Looking for some secret spots in Lisbon? Check out this post for 9 non-touristy hidden gems in Lisbon, Portugal.
A trip to Lisbon usually involves running into a lot of tourists. Some travelers are used to this, while others like me are not. So, to prepare for my trip to Lisbon, I thought it would a be great idea to share some hidden gems I noticed around the city. Some of them are very extravagant and unique, while others are more banal and mundane. Either way, each hidden gem in Lisbon gives solo travelers like me the perfect place to escape from tourists and crowds. So, if you’re looking for some secret spots in Lisbon, you’ve come to the right place. This post alone will highlight 9 non-touristy hidden gems in the City of the Seven Hills.
Palace of the Marquesses of Fronteira (hidden gems in Lisbon)
The Palace of the Marquesses of Fronteira is a great secret spot in Lisbon, Portugal! It is a Portuguese palace that is located northwest of the city center, in the district of Benfica. Built in 1640, it is still known as one of the most beautiful residences in Lisbon. This is due to the fact that the palace has plenty of splendid rooms with decorative tiles, frescoed panels, and oil paintings. In fact, if you go to the formal gardens, you’ll even notice more stunning tiles, statuary, and fountains. So, if you’re planning on visiting The Palace of the Marquesses of Fronteira for the first time in Lisbon, I highly recommend it. To locate it, go to Largo São Domingos de Benfica 01, 1500-554 Lisboa, Portugal. In addition, if you would like to book a guided tour of this palace, please click here. The guided tours can only be done in the morning so please plan accordingly.
Quinta dos Azulejos Garden (hidden gems in Lisbon)
Quinta dos Azulejos Garden is another secret spot in Lisbon, Portugal! It is owned by a small college, Colegio Manuel Bernardes, and the admission is completely free. To enter the garden, visit the college during normal business hours to ask for a visitor’s pass. That pass will give you permission to enter the garden until closing so that you can take a break from the tourist traps and the city noise. In fact, once you’re inside the garden, you’ll notice that every wall is covered with early to mid-18th-century Portuguese ceramic tiles. These tiles represent elaborate scenes of chivalry, hunting, and religion during that time. So, if you’re planning on visiting Quinta dos Azulejos Garden for the first time in Lisbon, I highly recommend it. To locate it, go to 1600-038 Lisboa, Portugal. In addition, the normal business hours for Colegio Manuel Bernardes is from 7am to 7pm Monday through Friday.
Ler Devagar Bookstore at LX Factory (hidden gems in Lisbon)
The Ler Devagar Bookstore at LX Factory is another secret spot in Lisbon, Portugal. It is a bookstore in Lisbon whose mission is to give their readers everything they could ever ask for from the space. For example, in this bookstore, visitors can not only read here but they can also attend concerts, exhibitions and events. In fact, the name “Ler Devagar” for the bookstore, translates to the phrase “read slowly” in English. This is due to the fact that the bookstore is the perfect place for visitors and locals to practice the art of slow reading. So, if you’re planning on visiting Ler Devagar Bookstore at LX Factory for the first time in Lisbon, I highly recommend it. The bookstore has been named one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world by NY Times and numerous prestigious publications around the world. The bookstore can also be located at R. Rodrigues de Faria 103 – G 0.3, 1300-501 Lisboa, Portugal.
Livraria Simão (hidden gems in Lisbon)
The Livraria Simão is another secret spot in Lisbon, Portugal. It is a bookstore in Lisbon that’s known for being one of the smallest bookstores in the world. In fact, you can find this bookstore tucked away in an alley at the beginning of Escadinhas de São Cristóvão in Lisbon. Prior to being a bookstore, Livraria Simão used to be a tobacco shop in the city. In fact, it wasn’t until 2008, that the owner, Simão Carneiro, took over the tobacco shop to transform it into a whimsical bookstore. So, if you’re planning on visiting the Livraria Simão for the first time in Lisbon, I highly recommend it. The store is small enough to store around 4,000 books with a majority written in Portuguese and some written in English, Italian, Spanish, and Chinese. In additon, to locate the bookstore, go to Escadinhas de São Cristóvão 18, 1100-213 Lisboa, Portugal. The owner, Simão, may also need to step outside if you want to view any of the books up close.
