Things to do in Lisbon
Hello, this is Ismail Siddiky of Europe Diary, and here I am with another set of travel tips about “Best places in Lisbon you must visit.” Lisbon, in my opinion, is one of the best cities to visit in the world. Beautiful architecture, reasonable prices, delicious food, and walkable streets all make it a contender for any top European destination. So if you’ve never been before, let’s take a look at 12 beautiful places to visit in Lisbon.
1. Alfama District
Let’s start this blog with the Alfama district. When most of Lisbon was rocked by the 1755 earthquake, the old Moorish Quarter of Alfama stayed standing. With twisted cobbled alleyways and houses in pastel colors, this is hands down one of Lisbon’s most charismatic neighborhoods. The best way to experience this is obviously to walk around.
Being one of Europe’s smaller cities, it’s compact and a great introduction to your city break in Lisbon. Also in this district are São Jorge Castle and Lisbon Cathedral, which you will see later on.
2. Belém Tower
The Belém Tower is located in the neighborhood of the same name, right at the mouth of the Tagus River. It’s easily a must-see tourist attraction when you visit Lisbon, and it’s become one of the symbols of the city and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 16th century as a fortress to protect the entrance to the port during the reign of Manuel I, the monument was constructed in the Manueline style. If you want to visit inside the tower, you need to buy a ticket. I suggest you buy the Lisboa card.
3. Jerónimos Monastery
After visiting the Belém Tower, head to the Jerónimos Monastery. This is another must-see place in Lisbon, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and one of the most important spots in Lisbon. Built to celebrate the return of Vasco da Gama from India, it’s where his remains rest. You can take a tram from the center of Lisbon, and you can easily see both sites in the same day. The two are separated by just a short walk alongside the river, so afterward, you can soak in the view and people-watch from one of the outdoor cafes.
4. São Jorge Castle
This historic castle, with some of the most panoramic views of the city and the Tagus River, is quite large and can take around half a day to explore. Fortified by Romans and Arabs and modified during the reign of Alfonso Henriquez, you access it through the Arch of St. George. Inside, you can visit the towers and enjoy one of the best views of Lisbon.
5. Eduardo VII Park
If you want to relax in a park after exploring Lisbon, head to Eduardo VII Park, named after Britain’s Edward VII, who visited the city in 1903 to further strengthen the Anglo-Portuguese alliance. You will find the largest park in central Lisbon. Its design features neatly clipped box hedges flanked by mosaic-pattern walkways, stretching uphill from Marques de Pombal Square to a belvedere at the top with very nice views. There are two other attractions within the park: the hothouse with exotic plants and the greenhouse filled with tropical plants, ponds, and endless varieties of palms and cacti. It’s a great place to rest before continuing your exploration.
6. Lisbon Cathedral
Now we come to Lisbon Cathedral, a beautiful monument and a Romanesque building from the 12th century. You can see many different architectural styles, such as Roman, Arab, and medieval. If you want to visit the cloister and treasure room, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee, but overall, you can visit the rest of the cathedral for free.
7. Praça do Comércio
This is Lisbon’s grandest square, overlooking the river, surrounded by elegant buildings, and one of the most important squares in the city. It marks the center of Lisbon and is one of the largest squares in Europe, built where the royal palace stood before the earthquake of 1755 destroyed it. From here, you can admire the Tagus River, which is why I think it’s one of the best places to visit in the city. I have to highlight one element of the square: the Arco da Rua Augusta, located on the north side.
8. Santa Justa Lift
Next up is the famous Santa Justa Lift. Located in the downtown district, this wonderful location will give you some of the best views of the city of Lisbon. Built in 1902, the design was inspired by the famous Tower of Paris and Gustave Eiffel. This wrought-iron tower can take you all the way to the platform, where a walkway leads to the ruins of a Gothic church partially destroyed during the great earthquake of 1755. Alternatively, you can climb the staircase to the top of the elevator and enjoy panoramic views of the entire Baixa neighborhood.
9. Basilica da Estrela
The Basilica da Estrela is a beautiful old church with impressive architecture and design inside and out. It’s easily accessible by bus, and tram number 28 stops right in front. The building showcases its personality with multiple altars to local saints and colorful stonework, all with the quiet typical of such a building. For a more unique experience, budget-friendly tickets are available to go right to the top and even into the building’s dome.
10. Miradouros (Viewpoint)
If you’re wondering what to do in Lisbon for free, you should know that there are many overlooks from which you can get magnificent views of the city, day or night, thanks to the city being built on seven hills. It’s a great thing to do in Lisbon, so go out there, explore, and enjoy the wonderful views.
11. Monument to the Discoveries
Number 11 is the Monument to the Discoveries, a large monument on the banks of the river in Lisbon. The outside features sculptures of many Portuguese explorers who took the country’s message to other continents. The sculptures overhang the water at the front, so you can only really see three sides unless you’re on a boat. Inside, there’s a lower level with a museum and exhibition space, and a lift takes you to another viewing area at the top.
12. Sintra and the National Pantheon
For number 12, I suggest two locations. First, take a very popular day trip from Lisbon to the town of Sintra, which takes 40 minutes by train. Renowned for its fairytale-like landscape, colorful palaces, historic estates, and lush gardens, the highlight here is, of course, Pena Palace and the castle.
After your day trip to Sintra, make your way back to Lisbon and check out the National Pantheon. It was built as a church in 1682 but became the National Pantheon in 1916. Its large dome was only completed 50 years later, making it the monument that took the longest to complete in all of the country. The highlight here is the interior, inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The view outside is okay, with mostly views of tiled roofs, but you can get better rooftop views from some of the places I mentioned earlier.
There you have it, folks. Just a little taste of Lisbon. I think it’s a great city break if you want to visit in the spring or autumn. I highly recommend taking a day trip to Sintra. It’s a perfect opportunity for you to do so.
That’s it from me. Thank you so much, everyone. If this blog was helpful, please share it with your friends.
Okay, see you soon! Bye!
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