Lisbon is a unique city of Portugal, living in its own rhythm and by its own laws. It is a real tangle of contradictions, where modernity and history, fashionable establishments and cultural heritage are intertwined. Lisbon, whose sights reflect the spirit of the capital in the best possible way, is able to make you fall in love with it at first sight and immerse you in the unique atmosphere of Portuguese life. If you want to visit all the iconic places of the capital, you need to allocate at least 2-3 days to explore the city. And to make your task easier, we decided to make a selection of the best sights of Lisbon for you, which are definitely worth visiting during your trip.
Lisbon Oceanarium
Among the attractions of Lisbon in Portugal, the Lisbon Oceanarium is extremely popular, which was recognized as the best oceanarium in the world in 2017. Oceanário de Lisboa is the second largest aquarium in Europe after L’Oceanogràfic in Valencia. It contains more than 15,000 creatures of more than 450 different species. The central element of the Oceanarium is a huge aquarium located in the center of the building. It is filled with seawater with a volume of 5 million liters, has a depth of 7 meters and occupies 2 floors.
The main large aquarium houses over 100 species of animals, including barracudas, sharks, rays, tunas, moonfish, groupers and moray eels. The operators of the Oceanarium are particularly proud of the moonfish. Due to the high demands on the care and maintenance of this species, there are only a few aquariums in the world that can display it.
Four other large aquariums are located around the central tank. All of them are well lit, and there are signs with the names of the sea creatures and convenient signs everywhere.
On the first floor there is a large cafe, as well as a souvenir shop. Visiting the Lisbon Oceanarium will be interesting for both adults and children. In order to see everything you will need at least 2-3 hours.
- Address: Esplanada D. Carlos I | Doca dos Olivais, Lisbon 1990-005, Portugal. The most convenient way to get to the oceanarium is by metro. Read here how to use the city’s underground .
- The oceanarium is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00.
- The entrance fee for adults is 19€, for children from 4 to 12 years old – 10€.
- Website: www.oceanario.pt.
Lisbon Zoo
If you can’t decide what to see in Lisbon, then feel free to go to the capital’s zoo. A distinctive feature of this place is the presence of a funicular, which you can ride, observing wild animals from above.
This new zoo is home to about 2,000 animals and about 300 species, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. There are white tigers, lions, bears, rhinoceroses, different types of monkeys, as well as peacocks, flamingos and penguins. All the animals live in spacious enclosures, look well-groomed and behave quite actively. The zoo offers the opportunity to watch a dolphin show.
Interesting fact! The veterinary hospital there, opened in 2008, is recognized as the best in Europe by the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums – EAZA.
In general, the territory of this attraction is small, but well-maintained, surrounded by greenery. At the entrance to the Lisbon Zoo there are several cafes. In order to see all the animals, you will need about 3 hours.
- Address: Estrada de Benfica 158-160, Lisbon 1549-004, Portugal.
- The attraction is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 from September 21 to March 20, and until 20:00 the rest of the year.
- The entrance fee for adults is €22.50, for children aged 3 to 12 – €14.50. The price includes a ride on the cable car and a dolphin show. A 5% discount is provided when purchasing tickets online.
- Official website: www.zoo.pt.
District Alfama
Among the attractions of Lisbon, it is worth visiting the historic quarter of Alfama, which is the oldest district of the Portuguese capital. Wandering through the labyrinth of narrow shady streets, sometimes going up, sometimes falling down, you will be imbued with the authentic atmosphere of old Portugal. Unusual shops and cafes are nestled here, and the Santa Lucia observation deck offers breathtaking views of the city. The area has preserved many ancient houses, the decoration of which is laundry drying on ropes.
There are several attractions in Alfama: we recommend that everyone see the National Pantheon, as well as visit the Church of San Antonio and the Se Cathedral. In the area, tourists have an excellent opportunity to ride an old tram, visit a flea market, and in the evening, stop by a restaurant and listen to fado, a national romance. Travelers who have been here advise going to Alfama in comfortable shoes and spending at least 2 hours visiting this place.
Jeronimos Monastery
If you look at the photos and descriptions of Lisbon’s attractions, your attention will definitely be drawn to the majestic white building with original lace carving. This is the Jeronimos Monastery. It was founded in 1502 by the monarch King D. Manuel I in honor of Vasco da Gama, who made his famous journey to India. The pride of the religious complex was the Church of St. Mary, the decoration of which is an incredible combination of Gothic with Baroque and Classicism. Here you can look at the statues of saints, appreciate the skillful stained glass windows and bas-reliefs, and also honor the memory of Vasco da Gama, whose remains rest within the walls of the church.
