Authentic Lisbon Activities: 6 Unique Tours & Classes Every Traveler Should Try
- Madison Wulf
- Jul 15
- 9 min read
Updated: Sep 14
Lisbon is one of Europe’s most beautiful historic cities, where ancient traditions and contemporary creativity coexist in every winding alleyway and sun-drenched plaza. If you're hoping to experience this city beyond the traditional tourist spots, these recommended, immersive cultural activities will connect you to Lisbon’s history, flavors, and artistic spirit.
Having spent June 2025, 30 full days, soaking up all Lisbon has to offer I have seen what makes the Portuguese tick and experienced many of these tours for myself (some back in 2022). This blog is meant to serve as a recommendation for unique activities that you can book to ensure you have an immersive and "quintessentially Lisbon" holiday at the core!
From learning to bake the famous pastel de nata to catching a wave on a local beach, these activities will leave you with unforgettable memories and a real sense of what makes Lisbon so special.
Here’s a little background on six truly unique experiences that you can weave into your trip, with links to the classes and tours I recommend.
1) Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: The Story Behind Portugal’s Iconic Custard Tart
The pastel de nata is arguably Portugal’s most famous dessert. This beloved custard tart originated in the early 19th century at the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in the Belém district of Lisbon. Catholic monks, who used large quantities of egg whites to starch their habits, created the tarts as a way to use up the leftover yolks.
Today, pastel de nata is a staple in every Lisbon pastry shop and food stall, but there’s something especially rewarding about learning to make them from scratch. In a hands-on class, you’ll discover the delicate balance of crisp, flaky pastry and silky custard, and get insider tips on achieving that signature blistered top.
Recommended Pastel de Nata Cooking Classes in Lisbon:
Recommendations for getting the most out of a Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon:
My only regret in visiting Lisbon was not taking a pastel de nata cooking class. For me personally, budget was a factor; with a month long trip I was trying to stretch my budget.
However, I think this experience is one that feels worth it. Being able to take home the skillset needed to recreate the magic of these sweet treat would be pretty cool. While I ate many pastel de nata in my time throughout Lisbon, recreating them is not something in my wheel house.
2) Traditional Tile Painting Class: Preserving Portugal’s Azulejo Legacy
Azulejos are known as those intricate, hand-painted ceramic tiles you will see all over Lisbon, and are an integral part of Lisbon’s (and Portugal's) identity. The tradition was introduced to Portugal by the Moors in the 13th century, though it gained prominence during the 16th century under King Manuel I.
These tiles adorn everything from churches and palaces to residential buildings and street signs. They served both decorative and practical purposes, regulating temperature and protecting facades from the elements. Many of Lisbon’s most famous tile panels tell religious stories, commemorate historic events, or depict scenes of daily life.
A tile-painting workshop offers you the unique chance to learn a centuries-old art form; from tracing traditional patterns to painting with oxides and glazes, and understanding the firing process that gives azulejos their lasting brilliance. Take home a piece of history that you created!
Recommended Tile Painting Classes in Lisbon:
Recommendations for getting the most out of a Tile Painting Class in Lisbon:
When I visited Portugal in 2022, I took a traditional tile painting class, and to this day it remains one of my favorite souvenirs from any trip. There’s something incredibly special about creating a piece of art with your own hands, especially when it connects so deeply to the culture of the place you’re visiting.
If you’re thinking about booking a tile painting class in Lisbon, it’s worth making sure the workshop focuses on the traditional method of painting azulejos. In this style, designs are typically transferred onto the tile using a charcoal dusting technique through a stencil. This outlines the pattern before you paint it by hand using mineral-based pigments, usually in the iconic cobalt blue. Afterward, the tiles are glazed and fired in a kiln to achieve that signature glossy finish you’ll see all over the city.
Consider doing this class at the beginning of your trip, it will take a day to fire and kiln and you will have to return to pick it up.
3) Food Tour with Traditional Eats: A Journey Through Lisbon’s Culinary Roots
Portuguese cuisine is a reflection of its seafaring past, colonial exchanges, and simple, hearty traditions. Lisbon’s food culture thrives in local tascas (small taverns) and markets, where dishes like bacalhau à brás (shredded salted cod with eggs and potatoes), sardinhas assadas (grilled sardines), and bifana (MY FAVORITE marinated pork sandwich that is out of this world) sandwiches reign supreme.
A traditional food tour allows you to taste your way through Lisbon’s history — from medieval convent sweets, to the famous ginjinha (cherry liqueur) first served at A Ginjinha bar in 1840.
Alongside the flavors, you’ll hear stories about Lisbon’s spice trade connections, its reliance on preserved seafood, and the social role of cafés and taverns in daily life.
Recommended Food Tours in Lisbon:
Recommendations for getting the most out of a Food Tour in Lisbon:
If you’re staying in Lisbon for a week or more, you probably have enough time to seek out and sample a wide variety of traditional Portuguese dishes on your own. With several days to explore, it’s easy to visit local tascas, markets, and pastry shops at a relaxed pace.
However, if your visit is limited to just 1-3 days, I highly recommend booking a food tour. It’s one of the best ways to experience a curated selection of Lisbon’s most iconic flavors in a short amount of time. Not only will you get to taste classic dishes like bacalhau à brás, sardinhas assadas, and pastéis de nata, but you’ll also learn about the history and cultural significance behind each bite from a knowledgeable local guide.
A good food tour can help you make the most of a short visit, especially if you want to be sure you’re tasting authentic, locally loved dishes rather than falling into tourist traps. If your food tour does not include traditional grilled sardines, I wouldn't book it!
