Imagine strolling hand in hand along the charming streets of Lisbon, a city renowned for its potent mix of light, beauty, and history. From its rooftops to its tiled streets, Lisbon is a city that many people fall in love with at first sight. It should come as no surprise then that Lisbon is also one of the most enchanting places in the world to spend your Valentine’s Day.
Envision dining at a quaint riverside restaurant, where the clink of glasses and the soft murmur of conversations blend with the lapping of the Tagus River. Then, there’s the magic of a sunset viewed from the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. With the city’s panorama stretching before you and the soft strumming of a guitar in the background, it’s a moment where time stands still, and the Castelo de São Jorge serves as the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable romantic moment.
As the night descends, fado houses open their doors, inviting couples to experience the soulful melodies of Portugal’s most iconic music. Fado resonates with the tales of love and longing, creating a soulful ambiance and a chance to surrender to the power of connection.
For those looking for a quieter evening, a walk along the Tagus River, with the reflection of the moon dancing upon its surface presents a gorgeous backdrop for a lovely Valentine’s Day.
Without further ado, let’s reveal our top places to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Lisbon!
1. Have a deep conversation at the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara after dinner in PrÃncipe Real
Location: R. de São Pedro de Alcântara, 1200-470, Lisboa, Portugal
In my opinion, Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara is the most beautiful miradouro, or viewpoint, in the city. Not only is it one of the largest observation points in the city with ample benches on multiple levels and impressive views of Castelo de São Jorge and Avenida da Liberdade, but it is also located in PrÃncipe Real which has a host of delicious restaurants including pizza at M’arrecreo, tacos at Coyo Taco, or a range of Mediterranean-Asian fusion dishes at Lost In Restaurante & Bar.
Valentine’s Day will be quite a memorable evening if you pay a visit to this viewpoint.
2. An afternoon walk along the Tagus River starting at Docas in Santo Amaro and finishing at the Bel̩m Tower Р1 hour
Location: Doca de Santo Amaro, Avenida BrasÃlia, 1350-353, Lisboa, Portugal
Tell your date to bring a nice pair of walking shoes and start at the line of restaurants at Docas in Santo Amaro at the edge of the Tagus River. You can go for Mexican at Restaurante Lat.a or sushi at Izanagi. You also have Portuguese options at Restaurante Doca de Santo or the higher-end 5 Oceanos.
Once you’ve enjoyed a lunch at Docas (maybe even paired with an afternoon boat cruise), take the path at the end of Docas that passes under the Ponte 25 de Abril and continue walking along the Tagus River for one hour until you reach the iconic Belém Tower.
You will pass several restaurants and museums along the way with the highlight being the Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology (MAAT) designed by Amanda Levete Architects. Have a drink at the cafe at the entrance to MAAT as another option instead of stopping at Docas. This cafe is open until midnight from Sunday to Wednesday and 1:00 AM from Thursday to Saturday.
Enjoy a cocktail served from a pineapple or a glass of wine from one of the food carts when you reach the Belém Tower. There is often classical music being performed by buskers in front of the tower, adding an extra romantic touch to your Valentine’s Day.
3. Valentine’s Day Dinner Cruise along the Tagus River
Location: Rua da Cintura do Porto de Lisboa, 1350-355, Lisboa, Portugal
There are a huge number of sunset cruises that leave the Docas area in Alcântara on a daily basis, but we found this special Valentine’s Day dinner cruise departing at 8:00 pm on Valentine’s Day that includes cocktails and a full dinner. For four hours, you will traverse up and down the Tagus River, passing by the main highlights of the waterfront including Belém Tower, MAAT, and Praça do Comércio.
Tables for two on the aisle start at 88€ and tables next to the window will be 98€. Every table seats four people so you can book with another couple or meet new friends on Valentine’s Day. This cruise includes a live DJ and the option to add some romantic extras such as a flower bouquet or bottle of Moet & Chandon to surprise your partner.
For those looking for a more private experience, you can also hire a sailboat for two and cuddle up under a blanket while watching Lisbon go by on your own personal tour.
