A city of lavish 16th-19th century palaces beside a calm and pristine river, it’s like Lisbon was made for the luxury traveler. Its wealth of hotels, restaurants, shops, and cultural enrichment leave you spoilt for choice. While some offer a taste of old money made by intellectual aristocats, others have embraced Lisbon’s modern design-forward mentality. Whatever your taste and travel preferences, this luxury traveler’s off the beaten path guide to Lisbon will help you decide where to spend your time and energy.
We tell you about a hotel with a private champage picnic, a restaurant with seats inside the kitchen, a boutique wine-tasting experience, after-hours museum tours, and much more.Read on to get the full insider’s insight for an unforgettable stay in Lisbon.
Hotels off the beaten path in Lisbon
There’s too many palaces to choose from in Lisbon, so here’s our take on the best ones to stay at (historic and modern):
For the romantics: Verride Palácio Santa Catarina, Chiado
Nowhere in Lisbon screams “romantic boutique luxury” louder than Verride Palácio Santa Catarina, a former palace built in the mid‑1700s for the Counts of Verride. The intimate boutique hotel has just 19 rooms and suites featuring plush, luxurious modern furnishings framed by lavish Rococo ceilings, silk‑panel walls, ornate woodwork, and oversized azulejo‑tiled baths. For such an intimate place, Verride Palácio Santa Catarina doesn’t hold back on the food and drink. Enjoy a tailor-made breakfast each morning, then hit the rooftop pool and bar for a relaxed afternoon before dinner at the elegant Michelin-rated restaurant SUBA and cocktails at The Lisbon Club 55.
For the indulgence: Pestana Palace Lisboa, Santo Amaro
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As a Leading Hotel of the World and a National Monument, it’s not hard to imagine the impeccable beauty the Pestana Palace beholds inside and out. Pulling up to the palace feels like arriving at your historic family estate built with old-world money. Filled with lavish art and antiques, every room oozes opulence from the private Renaissance dining rooms to the Valle Flôr Restaurant. But it doesn’t just look the part, it goes above and beyond to spoils guests with outstanding service and thoughtful facilities like a Turkish bath, indoor and outdoor pools, a spa and sauna, and palace gardens where you can enjoy a private champagne picnic.
For the modernist: Memmo Príncipe Real
Standing on a hilltop in Príncipe Real, overlooking the city from a privileged position, Memmo proudly represents the harmony of historic Lisbon within a cool and contemporary space. The rooms, lounges, restaurant, and bars use natural colors and elements in simplistic forms to create a sleek yet warm and relaxed atmosphere. But Memmo is more than its design, it’s a destination for the modern traveler that sees a hotel as more than a place to sleep. Wake up in the morning to a rejuvinating yoga session and sound bath, and unwind in the evening at Café Príncipe Real, one of the trendiest rooftop restaurants and bars in town.
Neighborhoods off the beaten path in Lisbon
Most tourists limit themselves to Lisbon’s most famous neighborhoods Alfama, Baixa, and Bairro Alto. As a luxury traveler, you might prefer to wander off the beaten path to these lesser-known neighborhoods instead:
For the modernist: Príncipe Real
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Whether shopping, dining, or staying, Príncipe Real is one of Lisbon’s most desirable and exclusive neighborhoods. Quietly tucked to the side of Avenida de Liberdade, the city’s commercial hub, Príncipe Real has a similar appeal but with a more refined, luxurious edge, attracting a more tasteful and discerning crowd. The calm, leafy streets, an open museum of grand historic palaces and mansions, are bejeweled with luxury concept stores, independent artisanal boutiques, and upscale cafes and wine bars. An ode to its undeniable taste which blends its opulent Portuguese heritage with a modern bohemia sensibility. Here’s how to spend a day in Príncipe Real:
Morning: Before the shopping begins, grab your coffee and pastry to-go from the Copenhagen Coffee Lab and enjoy them under a shaded bench in the Jardim do Príncipe Real. Then head to Embaixada concept mall for independent brands, Coração Alecrim for sustainable lifestyle treats, and A Vida Portuguesa for cool gifts.
Noon: Sit for a long, leisurely lunch at Tapisco. Try the Iberico ham croquettes, steak tartare, and red shrimp arroz – paired with wine, of course. Spend the rest of the afternoon shopping at Atelier 51 for contemporary Portuguese art, Manteigaria Silva for artisinal food, and Benamôr for deliciously scented bath and body bits.
