Gay Guide • LISBON | What to See, Where to Stay, Best Gay Bars and Restaurants | LGBT Guide
- World Mappers
- Sep 6, 2023
- 12 min read
Updated: Jan 28
GAY LISBON
Discover this City with our Quick and Practical Guide to Visit the Best Attractions, Savor Typical Dishes and Have Fun in the Best Gay Bars. All this through the Rainbow Eyes of the World Mappers
What to See, Best Places to Sleep, Where to Eat and to Have Fun in LISBON ?
Find it out with the World Mappers !
WHAT TO SEE in LISBON?
20 THINGS TO SEE in LISBON
Castle of São Jorge
St. George's Castle is the symbolic monument of Lisbon and offers breathtaking views of the city. You absolutely must pay a visit to the Tower of Ulysses or Torre del Tombo because a periscope is installed inside which allows you to observe the 360° panorama of Lisbon.
Baixa District
La Baixa is the neighborhood located in the center of the city. After being destroyed by an earthquake, it was rebuilt and today boasts a shopping center and various services dominated by banks and shops and only a few craft businesses.
Santa Justa Elevator
The Elevador de Santa Justa allows you to enjoy a spectacular view of the neighborhoods and areas of Lisbon: Baixa, Rossio, São Jorge Castle and the Tagus River.
Rossio, Dom Pedro IV Square and Station
Known by the inhabitants simply by the name of 'Rossio', it is the center of the city where tourists and citizens gather to enjoy the city in the open air. Its two peculiarities are the majestic 27-metre high statue of Dom Pedro IV and the wavy pavement called 'mar largo': it was built with black and white stones. Rossio station is very unique as its entrance is double horseshoe and today it is one of the stops along the line to Sintra.
Barrio Alto
Bairro Alto has an orthogonal shape and is the most creative neighborhood in the city. perfect for those who want to discover not only the characteristic monuments but also the frenetic nightlife of the city.
Alfama
Alfama is one of the oldest and most beautiful areas of Lisbon and is a very characteristic neighborhood due to its steep hills, cobbled streets and colorful houses. Tip: take tram number 28, the most scenic, and let yourself be taken through the streets of the city.
Praça do Comércio
The trade square was originally the king's palace but today it is one of the largest and most enchanting squares in Europe.
Arco da Rua Augusta
The Arco da Rua Augusta is located in the Baixa district and is the gigantic triumphal arch that joins the square in Rua Augusta to that of Rossio. Particular are the decorative statues that represent the important characters in the history of Lisbon including the explorer Vasco de Gama.
Chiado District
Chiado is a district that was completely destroyed due to the 1988 earthquake, then rebuilt identically. Today it is full of refined shops, bookshops and theatres. You can reach it either by going down from Bairro Alto or by going up from Baixa via the Santa Justa lift.
Sé Cathedral
The Lisbon Cathedral is one of the symbols of the city and of the Christian Reconquest of the territory and is the main Catholic place of worship in the city. Paid entry.
Church of Carmo
Also called 'Church without a Roof' due to a terrible fire, the Church of Carmo is a former convent in which only the Gothic portal, the main nave, some medieval ruins and the long, high arches remain.
Belém District & Tower of Belém
The Belém neighborhood is very large and is full of colorful gardens and beautiful monuments such as the Jeronimos Monastery and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos (monument to the discoveries). Among all, the famous 'Tower of Belém' undoubtedly stands out. The particularity of the neighborhood is precisely the architectural style of its structures which are characterized by the hyper-decorated Gothic style.
Jeronimos Monastery
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Jerònimos Monastery is the most important monument in Lisbon and the most visited monument in Portugal. It was erected in 1505 to celebrate the return of the Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama who had just discovered the route to India.
Padrão dos Descobrimentos
The Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries) was built in 1940 to celebrate the double centenary of the founding and restoration of the nation. The monument is 52 meters high and represents a caravel followed by a procession of 32 historical personalities who gave their support to the Age of Discovery.
