Lisbon is the capitol city of Portugal and full of wonderful places to see and things to do. It is rich in culture, has a interesting history, and has many friendly locals to welcome you to the vibrant city, Lisbon definitely has something for everyone. Read on for five must-see places in Lisbon.
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Belém District
No trip to Lisbon is complete without visiting the Belém District. Belém is the place where many of the explorers you have heard of started their journeys to new world.
Belém Tower & Monument to the Discoveries
Located on the Tagus (Tejo) riverfront, Belém Tower (Torre de Belém) is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally a watchtower to protect the harbor, it dates from 1514. Make sure it’s on your list as it is one of the best places in Lisbon to visit if historical world explorers fascinate you! Download this very inexpensive audio guide for a full overview!
Nearby you will see the sail-shaped Monument to the Discoveries (Padrao dos Descobrimentos) that celebrates the many famous and not-so-famous explorers from Portugal. The monument was erected for the World Expo held in Portugal in 1940. From here you can also see the 25 de Abril Bridge, which is the spitting image of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. There’s also a Sanctuary of Christ the King statue in the distance that resembles the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Jerónimos Monastery & Pasteis de Bélem
A brisk 15 minute walk will take you to another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 16th century Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jeronimos) boasts stunning architecture. It now serves as the Lisbon Navy Museum. Even if naval history sounds boring, you still may want to buy a ticket and go inside to see more of the beautiful building.
You can reward yourself for all of this walking with a pastel de nata from Pasteis de Belém. This is a delicious and sweet egg custard tart. You will definitely want more than one!
Alfama District
Another district in our list of places to see in Lisbon is Alfama. This is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. You will delight in the district’s cobblestone streets, beautiful hilltop views, and charm. Allow plenty of time to explore the many shops and cafés lining the alleyways.
Make sure to stop and try ginjinha, a shot of sweet cherry liquor often served in a tiny chocolate cup. And definitely try some traditional Portuguese food here, such as grilled sardines (sardinhas assadas), salted cod (bacalhau), octopus (polvo à lagareiro), seafood rice (arroz de marisco), or Iberian black pork (porco preto). I tried every one of these dishes on a recent trip to Portugal, and trust me, they are all delicious!
São Jorge Castle
Once you emerge from the alleyways, you must visit Miradouro das Portas Do Sol or Miradouro de Santa Luzia for beautiful views of the city. Or enjoy the view from nearby São Jorge Castle. This castle was built in the 11th century. Visitors can explore the entire perimeter of the castle as well as visit the castle museum featuring artifacts from the 500 years of Lisbon’s Moorish occupation.
Feira Da Ladra Flea Market & Panteão Nacional
Ready for some shopping? Then don’t miss the open-air Feira da Ladra flea market held on Tuesdays and Saturdays. This market dates back to the 13th century. Expect to see antiques, arts and crafts, furniture, books, and more. After you have spent all of your Euros, visit the Panteão Nacional. This imposing building took three centuries to complete. Construction began in the 1600s and it didn’t open until 1966. Originally intended to be a church, it now houses the remains of Portuguese dignitaries. Don’t miss yet another spectacular view from it’s terrace.
Sé Cathedral
Nearby you will find the Sé Cathedral. No visit to Europe is complete without seeing an ancient church, and this is the best one in Lisbon! Dating to the 12th century, it has been restored and updated many times over the years. Today it features of a mix of Gothic, Romanesque, and Baroque styles.
Fado Musicians & Museu do Fado
Alfama is truly one of the most wonderful places to see in Lisbon for another reason. Many of the restaurants offer the chance to see Fado musicians. Even non-Portuguese speakers will appreciate the melancholy and storytelling style of these musicians. You can also visit the Museu do Fado to learn the history of this unique style of music and perhaps see one of their special concerts.
Parque das Nações District
Another of our wonderful places to see in Lisbon is the Park of Nations (Parque das Nações) district. This district is in stark contrast to Alfama and Belém. Instead of being centuries old, this district is practically brand new, dating from it’s creation for the World Expo in 1998. Here, everything is shining and modern. Enjoy the contemporary architecture, which is quite a contrast from the rest of Lisbon’s historic charm.
