If you’re asking yourself, “What should I not miss in Lisbon?”, you’re in the right place, especially if you want to experience more than just the usual tourist attractions. I’ve been practising slow travel and exploring a country’s culture differently, rather than simply ticking things off my bucket list. On my latest trip to Lisbon, I tried some super fun and unusual activities, from hands-on workshops to small-group tours. They became some of the travel experiences I’ll remember for a long time.

I joined a few activities solo and also made some lovely memories with my boyfriend during a cooking class. Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, or with friends, Lisbon offers plenty of unique experiences beyond the usual sightseeing.

Keep reading to discover 3 unusual and fun things to do in Lisbon for adults: an azulejo tile-painting workshop, a dolphin and bird-watching tour, and a pastel de nata cooking class. These unique experiences are a great way to explore Portuguese culture, discover local traditions and add something different to your Lisbon bucket list.

Note:

This post includes prices and operating times, but they can change at any time, especially the price. Always double-check on official websites so you don’t miss out on your dream Lisbon activity.

This post includes paid partnerships. I attended these experiences for free in exchange for content, but all opinions and feedback are my own. I wouldn’t recommend an experience I didn’t enjoy.

This blog post also contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Aliz’s Wonderland!

Unusual Things To Do in Lisbon (That Are Actually Fun)

Portuguese Tile-Painting Workshop With Lisbon Tile Painting

I really enjoyed this workshop, and now I even have a little piece of Lisbon sitting on my bedroom shelf. I painted my own tiles, and they turned out to be a lovely souvenir. It doesn’t get much more personal than that!

Lisbon Tile Painting is close to Miradouro da Graça and Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, so if you’re heading there anyway to enjoy the views, stop by for a workshop. The studio is accessed through a store called POP (Products of Portugal), where you can also grab Portuguese gourmet specialities like cheese, sardines, olives and wine.

The atmosphere was intimate and friendly, and our instructor, Rita, was super helpful and knowledgeable. First, she told us about the history of Portuguese tiles, then we chose our traditional azulejo pattern from a wide selection of samples. There were simple and more advanced designs, so you could pick something that matched your experience level.

It’s a perfect activity whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple or in a small group.

We painted on raw glaze using mineral pigments, following the traditional Portuguese method. I chose a yellow-and-blue floral, leafy pattern. It took longer than I expected, but the whole process was super fun and relaxing. I also chatted with the other participants while painting.

Rita was always around whenever we had a question or needed a little help. She gave us advice on which brushes to use and how to make painting easier.

I also painted a second tile with a freestyle design. My neighbours painted their cute pug, while I drew a rainbow. After the floral pattern, I needed something simple! It was super fun, and I was really happy with the final result.

Once we finished, Rita placed our tiles in a traditional high-temperature kiln to fire them. We could pick up our creations the following day or any day after that. If you can’t pick them up in person, they can also arrange delivery for an extra fee.

I was so excited to collect my tiles! They were carefully packaged, but I had to open them before travelling to have a look at my creations. They’re so pretty, and the colours are incredibly vivid. I love having these little reminders of Lisbon at home.

Azulejo Painting Workshop Information:

• Website: Azulejo Painting Workshop Lisbon
• Location: Rua da Senhora do Monte 38C, 1170-361 Lisboa, just a few minutes from Miradouro da Senhora do Monte viewpoint 
• 1 tile painting: €45/person (duration: 1 hour)
• 2 tile painting: €50/person (duration: 1,5 hour)
• Starting times: Every day at 10:30 am and 3 pm
• They also offer other types of workshops and an azulejo walking tour. Find more information on their website. 

Watch the Video: Painting My Own Lisbon Souvenir

Want to see more of the workshop and how my tiles turned out? Watch the video!
And subscribe to my YouTube channel to catch the upcoming travel videos.

