Love in Lisbon: Honeymoon Guide for Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon, Portugal is situated in the Iberian Peninsula where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Tagus River. The capital city is known for its seafood, wine, fado music, and classic yellow cable cars. Its hilly landscape and waterfront location make for a breathtaking cityscape, and the friendly locals make you feel right at home. Lisbon also makes for the perfect honeymoon destination.

For those who want a bit more out of their honeymoon than sitting on a beach for days on end, but don’t want to be too busy, Lisbon is a wonderful option. 

There are things to see and do in Lisbon, but you won’t feel overwhelmed with “must do” activities. With a population of about half a million, it’s a vibrant city with plenty of activity, without being too big to navigate. 

The food is delicious, the wine is plentiful, and the people are kind and welcoming. Plus, a number of magical small towns, such as Sintra and Cascais, are perfect for day trips and only a short train ride away. Best of all, if you don’t feel like doing a thing, simply stroll the city’s romantic streets.

Here’s your travel guide for what to do on your honeymoon in Lisbon, Portugal.

What to Do in on Your Honeymoon in Lisbon

A great thing about having your honeymoon in Lisbon is there are many things to do, but you won’t feel the pressure to check off all the “must see” boxes, like you might feel in bigger European cities like Paris or London. However, whether you enjoy historical landmarks, museums, beaches, or shopping, the Portuguese capital has something for you.

See the Landmarks

São Jorge Castle

Perhaps the top historical place to see is São Jorge Castle. Located atop one of the high hills of Lisbon, the Moorish castle provides beautiful views of the city below. Explore the towers, learn the history in the museum exhibit, and keep an eye out for the wild peacocks that wander the property.

While some of the other city landmarks can be enjoyed from the outside and don’t take much time to visit, you should really make the time to enter the castle and explore its grounds.

São Jorge Castle is a popular landmark, so get there earlier in the day. During the winter (November through February) the castle is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and the rest of the year (March through October) it’s open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Admission to São Jorge Castle is €8.50, with discounts for students and children. São Jorge Castle is located at R. de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129 Lisboa, Portugal

Santa Justa Lift

Make sure to stop by the Santa Justa Lift (Elevador de Santa Justa), a neo-gothic elevator in the city center. The elevator is located along R. do Ouro and connects the lower Baixa district with Largo do Carmo up above.

The Santa Justa Lift is part of Lisbon’s public transport system, so you can ride it if you’ve purchased a 24-hour transit ticket (€6.40 at any metro station).

However, the lift can get crowded, and you don’t need to ride the elevator to enjoy it. You can check out the views from a viewing platform at the top (for a €1.50 admission fee), or you can simply admire the elevator from afar. Its style and presence in the cityscape are still impressive, even without paying admission fees. 

Rua Augusta Arch

Another local landmark to see on your honeymoon in Lisbon is the the Rua Augusta Arch (Arco da Rua Augusta), located at the end of Rua Augusta.

This imposing arch was completed in 1875 and sits at the edge of the town’s famed waterfront square, Praça do Comércio. It’s worth strolling by and seeing this towering landmark in person. 

Belém Tower

There’s also Belém Tower (Torre de Belém), a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the mouth of the Tagus River. This famous tower, which was completed in the early 1500s, stands in the Belém area, a few kilometers outside the center of Lisbon. 

Belém Tower is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from October through April and from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from May through September. The tower is closed on Mondays and major holidays. Admission to the tower is 6 euros with discounts for children and seniors. Belém Tower is located at Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal.

Enjoy the Art

During your honeymoon in Lisbon, make sure to visit one of its wonderful museums.

For an afternoon of art, head to Berardo Collection Museum, which is part of the Centro Cultural de Belém. While the museum is located outside the city center in the district of Belém (home to the famous Pastéis de Belém and Belém Tower), it is worth the trip.

This wonderful contemporary art museum includes works from Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Andy Warhol, and James Turrell, among many others. The collection takes you on a chronological journey of modern art, guiding you through each era while showcasing some wonderful pieces. Whether or not you are usually a fan of modern art, this museum is wonderful to experience.

Additionally, the cultural center in Belém features more art, shops, and restaurants to explore.

Berardo Collection Museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Admission is 5 euros, with discounts available. The museum is located at Praça do Império 1449-003 Lisboa, Portugal.

Experience the Literary and Musical Culture

Lisbon is also a wonderful place for book lovers. (And, come on, is there anything more romantic than browsing books together?) The city is home to a number of famed authors, like Fernando Pessoa and José Saramago, among many others.

Immerse yourself in the culture by perusing the town’s book shops and reading some local literature. There are many great bookstores around town to explore.

One shop to see is Bertrand Books And Music, which is known as the oldest bookstore in the world. Stop by this centrally located bookshop and peruse its wide variety of titles, including plenty in English. Bertrand Books and Music is located at R. Garrett 73-75, 1200-203 Lisboa, Portugal. 

Another great bookstore near the center of town is Ferin Bookstore. This eclectic shop is also full of great finds and offers books in English. Ferin Bookstore is located at R. Nova do Almada 72, 1249-098 Lisboa, Portugal.

When in Lisbon, music is a must! In this city famous for fado, make sure to seek out some live music.

There are tons of places around town to hear some great local live music. Take to the streets and explore the bars, grab a drink, and soak up the fado and jazz. Start in Baixa-Chiado or Bairro Alto and wander on from there. You can also ask your hotel or accommodation host for some recommendations. 

Take Day Trips to Sintra and Cascais

On your honeymoon in Lisbon, you’ll also have easy accessibility to day trips. There are many to choose from, but two of the best are to Sintra and Cascais.

Sintra is a fairytale town home to brightly colored castles, enchanted forests, and a quaint old town, making it a perfect place to  visit on your honeymoon. It’s about a 45-minute train ride from Lisbon’s Rossio train station, but be prepared, it’s quite crowded with tourists, so make sure to get there early.

