With its charming historical neighborhood, iconic canary-yellow trams, and gorgeous miradouros, the lovely city of Lisbon now attracts travelers from all over the world.
I was lucky enough to live in Lisbon for over two years, and during my time there, I experienced practically everything this vibrant city can offer!
One of the things the city is famous for is its lively nightlife.
People in Lisbon know how to party, so if that’s what you’re looking for, you won’t be disappointed.
Of course, partying isn’t the only thing you can do in Lisbon at night.
From wandering around the historical neighborhoods and listening to fado (a melancholic traditional Portuguese folk music), to watching the sunset from the many viewpoints, there’s so much you can do in the Portuguese capital when the night falls.
In this guide, you’ll find what I think are the 13 best activities in Lisbon at night.
Best of all, there’s tons of free things so even if you’re visiting Lisbon on a budget, you’re sure to have a great night!
Whether you want to spend a chill evening out after a long day in Lisbon or are up for partying until dawn, I’ve got you covered.
13 Best Things to Do in Lisbon at Night
Watch the sunset from a miradouro.
Lisbon is famous for its many hills and with it, its miradouros: viewpoints sprinkled all over the city center, offering gorgeous sweeping views of the city and the Tejo River that runs through it.
With the miradouros from Alfama to Chiado, you’ll never run out of viewpoints to enjoy any time of the day and night.
My favorite time of day to visit miradouros is sunset!
People tend to gather at viewpoints in Lisbon in the late afternoon, summer or winter, so there’s always a lively atmosphere as everyone stands there watching another day come to an end.
You’ll even find street artists playing music in some places, making the moment (and the memories you’ll bring home) even more beautiful.
One of the best viewpoints to watch the sunset in Lisbon is Adamastor in Chiado.
The viewpoint is just a short walk from the Baixa Chiado metro, and it looks out over the river and the lower part of Lisbon.
There’s a chiringuito (small kiosk) to buy a refreshing drink, and you’ll always find someone playing music.
A few other gorgeous viewpoints for sunset include Miradouro de Santa Luzia, Portas do Sol, Miradouro da Graça, and Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.
Explore Baixa without the crowds.
The neighborhood of Baixa is Lisbon’s vibrant heart, where you’ll find most landmarks, shopping areas, and restaurants.
Tourists start filling the streets of Baixa early in the morning, so you can expect to find it busy at virtually any time of day.
Late in the evening, the crowds quiet down a bit, and most squares and streets are deserted, except for a few lively nightlife spots.
You can enjoy the magnificent Praça do Comercio without the usual crowds, stroll along Rua Augusta, and enjoy the beautiful Praça do Rossio and Praça da Figueira.
Start your evening explorations either in Rossio or Praça do Comercio and stroll along Rua Augusta and the little side streets around Elevador de Santa Justa.
You could even go on an elevator ride until 10:45 PM, although I wouldn’t say that’s a must.
Personally, I think you can enjoy equally beautiful views from Mosteiro do Carmo!
Wander through the streets of Alfama.
Alfama is another extremely popular tourist area in Lisbon.
The city’s oldest and most charming neighborhood is well worth exploring during the day, but don’t worry; it’s just as beautiful at night!
Small cobblestone alleys and stairways wind up and down the hills and offer glimpses of the Tejo River.
Stroll by the beautiful city cathedral, Sé de Lisboa, and walk up to Portas do Sol to enjoy sweeping city views.
From there, let yourself get lost through the maze of narrow alleys, and you’re sure to discover characterful areas and beautiful viewpoints.
The best month to explore Alfama at night is in June when Lisbon celebrates Santos Populares.
Everything revolves around Saint Anthony’s Feast (Santo António), but the city celebrates the whole month.
Locals grill sardines in the street, and you can find cheap drinks and food on every corner.
The entire neighborhood is one big party, so if your travel plans bring you to Lisbon in June, be sure to stop by!
Listen to fado, Portugal’s unique musical form.
No trip to Lisbon would be complete without listening to fado music.
And what better place to listen to traditional Portuguese music than Alfama, the birthplace of fado?
One of my favorite ways to hear fado is to go out in Alfama and stop off for dinner at any restaurant that offers a fado show.
If you want to plan ahead instead of playing things by ear, you can also book a guided experience.