4) Street Art Tour: Modern Expression in an Ancient City
While Lisbon is celebrated for its historic architecture, it's also one of Europe’s most dynamic street art capitals. The city’s embrace of public art began in the wake of the 1974 Carnation Revolution, which overthrew Portugal’s dictatorship. Walls became canvases for political commentary and social critique.
Today, Lisbon’s neighborhoods — especially Bairro Alto, Mouraria, and Alcântara — are home to works by both local and international artists, including Vhils, known for his chiseled portrait murals, and Bordalo II, who creates animal sculptures from trash to highlight environmental issues.
A street art tour not only uncovers these urban masterpieces but contextualizes them within Lisbon’s post-revolution history, gentrification debates, and cultural rebirth.
Recommended Street Art Tours in Lisbon:
Recommendations for getting the most out of a Street Art Tour in Lisbon:
Most street art tours in Lisbon are centered around neighborhoods like Alfama, Mouraria, and Bairro Alto, and they typically involve quite a bit of walking, often uphill and along uneven cobblestone streets. While these tours are generally listed as suitable for all fitness levels, I’d personally recommend having a reasonable level of comfort walking 2-3 miles, especially with the city’s famously steep hills.
It’s also worth considering the time of year. Lisbon’s summer months, particularly July and August, can be intensely hot, making long walking tours a bit more challenging. If you’re visiting during those months or prefer a less strenuous option, keep an eye out for tuk tuk street art tours. These offer a fantastic way to explore the city’s vibrant murals and public art without the physical demands of a walking tour.
Street art is an important and evolving part of Lisbon’s modern cultural history, but it’s not always the most accessible activity for everyone. Fortunately, there are plenty of creative ways to experience it that suit different comfort and mobility levels.
5) Fado Show: The Melancholic Soul of Lisbon
Fado is Lisbon’s most distinctive musical tradition. This melancholic, soulful genre that traces its origins to the early 19th century to Moorish lament songs or sailors’ ballads.
Characterized by mournful vocals and the plaintive sounds of the Portuguese guitar, fado songs speak of saudade, an untranslatable, deeply Portuguese concept of longing, nostalgia, and love lost.
The genre was officially recognized as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011. Today, you can experience fado in historic taverns of Alfama, Chiado and Bairro Alto, where performers carry on the tradition much as it was heard throughout the past.
Recommended Fado Shows with History in Lisbon:
Recommendations for getting the most out of a Fado Show in Lisbon:
When I first started searching for fado shows in Lisbon, almost every option I found included a full dinner, and for a while, I genuinely thought that was the only way to experience it. The idea of committing to a pricey pre-set menu and a multi-hour evening wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.
But good news: you don’t have to book dinner to enjoy fado. There are plenty of options where you can purchase a ticket for the show alone (I’ve linked a few favorites above). These performances are often more affordable, more intimate, and let you pair the music with your evening however you’d like.
Of course, if dinner and a show is your thing, there are great experiences for that too. I personally chose to book my show separately, and loved having the flexibility.
6) Learn to Surf on Portugal's Pristine Coast Line: Lisbon Surfing Lessons
While Lisbon itself is a city of hills and history, its proximity to the Atlantic has made it a haven for surf enthusiasts. Portugal’s surfing roots go back to the 1920s, but the sport really took off in the 1960s and 70s, particularly along the country’s western coast. Today, Lisbon’s nearby beaches (like Carcavelos, Costa da Caparica, and Guincho) are some of the most popular surf spots in Europe. Carcavelos Beach, located just a 20-minute train ride from the city, is especially famous as the birthplace of Portuguese surf culture. The consistent waves, golden sands, and lively surf schools make it an ideal place for beginners and seasoned surfers alike.
Booking a surf lesson here isn’t just a fun activity, it’s a chance to be part of Lisbon’s modern-day coastal tradition. Many local instructors are lifelong surfers who’ll share both technical tips and stories of Lisbon’s vibrant beach culture.
Recommended Group Surfing Lessons in Lisbon:
Cascais: Local Surf Experience (This is the one I did!)
Recommendations for getting the most out of a Surfing Lesson in Lisbon:
Full transparency — I completely wiped out at surfing. The idea sounded amazing, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to try, but in the moment, it just wasn’t for me. Surfing requires two key things: a decent level of fitness and core strength, and a real sense of comfort in the ocean. I had neither that day (or generally lol). My lesson ended early because I was overwhelmed and honestly a little scared.
That said, I don’t regret giving it a shot, and I’m already looking forward to trying again in the future. Not every experience has to be a success to be meaningful, and sometimes the best travel stories come from the moments that don’t go as planned. Do not be afraid to try new things even if they are outside of your comfort zone; it is in these moments we learn the most in life.
Ensure You Experience Portugal Like a Local: Authentic and Unique Lisbon Activity Recommendations
Lisbon is a city best experienced with all five senses. From the scent of freshly baked pastel de nata to the melancholic strains of fado echoing through Alfama’s narrow lanes, every corner of this city tells a story.
These immersive activities offer the perfect way to move beyond sightseeing and connect with the culture, history, and heart of Lisbon. If you’re ready to step off the typical tourist trail, I’ve handpicked some of the best local tours and classes you can easily book to make your trip extra special (you’ll find those links throughout this post).
Trust me, if you choose any of these unique Lisbon activities you’ll leave with more than just beautiful photos, you’ll take home memories, stories, and maybe even a few new skills.
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