Night: Finish the day with dinner and drinks with a view at Café Príncipe Real in Memmo followed by a nightcap at Art Neauveu cocktail bar Foxtrot.
For the historic charm: Chiado
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Sitting prettily beside Baixa de Lisboa, the historic city center, Chiado shares a similar vibrancy, but with a more refined, aristocratic atmosphere. Lined with elegant 19th-century mansions with wrought-iron balconies, consider it the Lisboan equivalent of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris. For centuries, it has been the cultural heart of the city. The museums, history, and theatre have attracted intellectuals like Portugal’s most famous poet, Fernando Pessoa. In the early 20th century, Chiado filled up with luxury boutiques and ateliers, some of which remain in business today alongside the neighborhood’s most quietly luxurious modern brands.
Morning: Start the day with coffee and a pastel de nata on the patio at A Brasileira. Then spend the morning shopping at historic glove store Luvaria Ulisses, organic beauty store Organii, and iconic porcelain store Vista Alegre.
Noon: Stop for a lunch with a killer view at Topo Chiado before spending a cultural afternoon at the Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea
Night: To prepare for a magical night of theater at the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, indulge in a Michelin-star dinner at Belcanto for a modern take on Portuguese classics.
Things to do off the beaten path in Lisbon
Lisbon loves a bit of exclusivity, which means there’s plenty to do that doesn’t involve crowds or lines. Here’s a few of our favorite experiences that will give your stay in Lisbon a more exclusive touch:
Private "Chef's Table" Dining Experience
From in-the-know local spots to Bib Gourmand and Michelin restaurants, Lisbon’s dining scene is easily one of the best in Europe. What better way to enjoy it than with a private chef’s table dining experience at top restaurant like Belcanto or Alma. At Belcanto, enjoy front-row seats José Avillez’s two-Michelin-star surprise tasting menu from exclusive seating inside the kitchen. At Alma, watch chef Henrique Sá Pessoa and his talented team cook up a storm from the prime table beside the open kitchen under the softly lit stone archways as you devour the Michelin-star seafood tasting menu.
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Road trip to Sintra Tour in a Vintage Car
Add a touch of glamor and romance to your Sintra visit by traveling with a chauffeur-driven classic car. After finishing breakfast, it will be waiting to pick you up outside your hotel, ready to drive you through the sun-drenched Serra de Sintra. Throughout the day, you’ll stop at Sintra’s must-see sights including Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and The Moorish Castle without anyone rushing you for time. Afterward, make the most of your classic car by asking your driver to continue to Cascais or Cabo da Roca (the westernmost point of mainland Europe).
After-Hours Tour of a Major Museum
Brush up on your art history with an exclusive out-of-hours tour of the National Azulejo Museum. Whether you prefer early morning or late evening, a private car will pick you up from the hotel and take you to the museum where you’ll be met by your private guide, an art historian and tile expert. Not only will you get to admire the historic museum without the crowds, but you’ll get a deeper insight into Portugal’s famous azulejo history than most other visitors. If you’re more inclined toward religious history than art history, you might prefer the private, after-hours tour of the magnificent 13th-century Jerónimos Monastery.
Bespoke wine tours in and around Lisbon
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or an enthusiast, treat yourself to some sensational private tours and experiences in Lisbon’s nearby wine regions. We recommend Wine Tourism in Portugal’s 1-day premium wine-tasting tour which takes you in a chauffeur-driven Mercedes-class car to sample the finest wine and gastronomy the region’s top two luxury wine estates have to offer. If you want to stay local, opt for the Lisbon & Setúbal Food & Wine Tour with Paladar y Tomar for a 3‑hour boutique experience through Lisbon’s upscale neighborhoods to visit to hidden wine bars, tasting fine Ports, and gourmet local bites with a local winemaker.
Restaurants and bars off the beaten track in Lisbon
As a capital city, there’s no shortage of food or drink for every craving in Lisbon, but as a visitor with limited time, there’s certain experiences you just can’t miss. Here’s where to go for upscale dining and drinks in the city:
For the views: SEEN by Olivier, Avenida de Liberdade
With uninterrupted views of Lisbon’s hills from every angle, the glamorous restaurant and bar SEEN by Olivier is by far the best rooftop spot in town for a sophisticated dinner and drinks. Each night, the resident DJ spins relaxed beats as diners dig into its eclectic menu by international chef Olivier da Costa.
