Sincere love for Lisbon unites people of different ages, wealth, political views and faith. Find out about the most popular attractions in the Portuguese capital and places that tourists rarely visit. Walk the streets of the great city with love!
I fell in love with Lisbon long before my trip to Portugal. This happened in his youth, after reading the great novel by Remarque "Night in Lisbon".
The westernmost capital of Europe stands at the very edge of a huge continent and beckons travelers. Behind the rocky Cape Roca, the land ends, and the endless expanses of the Atlantic Ocean begin. The ancient city hides more than one layer of history. After natural disasters in 1755, it was rebuilt to a project by the Marquis de Pombal.
I invite you on a trip to the sights of Lisbon! We will look at palaces and great temples, picturesque balconies and bright tiled roofs, admire the colorful azulejo tiles on the walls of houses and hear the original Portuguese speech.
Aqueduct Aguas Librish
The landmark, which is considered the hallmark of Lisbon - the grandiose aqueduct - was built in the first half of the 18th century by the order of King Juan V. The structure of 30 arches has long been not used for its intended purpose. Today, excursions for tourists are conducted along the Lisbon aqueduct. The entrance costs 3 €.
Saint George's castle
In the heart of old Lisbon rises a majestic castle with battlements and narrow loopholes. The fortification on the hill has existed since the days of Ancient Rome. In the 8th century, Arab builders erected an alcazar fortress here, and then over the centuries it was completed and rebuilt by the Portuguese monarchs.
Inside is one of the most visited museums in Lisbon. See an impressive collection of medieval cannons, climb the ramparts and walk the perimeter of the castle. Above, there is a magnificent view of the tiled roofs of the city. Standing over Lisbon, it is easy to imagine yourself as a soldier on guard in an ancient fortress! The entrance costs 8.5 €.
Queluz Palace
Do you want to see how the Portuguese kings and the nobility of the court lived and enjoyed themselves? 12 km from Lisbon, there is a luxurious palace complex similar to the French Versailles. For centuries, it was used as a summer residence for the monarchs of Portugal.
Feel like a real king! Walk through the richly furnished halls, sit in the park gazebos and listen to a live music concert! The entrance costs 10 €.
Belém Tower
The fortified bastion on the Tagus River was built at the beginning of the 16th century and welcomed all sailors who returned to their homeland from distant countries. The majestic tower is one of the top attractions in Lisbon and is considered one of the seven wonders of Portugal.
Tourists come to the island to admire the exotic architecture of Manueline and the vastness of the Tagus, to see original sculptures of rhinos, casemates and ancient cannons. The entrance to the Belém Tower costs 6 €.
Cathedral
Residents of the city call the ancient cathedral - "Se", from the Latin Sedis Patriarchalis, that is, "patriarchal". Two thousand years ago there was a Roman temple here. The Gothic cathedral is shaped like a Latin cross, and the two bell towers rise so high that they can be seen from any part of Lisbon.
The layers of archaeological excavations and fragments of the ancient city street have been preserved inside. Pay attention to the stone statues of saints and ancient sarcophagi! The entrance to the cathedral is free.
Santa Justa Elevator
The old elevator in the center of Lisbon was built in 1902 by a student of the famous Gustave Eiffel - Raoul Mesnier. The openwork steel structure lifts passengers by 32 m, and the open observation deck is at a height of 45 m.
The ascent and descent cost 5 €, and for those who have a daily city pass - 1.3 €. There are usually a lot of people who want to take the elevator, so there is often a queue at the entrance.
Baisha
When planning your independent trip to Lisbon, do not miss the brightest and most memorable area of the city! In 1755, a powerful earthquake struck Portugal, which completely destroyed the Lower City. The Portuguese did not give up and, under the leadership of the Marquis de Pombal, rebuilt the streets of Baixa.
What's interesting in the area? Beautiful squares of Commerce, Figueiro and Rossio, Arc de Triomphe, monuments to the Portuguese kings and museums. Baishi's atmosphere is philosophical. After walking around the Lower City, you understand that any disasters are not fatal. It is worth the effort and the world around you can become even more beautiful!
Commerce Square
The entrance to the Lower Town is opened by the spacious Praça do Comércio. One of the most picturesque squares in Europe is home to the royal palace, library, Arc de Triomphe and a large equestrian statue of the Portuguese king Jose I. Tourists come to the Commerce Square to dine at the oldest restaurant in Lisbon - Martinho da Arcada, stroll along the beautiful facades, take a photo of the monument to the king and the bridge on April 25.
Augusta street
Augushta starts from Commerce Square and leads away from the river. The colorful and cozy street is akin to Barcelona's Rambla or New York Broadway. A place that easily reveals the secrets of ordinary city life.
Come in the evening to enjoy the soft light from the windows of the houses and the bright illumination of small cafes. We do not recommend buying something on Augushta! The prices are very high here.
Funiculars
Rare lifts are not just a mode of transport, but an important part of history and a popular landmark of Lisbon. The oldest funicular, Lavra, has been operating since 1884, Gloria since 1885, and Bika since 1892. Small, similar to a tram, neat cabins make all tourists fall in love! A one-way trip with the Lisbon transport card costs 1.3 €.
Maritime museum
There are several dozen museums in the city, but tourists love the collection dedicated to the sea the most. For many centuries Portugal was called the land of ships, so the Maritime Museum in Lisbon appeared in the 19th century. It contains over 15 thousand exhibits - sailing ships, caravels, boats, nautical compasses, maps and things of famous sailors. The entrance costs 6.5 €, for children under 12 years old - free.
