rare opportunity to see the bridge up close and you can appreciate the bravery and ingenuity of those who built it.
WHERE TO FIND LISBON BRIDGE
Ponte 25 de Abril, Pilar 7, is open most days for free when you have the Lisboa Pass. You can park below the bridge, or take the tram.
VISIT THE PLEASURE CEMETERY OF LISBON
The Cemiterio dos Prazeres, or the Pleasure Cemetery (in English), is a beautiful cemetery that’s worth visiting.
Some people say that the intricate embellishments of the crypts and tombs are like walking through a miniature city.
Check it out if you want to enjoy a quiet walk.
WHERE TO FIND THE CEMITERIO DOS PRAZERES
Cemiterio dos Prazeres is located near the historic Tram 28 terminus.
WALK AMONG THE FISHES AT THE OCEANARIUM OF LISBON
You don’t get to walk around and look at fish and other water creatures from the bottom every day. Oceanario de Lisboa has been rated one of the top aquariums in Europe. While it’s more popular than unusual, anyone who grew up on the prairies of Canada would appreciate how cool it is.
The center tank is three floors high and allows you to see everything, from the corals to the sand-walkers to the colorful fish in the middle zone to the smaller fish at the top.
There are many species to see, including sea otters, sea dragons, and sunfish. You may even encounter some you have never seen before.
Bring good walking shoes and plenty of time. You will be captivated for hours by some of these tanks.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE LISBON AQUARIUM
Oceanario de Lisboa – Located at Doca dos Olivais, Parque das Nacoes. Several buses and trains stop here, including the Red Line – Oriente Station (East).
Snack on something delicious and then head to the BELEM TOWER
These are not particularly unusual things to do, but these were our favorites in Lisbon, and I couldn’t help adding them.
Pasteis de nata are a national dessert in Portugal. The majority of versions are derived from the original recipes made by the Jeronimos Monastery. They passed their closely guarded recipe on to the Pasteis De Belem bakery nearly 200 years ago.
Enjoy these tasty cooked custard pies with a cup of coffee or take them to go for a quick snack in the shadow of Torre de Belem, just a few streets away.
The original design is still intact after 500 years. It has stood guard against water invasions and sea level changes, as well as a devastating earthquake that destroyed the majority of the town.
Where to find the TORRE DE BELEM and PASTEIS DE BELEM
Pasteis De Belem – Rua de Belem no 84 a 92
Torre de Belem – Av. Brasilia, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal
GO 360o ON THE PANORAMICO DE MONSANTO
What do you get when you combine a street art exhibition, an abandoned building, and a 360o view? The Panoramico de Monsanto is located in Lisbon.
Since it closed in the 1970’s, this impressive abandoned former restaurant has hosted festivals, been used for a Madonna video, served as a hideaway, and become a tagger hotspot.
The graffiti, the gritty feel and the 360-degree views have made it a popular tourist attraction.
It is open to the public most days, but it may be closed during festivals or special events.
Where is the Panorama de Monsanto?
Panoramico de Monsanto-Located in the Monsato Forest, just outside the city, you can get there by Uber, bus 711, or 724, from Marquis de Pombal. Then, walk through the forest for 10 minutes.
SINTRA AND PENA PALACE: A Day Trip to Discover the Wonders
It’s not unusual to leave the city on a daytrip, but what is uncommon is the opulence of Pena Palace with its overly-colorful opulence and crazy heights that overlook the nearby mountain town Sintra.
This colorful castle, which is reminiscent of a modern fairytale was designed by a prince and built by a King. The castle was built during the Romanticism era of the 19th century. It is a wonderful example of that era.
The castle of the Moors, and other interesting structures are all located in the surrounding hectares.
It is worth the drive to Sintra. Sintra is a great place to visit.
How to get to the PENA PALACE SINTRA
It is only 30 minutes away by car, heading west. You can’t miss it high up on the mountain, but getting there is a challenge. Take a map with you or use Google Maps. If you are using public transportation, you can get there by taking the Sintra Bus 44 to Pena Palace. You can take the Sintra train to Sintra from Lisbon. Get off at Sintra Center and then catch Bus 434. You can buy a bus and train pass before you leave Lisbon, or use your Lisboa Pass. The bus 434 will take you to the top of the mountain.
The National Tile Museum offers you the opportunity to become a Portuguese tile expert.
The National Tile Museum, or Museu Nacional do Azulejo, as it is called locally, contains hundreds of tiles painted from all over the world, spanning five centuries.
We could have told you to go and look at the beautiful tiles on the streets of Lisbon, but you already know that.
The gallery features azulejos, or artistic tiles from the end of the 1500s until today. It also includes ceramics, faience, and porcelain, as well as highlighting the materials and strategies for assembling tiles throughout the years.
The museum was originally the Convent of Madre Deus, which dates back to 1509. It also has a chapel with beautiful paintings.
Where to find the National Museum of Azulejo
Museu Nacional do Azulejo – Rua da Madre de Deus, 4, 1900-312
LISBON PORTUGAL: MORE UNUSUAL THINGS YOU CAN DO
Lisbon is an amazing city to explore. There are beautiful views everywhere in Lisbon, thanks to the many hills and the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean. There’s a lot of history and architecture to be found in the city, whether you are visiting one of a dozen museums, or exploring old cathedrals.
This once-world class city has lost much of its history with the 1755 earthquake, but I believe it made the things that survived even better.
There are plenty of fun things to do in any city, whether you take the mini-train to the beach or simply check out the fantastic restaurants and cafés.
There are plenty of clubs, pubs and dance centres for younger partygoers. You can also enjoy some fantastic sailing and drinking trips during the summer. You can take a funicular or an old-fashioned tram to get around, or you can use the underground metro.
You can now rent scooters or order Uber or take the old-fashioned way and hop on the buses or trams that whizz around the city.
We’d love to know if you have any suggestions or tips for things to do that are unusual or quirky in Lisbon. Please leave a comment.
