Lisbon, porturgal
Attractions Guide

Portugal's seaside capital city consists of many sprawling neighborhoods, spread out over a gorgeous hilly landscape with many lovely rustic buildings. Lisbon hosts an excellent cuisine and is also very rich in culture.

Within the Alfama Castillo neighborhood of Lisbon you'll find one of the city's most impressive sights, the imposing 11th century Moorish Sao Jorge Castle, where you can walk along the fortified walls and take in great views over the coast. Nearby be sure to see the nearby National Pantheon where many of Portugal's celebrities are buried, showcasing exceptional baroque architecture and stately interiors.

Adjacent to the National Pantheon is the Church of Sao Vicente of Fora, which hosts fantastic views overlooking the coast within an elegantly decorated 17th century monastery.

Perhaps the city's most impressive public square is the massive Comercio Plaza, which is surrounded by grandiose buildings along the waterfront. Other great squares to see in this small neighborhood include Rossio Square and Praca Luis de Camoes, both of which are surrounded by fine historic structures.

Near Rossio Square you can walk amongst the well-preserved 14th century ruins of the gothic Carmo Convent. Adjacent to the church is the Santa Justa Lift, an elevator connecting an observation deck which hosts panoramic views over the area.

In Lisbon's Belem neighborhood to the west of Central Lisbon are several more great attractions, including the massive 15th century Jeronimos Monastery, a UNESCO world heritage site. The monastery showcases brilliant and intricate gothic architecture and is quite stunning. Some of the main points of interest within the monastery include the meticulously detailed gorgeous cloister, the royal tombs, the highly ornate chapel, the archaeology museum, and the maritime museum.

Nearby you can see the towering Padrao dos Descobrimentos (or Monument to the Discoveries) memorial statue on the coast. Another UNESCO site located just west along the coast is the elegant 16th century Belem Tower, a highly embellished gothic fort tower that is strikingly beautiful.

One of the city's oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods is the extremely hilly Bairro Alto located near the city center, which was among the first neighborhoods constructed outside of Lisbon's historic walled city (Alfama-Castillo).

Spend some time exploring this area on foot if you like, especially the Miradouro de Santa Catarina viewpoint, which hosts sweeping views over the bay. Also nearby is the Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara viewpoint overlooking part of the city.

Across the Tagus River from Central Lisbon, adjacent to the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge, you'll find the monumental National Sanctuary of Christ the King. You can go to the top of this towering monument to take in sweeping panoramic views overlooking Lisbon from across the water from high above. The views from atop the monument are incredible and highly recommended to witness.

Another palace you should definitely visit is the breathtaking Queluz National Palace with its magnificent colorful rococo-style exteriors and 18th century interiors, surrounded by beautiful well-manicured formal gardens and monuments. This palace is located in the suburb of Queluz which can be easily reached via train.

Due to the Queluz Palace not being very well-known, the palace's ticketing office is an excellent place to purchase a combination ticket which includes most of Sintra's Palaces.

On the eastern edge of Central Lisbon near the coast is one of the city's best museums, the National Azulejo Museum, which displays beautiful intricate azulejo tile art within a lavish monastery and even features a lovely cloister.

To the north of Central Lisbon is the the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian museum, which houses an incredible collection of art and artifacts ranging from ancient pieces from Egypt, Rome, and Greece, to medieval and Renaissance art from Europe, and much more, surrounded by beautiful gardens.

On the outskirts of Lisbon you might also consider visiting the extremely popular Lisbon Oceanarium, which is the largest indoor aquarium in Europe and among the top aquariums in the world, with a vast amount of species and exhibits.

Edward VII Park

In Northern Lisbon you can visit the vast landmark Edward VII Park, from the top of which you can take in amazing views over the city and coast at the Miradouro Park Eduardo VII, a must-see attraction.

Basilica de Estrela

East of Central Lisbon is the Basilica da Estrela, a majestic baroque white church with fine details and exquisite interiors, which houses a royal tomb. You can also access the rooftop of this basilica for excellent views over the city.