In addition to the church, the monastery complex still contains most of the magnificent buildings that contributed to its international recognition, including the former refectory for the monks and the former library.
Some tourists claim that the monastery itself is not particularly interesting inside: much more curiosity is aroused by the Church of the Holy Virgin Mary, admission to which is absolutely free.
The Jeronimos Monastery houses an archaeological museum and also hosts choral concerts.
- Address: Praca do Imperio | Lisbon 1400-206, Portugal.
- You can visit this attraction daily from 10:00 to 18:30; from October to April the cathedral closes an hour earlier.
- Entrance ticket to the monastery for adults costs 10€, for children – 5€.
Belen Tower (Torre di Belen)
When planning a trip to Portugal, you probably looked at many photos of Lisbon attractions with descriptions of the area and paid attention to the medieval tower standing on the banks of the Tagus River. This is the famous place in the capital called Torre de Belém, which has long been the city’s calling card.
It is one of the architectural elements that highlights the cityscape of Lisbon’s monumental coastal district of Ajuda Belém. Built to perpetuate the memory of Lisbon’s patron saint, Saint Vincent, over the years the structure has served as a defensive point, a prison, a customs house and a telegraph office, but today it serves as a museum.
The tower boasts typical Manueline decoration, with twisted ropes encircling the building and ending in elegant knots, armillary spheres, crosses of the Order of Christ and naturalistic elements. And at the very top of the tower there is a viewing terrace from where visitors can enjoy a picturesque panorama of the river, the 25 de Abril bridge and the statue of Jesus Christ.
Many tourists do not recommend visiting this place on weekends, when crowds of people gather at the tower and you have to wait in line for 1.5-2 hours to get inside.
- From October to May the attraction is open daily except Mondays from 10:00 to 17:30, and from May to September from 10:00 to 18:30.
- The entrance ticket to the museum costs 6€.
- Address: Avenida Brasília — Belém, Lisbon 1400-038, Portugal.
Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio)
All guests of the capital of Portugal have an excellent opportunity to visit one of the largest squares in Europe – the Plaza de Commerce, the territory of which covers 36 thousand square meters. Previously, a royal palace towered on this area, but the earthquake of 1755 destroyed it to the ground. The landmark is located on the bank of the picturesque Tagus River, in its center there is an equestrian monument to King Jose I, and nearby there is the Triumphal Arch leading to Rossio Square.
In the water, a few meters from the embankment, you can see two ancient columns, which are sometimes called the gateway to Portugal. Numerous cafes and restaurants of Lisbon are located around the square , the oldest of which is more than 240 years old! In the evenings, various events are held here, including impromptu concerts and a light show. This attraction is interesting to visit, so if you do not know where to go in Lisbon, go to the Commerce Square.
Where to find: Avenida Infante Dom Henrique, Lisbon 1100-053, Portugal.
Bairro Alto district
The Bairro Alto district of Lisbon is a haven for bohemians, the epicenter of nightlife, glamour and fun, where young people flock after sunset. Life here is especially vibrant on Friday and Saturday evenings, when the trendy clubs and luxurious restaurants of the area fill up with tourists and locals. But even during the day, Bairro Alto is of great interest to tourists: there are several viewing platforms here from which you can admire the city landscapes running down below.
The area is located on a high hill, and only a desperate tourist would dare to get here on foot. In order to make life easier for visitors to Bairro Alto, a special lift, the Elevator do Carmo, was installed here, connecting the quarter with the Baixa district. Although this part of Lisbon is not one of the oldest, you can find interesting architectural solutions in the form of houses made to look old. And all theater lovers should visit the National Theater of São Carlos.
Castle of St. George
If you look at the sights of Lisbon on the map, you can mark for yourself such a must-see place as the Castle of St. George. The oldest building, built in the 6th century, is spread over an area of more than 6 thousand square meters. The castle, located at the top of the capital, has become one of the most exciting city observation platforms, from where you can see the whole of Lisbon at a glance. This monument of ancient architecture is worth visiting for its dungeons and towers, its blooming park and peacocks walking around it.
It also still has eleven towers, each of which had its own purpose: for defense, collection and storage of rainwater, a treasury, etc.
In order to leisurely explore all the hidden corners of the landmark, you will need at least 2 hours, and then you can relax in the shady park, enjoying the views of the bay. There is a cafe on the castle grounds, where tourists while away the time with a cup of coffee.
- Address: Rua de Santa Cruz do Castelo, Lisbon 1100-129, Portugal.
- The facility is open daily from 10:00 to 21:00.
