10 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in Lisbon

The History of Lisbon Mural is a fascinating work of public art that features a comic series of panels showcasing the history of the city in a tunnel. The work was created by Nuno Saraiva, a muralist and artist who used his talent to showcase the city's rich history in a burst of color.

The mural is somewhat hidden from normal paths, being located in a tunnel near an overlook on the coast. The tunnel is relatively small, so the mural's location on the overhanging arch won't be too far away. It's located in southern Alfama.

Livraria Bertrand is one of the oldest operating bookstores in the world and boasts a rich history and wide selection. The bookstore dates back to 1732, and it has been frequented by such famous authors as Fernando Pessoa and Alexandre Herculano.

When you visit, you'll find a wide selection of books available in about every genre you can imagine. While most of it is in Portugese, you'll still find quite a few English books here. See it for yourself in Chiado, south of the city centre.

Jardim da Quinta dos Azulejos is a tranquil garden that's home to vibrant greenery and impressive tile work in architectural structures. The garden dates back to the late 18th century, and the use of design practices that were common at the time makes you feel as if you've stepped into the past.

The tile work here is particularly impressive, as you'll find it present among pillars, walkways, benches and other structures, showcasing one of Portugal's most well-known traditions. You'll find it a few miles northwest of the town center near Q.Ta do Pisany.

The Águas Livres Aqueduct is a massive structure that shows off some of the best of 18th-century Portugese engineering, and you can explore its still-standing construction. This aqueduct has stood the test of time and even the infamous 1755 earthquake that hit the city.

The aqueduct sports mostly Baroque designs, but the arches tend to have a bit of a Gothic flair to them as well, making it a unique piece of construction compared to other aqueducts. See it all for yourself just north of Campo de Ourique, northwest of the town center.

Museu Nacional do Azulejo, or the National Tile Museum, is home to a massive collection of works and artifacts detailing the history of tile and its influence on Portugal. The items on display here go back to the 15th century and include works from the modern era as well.

The museum is located within the former Madre de Deus Convent, which was built in the 16th century and adorned with Baroque designs and artwork. See it all for yourself east of the town center by Xabregas.

Hospital de Bonecas (Dolls Hospital) is a repair shop that specializes in fixing old dolls and has been in business for nearly 200 years. Bringing old toys back to life is their specialty, and they've been a staple of the community since 1830.

When you visit, you can see an array of dolls from various time periods on display that they have repaired and were subsequently unclaimed. More eerie sights can be seen in their doll parts section featuring displays of arms, eyes and half-finished works. You'll find it all about halfway between Alfama and Bairro Alto.

Museu da Marioneta is a museum dedicated to preserving the history of puppetry with exhibits covering the practice from all across the world. Puppetry is something that has developed independently across multiple cultures throughout history, and this museum shows off how that happened and how it all merged as the world became more connected.

As you may expect, the puppetry here primarily focuses on the Portugese tradition, but you'll still find plenty of other influences as well, including quite a bit from Southeast Asia. See it all for yourself about a mile or so southwest of the town center near the riverbank.

The Tejo Power Station is a historic thermoelectric power plant that also serves as an electricity museum where you can learn all about the history of power in the city. The building dates back to 1909, and the power station functioned until the 1970s, though it stopped being a major contributor to local power in the 1950s.

When you visit, you'll be able to see numerous artifacts and well-maintained machine systems that allow for power production. You can even gain insight into the working conditions of the plant. You'll find it along the riverbank in Santa Maria de Belem.

Livraria do Simão is a unique bookstore in that it's so tiny that only a single person can fit inside at a time. The bookshop's interior standing space maxes out at about 4 square meters. The owner of the shop will have to step outside if you want to have a look around inside, but he's used to it.

Despite the small space, you'll still find plenty of books inside, with about 4,000 available. They tend to consist of secondhand books, including some from famous writers like Fernando Pessoa and Eça de Queirós. You can visit it in western Alfama, just south of the town center.

Casa dos Bicos, or the House of Beaks, is a fascinating house that features spikes on its facade and a rich history you can explore. The building dates back to the 16th century, and even then it stood out in contrast to typical Renaissance architecture.

Throughout the years, this building has been used for a variety of purposes, including as a residential house, a warehouse, an art gallery and a fish market. It's currently used by the Jose Saramago Foundation. You can visit it south of the town center in southern Alfama.