4. Dinner at the Mercado de Campo de Ourique + Drinks at Procópio
Location: R. Coelho da Rocha 104, 1350-075, Lisboa, Portugal
Mercado de Campo de Ourique is the much quieter and more elegant version of Time Out Market Lisboa in Cais do Sodré. Because it is more off the beaten path, there are fewer tourists to deal with on your romantic Valentine’s Day evening. Choose from a number of high-quality stalls in the market and sit down with your partner to enjoy a meal together surrounded by locals in a relaxed but sophisticated atmosphere.
After your meal, go for a walk in the beautiful (and mostly flat) neighborhood of Campo de Ourique and head over to Procópio Bar, which is about 20 minutes away. Walking into this bar feels like you’re stepping back in time to the 1920s. Enjoy the plush seating and vintage table lamps as you choose from a large selection of cocktails. I recommend the “Procópio.” Spend the remainder of the evening enjoying each other’s company in the low light of this cozy bar.
5. Dinner and Fado at A Severa
Location: R. das Gáveas 51, 1200-206, Lisboa, Portugal
Hours: 8:00 pm – Midnight
If you truly want to give your Valentine’s Day that special Portuguese touch, I highly recommend making a reservation for dinner at A Severa, the oldest fado house in Lisbon. Run by the same family since 1955, A Severa plays an active part in Fado’s history.
The soft lighting and soul-stirring sound of fado combined with the excellent service and delicious traditional Portuguese food make for a truly unforgettable romantic evening. During the course of your evening at A Severa, you will likely hear 3 to 4 different fado performers, and each time the fado begins, the lights go out and everything goes quiet. Your Valentine’s Day date will hopefully be impressed by an evening spent enjoying such a unique part of Portuguese culture.
6. A Walk Along the Other Side of the River Tagus with Dinner at Ponto Final
Location: R. do Ginjal 72, 2800-285 Almada, Portugal
Ponto Final, a restaurant at the edge of the Tagus River with gorgeous sunset views of the Ponte 25 de Abril, will be quite the Valentine’s Day adventure to reach, but the effort will be well worth it. Let me first start by saying that you should try to book Valentine’s Day at Ponto Final for sunset as soon in advance as possible. This place is extremely popular due to its romantic setting.
Fortunately, there is another restaurant next door called Atira-te ao Rio with online booking if you can’t get through to Ponto Final. While the views are not quite as good, they are almost the same and you can always walk for a couple of minutes, catch the view, and sit back down.
The easiest way to reach Ponto Final is to take the 10-minute ferry from Cais do Sodré. Ferries leave every 20 minutes. You can also get dropped off somewhere on the Almada side by car and walk over from there. This will probably take you a minimum of 20 minutes on foot from the drop-off point.
The absolutely unforgettable way to do it? Hire a small fishing boat from the Cais do Sodré side and get the boatman to drop you off on the small beach right next to Ponto Final. Where are you going to find the fishing boat and the fisherman to take you there? That’s all part of the Valentine’s Day fun!
7. A Day in Sintra
Sintra really needs no introduction in regards to why it should be on your Valentine’s Day itinerary. It is one of the most enchanting places you will ever see. It literally looks like a fairy tale come to life. To see the most popular fairy tale castle, also known as Pena Palace, I would try to come in the early afternoon for a drink on the terrace. Don’t bother with trying to go inside. The sheer size of the crowds will remove any romantic feelings you had before joining the line to get in.
My suggestion would be to visit Monserrate Palace and its sprawling gardens or the enigmatic and much quieter Biester Palace for a drink at its charming tea house before going back to Lisbon for a delicious dinner and a moonlight stroll along the Tagus.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to celebrating Valentine’s Day in Lisbon, you are spoiled for choice. Although the weather can still be quite cold and you will need to bundle up for the outdoor activities, the city’s beauty will do most of the work for you in terms of creating a romantic ambiance. Whether you decide to stay in the city center and enjoy some of the many elegant restaurants and bars or venture further to Almada or Sintra for some incredible views, romance will certainly be in the air in the incredible city of Lisbon on Valentine’s Day.
