What is your hometown like? Is it full of colorful neighborhoods where every façade looks like the work of an inspired artist? Does it have charming little trams swinging by with a friendly ring as they trace its lively streets? Is it full of sky-high viewpoints designed specifically to take in all of its beauty? And lastly: is it the birthplace of one of the most delicious pastries in the world?
If so, then you must be a Lisboeta, a native of one of the most vibrant cities on earth: Lisbon.
And if not, then do not despair, for you can still experience it like a local by adding these six authentic highlights to your next trip!
Miradouro do Monte Agudo — A Miradouro Only Locals Know
Lisbon looks good from just about any angle. And as one of Portugal’s most scenic escapes, it’s no surprise that it loves to flaunt its many charms from its countless miradouros (viewpoints).
Yet while the Miradouro das Portas do Sol might be everyone’s go-to, true Lisboetas know that some of the city’s finest vistas can be found at Miradouro do Monte Agudo. Tucked away in a residential neighborhood far from the tourist crowds, this peaceful viewpoint offers sweeping panoramas of terracotta rooftops, church spires, and Lisbon’s famously rolling hills. Grab a coffee, find a shaded bench, and do as the locals do: take your time and simply enjoy the view.
Manteigaria — The Best Pastéis de Nata Outside Belém
Going to Lisbon without indulging in a copious amount of pastéis de nata is a bit like going to Greece without grabbing a souvlaki, or Italy without twirling some pasta. In other words: technically possible, but downright blasphemous.
And while most travelers will happily queue outside Pastéis de Belém or passionately debate the merits of Pastelaria Aloma, many local connoisseurs quietly make their way to Manteigaria in Largo de Camões. Here, Portugal’s beloved custard tart emerges fresh from the oven throughout the day, its flaky pastry and silky filling inspiring a level of devotion that borders on the religious. One bite in, and you will suddenly understand why.
For travelers who develop a serious appreciation for Portugal’s iconic pastry, Portugal by Travelive offers a hands-on Pastel de Nata workshop, where they can learn the traditional techniques behind this beloved treat and leave with the skills to recreate a taste of Portugal back home.
Tasca do Chico — A Fado House That Still Feels Like 1960
One of the many reasons why travelers love Portugal (beyond port wine and baked goods, that is) is its soulful culture. And nothing showcases it more vividly than the resonant notes of Fado.
Those are precisely the sounds you’ll hear drifting through the lively streets of Bairro Alto, where Tasca do Chico offers something increasingly rare: Fado as Lisboetas have experienced it for generations.
Brimming with intimate atmosphere, simple surroundings, and emotionally charged performances, this traditional tasca (small, local tavern) remains one of the city’s most authentic places to experience Portugal’s beloved musical tradition.
Travelers who find themselves wanting more Fado in their lives can pause the Spotify playlist and allow Portugal by Travelive to set up an intimate dinner accompanied by a live Fado performance for a truly unforgettable evening.
Fundação Ricardo Espírito Santo Silva — An Homage to Portugal's Traditions
To understand Portugal, one must first understand the extraordinary importance it places on craftsmanship. And not many places preserve that legacy more passionately than the Fundação Ricardo Espírito Santo Silva.
Part museum, part conservation center, and part living workshop, this remarkable institution celebrates centuries of Portuguese decorative arts and artisanal traditions. From intricate furniture and textiles to gilding, ceramics, and woodwork, visitors are offered a rare glimpse into the skills, techniques, and artistic heritage that keep Portugal’s history and identity alive.
Fábrica de Sant'Anna — Something Blue
Speaking of keeping Portuguese traditions alive, few places in Lisbon do so more beautifully than Fábrica de Sant’Anna. After all, if Portugal has a signature art form, it surely belongs to the azulejo, the intricate, blue ceramic tiles that have decorated the country’s churches, palaces, and homes for centuries.
One of Lisbon’s last remaining artisanal tile workshops, Fábrica de Sant’Anna continues to produce and hand-paint its exquisite azulejos using techniques that have remained remarkably unchanged for generations. Watching these timeless works of art come to life offers travelers a rare opportunity to connect with one of Portugal’s most enduring and striking traditions.
Should travelers wish to continue Portugal’s artisanal traditions themselves, Portugal by Travelive can arrange a hands-on workshop at a traditional tile factory, where they’ll have the opportunity to create and paint their very own unique azulejo to take home.
Museu Nacional do Azulejo (National Tile Museum) — A Local’s Favorite
If you’re going to ask anyone how to experience Lisbon like a local, or where to find the most beautiful azulejos, it should be one of its own. Luckily, Portugal by Travelive has Lisbon-born Travel Planner Catarina, who’ll tell you that one of her favorite places in the city is the Museu Nacional do Azulejo.
Housed within a former convent, this remarkable museum traces the history of Portugal’s iconic ceramic art form through centuries of extraordinary craftsmanship and artistic expression. And should travelers happen to visit on a Tuesday or Saturday morning, following it up with a stroll through the nearby Feira da Ladra flea market is guaranteed to make them feel like true Lisbon natives.
Feeling at Home in Lisbon
The truth is, experiencing Lisbon like a local has very little to do with checking off landmarks and everything to do with discovering the places, traditions, and moments that give the city its soul. And while some of those experiences may take a lifetime to uncover, others simply require knowing where to look.
Fortunately, Portugal by Travelive’s on-site team at portugal@travelive.com is always ready to help your travelers discover them through journeys shaped by local knowledge, meaningful experiences, and the kind of unforgettable moments that make Lisbon feel like home.