- The entrance fee is 10€, for children and young people 13-25 years old – 5€, for children under 12 years old – free admission.
- Website: https://castelodesaojorge.pt/.
Tram No. 28
The seemingly ordinary old tram with yellow cabins has long become a real attraction for travelers. Its route passes through the famous sights of Lisbon, so tourists use it for a panoramic acquaintance with the city. The route that tram No. 28 follows has existed for more than 50 years. To see all of Lisbon from the window of a yellow carriage, it is better to start your trip early in the morning from the final stop.
The cost of a tram ride is 3€.
Viewpoint Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
Lisbon is a city on seven hills, so there are a great many observation platforms here. One of the highest and most picturesque platforms is Miradouro da Senhora do Monte. And if you have not yet decided what is worth visiting among the sights of Lisbon, then do not hesitate to include this observation terrace in your list. The platform offers a beautiful view of the capital, the river, the castle and the bridge, from here you can also watch the takeoff and landing of planes.
On the platform there is a cozy cafe, a miniature church and benches in the shade of cypress and olive trees, where street musicians often delight travelers with their singing.
- The Miradouro da Senhora do Monte observation deck is open 24 hours a day and admission is free.
- Location: Rua Senhora do Monte 50, Lisbon 1170-361, Portugal. You can get here by tram number 28.
Viewing platform Miradouro da Graça
If you decide to see Lisbon in 3 days, but are unsure what to include in your excursion list, we recommend paying attention to the Miradouro da Graça observation deck. This observation terrace differs from others in its cozy atmosphere, where time flies unnoticed. Having settled down under the tree crowns, you can contemplate a beautiful panorama of the city and the Tagus River. On the observation deck, it is worth visiting the Graça Church, which was founded in the 13th century and for a long time served as a monastery for the Augustinian Order.
Miradouro da Graça pleases travelers not only with its charming views, but also with a cozy park and a cafe where you can admire the juicy Lisbon over a glass of wine or a cup of coffee. Street musicians often perform here in the shade of the pine trees, which allows you to further immerse yourself in the unique Portuguese flavor. The Miradouro da Graça observation deck is especially beautiful at sunset, when you can see how the day smoothly gives way to evening.
- The attraction is open to visitors 24 hours a day, admission is free .
- Where to find: Largo da Graca | São Vicente, Lisbon 1170-165, Portugal.
Museums
Lisbon preserves the unique cultural and historical heritage of Portugal, which is reflected in the numerous museums of the capital. Among them, the following deserve special attention.
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
Built by the entrepreneur and philanthropist Calouste Gulbenkian, the museum is an art gallery that exhibits works by European painters, as well as monuments of oriental and ancient art. Among the paintings, you will find canvases by famous artists such as Renoir, Manet, Rembrandt, Rubens, etc. In addition to paintings, you can admire ancient Persian carpets, original jewelry, antiques, antique furniture and ancient books in Arabic.
National Tile Museum
This is the kingdom of azulejos – Portuguese ceramic tiles of white and blue tones, which are used to cover the facades of many buildings in Portugal. Here you can learn about their history, learn about the intricacies of their production and, of course, look at numerous examples from different eras. Even those who have never been interested in ceramics will find this attraction interesting to visit.
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Berardo
This is a large museum of modern art, where works of the 20th and 21st centuries are presented. The gallery is divided into several sections, each of which exhibits its own direction in painting. Here you can get acquainted with the works of Warhol, Picasso, Pollock and other outstanding masters of art.
See also: 20 most interesting museums in Lisbon .
What to see in the surrounding area and where to swim
Of course, the capital of Portugal is rich in attractions, but there is also something to see in the vicinity of Lisbon. A striking confirmation of this is the ancient city of Sintra , which is more than 11 centuries old. This is a real treasure trove of ancient buildings in the form of the Moorish castle , monasteries, the famous Pena Palace and the residence of the Portuguese monarchs in Sintra . These attractions are located against the backdrop of landscapes drowning in flowers and greenery.
Cape Roca , located 40 km from Lisbon, is also worth visiting. Breathtaking cliffs, beautiful views of the ocean, pristine natural beauty – all this awaits the traveler who has visited the cape, which is often called the end of the world.
Now you know exactly what to see in Lisbon, and all that remains is to find out where you can swim. There are no public beaches in the Portuguese capital itself, so for a beach holiday you need to go to small settlements that are located 15-25 km from the city.
Conclusion
Lisbon, whose sights will not leave anyone indifferent, will give you an avalanche of new impressions and emotions. And to make your trip to Portugal a success, make a list of iconic places that meet your interests in advance. We hope that the information from our article will help you in this exciting endeavor.
