15 Hidden Gems in Lisbon: The Best Non-Touristy Things to Do

I spent an entire month in Lisbon exploring it deeply. I’m Jackie, and at the time of writing, I’m a digital nomad traveling the world full-time. Each place I visit is for at least a month so I can really get to know the city. I love traveling slowly like this because it allows me to discover the hidden gems you wouldn’t find in guidebooks. Staying longer has helped me find them, and so in this hidden gems in Lisbon post, I’ll show you all the favorite non-touristy places I discovered. I also spent a couple of weeks in Porto, so don’t miss my hidden gems in Porto guide.

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Hidden Gems in Lisbon

1. Estufa Fria

Estufa Fria is a beautiful greenhouse with endless plants, geese, and goslings. The name of the greenhouse translates to “Cold Greenhouse,” not because it’s cold but because the plants thrive in Lisbon’s natural climate. The entry is free with the Lisbon Card, which gives you free public transport and entry into 50+ sites. Otherwise, tickets are €3.70.

2. Palácio Chiado

This is Lisbon’s most beautiful restaurant, and most tourists miss it!

Palácio Chiado is a palace dating back to the 18th century and now has a restaurant inside. The interiors will amaze you even before you step inside the restaurant. The stairwell entrance is decorated with frescoes and ornate details, which continue into the various dining rooms.

I got the duck leg with risotto, and my top tip for dining here more affordably: go for lunch and order the Executive Lunch Menu. It includes a drink, starter & main for €25.

Plus, if you go at lunch, the seating area with the huge golden lion isn’t available, so you can admire this incredible room without the dinner crowds

3. Botanical Garden of Lisbon

This fairytale garden is located in the heart of Lisbon, but when I went, it was so empty, and that’s on a Saturday at 4 pm.

I enjoyed the most peaceful walk and followed the winding paths full of palm trees, gorgeous flowers, and the coolest trees! I visited with barely any crowds, making it the perfect slow travel escape 🌱

🎫 Entry: around €5 

📍 Jardim Botânico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

4. Marquise da Mobler

Marquise da Mobler was my favorite brunch in Lisbon, and it’s one that’s not on every recommended guide. It’s tucked away in the neighborhood of Príncipe Real. This was my favorite neighborhood in Lisbon because it’s quieter and more local. It had a charming feel with so many cozy restaurants and green parks. Marquise da Mobler had some delicious food too! You can order more brunch-style items if you’d like or try one of their sandwiches. I had the roast beef sandwich, and it was amazing! I had lunch in their garden, and they also have a communal table where strangers eat next to one another. It felt like a nice way to strike up a conversation with someone next to you, and as a solo traveler, I did just that.

Plus, they have a huge dining hall open for dinner mostly, and it’s absolutely stunning in there too.

5. Carmo Archaeological Museum

This one is definitely more well-known, but surprisingly, there were barely any crowds. Carmo Archaeological Museum is literally right in the middle of plain sight, but most people miss it. 

What makes this place so unique is that it’s built inside the ruins of a Gothic convent that was destroyed during the 1755 earthquake.  Today, it’s an open-air museum filled with so much history. 

You’ll discover ancient tombs, Roman artefacts, and archaeological treasures here. 

Even though it’s just minutes from the busy streets of Chiado and Rossio, there were barely any people here, making it the perfect escape from the crowds.

🎟️ Entry:
• Adults: €7
• Students & Seniors: €5
• Children under 14: Free

6. Green Street

Green Street (on Rua da Silva) is one of the prettiest hidden gems in Lisbon. The famous pink street is crowded and famous and known for it’s colorful umbrellas. The street is actually painted pink. The Green Street on the other hand is not painted green but gets it’s name because residents filled the street with hundreds of green plants. It started in 2018 as part of a sustainability project. Don’t miss this little gem, it’s only a 10-minute walk from Cais do Sodré. There’s so many cute restaurants and cafes on the street. The vibe is quite different in the evening as it gets cozy with people dining on the streets.

7. Funicular da Graça

Most people miss this when they come to Lisbon, and I’m surprised! 

This is the Funicular da Graça, which reopened in 2025 after ensuring it met all safety requirements. It had been closed for seven months after all of Lisbon’s funiculars were temporarily suspended following the tragic Glória funicular accident in 2025.

I rode it during sunset and had it all to myself somehow. This charming little funicular connects the lower part of Lisbon with the Graça neighbourhood so you don’t have to climb the long way to the viewpoint! 

