Top 15 Things to Do in Almada Portugal
Almada (aka Margem Sul from Lisbon) is a great place to explore and experience the rich culture and beauty of Portugal. There are many activities and sights to explore while visiting Almada. One of the most popular attractions is the Cristo Rei Monument, which is a large statue of Jesus Christ overlooking Lisbon.
Other popular attractions include the Almada Cathedral, Cacilhas, Casa da Cerca, Almada Forum and the popular beaches of Costa da Caparica and Trafaria.
Some of my favorite activities to do in Almada include exploring Parque da Paz, checking out the vibrant street art in Cova da Piedade, taking a stroll along the beautiful riverfront area and visiting the museums and art galleries.
After living in Lisbon for over a year, we moved to Almada in September 2022 and have been enjoying getting to know this area more thoroughly. This blog post is about the best things to do in Almada, where to stay in Almada, where to eat in Almada and fun experiences you won’t want to miss in Almada.
Hot tip: A rental car isn’t absolutely necessary, but if you want to easily visit Costa da Caparica and surrounding areas, a rental car comes in handy. We always use Discover Cars to find our rental cars and it’s super affordable. Here’s the link to it: Discover Cars
What to Do in Almada
cacilhas area (near the ferry)
Cacilhas – Rua Cândido dos Reis is pedestrian-friendly and replete with restaurant terraces, while the riverside Rua do Ginjol has a different atmosphere with decaying old warehouses and whimsical views. You will take the 8-minute ferry to/from Lisbon from Cacilhas. The newly renovated area has fantastic views of Lisbon and the bright red lighthouse is a must-see. This nighttime cruise on the Tagus River is so much fun!
Dom Fernando II e Glória Frigate – this frigate museum shows life on a ship. Historical elements are placed along with mannequins, rooms, and regions on the ship, which are well described. You can see cannons, crew, captain, and medic quarters, kitchens, and where they stored livestock. It makes for an interesting visit along the Tejo River.
Jardim do Rio and Elevator (Elevador Panoramico da Boca do Vento) – walk from the ferry stop in Cacilhas on the riverside walk (Rua do Ginjal) towards the bridge. You will come across some abandoned buildings and the famous Ponto Final restaurant (if you want to eat there, make sure you make a reservation). You will arrive at Jardim do Rio, which is a popular place to watch the sunset when the weather is nice, and then take the elevator up to the top. This is a favorite spot among locals. We like to take a picnic and watch the sunset.
What to Do in Almada Velha
Casa de Cerca is a renovated mansion turned contemporary art center. It has majestic views of Lisbon from the lush garden area. I highly suggest you walk around the garden and take in the beauty of the plants, botanicals, and trees here. This is another FREE activity in Almada. One thing I love about Portugal is how it encourages cultural activities by offering free admission to its museums and cultural centers. During the summer, they host music nights once a month with local bands.
Cristo Rei – This monumental statue is slightly smaller than the Rio landmark that inspired it, and stands at just under 80 meters. You can take an elevator from the beautiful Jardim do Rio and then some stairs to reach the top for fantastic views of Lisbon and the 25 de Abril bridge. Or if you aren’t prepared to walk up the hill, you can take a bus or rideshare directly to the monument.
Coreto de Almada, Jardim do Castelo and Almada Velha – explore Almada Velha and the small medieval area near Jardim do Castelo. There is an amazing viewpoint from Coreto de Almada with a fantastic view of the bridge, Cristo Rei, and Lison. On a clear day, you can see the monuments in Belém and where the river meets the ocean.
Museu de Almada – a museum in Cova da Piedade that tells the story of Almada and the former archaeological site.
cultural things to do in almada
Cine Incrivel – this is a former cinema turned music venue where you can catch performances at least a few times a week. They offer a wide variety of different music genres so you’re sure to find something that you enjoy.
Incrível Almadense – this is a cultural venue for music, theater, dance and other artistic pursuits. They also have performances throughout the year so check their website to see if something is happening during your visit.
Almada Central Library – this museum is located in Praça da Liberdade in São João Baptista Square. It often has free art exhibits inside the building and the library itself offers a section with books in English and a nice area to work on your laptop or use one of their computers.
Teatro Joaquim Benite – this large cerulean-hued theater has a variety of live performances (theater, music and dance) throughout the year including shows for children. Even if you don’t understand Portuguese, it’s a great way to immerse yourself in the language and culture.
Explore the Largest Park in Almada
Parque da Paz – this immense park is the darling of Almada. I could spend days here walking the trails and watching the ducks, loons and geese in the small lake. This is also home to the Almada Green Market from Spring through the Fall. There are some fantastic vendors who sell their handcrafted items at the Green Market, including several vegan food artisans.
