The Oceanário opened in 1998 and was the centrepiece of the 20th Century's last World Fair, themed The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future. It eternally binds Lisbon to the Oceans. Discover 8000 sea creatures and 7 million litres of saltwater.

Designed by British architect Amanda Levete, the MAAT opened on the banks of the Tagus to great fanfare in the autumn of 2016. Comprising a former power plant and a separate curvy modern annexe with 7,000 square metres of exhibition space and gleaming white stone turning gold in the setting sun, which is, in itself, an exceptional sight.

The Coach Museum was an initiative of Queen D. Amélia de Orléans e Bragança, wife of King D. Carlos I (1889-1908), who inaugurated it in 1905. It contains an exceptional and unique collection of richly adorned royal vehicles, from the 17th to 19th centuries, used by the Portuguese, other European courts, the Patriarchs of Lisbon and Portuguese noble houses up until the advent of the motor car. The new National Coach Museum building, inaugurated in May 2015, houses the most representative part of the collection. Occupying a site in Belém, it serves a two-fold purpose as a cultural facility and a public space. In the words of Pritzker prize-winning architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha, who designed it, “the museum has no doors and creates opportunities for interaction on every side.”

St. George’s Castle is a magical place, a charming hilltop citadel. Once used as a fortress, today it is home to many local families and a place that certainly deserves a visit. A National Monument since 1910, its memory values and antiquity prove its historical, archaeological and architectural relevance, in terms of Portuguese cultural heritage.

By now, most travellers may have heard about Portugal‘s picture-perfect capital full of medieval infrastructure sandwiched between 19th-century and contemporary buildings. Despite the many steep hills throughout the city, walking is the best way to experience Lisbon (the tram may be the second best way), and each side street and corner have different treasures to discover. One, possibly unexpected, example is Lisbon’s street art.

One of Lisbon’s top restaurants, overseen by famous Portuguese chef Jose Avillez, Belcanto now sports two Michelin stars. It serves imaginative dishes that certainly deserve the distinction, such as roast sardine served on a Lisbon cobble stone and deconstructed pastel de nata with cinnamon ice cream. The chef’s artistry is to take traditional Portuguese dishes and elevate them to haute cuisine.

Yes, there is a dinosaur but rest assured, everything else is contemporary. Comfort artisan food meets an open kitchen with bold taste and clever twists. Timeless gastronomic choices with a fashion conscience.

Renowned chef Ljubo Stanisic’s restaurant located in Bairro Alto is a Lisbon staple. This offshoot boasts a culmination of Portuguese and Yugoslavian nibbles and creative first courses. Don’t miss out on the great cocktails next to the restaurant’s reception.

Next to the Cais do Sodré station there is a new market square organised and owned by Time Out. We highly recommend this both during the day or in the evening; excellent vibe, great food options, wine and cocktails bars. Lots of fun and open on the weekend until 2:00am.

Chef Kiko Martins fell in love with Peru’s national dish, Ceviche. He opened this little restaurant with a lovely big counter where you can try ceviche puro, with white fish, sweet potato pure, onion, seaweed and tiger’s milk. It’s worth the wait.

Bairro Alto Hotel was awarded the accolade of having the 4th best terrace view in the world. It serves breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner but it’s best enjoyed with a cocktail at the end of the day.

Having a drink in a parking lot might seem odd, but at PARK, drinks are available on the 6th floor overlooking one of the best views of Lisbon, accompanied by live DJ performances. This terraced bar also offers one of the most instagramable cocktails.

Not just a terrace with good cocktails, Topo Chiado is a snacker’s paradise. It has beef carpaccio, minced tuna, burata and eggplant, amongst other delicacies. To top things off it has a fabulous view over the city.

The bar at the rooftop of the Tivoli Hotel is a great spot for a drink at the end of the day. Sure there is not a river view but let’s be honest, watching the movement down the Avenida da Liberdade can be a lot more interesting than watching the ships sail.

This bar, attached to the Chapito circus school, has a large terrace for visitors to enjoy one of the best scenic views in Lisbon. A separately run space, Bartô, has loads going on with exhibitions, poetry recitals and regular live music.