For a leisurely lunch: Bougain, Cascais & Avenida
For a tranquil escape from the city, drive 30 minutes from central Lisbon for a leisurely lunch in Bougain, the tropical secret garden inside Valverde Hotel in Cascais. Alternatively, opt for its Avenida spot for more convenience. Whichever Bougain location you choose, expect the same incredible mediterranean cuisine in a lush, elegant setting.
For old-world elegance: Gambrinus, Avenida
Established in 1936, Gambrinus has been serving raved-about Portuguese dishes in an historic wood-paneled setting for almost 100 years, making it an culinary institution sought after by every upscale diner. The suited waitstaff serve an excellent partridge pie, turbot in court-bouillon, and crepe Suzette.
For a Michelin experience: Belcanto, Chiado
The flagship of celebrity chef José Avillez, is a landmark in Lisbon’s gastronomic landscape, offering a transcendent fine-dining experience rooted in Portuguese creativity and luxury. Sit beneath the chandeliers of the vaulted ceilings or around the chef’s table and watch in awe as they prepare exceptional dishes like ‘Scarlet Shrimp’ and ‘Dip in the Sea’.
For sunset drinks: Go A Lisboa, Alcântara
Enjoy stylish cocktails, craft beers, and live beats on the terrace off Go A Lisboa which overlooks the Tagus River and 25 de Abril bridge. From the sun-drenched grass seating to the shaded Moroccan poufs, the spacious rooftop has many advantageous spots to watch the sunset from.
For the exclusivity: Silk Club, Chiado
From day to evening to late into the night, Silk Club is the place to be – if you get a spot on the guestlist. Start with dinner at the sleek, minimalist restaurant which focuses on Japanese dishes like sashimi and Wagyu cuts. Then move over to the rooftop bar to mingle with Lisbon’s most exclusive crowd.
Shopping off the beaten track in Lisbon
Lisbon’s creative, design-forward thinking mixed with its rich heritage has allowed its luxury shopping scene to blossom into a city-wide treasure hunt for unique finds. Here’s where to look:
Claus Porto, Chiado
It’s ok if you haven’t heard of Portuguese fragrance specialist Claus Porto, we aren’t judging you. But when you check out their iconic selection of sensationally scented perfumes, soaps, and bath products in Instagrammable Art Deco packaging, you’re going to wish you knew about them sooner.
Maison Nuno Gama, Chiado
Immerse in Lisbon’s most unique conceptual shopping experience at Maison Nuno Gama, the flagship showroom of designer Nuno Gama. Shop his latest collections, get traditional tailoring, find hand-painted shoes, and freshen up at the retro style barber, all under one, stylish roof.
Embaixada, Barrio Alto
Of course you can shop and dine in a stunning neo-Moorish palace, this is Lisbon! The 19th-century palace turned concept gallery is home to a curated selection of 20 Portuguese brands for the design-forward, style-conscious shopper including Latitid, Isto., Boa Safra, Ecolã, and Chumeco. Between splurges, stop for a refreshment at the palace’s courtyard gin bar.
Luvaria Ulisses, Chiado
Nothing says luxury like bespoke fitted handstitched leather gloves, especially when they’re from a 100-year-old Lisbon institution like Luvaria Ulisses. Be careful, though, the shop is no wider than its French doors, so blink, and you might miss it. Those who do find it will be enchanted with its 1920s setting and impressed with its fine selection of leather gloves.
Silva & Feijóo, Baixa
Find delicious Portuguese delicacies at Silva & Feijóo, a charming 1919 emporium that retains its vintage charm with an ornate façade, historic stone walls, and carved wood shelving. The shelves are lined with beautifully presented food items like premium canned fish, olive oils, chutneys, biscuits, honey vinegar, Port, and luxury textiles.
Leitão & Irmão, Chiado
If you’re in the market for fine jewelry and silverware, pop by Leitão & Irmão to pick up a few diamonds. The centuries-old brand is an institution of royal craftsmanship as the former official crown jeweller of both Portugal and Imperial Brazil. Now, you’ll find the most exquisite modern and timeless designs.
Create your personalized luxury Lisbon itinerary
Now that you’ve read our luxury traveler’s off-the-beaten-path guide to Lisbon 2025, you’ll likely have a better idea of how to spend your time in the city. Whether you feel ready to create an itinerary or want more recommendations, our Tripsby Travel Planner is here to assist you. All you have to do is give us a rough summary about your travel style and preferences and in a matter of minutes, we will provide a bookable itinerary or recommendations. Extraordinary travel has never been so effortless! Get started now.
