Forbes: What’s New In Lisbon, named “Europe's Best City Break Destination”

Lisbon was named “Europe's Best City Break Destination” in the 2025 edition of the World Travel Awards – for the sixth time. Portugal’s capital is buzzing and continues to attract the world’s tourists at a rapid pace, with a wave of new hotel (including one in an art museum) and restaurant openings, and exciting new cultural events. Here’s what’s new—and worth knowing—now, including dining recommendations from an American expat. By Joanne Shurvell.

The recently opened Mythic Sana, an all-suites boutique hotel is in a restored 18th-century Pombaline-style building in the Baixa district. The property is designed to feel more like a chic apartment than a traditional hotel. Aside from the stylish design and great location, just steps from the majestic main riverfront square, Praça do Comércio, the focus of Mythic is the personalised service, including a dedicated 24 hour butler on each floor, who will unpack and repack guests’ clothes, do errands, suggest a cultural itinerary and more.

The 48 guest suites are spacious, filled with natural light and elegant—many including separate living areas, kitchenettes, walk in wardrobes and marble bathrooms. The atmosphere is calm and intimate and breakfast can be served by your butler or in the hotel’s charming Black Moon restaurant on the ground floor.

Also new is the MACAM hotel in Belem on the outskirts of Lisbon, across three floors of an 18th-century palace and a contemporary building, connected by an atrium. As guests are staying within an actual art museum, they are surrounded by art by contemporary Portuguese and foreign artists – on the walls, on the terraces and in all the hotel's rooms. There’s also a chic restaurant and cafe on site.

ÀCosta by Olivier, with its marvelous setting on the banks of the Tagus River, was awarded “Best Opening of the Year” at The Fork Awards in 2024. With a seafood-focused menu, highlights include oysters and clams to grilled fish and rich lobster rice—alongside cocktails inspired by Portugal’s coastal heritage.

Fine dining in Black Moon at Mythic Sana is another good choice. Not for the faint of heart is the set menu that includes a pairing of cocktails, wine and champagne. If you’re just stopping in for a drink, the bar unusually offers a dozen or so Champagnes by the glass.

Santa Joana is the independent flagship restaurant at the hotel, Locke de Santa Joana, led by the internationally acclaimed chef, Nuno Mendes. The vast dining area spans part of a former convent and some of the original ceramic tiles can still be seen. Highlights from the Modern Portuguese menu include slow-cooked skate with fennel and smoked butter, grilled Alentejo pork presa and prawn rice.

Canalha by chef João Rodrigues ( of Michelin-starred Feitoria) offers an often-changing menu depending on what’s available with a focus on seafood including fresh oysters and clams, grilled fish of the day, cooked over fire and finished with olive oil, scarlet shrimp (carabineiros), and seafood rice dishes.

For the best restaurant tips, ask a local. Maurice James, former Vice President of Marketing at T-Mobile USA, moved to Lisbon last year—and has been on a mission to find the city’s best dining spots ever since. He shares three of his recent discoveries.⁠ ⁠Tasca Bica, a laid-back “chicken joint” on the trendy Rua da Boavista, opened in March. Parreirinha de Alfama isn’t new. In fact, its traditional Portuguese food and authentic fado shows have been thrilling visitors for over 85 years. Maurice says “the staff, food and the performers make for an unforgettable night out in Lisbon.” And for a superb Modern Portuguese fine dining experience, ⁠JNčQUOI Table on Avenida da Liberdade is “pricey but worth it!” There are only 10 seats at Chef Filipe Carvalho’s table where you’ll be treated to a delicious, wine-paired tasting menu.

MAAT, overlooking the river in Belem, a 15-minute cab ride from central Lisbon, is worth visiting for the setting and architecture alone. British architect Amanda Levete designed the stunning curving form of the new building, carefully integrating the historic Tejo Power Station, also one of the museum’s galleries. Currently on show in the Power station until January 2027 is “Turn around. A Look at the EDP Foundation Art Collection (Part I)” one of Portugal’s most significant collections of contemporary art. Among the highlights is a kinetic sculpture of ceramic dogs by Joana Vasconcelos,

MACAM, a new museum and hotel across the road from MAAT, houses the private collection of Armando Martins. The museum’s collection includes more than 600 works, with 215 on permanent display, covering painting, sculpture, photography, and video from the 1970s to today, by both Portuguese and international artists. The site also features a 5-star hotel, a restaurant, a bar set in a former 18th-century chapel.

The Gulbenkian Museum and gardens are an essential stop on any Lisbon visit. It’s no surprise that it’s a regular venue for Lisbon Fashion Week – the architecture and interiors are stunning. One of the galleries is undergoing renovations until late summer but works from the permanent collection (rehung in September 2025) are on display and the beautiful Gulbenkian gardens has a sculpture trail featuring 12 pieces by artists including René Lalique, Edward Burne-Jones and Félix Ziem.

From homewares to footwear and perfume, Parlamento Lisboa offers a wide arrange of niche and familiar brands in a cool neighborhood.

A Vida Portuguesa is ideal for picking up a memento to take home. The shop is gorgeous and celebrates traditional Portuguese craftsmanship and heritage with soaps and perfumers, textiles, tableware, and a grocery section with regional products.

At Ceramicas Linha you can find the shop’s own brand of ceramics plus numerous pieces made by other reputable Portuguese brands. All products are made in Portugal.

Record shop Discoleccao near the Gulbenkian museum is probably Lisbon’s best known used vinyl shop– essential for any serious vinyl scavenger.

The petite bookshop, Under the Cover also near the Gulbenkian has a delightful selection of art and culture books and magazines.