💶 Price: around €4.30 for a round trip (if you have the Navegante Pass, it’s completely free!)
⏰ Operates daily between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.; the last ride is 10 minutes before 9 pm.
📍 Where to take it: I recommend starting from the bottom station so you can end at the sunset viewpoint. It’s called Funicular da Graça – Gare Inferior on Maps 

8. Park Necessidades

This is a beautiful secret park in Lisbon. It was literally hidden behind a wall near the river, so you won’t even be able to find it if you were just walking by. It was honestly so pretty too. It’s not well manicured or maintained, so be sure to bring your comfortable shoes for the walk.

From the park, you’ll see a beautiful view of Lisbon’s iconic Bridge, which stretches across the Tagus River.

I even found peacocks, chickens, and geese roaming around freely here. There were very few people here, mainly locals. So enjoy it in peace! And don’t forget to wander further down into the park to see all the exotic plants, including cacti and the most beautiful trees.

9. Palácio Fronteira

Palácio Fronteira is one of Lisbon’s best-kept secrets. This stunning 17th-century palace is located in São Domingos de Benfica. You can visit the gardens only or also visit the inside. If you visit the inside, you will need a guided tour – it runs every 30 minutes. Some photography is limited inside, to protect the privacy of the people who still live there.

While the inside seems very beautiful, I was limited on time, so I chose to only visit the gardens, which are the real highlight. I was so surprised to have the place practically to myself in the afternoon. I was amazed by the labyrinths of greenery, the beautiful Portuguese azulejos, and the stunning fountains.

The gardens are €8 to visit, and if you also go inside, it’s €17 total. Tickets can easily be purchased on the spot.

10. Mercado de Campo de Ourique

Instead of Time Out Market, head to Mercado de Campo de Ourique. This local market opened in 1934 and is a great alternative to the touristic Time Out Market. You won’t find huge crowds here, and it’s filled mostly with locals. It has gourmet food stalls, fresh seafood and produce, beer stalls, and more.

11. Miradouro do Jardim do Torel

Miradouro do Jardim do Torel is a viewpoint in Lisbon that most tourists miss. It’s set above Avenida da Liberdade and offers some amazing views of Lisbon. It’s surrounded by beautiful gardens, too. In the summer, it apparently has a free pool. I went in June, and it was sadly empty, but who knows if the pool is there in August or not.

12. Colorful Buildings on R. do Telhal

These cute colorful buildings really sum up Lisbon. I wanted to revisit Lisbon after I came 8 years ago so I could find the charming buildings like these. You find them all over Alfama and other areas, too. These 3 colorful buildings on R. do Telhal are located right beneath Miradouro do Jardim do Torel, which I just spoke about.

I recommend going early before all the traffic starts. It’s actually quite hard to capture because of the foot traffic and cars. I somehow captured it solo, using my tripod and crossing the street. Probably not the best idea, but it worked in the end!

13. Basilica of Estrela

I was shocked to visit the Basilica of Estrela in the afternoon and find it empty. I climbed the steps to reach the top, and there was literally no one else up there. I had amazing views of the city and could see cute little trams passing by underneath. At the top level, you can also look down and have views of the basilica from inside. It’s such a stunning church and the perfect non-touristy thing to do in Lisbon.

The basilica dates to the 18th-century and was commissioned by Queen Maria I. The church itself is free to visit, but if you wish to visit the dome at the top, it’s €5. Don’t miss visiting the park across the basilica. Here, you can relax and also capture the basilica with the trams passing by.

14. Santa Catarina street view

This viewpoint is just a few steps away of the popular Miradouro de Santa Catarina, but not many people know this stunning spot. Actually, you could see the sunset better from this angle than the main viewpoint where everyone gathers. The street was quite empty, and the few people who passed by by chance all said “wow.” That’s how magical the sunset was from here. I love how the street slopes down, and the buildings are so colorful. You can find the exact location here.

15. Miradouro de Santo Amaro

Miradouro de Santo Amaro is one of the best secret viewpoints of the 25 de Abril Bridge. It’s located in Alcântara, and when I visited for sunset, there were only a handful of people there. Most of them were just admiring the beautiful view in peace. There’s also a church which I’m sure is gorgeous and quaint, but it was already closed when I was there.

Hopefully this post helps you with ideas of how to explore Lisbon beyond the normal tourist trail. And if you’re looking for another Portuguese city where you can escape the crowds, don’t miss Sintra, Cascais, and Porto. All are accessible by train from Lisbon.

For more reading, you may also like:
🏰 The Ultimate Sintra Day Trip from Lisbon
☕ My Favorite Cafes & Brunch in Lisbon
🇵🇹 Best Things to Do in Porto, Portugal
🚂 Douro Valley Train: The Most Scenic Train Ride
🍷 How to Enjoy the Best Douro Valley Day Trip from Porto
☂️ The Colorful Umbrella Street in Agueda, Portugal
⭐ Hidden Gems in Porto