25 de Abril Bridge
Often compared to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Ponte 25 de Abril is one of the most famous places in Lisbon. With its 2 kilometers and 277 meters, it connects Lisbon to the city of Almada.
Cristo-Rei Statue
The Cristo-Rei statue, located on the south bank of the Tagus River, is a famous symbol of the city and shows Christ with open arms blessing the city. It was built as a symbol of gratitude from the Portuguese for having been saved from the terrible Second World War.
It also offers a beautiful view of Lisbon and the 25 de Abril bridge.
Lisbon Aquarium (Oceanarium)
The Lisbon aquarium is one of the largest in Europe, after Genoa and Valencia. Inside there are five tanks: from the central one it is possible to admire tuna, sharks and other inhabitants of the oceans up close, while the other four smaller tanks represent the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Oceans and the Antarctic regions.
Vasco da Gama Bridge
The Vasco da Gama Bridge is 12.3 kilometers long and crosses the Tagus, the largest river in the country.
Pink Street
Pink Street is a super instagrammable place thanks to the color of the street and the murals on the walls. It is so famous that, a few years ago, it was even cited by the New York Times as one of the most beautiful and funniest streets in Europe! It is interesting to think that once upon a time this area was a meeting point for sailors and prostitutes and was considered the red light district of Lisbon but today the area is full of trendy cafés and clubs. The most famous point is the very beginning of the street, which has become known thanks to the many hanging rainbow umbrellas (it is often mistakenly believed that this is the gay street of Barcelona, precisely because of the rainbow umbrellas but this is not the case. Certainly the clubs on Pink Street they are gay friendly, but not exclusively gay).
National Museum of Azulejos
The National Museum of Azulejos is a wonderful museum that will allow you to discover the fascinating history of the art of Portugal's famous tile.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
Visiting this city at its best depends essentially on how long you have to fully enjoy it. Here is a solution based on the number of days available to you:
Day 1 - Lisbona (Baixa, Alfama & Bairro Alto) - Google Maps
Day 2 - Lisbona (Belem, LX Factory & Chiado) - Google Maps
Extra - Parque das Nações (Ponte Vasco da Gama & Oceanario) (by Tramway from Santa Apolonia) - Google Maps
(By opening the Maps with Google, you can easily follow our path)
5 BEST EXCURSIONS from LISBONA
We advise you to book the best excursions here: Viator - Musement - Get Your Guide
Palácio da Pena, Sintra, Cabo da Roca & Cascais
Fatima, Óbidos, Batalha & Nazaré
Evora & Megaliths
Porto
Parco Naturale di Arrábida e Sesimbra
Click'n'Go - Click on Hotels, Restaurants, Bars & Clubs
to find them on the Map or visit their Website
WHERE TO SLEEP in LISBON?
10 BEST GAY FRIENDLY HOTELS in LISBON
My Story Hotel Figueira **** ® Tested by World Mappers
WHERE TO EAT in LISBON ?
10 BEST RESTAURANTS in LISBON Quality / Price
€€€ - Bistro 100 Maneiras
€€€ - Clube de Fado ® Tested by World Mappers
€€€ - Pabe
€€ - Tapa Bucho ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - Solar do Bacalhau
€€ - Chù Chù
€€ - O Prego ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - Casa de Linhares
€ - Alto Minho
WHAT IS FADO of LISBON?
Fado, the song of melancholy, is the most international Portuguese musical expression. The exact moment of the birth of fado in Lisbon is not known, although there is evidence that it arose in humble neighborhoods around the mid-19th century, specifically in the traditional neighborhood of Mouraria. Although some experts associate it with maritime life and even ancient Arab occupation, the truth is that no researcher has yet managed to solve the mystery of its origin. Be that as it may, its roots are clearly popular.
FADO SHOW in LISBON?