Almada Forum – this is a humongous shopping mall. I’m not a fan of malls or shopping, but this mall is a bit different from your typical mall. The architecture is quite stunning and they offer the ability to bring your laptop and use their free wifi to work from there. There is also a large play area for kids so it’s a perfect place to come on a rainy or cold day. You can get here by walking via Parque da Paz or taking public transportation or rideshare.
Really Interesting Area of Almada
Cova da Piedade – explore this area and discover vibrant, colorful murals on the buildings and abandoned warehouses. And definitely check out the main square with the charming kiosk and lovely buildings surrounding it.
Mercado da Romeira – this is a much smaller, tame version of The Time Out Market in Lisbon, but even more fun as it’s not as crowded with tourists. You have many choices for drinks and food. There are a couple of vendors who offer a vegan option, but I’ve only been here for drinks. This market has an awesome vibe with a trendy indoor and outdoor sitting area with a lovely ambience.
Where to Stay in Almada
- Cacilhas Guest Apartments – an adorable area right near the popular street leading to the ferry, click HERE
- Casa Terra Cotta – lovely sustainable + comfy 2 bedroom apartment, click HERE
- Mercure Lisboa Almada – this comfy hotel is located pretty close to the train station of Pragal, click HERE
- Almada Villa – lovely hotel right in the middle of Almada, perfect for exploring the area, click HERE
- Casa do Criativa – charming B&B in downtown Almada, click HERE
Where to Eat in Almada
Almada doesn’t have any 100% vegan restaurants, unfortunately, but you can find options at many restaurants, esp ethnic restaurants: Damasquinho, Nepalese restaruants, and a vegan food truck at the mall.
Fun Paid Experiences near Almada
- Sunset Catamaran Cruise – get the best view of Lisbon and Almada from the river. Click HERE
- Sailboat Tour with drinks – choose what time you want to go and experience lux living. Click HERE
- Sesimbra and Arrabida Day Tour – this would be an amazing way to see this gorgeous area, click HERE
- Private TukTuk tour of Cristo Rei – this would be an unforgettable way to see Cristo Rei, the famous bridge and the views of Lisbon from Almada, click HERE
- Cristo Rei e-bike Tour – great way to see the Cristo Rei monument and explore Almada, click HERE
When to Visit Almada
It’s always a good time to go to Almada. The high season is June-September, and it’s also the highest temps at that time. If you go to the local beaches during the summer, definitely try to arrive early as the beaches get very crowded. Hot tip: many locals prefer to go to the beach after lunch, around 3:00 p.m. so if you arrive earlier in the day, it will be less crowded.
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THE 5 ITEMS WE WERE SO HAPPY TO HAVE FOR ALL OF OUR TRIPS:
- Merrell women’s light hiking shoes – these are amazing because they are lightweight, but are extra grippy and helpful! I also have this pair that I always get compliments on: Merrell Rainbow shoes. Fernando loves his Asics trail runners which are also grippy and perfect for walking on cobblestone streets.
- Thermoflask water bottle – like a Hydroflask, but more affordable! We don’t go anywhere without these water bottles full of purified water.
- North Face Aphrodite 2.0 capris – Seriously, I wear these pants every.single.day! I couldn’t live without these ultra-comfy, lightweight pants that dry so quickly. They are 100% worth the money!
- Osprey Day Pack – this is an awesome lightweight backpack! We easily put the belongings we need at hand for traveling around the city and on public transportation.
- Travel-friendly chewable toothpaste tablets – these are so fantastic for keeping your teeth clean on the go!
OUR FAVORITE EUROPEAN SERVICES:
- DISCOVER CARS – If you want to rent a car while you’re in Europe, our favorite car rental aggregator is Discover Cars. We frequently rent cars and they always have the best prices and great quality vehicles.
- iTalki – if you want to learn another language before traveling to Europe or while you’re there, we love iTalki. We highly recommend their language services.
- NORD VPN – perfect to use your technology in other countries!
- Airalo E-Sim – this let’s you use your phone anywhere in the world without having to get a physical sim! We use this all the time when we travel outside Europe!
- Big Bus Tours – the perfect way to see the city when you first arrive!
- Get Transfer – transfers between all of the airports and cities
This blog post is about the 15 top things to do in Almada Portugal, where to stay in Almada, where to eat and fun experiences in Almada. Have you been here? What did you think?
Read these blog posts for what to do near Almada:
Top 10 Things to Do in Costa da Caparica
The Most Amazing Weekend in Sesimbra
Best Things to Do in Lisbon Portugal
Looking for job opportunities while exploring Portugal? Check out Jooble for online job listings that fit your skills and schedule, allowing you to fund your adventures sustainably.
Or check out this link https://jooble.org/jobs-
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