Hospital de Bonecas (hidden gems in Lisbon)
The Hospital de Bonecas is another secret spot in Lisbon, Portugal. It’s a hospital in Lisbon that caters to repairing broken dolls to help bring these beloved playthings back to life. In fact, according to a story on their site, the hospital all started with a woman called Miss Carlota who would sit on her stoop and craft dolls for the local children. These local children would then eventually bring their dolls to Ms. Carlota so that she could repair them. From there, Ms. Carlota started acting like a doll doctor that would patch dolls up. Eventually, her services became so popular that she decided to open up a doll hospital right in the city. Since then, the hospital has been going strong for 180+ years. So, if you’re planning on visiting the Hospital de Bonecas for the first time in Lisbon, I highly recommend it. To locate it, go to Praça da Figueira 7, 1100-240 Lisboa, Portugal.
Limão Chill-Out Terrace (hidden gems in Lisbon)
Limão Chill-Out Terrace is another secret spot in Lisbon, Portugal! It is a beautiful rooftop bar in Lisbon that serves great cocktails, wine, bubbles and really great Portuguese tapas. To find the bar, go to the 10th floor of the luxurious H10 Duque de Louleis. Once you’re there, you’ll notice the indoor and outdoor seating near the terrace. In fact, the rooftop bar even offers a fantastic panoramic view of Lisbon and the Tagus. As a result, this rooftop bar is the perfect place for visitors to sit, enjoy, and listen to music. So, if you’re planning on visiting the Limão Chill-Out Terrace for the first time in Lisbon, I highly recommend it. To locate it, go to Av. Duque de Loulé 83, 1050-089 Lisboa, Portugal. In addition, if you’re planning to make this a nightly visit, try to be on time! Seats at the terrace are quite limited at night so you’ll need to make a reservation.
Miradouro da Nossa Senhora do Monte (hidden gems in Lisbon)
Miradouro da Nossa Senhora do Monte is another secret spot in Lisbon, Portugal! Known as Our Lady of the Hill, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte is the highest lookout point in Lisbon. In fact, from that position, visitors are able to see uninterrupted 250 degree panoramic views across Lisbon; starting from the stunning old quarters and castle, all the way to the downtown district and beyond. As a result, many people like to visit this hidden gem in order to get some amazing photos of the city and the landscape. In addition, by visiting the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, you’re also more likely to enjoy the fantastic views in peace. So, if you’re planning on visiting the Miradouro da Nossa Senhora do Monte for the first time in Lisbon, I highly recommend it. To locate it, go to Largo Monte, 1170-107 Lisboa, Portugal.
Ajuda (hidden gems in Lisbon)
Ajuda is another secret spot in Lisbon, Portugal! Situated between Alcantara and Belem, Ajuda is a traditional, working-class neighborhood that’s extremely overlooked by tourists and locals alike. This is due to the fact that Ajuda doesn’t have the attractions that Belem and Alcantara offer. In fact, unlike them, Ajuda doesn’t even offer any public transport. However, what Ajuda does offer is the chance to live in a Portuguese neighborhood with fewer holiday rentals and tourist traps. So, if you’re planning on visiting Ajuda for the first time in Lisbon, I highly recommend it. To locate it, click here! In addition, since it’s not far from Ajuda, be sure to visit Monsanto Forest Park. It’s a fantastic green area for jogging and walking that’s also known as one of the largest urban forests in Europe.
Jardim do Torel (hidden gems in Lisbon)
Jardim do Torel is another secret spot in Lisbon, Portugal! It is a peaceful, romantic, 19th-century garden that has a view of Liberdade Avenue and its western slope. In fact, since the garden is situated on top of Lisbon’s seven hills, the easiest way to reach it is by taking the Ascensor do Lavra to the top. Once you’re at the top, the garden and the surrounding neighborhood will provide you with plenty of sights for an exciting day out. So, if you’re planning on visiting the Jardim do Torel for the first time in Lisbon, I highly recommend it. To locate it, go to R. Júlio de Andrade, 1150-122 Lisboa, Portugal. In addition, since this spot is such a hidden gem, don’t be surprised if you’re all alone by yourself in the garden. The viewing spot, Miradouro do Torel, can even be yours alone during the winter months if you’re lucky.
Overall, I really hope you enjoyed this post on the 9 Non-Touristy Hidden Gems in Lisbon, Portugal! Please let me know in the comments down below which hidden gem you would like to visit the most! I would love to hear from you. 🙂
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