Based on the philosophy of recovering the mythical private clubs of yesterday, this sophisticated and modern venue, with a harmonious combination of architecture and design features, is uniquely located and has excellent service designed to satisfy a select cosmopolitan audience.

There are lots of clubs in Lisbon but none that compare to Lux Fragile. The décor is on point and the music is second to none, courtesy of the resident DJs and top international guests that swing by each week. To top this off, one of the original owners is the infamous John Malkovich.

At Time Out market you will find Rive Rouge, the heir to Lux Fragile. The design is unusual with red lighting, metallic structures and high tables. It’s not huge but there is plenty of space for booty shaking when the music starts.

An 18th-century building, that was once a brothel rented by the hour to prostitutes and sailors, is now this naughty bar. There are two entrances, one on Rua do Alecrim (which includes a small terrace) and another on the "Pink Street" (Rua Nova do Carvalho).

It's decorated like a red-hot cabaret and one of the rooms has kept the stripper pole. It's also a stage for concerts and other events.

Cais do Sodré, was also an area once dominated by strip bars before getting something of an official makeover three years ago. This included painting Rua Nova do Carvalho bright pink. “Pink Street” as it’s now known, is also home to one of Lisbon’s most important clubs for underground music, a “rough and intense” venue called Music Box that hosts loud, sweaty parties.

Looking at Lisbon from its waterfront gives you a different perspective. You may discover Lisbon street by street and district by district but to have a complete view of the city you should have a look at it from the Tagus River. Take a short cruise before sunset as the warm summer light colours the city in yellowish and pinkish shades. Belém Tower, the 25th of April Bridge, Jerónimos Monastery, the Christ the King monument and other astonishing attractions of Lisbon will never be the same for you. The tours run all year round, two hours prior to sunset, so check the exact departure times on the websites of tour providers.

We strongly recommend that you take Tram number 28.

This is the classic tram route of Lisbon, giving tourists the opportunity to visit the city’s finest old neighbourhoods and to see medieval Lisbon, with its narrow, winding streets and alleys that are constantly buzzing with life.

Avant-garde avid shoppers will be pleased by the list of trendy shops available in the city. Avenida da Liberdade, Rua Augusta – which leads into the historic downtown from Praça do Comércio – and Rua Garrett in Chiado, are full of top shopping opportunities. From Fashion Clinic, Yves Saint Laurent and Prada, to Embaixada (featuring an array of Portuguese brands), other trendy boutiques and contemporary galleries and design ateliers, the city's cutting-edge fashion and design haunts lure visitors who are after more than just souvenir magnets of custard tarts and vintage trams.

Costa da Caparica’s seemingly never-ending beach attracts sun-worshipping Lisboêtas, surfers keen to ride Atlantic waves and day-tripping families seeking clean sea and soft sand. Some of the most renowned chefs have also made this their summer ‘hot-spot’; such as Olivier’s ‘Praia’, a beach club at São João da Caparica beach, with a vibrant atmosphere and modern decoration. Ideal for lazy lunches with one foot on the sand or late afternoon snacks after a dip in the sea. Discover the charming Princesa beach with a relaxed atmosphere and delicious restaurant.

Alternatively, wander further south until you reach a feast of pine forests and mellow beach-shack cafes; Thickly green, hilly and edged by gleaming, clean, golden beaches and chiselled cliffs, the Parque Natural da Arrábida stretches along the south-eastern coast of the Setúbal Peninsula from Setúbal to Sesimbra.

Enjoy time away from Lisbon on a small group day trip to Arrábida and Sesimbra. Enjoy a drive along the Vasco da Gama Bridge, the longest in Europe. Visit Palmela Castle, then sample four wines at a local winery. Enjoy the fishing village of Sesimbra and visit Arrábida Natural Park where you can soak in spectacular views of the Atlantic. Relax as you sample two local wines at Casa Museu Jose Maria da Fonseca, one of the oldest wine producers in Portugal, before heading to the Cristo-Rei Sanctuary to admire Lisbon from afar.