Dolphin & Bird Watching Tour in Lisbon with Feathers & Scales

I was surprised to find out that you can go dolphin watching in Lisbon. I’ve visited the city many times, but I only discovered this experience recently! Thanks to Lisbon’s location, where the Tagus River meets the Atlantic Ocean, its nutrient-rich waters and ecological diversity attract dolphins and other marine mammals.

I joined a tour with Feathers & Scales because they offer smaller-group boat trips and longer tours than some other companies. Of course, these are wild animals, so there’s no guarantee you’ll see dolphins or other marine life.

We met at 8 am at Belém harbour. It felt a bit early, but the morning light was magical. Vasco, our guide, helped us secure our life vests, and then we took our seats on the boat.

After leaving the harbour, we passed Belém Tower, which looked even more magical from the river. As we headed toward the ocean, we could see the Lisbon waterfront, the bridge, and Cristo Rei behind us. Vasco and the sailor took us farther from the coastline, as he also wanted to look for whales, which are generally found farther out at sea.

For a while, we saw only birds, no marine mammals. I tried not to lose hope and simply enjoyed the waves, the ocean views and that fresh sea air. Vasco stood at the elevated front of the boat, scanning the water for movement and occasionally directing the sailor towards different areas.

And then we spotted them! 🙂

Birds and dolphins were competing for fish. The birds flew around while the dolphins jumped out of the water. It was such a magical sight! We moved closer, and the dolphins started swimming around our boat. They went underneath it, jumped out, and swam alongside us while hunting for fish.

We even saw baby dolphins! Vasco always pointed out where to look, so we wouldn’t miss anything. He was incredibly knowledgeable and shared lots of information about dolphins, other marine mammals and birds. He also shared interesting facts about the area, including the connection between the tides, the moon, and the ocean.

I originally wanted to go on a different day, but Vasco got back to me about joining the Wednesday tour because the weather looked better than the following days. I’m glad I followed his advice. Thank you, Vasco! 🙂

After that, we spotted several more dolphin groups in different locations and approached many of them. Vasco mentioned that dolphins are usually more playful, but seeing them this close was still magical. Such beautiful creatures! We even saw a pregnant dolphin. Vasco spotted her because she wasn’t moving as dynamically as the others.

The coastline was beautiful, too. We saw the Farol do Cabo Espichel lighthouse and the dramatic layers of the cliffs. On the way back, we enjoyed views of the beaches and the silhouettes of Costa da Caparica.

Before returning to the harbour, we even got a little extra sightseeing trip. Vasco showed us the Monument to the Discoveries from the river, which looked gorgeous from this angle, too.

We were amazed by everything we’d witnessed. The only slightly disappointed person was Vasco, as we hadn’t spotted any whales. He’s a fantastic guide, and his passion for the ocean and its inhabitants is obvious. I’d definitely recommend this tour if you want to experience a different side of Lisbon.

Dolphin Watching Tour Information:

• Website: Feathers & Scales
• Location: Doca do Bom Sucesso, Belém (next to Belém Tower)
• Price: from €73,41/person
• Duration: 4 hours
• Tour starts: 8 am
• Availability: All year round, weather permitting. Tours can be cancelled due to bad weather.
• Facilities: Toilets are available at the harbour.
• The boat doesn’t have “proper” seats, so we sat along the sides. A few times, I also sat on the floor because it wasn’t the most comfortable. 
• What to wear: Dress in layers. The boat went quite fast at times, so it was windy, and I was glad I had long sleeves. Vasco also mentioned that he had extra jackets and told us to let him know if we felt cold. And don’t forget your sunscreen, since the boat has no shade.  

Watch the Video: Wild Dolphins in Lisbon?

Want to see these beautiful creatures in action? Check out my video from the dolphin watching tour! And subscribe to my YouTube channel to catch the upcoming travel videos.

Pastel de Nata Cooking Class with My Portugal Moments

When in Portugal, you must try pastel de nata. But where can you find the freshest and tastiest ones? Well, for me, the best ones were the ones I made myself! Yes, I prepared my own pastel de nata. We joined a cooking class with My Portugal Moments to learn how to make these delicious Portuguese custard tarts.