Walk along the boardwalk by the river and you will see the city’s largest buildings, Torre Vasco da Gama and twin apartment buildings. Marvel at the Pavilhão de Portugal, a building that looks like a sheet of paper held by two bricks. Also take a peek a the striking Oriente Train/Bus Station (Estacao Gare do Oriente). In the distance you will see the Vasco da Gama Bridge. Spanning 11 miles, it is the longest bridge in Europe. Prefer less steps? Then take a cable car to get a nice view of the area.
Oceanarium
Another of our places not to be missed in this Lisbon district is the Oceanarium. This is Europe’s largest indoor aquarium. Featuring sharks, eels, sunfish, and almost 100 other types of fish, it also has penguins, otters, amphibians and more. This is great for people with kids, those who love animals, or anyone who wants to mix in a little nature to their city break in Lisbon!
Baixa District
Lisbon is reminiscent of San Francisco in many ways. We’ve already discussed the replica of the Golden Gate Bridge in the Belém District, but another way Lisbon is like San Francisco is that it is extremely hilly. Parts of the city are located uphill and some downhill. The Baixa District is located in the lower area and most central area of the city. It was completely destroyed by the Great Lisbon Earthquake in 1755 and now features a unique architectural style popular in the 18th century. Make sure it’s on your list of places to see in Lisbon!
Praça do Comércio
When you see photos of Lisbon, they often include this magnificent yellow building. It is located in the Praça do Comércio. This is one of the largest squares in Europe and is located right on the river. It marks the spot where a palace stood prior to the 1755 earthquake. The statue is of King Joseph I on his stallion Gentil.
The square hosts concerts and street performers and is a favorite place of locals. You can enjoy a meal or drink at one of the many surrounding restaurants. There are a few museums on the square, including the Lisbon Beer Museum and Lisbon Story Center covering the history of the city.
Santa Justa Lift
The Elevador de Santa Justa is a circa 1902 elevator was created to help pedestrians maneuver Lisbon’s steep streets. Save some steps by riding uphill from Baixa to Carmo Square located in the Chiado neighborhood. It’s worth the small fee to take a ride to experience a bit of history and enjoy the viewpoint at the top.
World’s Oldest Bookstore
One of the most amazing things about Lisbon to me is that everything is so old. Every time you turn around, you see another beautiful, ancient building with a long history. So it’s no surprise that Lisbon boasts the world’s oldest bookstore in continuous operation since 1732. Called the Bertrand Bookshop, you can enjoy browsing through the books (they offer books in English as well as Portuguese) and patronize their café for a relaxed experience.
Núcleo Arqueológico
This district also has archeological ruins to explore. The Núcleo Arqueológico offers 45 minute tours that take you back 2,500 years of Lisbon history. You can also wander through the ancient ruins on your own.
Chaido District
Just take the Santa Justa elevator from the Baixa District and you will quickly reach the uphill Chaido district. This is the bohemian part of Lisbon and is a great place to explore. You will find no end of restaurants, cafés, and shops. Make sure to check out the famous A Brasileira café’s rooftop terrace. The best part of this neighborhood is that it is not on the typical tourist’s itinerary. So you will be surrounded by locals!
Convento do Carmo
Make sure to stop by the Convento do Carmo, a 14th century cathedral destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. The archways still stand and surround a collection of artifacts and mosaics inside.
São Carlos Theatre
If you can get a ticket, it’s well worth seeing a production at the opulent São Carlos Theatre. Erected in 1793, this gorgeous building hosts operas, symphonies, and dance performances.
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcántara
And if you aren’t already tired of glorious viewpoints, check out the one from the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcántara. From here you will see the Baixa neighborhood, the Tagus River, and the São Jorge Castle in the distance.
What’s on your list of favorite places in Lisbon?
Tell us below! We’ve only scratched the surface here. It’s no wonder those who visit Portugal always want to go back. You can also contact us and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest so you never miss a post!
