10 Best Outdoor Hangout Spots in Lisbon

Lisbon locals love to brag about the sunshine, and for good reason. Since moving to Lisbon, we've fallen in love with the many parks and praças (squares) sprinkled throughout the city. Combine this with the kiosk ("quiosque" in Portuguese) culture—small food stands in public places that offer cheap snacks and drinks—and you have a perfect way to spend the afternoon outside with friends. So grab your favorite beverage and enjoy the ten best outdoor hangout spots in Lisbon.

Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

Best view of Lisbon

Get your camera ready, because this is the best view in Lisbon. This lookout point offers a year-round kiosk, but you'll almost always find additional food, drink, and souvenir booths to celebrate festivals and holidays throughout the year. If your looking for a beer, ask for uma imperial. For wine, a copo de vinho branco works best in the sun.

Praça das Flores

Best Overall Vibes

To say we're biased toward Praça das Flores would be an understatement—it's no coincidence we live just up the block. There's been a recent influx of trendy bars and restaurants going in around the square, but we recommend you stick to our old favorite: grab a glass of wine at Black Sheep—recently awarded Lisbon's best wine bar—and do some people (or dog) watching in the small park.

Jardim da Estrela

Most Nature-y

One of the largest green spaces on the list, Jardim da Estrela offers multiple kiosks and plenty of room to wander around and get lost in the jungle-like atmosphere. This is also a very kid-friendly park, with two large playgrounds to keep the younger ones busy while you relax with a beverage. For sightseers, it offers both easy access to the majestic Basílica da Estrela and a perfect spot to pick up the iconic Tram no. 28.

Miradouro Santa Catarina (Adamastor kiosk)

Best Sunset View

Dare we say the best sunset spot in Lisbon? While it's light on greenery, this miradouro and kiosk offers gorgeous views of the Tejo and Ponte 25 de Abril bridge. You'll often find live musicians jamming on the terrace as the sun goes down. And for trivia buffs, here's a fun fact: Adamastor refers to a mythological character from Luís de Camões's epic poem, Os Lusíades. The luso- prefix you might see on businesses and organizations around the country and abroad also refers to Portugal and the Portuguese language.

Praça de Alegria (or Banana Cafés on Liberdade)

Best for Live Music

If you're visiting Lisbon during the June Sardine Festival (Festas dos Santos Populares or Festa de Santo Antonio), don't miss the party in Praça de Alegria which runs throughout the entire month. Grab a plate of sardines or a bifana (famous Portuguese pork sandwich with mustard), a cold beer, and settle down at one of the picnic tables to listen to live music. If you aren't visiting in June, there's a nice kiosk right in Praça de Alegria with occasional live music, or you can opt for people-watching at one of the Banana Cafés right around the corner on Avenida de Liberdade, which also typically have live music on weekends.

Quiosque das Portas do Sol

Best Views of Old Town Alfama

This is probably the most touristy spot on the list, and rightfully so. Situated next to best best viewpoint of Alfama, this is the perfect place to stop and give your legs a break before descending into Alfama's maze of streets below.

Parque Eduardo VII

The largest park on the list, Parque Eduardo rises above Avenida da Liberdade, the backbone of Lisbon's downtown area. Climbing to the top of the park is quite the workout, but well worth the views. It's one of the few places where you can take in both the east and west sides of Lisbon's hills at once. While there is a lovely kiosk here, we recommend you bring your own blanket and some beverages to enjoy an idyllic picnic on the grass.

Jardim do Príncipe Real

Situated along the main avenue through Príncipe Real, this shady garden is a great place to duck out of the sun during the summer heat. There's two kiosks here (one on either side of the park) and it's also perfectly situated near some of the best bars and restaurants in Lisbon, so you'll likely pass it a few times as you make your way around the city.

Praça Campo dos Mártires da Pátria (and Jardim do Torel)

Grab a gelato on the corner and walk around this large park filled with farm birds: chickens, roosters, ducks, and geese. I also swear I saw a pig here one time. Hidden around the corner you'll find the under-appreciated Jardim do Torel. This garden offers a beautiful counterpoint to the view you get from Miradouro de Alcântara, looking instead over the western half of Lisbon (and it even has a swimming pool you can dip your toes in).

Jardim da Parada (Campo de Ourique)

Best for Families

The most out of the way spot on the list, you'll find Jardim da Parada (sometimes called Jardim Teófilo Braga) nestled in the heart of Campo de Ourique, Lisbon's most walkable (i.e. flattest) neighborhood. A true neighborhood park, you'll see families with kids and dogs hanging out next to the duck pond all afternoon and evening. The kiosk here also has amazing french fries.