Cascais is a picturesque seaside resort town a stone’s throw from the city. Its coast is dotted with beaches, shops, and cafes. The town is about half an hour by train from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré train station. The best thing to do in this town is simply grab a drink and hang out at the beach.

Where to Eat & Drink on Your Honeymoon in Lisbon

One of the best parts of going on your honeymoon in Lisbon is that you’ll find great food and wine around every corner.

The food is generally light and a typical dinner consists of fish or meat with vegetables. There are many famed Portuguese dishes, but when in Lisboa, don’t miss bacalhau, a salted cod; pastel de nata, an egg tart pastry; and the local port wine, of course. 

Topo Chiado

For a meal with a view, head up to Topo Chiado. On a patio overlooking the Santa Justa Lift, the restaurant offers a plethora of craft cocktails, local wines, and fresh, delicious food. Along with the usual dishes, they have some more unique choices as well — the guacmole is surprisingly good, for example.

As it’s a bit tucked away up on a hill, the restaurant can be difficult to find. To get there, first make your way to the Carmo Archaeological Museum. When facing the front of the museum, follow the walkway around the right of the building, go down the stairs about halfway, and then walk onto the grassy patio with lawn chairs on your left. Once you cross that patio, you’ll find another set of stairs to take you up to Topo Chiado. Perhaps there’s an easier way to get there, but we did not discover it (ha!).

No matter where you go in Lisbon, which is known as “The City of Seven Hills,” there will be lots of uphill walking, and this one is definitely worth the trip.

Topo Chiado is located at Terraços do Carmo, 1200-288 Lisboa, Portugal.

Antonia Petiscos Portugueses

For some classic Portuguese cuisine, head over to Antonia Petiscos Portugueses. It’s a small restaurant with a fun, vintage decor and friendly staff. Try the bacalhau or the Portuguese steak and the tomato salad, with a bottle of local wine, obviously.

Antonia Petiscos Portugueses is located at 47, R. do Norte, 1200-279 Lisboa, Portugal.

Restaurants in Largo Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro

If you’re looking for a place for some snacks and a glass of wine, pop into Sandeman Chiado. The restaurant has a wide selection of wines from throughout Portugal and is situated in a small, picturesque square away from the main tourist area.

Across the way from Sandeman Chiado is Tapas Da Trindade. If you find yourself in need of a culinary shake up, stop in here for some traditional Spanish tapas. For another step out of the norm, grab a burger at Honorato Hamburgueres Artesanais Chiado just down the way.

Sandeman Chido, Tapas Da Trinidade, and Honorato Hamburgueres Artesanais Chiado are all located in Largo Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro.

Cafe A Brasileira

A more touristy spot, but still worth a pit stop, is Cafe A Brasileira. The cafe is one of the oldest and most famous in Lisbon.

Cafe A Brasileira first opened in the 19th century and served as a haven for local artists and writers. Portuguese author Fernando Pessoa spent a lot of time writing here, and his legacy is commemorated with a statue outside. Sitting on the patio along bustling Rua Garrett is appealing, but don’t miss out on the art deco interior of the cafe.

Cafe A Brasileira is located at R. Garrett 122, 1200-273 Lisboa, Portugal.

Where to Stay on Your Honeymoon in Lisbon

When looking for a place to stay in Lisbon for your honeymoon, explore the Baixa-Chiado and Bairro Alto areas. They’re both close to the action, but not right in the middle of the touristy area. Both neighborhoods are full of restaurants, bars, attractions, and shopping.

If you prefer the convenience of staying in a hotel, try the Lisboa Carmo Hotel. Tucked away next to Largo Do Carmo, the hotel has comfortable rooms with great city views and friendly and helpful staff.

It’s also got a charming and delicious restaurant, Maria Do Carmo Restaurante, inside. It’s in a perfect location: a few minutes walking from any sort of activity you want, but hidden away from the tourist traps. The comfortable rooms and beautiful city views make it the perfect home for your honeymoon.

Lisboa Carmo Hotel is located at R. da Oliveira ao Carmo 1A, 1200-307 Lisboa, Portugal.

This hotel isn’t super expensive, and there are plenty of reasonably priced ones around town, but hotels, of course, come at a higher cost than other options.

If you’re looking for something more independent or budget-friendly, there are hostels and apartments for rent around the city as well. (However, with Lisbon’s recent increase in tourism, there is some local pushback to apartment rentals.)

Where you choose to stay all depends on your preferences, views, and budget.

Getting Around Lisbon

When you’re on your honeymoon, you don’t want to stress about getting from place to place. Yet another perk of visiting Lisbon is it’s pretty easy to get around.

The city is quite walkable (just full of those famous hills, so bring your walking shoes). There are metro, bus, and train systems, as well as those iconic yellow cable cars. Plus, the day trip spots of Sintra and Cascais are easy to reach by train (and you don’t need a car once you’re there).

Additionally, ride sharing app Uber is a widely used, convenient, and a pretty inexpensive way to get around. So, if you find yourself tired from climbing all those hills or want to get out to Bélem, you can easily hop in an Uber.

You could rent a car and drive around, but navigating the city’s narrow, hilly streets and limited parking does not sound like a relaxing honeymoon activity. You really don’t need a car to get around Lisbon, so opt for the more convenient and laid-back options for your honeymoon.

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Lisbon is a truly lovely town and makes a perfect destination for your honeymoon. It’s a romantic city balances activity and relaxation, and its atmosphere makes it feel like a real escape. 

Lisbon’s scenic cityscape, welcoming locals, delicious food and wine, and rich culture will stay with you long after you’ve returned home and settled into your new life and husband and wife. Cheers!