This Alfama Tour and Live Fado is a perfect all-around experience!
It includes a traditional dinner, a guided walking tour around Alfama and Mouraria, and a stop at a fado house to listen to the nostalgic and heartfelt music genre.
Fado music is a symbol of Portugal, born in the 19th century in the heart of Lisbon.
The songs, performed vocally accompanied by the unique Portuguese guitar, are heartbreakingly beautiful.
The music genre is so unique and representative of Portugal that UNESCO added it to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Have a drink at a rooftop bar.
As I mentioned above, Lisbon is widely known for its vibrant nightlife, so your options for bars and clubs are nearly endless!
Some of the most beautiful spots to enjoy a drink in the Portuguese capital are on the city’s rooftops looking out over the gorgeous scenery.
Topo Martim Moniz is one of the most popular rooftop bars in Lisbon, located in Martim Moniz Square, a short walk from Lisbon’s key landmarks.
Don’t let the anonymous building dissuade you from going in!
Once you’re up, you have a gorgeous view of Lisbon’s castle and the city center, and on some evenings, you may even find live music!
On the opposite side of Martim Moniz Square, you can check out Hotel Mundial’s Rooftop Bar.
This is a slightly fancier venue, so you can expect higher prices, but if you ask me, the view is worth the splurge.
However, keep in mind that it may get crowded and, unlike at Topo, you can’t just stand around.
Last but not least, another rooftop bar worth checking out is Park Bar, on top of a parking building in Lisbon’s Chiado district.
The rooftop bar is crowded during the weekend, so either get there early or be prepared to stand in line before you get in.
Party on Pink Street.
Pink Street is probably the most famous nightlife area in Lisbon, and it’s certainly one of the most visually striking!
Rua Nova do Carvalho is a street literally painted pink close to Cais do Sodré station in Lisbon’s city center.
While during the day, it’s a quaint little street, at night, it’s buzzing with life as the bars and clubs fill with people.
Along the street, you’ll find many places to enjoy a drink or dance all night. As the places fill up, people start getting drinks and standing outside the bars chatting and listening to music.
No matter the season, you’ll always find a crowd on Pink Street.
One of my favorite places on Pink Street is Pensão Amor, a quirky bar in a former wharf brothel, where sailors would gather to enjoy the pleasures of the land after long periods at sea.
Though much has changed, Pensão Amor is now a symbol of freedom, art, culture, and love in all its forms.
Grab a cocktail and explore the uniquely decorated rooms!
Go for a walk along the Tejo.
Walking along the Tejo was one of my favorite pastimes in Lisbon at night when I lived there.
If you want to get away from the maddening crowds of the historical center and enjoy a peaceful walk to relax and reflect, head to the Cais do Sodrè metro station and just start walking along the river toward Belem.
You can take this walk any time of the day, but it’s especially lovely right around sunset.
You can watch the sun sink into the Tejo River right below Ponte 25 do Abril, the iconic red bridge resembling San Francisco’s Golden Gate.
A pedestrian and bicycle lane runs along the river all the way to Belem, so you can walk as much as you want.
You’ll pass by the clubs in the Santos district and the Alcântara marina, and watch the nighttime crowd start their evening festivities.
Right before the bridge, there’s a charming area with many restaurants and bars where you can enjoy a drink or get dinner before heading back to Lisbon.
Have a riverside dinner in Almada.
If you want to enjoy a chill evening and a gorgeous view, cross the river for a lovely dinner along the Tejo.
To get there, just hop on the boat at Cais do Sodrè and head to Almada.
Though technically another city, Almada is only a 15-minute ferry away from Lisbon and offers stunning city views.
After you get off the ferry in Almada, walk along the river toward Ponte 25 de Abril, and you’ll come across an area with wonderful riverside restaurants.
My favorite is Ponto Final, as it offers a gorgeous view over the bridge, and great seafood of course!
Order a delicious fish dish and enjoy it with a glass of wine as you watch the sun set right by the bridge.
This place used to be much less famous just a few years ago, but word got around, so you may need to book in advance to guarantee your table.
Visit a quieter Castelo de São Jorge.
While most museums in Lisbon close around 6 PM, Castelo de São Jorge stays open until 9 PM in summer and until 7 PM in winter, so you can go for an evening visit and even enjoy the sunset.