The cooking studio had a cosy atmosphere. We started by waiting at a table with water and juice. Then we put on our Lisbon Homecooking aprons, and the class began.

Before we started baking, our pastry chef, Rita, told us about the history of pastéis de nata. It all started in Belém, where nuns made these custard tarts at Jerónimos Monastery in the 18th century. Later, the recipe was sold to Pastéis de Belém, and to this day, their original recipe remains a secret. The version we made during the class was different from theirs.

Each workstation was shared by two people, so we divided the preparation tasks. First, we made the puff pastry, which involved lots of rolling and folding. I had no idea it required so many steps! Now I look at puff pastry with a whole new appreciation. There’s even a special technique for spreading the pastry into the baking moulds. Rita guided us through each step and helped whenever we needed it. She also shared tips and tricks for recreating the recipe at home.

Next came the custard. My boyfriend did the mixing while I added the ingredients. Getting the right consistency required some attention to detail, but thanks to our teamwork, we made a perfectly creamy egg custard. Finally, we poured it into the pastry cases and put everything in the oven.

Each of us made five pastries. We got to try a few at the studio and take the rest home. The hardest part was having the freshly baked pastéis de nata right in front of us but having to wait a little before eating them so we wouldn’t burn our tongues! While they cooled, we enjoyed some tea or coffee. Rita also brought out a selection of local drinks, including ginjinha, port wine and almond liqueur.

But it was worth the wait. Crispy, creamy, and made by us. Just delicious! 

We had a lovely, friendly group, and everyone was happy with their results. We also received the recipe, so we can make pastel de nata at home whenever we fancy a taste of Portugal.

It’s a fun activity for couples and friends who want to try something new and delicious together. And the best part? You get to eat your own creations afterwards!

Pastéis de Nata Cooking Class Information:

• Website: My Portugal Moments
• Locations: Belém and Santa Cruz (in Lisbon centre)
• Price: starts from €59/person (depends on the location)
• Duration: 1,5-2 hours (we spent 2 hours there)
• Availability: In Belém, classes run on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. In Santa Cruz, they offer multiple time slots every day, with start times depending on the day.
• My Portugal Moments also offers more cooking classes and many experiences across Portugal, from cruises to outdoor adventures and cultural activities. My next booking with them will be the Coasteering in Arrábida 🙂 Make sure to browse their website to find your favourite activity. 

Watch the Video: Best Pastel de Nata in Lisbon?

Want to see how we made these famous Portuguese custard tarts? Watch the cooking class video for a closer look and delicious moments. And subscribe to my YouTube channel to catch the upcoming travel videos.

Which Unique Lisbon Experience Will You Try?

To experience Lisbon beyond its famous viewpoints and tourist attractions, start with these unusual activities. Whether you’re painting your own azulejo tile, spotting wild dolphins or making fresh pastel de nata, each experience offers a different way to discover Portuguese culture.

If you’re visiting Lisbon for the first time, don’t miss my guide to 5 things you need to experience in Lisbon, where I cover the best viewpoints, azulejos, day-trip options and more.

Add one (or even all three!) of these unique experiences to your Lisbon bucket list and make your trip a little more memorable. They’re fun things to do in Lisbon for adults, whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple or with friends.

Now I’m curious: which activity would you try first? The tile-painting workshop, dolphin-watching tour, or pastel de nata cooking class? Tell me in the comments!

For more travel tips about Portugal and Europe, read the following posts:

• 5 things you need to experience in Lisbon, Portugal
• Is a day trip to Cascais enough? – How to spend 3 days in Cascais, Portugal?
• What to See in Graz in One Day: Travel Tips + Best Things to Do in Graz, Austria
• Dublin Bucket List – 26 Things to Do in Dublin, Ireland – A Local’s Picks

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