Stepped street
Lisbon has many steep streets, but the most original one, Escadinhas de São Cristóvão, is located in the historic center of the city. The pedestrian street consists of steps, and the facades of the buildings are decorated with beautiful graffiti on the theme of national fado music.
Monument to the Discoverers
Portuguese sailors have played a huge role in the exploration of the Old and New Worlds. An expressive 52 m high monument to the discoverers stands on the banks of the wide Tagus. On the sides of the improvised ship, you can see 64 figures of prominent sailors and scientists. Tribute to the memory of all who dedicated their lives to the sea and the search for new lands!
An observation deck is arranged upstairs, from where a wonderful view of the main attractions of Lisbon opens. The entrance costs 2.5 €.
National Pantheon of Portugal
To honor the memory of the great Portuguese, visit the ancient temple of Santa Engracia. Presidents of the country, literary men, the famous football player Eusébio da Silva Ferreira and the famous fado performer Amália Rodrigues are buried under the arches of the baroque church. The entrance to the pantheon costs 4 €.
Jeronimos Monastery
It is easy to walk from the Tagus riverfront to the Gothic monastery in 15 minutes. The ancient monastery of the 16th century is one of the most visited sights of Lisbon. The monastery suffered an earthquake without visible damage, so architecture lovers can admire the original facades. The monastery houses the tombs of the great navigator Vasco da Gama and the King of Portugal Manuel I. Entrance to the territory costs 10 €.
Church of St. Roch
One of the oldest Jesuit temples in the world looks very modest, but the interiors will not disappoint you! Gilding, colored tiles, marble ... The luxurious baroque decoration of the church chapels is especially impressive. The adjacent building houses the Museum of Sacred Art, entrance costs 2.5 €.
Casa do Alentejo palace
A real gem is hiding in the center of Lisbon - a beautiful 17th century palace, which today houses a restaurant and a tavern. The building impresses with its stunning interiors, luxurious halls, library and Arabic-style décor. All this splendor is available for free!
Zoo
If you are in Lisbon with children, then go to one of the oldest zoological gardens in Europe. Large cats, monkeys, antelopes, hippos and other animals from all over the world are kept here.
Have a picnic in the shade of trees, visit a reptile house and watch a dolphin show. No one leaves here without vivid emotions and impressions! A ticket for adults costs 22 €, and for children from 3 to 11 years old - 14.5 €.
Cafe A Brasileira
The Portuguese capital cannot be imagined without coffee! All tourists try to look into an authentic cafe. Here locals meet and lovers make dates. The old-fashioned interiors and lively bar provide a distinct colonial Portuguese ambiance. Breathe in the aroma of strong coffee and you will feel that the path to India was opened only yesterday!
Statue of christ
The 28 m high monument rises on an 82 m pedestal near the 25 April bridge. The idea of building a statue in Lisbon was born after the creation of the famous Christ Monument in Rio de Janeiro. In 1949, the Portuguese laid the first stone, and 10 years later, the opening took place, in which 300 thousand people took part.
The Art Deco statue has a small souvenir shop, two chapels and an elevator that takes you to the observation deck. Get some fresh air and take spectacular photos of old Lisbon!
Uncommon sights in Lisbon
San Pedro de Alcantara Park... A small well-groomed park on a hill is one of the best viewing platforms in the city.
Mafra Palace... If you want luxury and splendor, go to the suburbs of Lisbon, to the largest palace in Portugal. The building has 1200 rooms, and about a hundred bells hang on high towers.
Quinta da Regaleira palace and park... The palace and park complex, built in 1910 with the money of the millionaire Antonio Monteira. The entrance costs 6 €.
Mercado da Ribeira Market... This colorful landmark of Lisbon is popular with lovers of modern design and informal communication. There are several dozen restaurants and cafes on the first floor of the reconstructed market, and concerts and celebrations are held on the second floor.
Basilica da Estrela... One of the most beautiful churches in Lisbon is located in the western part of the city. Free admission.
Monastery of San Vicente de Fora... It is difficult for connoisseurs of architecture to miss this wonderful example of the late Renaissance. Take a peek inside the monastery temple and admire the lush Baroque altar and beautiful sculptures!
Azulejo National Museum... A unique collection of painted ceramic tiles. Look at the panels "Panorama of Lisbon" and "Wedding of the Chickens"! The ticket costs 5 €.
Tiny bookstore... Book lovers will be delighted to be on Escadinhas de São Cristóvão, 18. The store is so small that it barely holds shelves with books and a smiling salesman.
Street art gallery... If you are partial to street art, take a stroll along the Galeria de Arte Urbana. Drawings on one of the walls of the hospital stretch for almost a kilometer.
What to see in Lisbon in 1 day
The itinerary for a one-day walk in Lisbon should include:
- castle of saint george
- Cathedral
- Trading area
- funicular Gloria
- park San Pedro de Alcantara
- church of St. Roch
- monument to the discoverers
- Belém tower.
What to see in Lisbon in 2 days
Add to the sights you saw on the first day:
- Santa Justa elevator
- Maritime museum
- funicular Bika
- Azulejo National Museum
- Mercado da Ribeira market
- national pantheon of Portugal.
Explore our detailed Lisbon walking itinerary for 3-5 days.