Perched at the top of a hill in the Alfama district, Castelo de São Jorge offers some of the best panoramic views in Lisbon.
The medieval castle was built following the reconquest of Lisbon on the site previously occupied by the kasbah during the Islamic occupation.
You can walk along the castle walls and climb its towers to enjoy panoramic views of Lisbon from different points of view.
Make an evening of it by arriving before sunset and staying until the city lights turn on and the night falls.
Tickets include access to the castle gardens and museum and guided tours to the Archaeological Site and the Camera Obscura.
Have a beer at Bica.
Calçada da Bica Pequena, simply called Bica by locals, is one of the most popular nightlife spots in Lisbon’s historical center.
During the day, you can catch the historic cable car Elevador da Bica to go up and downhill on the steep street.
At night, as the cable car stops running, the bars along Bica fill with people. Everyone buys drinks and gets out on the street.
On weekend nights, the street gets so crowded that you can barely make your way through!
Bica is a popular meeting point for after-dinner drinks among locals and tourists alike.
If you want to experience local nightlife, a drink at one of the many bars is a must.
One of the best things about going out at Bica is that drinks are still quite cheap. Plus, due to its popularity, it’s a great spot to meet people!
Party all night in Bairro Alto.
To truly experience Lisbon’s nightlife, you absolutely have to spend a night out in Bairro Alto, Lisbon’s party hotspot.
This neighborhood just above Lisbon’s Baixa area is the place to be if you want to dance the night away.
Bairro Alto used to be a rich and elegant neighborhood but saw a radical transformation after the 1755 earthquake.
No longer the home of Lisbon’s aristocracy, Bairro Alto became an area filled with boutique shops, small art galleries, and many bars and restaurants.
Bairro Alto attracts a varied crowd, from young locals to tourists and Erasmus students out to party all night.
You’ll find countless clubs playing all music genres, from reggaeton to hip-hop and electronic music. Check out the places in Rua da Rosa, Rua do Diario de Noticias, and Rua do Norte.
If you’re traveling solo and don’t want to explore the area alone — or just want to make some new pals while you travel — join this Pub and VIP Club Crawl to enjoy Bairro Alto’s nightlife.
The tour includes drinks and VIP entry to some hand-picked bars and clubsn t i.e aan the r
Go on a sunset boat tour.
Possibly the most relaxing way to enjoy the sunset in Lisbon is from a boat slowly gliding along the Tejo River.
You can find many boat tour options departing from central Lisbon or Belém at different hours of the day.
Most tours last around two hours, with the evening options starting just before sunset (perfect timing for incredible views!)
This Sunset Tour with Music begins in Cais do Sodrè and passes by iconic landmarks like the Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, and Ponte 25 do Abril.
You’ll relax on the catamaran while listening to music and enjoying a complimentary drink as the sun sets over Lisbon and the lights begin to come on in the magical city.
This City Sailboat Tour with Drinks starting in Belém is a great alternative, with multiple departures to fit your schedule.
You can choose between the sunset tour and the night tour. However, the night tour requires a minimum of four participants per booking.
Explore LX Factory.
LX Factory is an artsy, hip offbeat part of Lisbon full of boutique shops, trendy restaurants and cafés, Instagrammable corners, and small art studios.
This creative space was built in the place of a former textile complex, so the shops and restaurants occupy former warehouses.
A must-see for any traveler visiting Lisbon, LX Factory is open all day but gets particularly lively at night.
Check out the charming bookstore Ler Devagar, shop for souvenirs or handmade jewelry, and enjoy a drink at one of the many bars.
You may also find live music and events, so be sure to look ahead and check the schedule when you’re there.
LX Factory is in Alcântara, a bit far from the center of Lisbon, but you can get there by tram 15E, train (in the direction of Cascais), or even Uber.
Roxana is a Romanian-born freelance travel writer who has lived in Italy for over 15 years. She has a Master’s in Journalism and a Bachelor’s in Film Studies, and she studied at Università degli Studi di Roma Tre. Besides her native Romania, Roxana has lived in Rome, Lisbon, and Berlin, and she has traveled through much of Europe in search of hidden gems, history, and culture.