BEST PLACES to SEE a FADO SHOW in LISBON
Café Luso (our favourite! - better pre-book clicking here) ® Tested by World Mappers
GAY NIGHTLIFE in LISBON
BEST GAY PLACES, BARS, CLUBS & SAUNAS in LISBON
Side Bar (Gay Bar) ® Tested by World Mappers
Bar Cru (Gay Bar) ® Tested by World Mappers
Shelter Bar Lisboa (Gay Bar) ® Tested by World Mappers
Bar 106 (Gay Bar)
Bar TR3S Lisboa (Gay Bear Bar) ® Tested by World Mappers
XXL Lisbon Club (Gay Bar)
Trumps (Gay Dance Club) ® Tested by World Mappers
Construction Lisbon (Gay Dance Club) ® Tested by World Mappers
LuxFrágil (Gay Firendly Club)
Trombeta Bath (Gay Sauna)
Finalmente Club (Gay Club & Drag Show)
Manny's PLace (Drag Show)
TRAVEL TIPS about LISBON dei World Mappers
To best visit Lisbon we recommend the Lisboa Card, the perfect tourist card to save time and money, offering access to more than 30 unmissable museums and monuments in the Portuguese capital.
Lisbon is synonymous with Pastel de Belem. You can't be in Lisbon and not try one of these typical sweets (we love them). They are sold in all pastry shops, but the original recipe (very secret) and the right to call them Pastel di Belem belongs only to the Belem pastry shop, in the neighborhood of the same name. It is the oldest pastry shop in Lisbon (1837) and is easily recognizable by its blue awnings and the queue of people who want to sit inside or buy the legendary sweets. Pasteis de Nata are widespread throughout Portugal, those from Belem are only here.
One of our favorite places in Lisbon is the magical LX Factory. It is a sort of market located on the remains of an old factory. Even if it maintains that slightly hipster air that has been so fashionable lately, in our opinion it is also worth a visit to get to know the less touristy side of Lisbon. One of those places that has witnessed the great changes that the Portuguese capital has undergone in recent years.
You can't go to Lisbon and not try Ginjinha, or simply Ginja, the best liqueur in the city, made from black cherries, often served in a chocolate glass to be eaten immediately after drinking the shot. It is found in all the places in Lisbon, but the historic ones are three: A Ginjinha, the oldest, in Largo de São Domingos 8. Ginjinha Sem Rival, in rua das Portas de Santo Antão. Ginjinha Rubi, in rua Barros Queiros 27. Another very nice place is Ginjinha do Carmo, which we tried!
An old guesthouse in Rua do Alecrim 19, once frequented by prostitutes and sailors, the Pensão Amor, has been converted into a multifunctional space. The 37 rooms of the guesthouse are now a café, a lingerie shop, an erotic bookshop, a hall for events and concerts and much more.
To explore and get to know Lisbon in a different and fun way, don't miss the tour proposed by Hippo Trip, to see the city from land and water. Thanks to an amphibious bus the tour takes place through the streets of the city and then directly into the Tagus river. With Hippo Trip guides, fun is guaranteed. Info & Prices clicking here.
Don't miss a visit to one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Lisbon, the Principe Real neighborhood. An area full of 19th century buildings decorated with typical azulejos, shops, pastry shops and a large concentration of gay clubs.
Try the typical Portuguese culinary experience. At the Casa Portuguesa Do Pastel De Bacalhau shops, scattered throughout the city, taste the Pastel de Bacalhau (a kind of cod and cheese meatball) paired with Vinho de Porto, the typical Portuguese wine.
"SECRET LISBON"
Unusual and Particular Places to See in Lisbon
Outside of the classic attractions to visit, there is a "Secret Lisbon" that simply bewitched us. These are some places that in our opinion are worth seeing if you have already seen everything that is most "famous" the city offers or simply if you want to get away from the typically tourist areas.
