Exploring Lisbon's Top Attractions

Lisbon, Portugal's hilly capital, is a coastal city known for its historical ties to the Age of Discovery. It's a vibrant, picturesque city that offers a mix of historic sites, museums, and natural beauty, perfect for leisurely exploration or a packed itinerary.

For a guide on the best places to visit, check out our list of top tourist attractions in Lisbon, or find accommodation tips at Where to Stay in Lisbon.

1. Castelo de São Jorge: An Iconic Landmark

St. George's Castle, perched atop a hill in Alfama, is Lisbon's most prominent landmark. The castle offers a museum, archaeological site, and stunning city views. Children will enjoy the robust walls and towers, while adults can appreciate the historical significance of the site, dating back to the Iron Age and later occupied by the Moors.

2. Mosteiro dos Jerónimos: A Monument to Discovery

The Jerónimos Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Belém district, symbolizing Portugal's Age of Discovery. It was commissioned by King Manuel I in 1501 to honor Vasco da Gama's voyage to India. Notable features include the ornate south portal and the serene Manueline cloister, with Vasco da Gama's tomb inside the church.

3. Oceanário de Lisboa: A Family-Friendly Aquarium

The Lisbon Oceanarium, one of Europe's best aquariums, showcases a variety of marine life in habitats representing the world's oceans. Highlights include the central tank with rays, sunfish, and sharks, and the playful penguins in the Antarctic ecosystem. The Oceanário also promotes marine conservation.

Address: Esplanada D. Carlos I, Doca dos Olivais, Parque das Nações, Lisbon

Official site: www.oceanario.pt

4. Museu Calouste Gulbenkian: A Diverse Art Collection

The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, set in a park in northern Lisbon, houses an extensive art collection donated by Calouste Gulbenkian. The collection spans 4000 years and includes Egyptian, Persian, European, and Oriental art, as well as a remarkable assortment of René Lalique's jewelry.

Address: Avenida de Berna 45A, Lisbon

Official site: https://gulbenkian.pt/museu/

5. Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga: Portugal's National Gallery

The National Museum of Ancient Art, set in a 17th-century palace, showcases Portuguese paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries, as well as European, Oriental, and African art. The museum's treasures include the Panels of Saint Vincent by Nuno Gonçalves and the St. Albert Chapel.

Address: Rua das Janelas Verdes, Lisbon

Official site: http://www.museudearteantiga.pt

6. Torre de Belém: A Historic Tower

The Belém Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a fortified tower that symbolizes Portugal's Age of Discovery. Visitors can explore the Manueline architecture and enjoy panoramic views from the tower terrace.

Read more: Visiting Torre de Belém: Top Attractions, Tips & Tours

7. Museu Nacional do Azulejo: Celebrating Portuguese Tiles

The National Tile Museum, located in the Convento da Madre de Deus, is dedicated to azulejos, the decorative tiles that are a hallmark of Portuguese art. The museum features a 36-meter panorama of pre-earthquake Lisbon and the ornate Igreja Madre de Deus.

Address: Rua da Madre de Deus 4, Lisbon

8. Elevador de Santa Justa: An Antique Elevator with City Views

The Santa Justa Lift, a neo-Gothic elevator designed by Raoul Mésnier du Ponsard, offers a unique transport experience and panoramic views of Lisbon's Baixa district and the River Tagus.

Address: Rua de Santa Justa, Baixa, Lisbon

9. Sé: Lisbon's Imposing Cathedral

The Sé, Lisbon's Romanesque cathedral, has a treasury with valuable artifacts and a Gothic cloister with archaeological excavations revealing Roman and Moorish remains.

10. Padrão dos Descobrimentos: A Monument to the Discoveries

This monument honors the Age of Discovery and features a frieze of statues of historical figures like Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama, and Fernão de Magalhães.

Address: Avenida da Brasília, Belém, Lisbon

Official site: www.padraodosdescobrimentos.pt

11. Day Trip to Sintra

Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers royal palaces, a Moorish castle, and a charming old town. It's a popular day trip from Lisbon, set in the Serra de Sintra.

Read more: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Sintra

12. Arco da Rua Augusta: A Triumphal Arch

The Arco da Rua Augusta offers stunning views of the Praça do Comércio and the Baixa district. Visitors can reach the top terrace for panoramic vistas.

Address: Rua Augusta, Lisbon

13. Lisboa Story Centre: Exploring Lisbon's Vibrant History

This interactive center on Praça do Comércio uses multimedia to narrate Lisbon's history, including a 4D film about the 1755 earthquake.

Address: Terreiro do Paço 78-81, Lisbon

Official site: http://www.lisboastorycentre.pt

14. Igreja do Carmo: A Gothic Church Ruin

The ruins of the Carmo church, a Gothic structure partially destroyed by the 1755 earthquake, now house the Museu Arqueológico do Carmo with a collection of historical artifacts.

Address: Largo do Carmo, Lisbon

15. Igreja-Museu São Roque: A Baroque Masterpiece

The São Roque Church and Museum in Bairro Alto showcase a richly decorated interior with marble, azulejos, and gilded woodwork, alongside a collection of religious art.

Lisbon's attractions offer a deep dive into Portugal's rich history and culture, with each site providing a unique perspective on the city's past and present.