Join the craze for Portuguese canned fish.
Yes, as strange as it may sound, tinned fish is a thing in Portugal—and particularly in Lisbon—and there is much more on offer than sardines. This legacy makes sense when one considers that Portugal has the largest maritime zone in Europe and the continent’s oldest operating cannery. Until the mid-twentieth century, canned fish was one of the most famous exports of the country. While much has changed since then, the smart Portuguese have transformed what was once a plain and uninspiring product into a boutique, gourmet food of distinction.
Thanks to innovative technology and fantastic marketing, Portugal exports nearly the same amount of canned fish now as it did 50 years ago. And let us be clear: we are not referring to stinking sardines or tuna for your salad; today, everything from anchovies to horse mackerel, octopus to eel, and yes, sardines and tuna, is available. Because there are so many sauces and tastes to choose from, the results are clear.
You may visit The Fantastic World of Portuguese Sardines, an extremely touristic souvenir shop that displays elegant tins of Portuguese sardines in bizarre settings, including your own circus-like setting. For a more authentic experience, we recommend paying a visit to Sol e Pesca, a fishing-themed restaurant selling canned fish and wine, or Loja das Conservas, a free temple/museum dedicated to canned fish and its history. Even if you don’t like tinned fish, you can’t visit Lisbon and not try at least one tin.
Gaze upon Lisbon under the stars at the Carmo Convent.
The jaw-dropping, roofless Carmo Convent and Church have to be one of the most spectacular tourist attractions in Lisbon at the moment. Although it is no longer a place of worship, this lovely Gothic husk makes you want to envision what it looked like when it was.
The Carmo Convent, a monastic structure built between 1389 and 1423, was destroyed beyond repair in the great earthquake of 1755. It was retained for several purposes after that, including a garrison for a sharpshooter unit and a sawmilling shop. It was converted into a museum in 1864, and people can now come during the day to learn about archaeological artefacts from various times in Portugal’s history.
We urge, however, that you visit at night for a 45-minute multisensory light show called Lisbon Under The Stars, which mixes 360o digital animation, live-action, and special effects projections to depict the fascinating narrative of Lisbon. Travel back in time to witness the first caravels departing during the Portuguese Discoveries, stop at the strange landscapes explored by these daring navigators, and witness the 1755 earthquake and subsequent reconstruction of the city.
This is something really unique and distinct. It takes place once a night during the summer, with encore performances on Friday and Saturday. Because there are no assigned seats, you are also free to move and take in the spectacle from all viewpoints, which adds to the entire experience.
Submerge yourself in the world-famous Lisbon Oceanarium.
The Oceanário de Lisboa, which opened in 1998 as part of Expo ’98 in Lisbon, is a physical tribute to the centuries-old connection between the ocean and Portugal. The centrepiece of Parque das Naçes, a renovated region on the Tagus River used for the Expo, this incredible oceanarium is Europe’s largest indoor aquarium and attracts over a million visitors each year, making it one of Portugal’s most popular cultural attractions.
The world-famous displays and the intriguing, symbolistic architectural aspects of the buildings ensure an outstanding experience for every admirer of nature and life beneath the water. The Oceanário de Lisboa, designed by Chermayeff, who previously constructed the world’s largest aquarium in Osaka, resembles an aircraft carrier and is built on a pier in an artificial lagoon. From penguins and seagulls to sharks, rays, and seahorses inside, there is a wide variety of marine life to look at.
There are over 16,000 animals representing 450 species, including the extremely rare Sunfish, which is found in only a few aquariums worldwide.
Watch a film at the historic cinema São Jorge
On one of Europe’s most famous avenues, the famed São Jorge Cinema opened in 1950 as a showcase for British film studio The Rank Organisation.
The São Jorge was a luxurious Art Deco style theatre with 1,820 seats on its dual orchestra and balcony levels. It was the largest cinema on the Iberian peninsula at the time. Additionally, it included Lisbon’s only cinema organ.
In 1982, the São Jorge Cinema was expanded by dividing its area into three theatres (two on the orchestra level and one on the balcony), but tragically, the organ was also removed. Finally, the City of Lisbon Council reopened it in 2007 after it had been closed for a long time because of damage.
Today, the cinema is a destination for film festival screenings, art-house films, documentaries, and premieres, as well as music and poetry. Outside, the steps are constantly bustling with activity, and the films on offer draw a varied cross-section of Lisbon’s population. Check out the elegant bar with outdoor seats overlooking the tree-lined street below if you find a movie that interests you. You can get food or drinks there before the movie starts so you can enjoy the view.
On Avenida Ribeira das Naus, take in the sunset.
This tranquil waterfront neighbourhood between Praça do Comércio and Cais do Sodré was once the home of many of Portugal’s renowned explorers. However, Lisbon, like many other towns in the twentieth century, was mostly neglected and turned away from its shoreline. Today, after an imaginative restoration in 2013, this beautiful place has a new lease on life. The people of Lisbon have come back in droves to enjoy the spacious, well-kept promenade.
A modern new public plaza with numerous calm spots to sit and take in the vista. It’s also ideal for sunbathing, people-watching, or grabbing a drink from one of the vendors who set up shop along the road. Halfway along, there is a modern pub with a DJ that is definitely worth a stop – as is a wide piece of grass ideal for picnics. A two-lane road still runs through here, but it is closed to traffic on Sundays, making it the ideal day to visit Avenida Ribeira das Naus. There is a little beach here, but swimming is not permitted—or recommended—due to concerns about the purity of the water.
Bring a book, a drink, or a hat; there is no right or wrong way to enjoy this space. However, one thing is certain: It will quickly become one of your favourite Lisbon spots, luring you back repeatedly.