Here are the 5 Things and Places to See in Secret Lisbon:
Rovine del Convento di Carmo - Legacy of the earthquake that almost wiped Lisbon off the face of the Earth. One of the deadliest earthquakes in history struck Lisbon on All Saints' Day, November 1, 1755. The city was almost destroyed, and the ancient convent and church of the Carmo lay in ruins, its library of 5,000 books destroyed.
Pavilhão Chinês - Ring the bell to enter a bar that looks like equal parts museum and old curio shop. Look for the red door and ring the bell to enter Pavilhão Chinês, a bar in Lisbon's trendy Principe Real neighborhood. Housed in a 1901 building that was once a grocery store, the bar's five rooms are filled with the owner's personal stash of vintage collectibles and oddities amounting to a vast cabinet of curiosities.
Tower of Belem Rhinoceros - A king's pet, a pope's gift, an artist's inspiration, and a tragic shipwreck. The first rhino to set foot on European soil since Roman times didn't last long. Having survived the 120-day sea voyage to Portugal, the rhino was a diplomatic gift from India. Arriving in 1515, the Indian rhino was unloaded near the construction site of the Belem Tower in Lisbon.
Museu do Fado - An unpretentious music museum tells the rags-to-riches story of a Portuguese drama genre. The Museu do Fado in Lisbon was inaugurated in 1998 with the aim of documenting, preserving, interpreting and promoting the history of fado from its origins to its current form.
Estufa Fria - This once forgotten oasis in central Lisbon was created more than a century ago almost by accident. At the beginning of the 20th century, what is now a lush botanical garden home to over 300 species of plants and dotted with beautiful lakes and waterfalls, was instead a barren place. Lisbon was much smaller then and the site was far from what is now the city centre. It was a desolate area, home to an abandoned basalt quarry.
INSTAGRAMMABLE LISBON
Instagrammable Places to See in Lisbon
Don't miss the best instagrammable places in Lisbon, here are our favorites:
The most BEAUTIFUL VIEWPOINTS of LISBON
Enjoy the city from one of its fantastic Best Photography Spots. Our favorites are:
Miradouro de Santa Luzia (our favourite!)
The Most BEAUTIFUL STREET ART WORKS in LISBON
Could we not talk about Street Art in Lisbon? Of course not! In this city you can find some fantastic masterpieces. Here are the main areas to discover and explore:
Alfama
Alfama is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. Among its alleys there are many murals and graffiti, even large ones.
Bairro Alto
In this neighborhood you can admire the wonderful open-air art gallery!
Chiado
In Chiado, street art is found mostly near the river and the Raposa em Lixo, the "fox in the basket", will especially stand out.
Mouraria
'Fado' was born in this neighborhood and for this reason there is a mural dedicated to Portuguese popular music.
Graça
Taking Caracol da Graça street, you will be able to enjoy an endless series of murals and graffiti of all types and colors.
The MOST BEAUTIFUL MARKETS in LISBON
Feira da Ladra
It is the best market in Lisbon which takes place in the Alfama district every Saturday and Tuesday, and specializes in antiques and collectibles.
Opening Time: every Saturday and Tuesday from 08:00 to 15:00.
Feira do Relogio
It is the largest market in Lisbon which is held every Sunday and offers a wide variety of stalls.
Opening Time: every Sunday from 09:00 to 14:00.
Campo de Ourique Market
It is a food and fresh produce market held at the terminus of tram line number 28.
Opening Time: Monday and Tuesday until 11.00 pm, Sunday and Wednesday from 10.00 am to 12.00 am, while Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 1.00 am.
Ribeira Market
It is the oldest covered market in the city and is a must-see for food lovers and all tourists who go to Lisbon for the first time.
Opening Time: every day from 10.00 to midnight, but from Monday to Wednesday it is open until 2 in the morning.
Benfica Market
It is a market focused on selling fresh produce and foods. It is characteristic for having a dome-shaped roof.
Opening Time: Tuesday to Saturday from 08:00 to 14:00.
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