Lisbon is one of Europe's most visited cities, and the crowds show. If you want to skip the queues and explore at your own pace, these are my recommendations.
1. Palácio Nacional da Ajuda
This is the only royal palace in Lisbon that still looks exactly as it did when the royal family lived there, right down to the bedroom furniture and throne room. It sits five minutes from Belém but almost nobody makes the walk up the hill.
2. QUAKE, the Lisbon Earthquake Museum
Yes, there's a museum dedicated to the 1755 earthquake that destroyed the city, and it's genuinely brilliant. You walk through recreated streets of old Lisbon and end up inside an earthquake simulator. It won Best New Attraction in Europe.
3. Parque Botânico do Monteiro-Mor
An 11-hectare botanical garden in the Lumiar neighbourhood with century-old trees and almost no visitors on a weekday. It sits right next to the National Costume Museum and most people walk straight past it.
4. Palácio dos Marqueses de Fronteira
A 17th century palace with some of the most extraordinary baroque tile panels you'll see anywhere in Portugal. Giant azulejo walls, fountains, statues and manicured gardens, all with barely anyone around. Guided visits run in the morning, Monday to Saturday.
5. Quinta dos Azulejos
This 18th century estate in Benfica is so under the radar it doesn't appear in most travel guides. The interior is only accessible on a guided tour at 11am or 12pm, which keeps it quiet. Since it's in the same neighbourhood as the Fronteira Palace, you can easily do both in one morning.
6. Museu Medeiros e Almeida
A private mansion steps away from Avenida da Liberdade that almost no tourist ever enters. Inside are 27 rooms filled with Chinese porcelain, antique clocks, silverware and furniture collected over a lifetime, including pieces that once belonged to Napoleon. One of those places that makes you wonder how it isn't famous.
7. Madragoa
Lisbon's oldest fishing neighbourhood, built by fishermen and fish sellers who came down from Aveiro centuries ago. No tram 28, no souvenir shops. Just narrow streets covered in colourful tiles, old tascos and locals actually living their lives. Walk down Rua das Trinas on a quiet afternoon and you'll understand why Lisboetas are protective of this place.
for more recommendations check out my blog at www.portugaldigitalguides.com
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