Things to do in Lisbon in June

Things to do in Lisbon in June

If you are in Lisbon in June – Congratulations! I think this is one of the best months to visit the city: it’s warm but you’re not melting yet, you can enjoy both the city center, museums and the beach AND you are in Lisbon for the Popular Saints celebrations – the greatest celebration in the whole year! If you’re visiting Lisbon in June, here’s a list of the best things to do in Lisbon in June.

Once upon a time…: Lisbon Story Center

The first great thing to do in Lisbon in June is to visit the Lisbon Story Center. This is a great starting point for your visit in Lisbon. It is an interactive museum that tells the story of the main events from the city’s history to its current day.

Located in the heart of the city, in Terreiro do Paço, you can visit this museum and head on our Alfama tour to see how the stories played out in the real city.

Eat sardines on bread

If you are in Lisbon in June, one of the best things to do is to try out one of Lisbon most traditional foods: sardines! Usually you’ll find them in restaurants during the summer and they’ll be served with a side of boiled potatoes and vegetables.

However, it’s June! I highly recommend you to walk up to the city center (the areas of Castelo and Alfama) and try it as it was originally served centuries ago: on a slice of bread. We love it because all the flavorful juices of the grilled sardine soak up the bread. Not only is it easy to eat, it is delicious.

Get a different kind of souvenir: Book Fair

If you are in Lisbon in June, you are in luck! You are in time for the Book Fair which takes place every year. This year it will happen from the 29th of May to the 16th of June. This is an important event in Lisbon, one of the oldest cultural events in Lisbon.

The whole Parque Eduardo VII becomes invaded with books stands. It looks like a gigantic open air library. Lisbon residents go there to discover what’s new, find old editions of favorite books, enjoy generous discounts and the sunny weather while in this city-center park. If you’d like to drop by, the metro station of Marquês de Pombal (both blue and yellow lines) takes you right to the spot. Here is your chance to buy a different kind of souvenir. Instead of buying mugs and keychains, this time bring a book from Lisbon!

Party “à portuguesa”: Festas de Lisboa

June is the best month to visit Lisbon for one simple reason: the Popular Saint celebrations. This is something you won’t be able to experience any other time of the year. The celebrations take place all through the month. Everybody get together on the streets to drink, to eat, to dance, to sing, to party! All the streets are decorated with flowers, lights and garlands. You won’t see an atmosphere like this one anywhere else. And if you make it to the celebrations, believe us, you will want to come back next year.

On the 12th of June, you will witness the most amazing popular parades, with handmade costumes. And you also get to attend weddings. The couples march along with the parades. Every year, Lisbon City Council finance the wedding of 26 couples (who could not afford it by themselves). Come find out the reason why these celebrations are so important for Portuguese and how they were born. Come experience the traditions, deeply rooted in Portuguese history, that will never fade!

Any night in June is a great opportunity to explore the neighborhoods of Castelo and Alfama. Have a drink and a sardine to celebrate the popular saints with the sound of popular music.

Go to a concert

As soon as you arrive in Lisbon during the month of June, you will soon understand that it is, indeed, one of the most festive months of the year in the city! Parties and festivals take place the whole month around the city! If you want to do something different while in Lisbon but still enjoy music and the company of the locals, I suggest you to go to a concert!

On the 1st and 2nd of June, Ed Sheeran will be performing at Estádio da Luz. However, the two shows have sold out. If you’re really interested in attending his concert, what you should do is to the check the Facebook event for the concert to see if anyone is selling their tickets.

The Glassjaw band will also be performing on June, 23rd at the Lisboa Ao Vivo concert venue. Julio Iglesias on June, 29th and Kool & the Gang on June, 30th, both at Altice Arena! If you want to attend one of these shows, buy your tickets in advance, to make sure you guarantee your place!

Open up your horizons: Belem Tower

To visit the Belem Tower is a must-do in Lisbon in June. The construction was finished in 1519. Its main purpose was to watch Portuguese and foreign vessels going out and coming in Lisbon port. At that time, the Belem Tower was one of the most important crossing points in the world for international trade.

The UNESCO elected it as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. You really should visit the Belem Tower in June. The weather is really pleasant, and if you go to the top of the tower, you will love to watch the waves smashing against the walls. The visit of this monument is essential to the understanding of Portuguese history. By joining our Belem tour, you will learn it all.

Admire a mix of architectural styles: Sintra

One of the best things to do in June is to take a one day trip to Sintra. Sintra is a magical area with a lot to see and to visit. You can visit the famous and colourful Pena Palace (one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal), the Moors Castle, the Quinta da Regaleira, and many more amazing monuments. But also the forest and the beach that looks like it is straight out of a fairytale.

Sintra has so much to see! It would be a shame not to seize this opportunity. And before you leave, have a taste at the traditional and delicious Queijadas from Sintra. Yes, each municipality does have its own traditional desserts and are as tasty as one another. You can go to Sintra by train, it only takes thirty to forty minutes to get there from center city!

We hope you enjoyed our selection of things to do in Lisbon in June. By following our suggestions, you will live an unforgettable experience. In June, the weather is extra nice! It is warm, but not too much. It is the perfect temperature! You will enjoy it so much, we are pretty sure we will see you again next year! The celebrations are one-of-a-kind. People are one-of-kind. Traditions are one-of-a-kind. The history is one-of-a-kind. The lifestyle is one-of-a-kind. Spend your trip “à portuguesa”. Learn all the customs and stories with us. We want to make sure you spend the best time of your life in Lisbon! You can count on us, so contact us anytime!

Até jà! See you soon!