I made a post about things you should do in Lisbon, so I thought it would be fun to do the opposite.
Here's my list of things I don't recommend, especially if it's your first time in Lisbon.
Note: This is just my opinion. You don't have to agree with me. I'm curious to know what you would add to the list.
1. Sitting at a kiosk at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. Instead, try Miradouro da Senhora do Monte or Monte Agudo, which feels much more local.
2. Trying the codfish cake with cheese and Port wine. Instead, try a good pastel de bacalhau or a croquete at Pastelaria Versailles.
3. Waiting more than 20 minutes at Martim Moniz for Tram 28. Instead, start from Campo de Ourique, where you can take the tram in the opposite direction.
4. Spending too much time waiting in the sun just to try the bifanas at As Bifanas do Afonso. Try Parreirinha do Chile instead. Similar quality and usually without the same queues.
5. Buying cork souvenirs or magnets from tourist shops in Baixa.
6. Spending an entire afternoon at LX Factory. I would rather explore Marvila instead.
7. Booking a tuk tuk tour around Baixa and Rua Augusta. Many of them are not certified.
8. Taking the Santa Justa Lift. Instead, try the Rua Augusta Arch. In my opinion, the view is better and there are usually fewer queues.
9. Eating at restaurants on Rua Augusta. Like in most big cities, the most touristy streets are full of tourist traps. I have a Google Maps list with traditional restaurants I recommend.
10. Having Pink Street as a must see. The street is quite degraded these days. Instead, try Green Street or Travessa do Monte.
11. Buying canned sardines from shops like O Mundo Fantástico da Sardinha Portuguesa. You can find much cheaper Portuguese canned fish in any large supermarket.
12. Having lunch or dinner at Time Out Market. I just think there are better experiences than this kind of market.
13. Staying in an Airbnb in Alfama, Mouraria or Castelo, especially if you're arriving by car or with heavy luggage. Access can be difficult, and Airbnb has changed the character of these neighbourhoods. I recommend Baixa, Rossio or Restauradores because they are easier to access and generally flatter.
14. Having breakfast at a specialty coffee café. I'd rather go to a traditional Portuguese pastelaria. You can find this kind of specialty coffee café almost everywhere in Europe, and they are often overpriced.
15. Spending the night of Santo António in Bica. It's a very steep and narrow street, and it can feel extremely crowded. Instead, try Vila Berta in Graça.
16. Eating at Mercado do Rossio. The food is overpriced and the area can be very crowded. Instead, go to a good tasca, for example Imperial de Campo de Ourique.
📘 Planning your trip to Lisbon?
My Lisbon Digital Travel Guide includes a detailed PDF with local insights, practical tips, food recommendations, viewpoints, day trips and useful information to help you prepare your trip.
You'll also get several Google Maps lists organised by category, including restaurants, cafés, viewpoints, gardens, museums, hidden gems and places where locals eat.
www.portugaldigitalguides.com
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