13 Best Sights in Alcântara, Cais do Sodré, and Santos, Lisbon

A former industrial area that was transformed into a symbol of Lisbon's creative spirit, LxFactory is a colorful collection of cafés, bars, and boutiques. There's an excellent bookshop, Ler Devagar ("Read Slowly") with its own bar, plus a rooftop bar atop a hostel that serves cocktails to a young laid-back crowd. There's notable art to admire, too, and fans line up to snap pictures of the giant bee by Bordalo II, one of Lisbon's most celebrated street artists.

Portugal has a rich history of using puppets—from cute to creepy—to tell stories, and this fascinating museum is an opportunity to see the marionettes and masks up close. The only one of its kind in Portugal, the Marionette Museum has expanded in recent years to include an impressive collection of African and Asian puppets, and big-ticket visiting exhibitions have included a selection of puppets from Tim Burton's animated movies. The location, inside a former convent, adds an extra dash of drama to the proceedings, and there’s a chance to get hands-on with some of the puppets.

Portugal’s National Ancient Art Museum is housed in an opulent 17th-century palace, built at the behest of the Count of Alvor and later occupied by the brother of the Marquis de Pombal. Try not to spend too much time gaping at the dramatic painted ceilings, stucco detailing, and baroque doorways or you’ll miss the collection of more than 40,000 works, including the unsettling 1501 triptych Temptation of Saint Anthony by Hieronymus Bosch, one of the most important pieces in the country. A café set in lovely gardens is the perfect place for a bite.

Set inside an old factory complex (not to be confused with the much larger LxFactory), this is an open air cultural space hiding in plain sight on an unassuming side street. A discreet entrance leads to a highly Instagrammable spot filled with food trucks, bars, street art, and performance spaces.

A local landmark since 1892, the Mercado da Ribeira is worth a visit to see where locals go to buy some of the city’s freshest fruit, vegetables, fish, and seafood. The adjoining hall has become a bustling food court, Time Out Market. Some of Lisbon’s top chefs and most popular restaurants were invited to set up counter-service stalls with food to be enjoyed at communal seating areas. Although the clientele is predominantly tourists, it still offers a solid overview of local gastronomy.

In the shadow of the huge Ponte 25 de Abril, the old wharves have been made over so that you can stroll along the riverfront all the way to Belém (taking about 30 minutes each way). At Docas de Santo Amaro, known to locals simply as Docas, waterfront restaurants and bars now inhabit the shells of former warehouses. On the terrace in front of the marina, the party goes on until late into the night.

This museum celebrating Lisbon's public transport past and present is next to the creative hub Village Underground and donated the distinctive double-decker buses that now house that attraction's café. It's worth taking the opportunity to climb aboard a classic tram that trundles from one converted warehouse to another, allowing visitors to admire vintage buses, streetcars, uniforms, and other artifacts from Lisbon's public transport history. A gift shop sells cute miniature buses and trams.

Portugal has a rich history of using puppets—from cute to creepy—to tell stories, and this fascinating museum is an opportunity to see the marionettes and masks up close. The only one of its kind in Portugal, the Puppet Museum includes an impressive collection of African and Asian puppets alongside the Portuguese exhibits. The location, inside a former convent, adds an extra dash of drama to the proceedings, and there's a chance to get hands-on with some of the puppets.

Housed in a former bacalhau (salt cod) warehouse with impressive bas-reliefs on its facade, the Museum of the Orient is one of Lisbon's most important cultural institutions. Funded by the Fundação Oriente (a legacy of colonial Macau and its gaming revenues), this dockside giant seeks to tell the story of the centuries-long Portuguese presence in Asia and to provide a showcase for Asian cultures. Highlights of the permanent collection include unique maps and charts from the golden age of Portuguese maritime exploration and stunning Chinese and Japanese painted screens. The museum hosts excellent inexpensive concerts in its cozy auditorium.

Portugal's National Museum of Ancient Art is housed in an opulent 17th-century palace, built at the behest of the Count of Alvor and later occupied by the brother of the Marquês de Pombal. Try not to spend too much time gaping at the dramatic painted ceilings, stucco detailing, and baroque doorways or you'll miss the collection of more than 40,000 works, including the unsettling circa-1500 triptych Temptations of Saint Anthony by Hieronymous Bosch, one of the most important pieces in the country. A cafeteria with seating in lovely gardens is the perfect place for a post-viewing drink or meal.

At this innovative interactive attraction you'll be whisked up to a glass-floored viewing platform alongside the beautiful Ponte 25 de Abril. You'll learn how this engineering marvel was constructed, get a glimpse inside one of the massive pillars, and take a virtual-reality tour of parts that nobody can otherwise reach.

Lisbon's first bridge across the Tagus River, linking the Alcântara and Almada districts, is a double-decker suspension bridge that stands 230 feet above the water and stretches more than 2 km (1½ miles). Reminiscent of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, it's slightly shorter but still a spectacular sight from any direction. Cars and buses cross on the top tier while trains use the lower level, offering some great views. (The bridge is closed to cyclists and pedestrians.) Overlooking the bridge from a hill on the south bank is the Cristo Rei (Christ the King) statue, which is smaller than its famous counterpart in Rio de Janeiro but still an imposing sight. The interactive Pilar 7 Bridge Experience lets you access a panoramic viewing platform.

Together with nearby LxFactory, Village Underground is a colorful symbol of Lisbon's cool side. Beneath the Ponte 25 de Abril, shipping containers and double-decker buses have been transformed into spaces for eating, drinking, coworking, and partying. DJ sets, vibrant murals, and the chance to eat and drink in a converted bus atop a shipping container are all on offer.