The buzzing capital of Portugal is a great city to visit with history, pretty architecture and an eclectic mixture of new and old that gives the city a unique atmosphere.
Lisbon certainly holds its own among the more famous European capitals, with its World Heritage-status Belem Tower acting as a worthy competitor to Paris’s Eiffel Tower or London’s Big Ben. Make it a must-see when you arrive, along with the nearby Jeronimos Monastery, which was originally home to a Roman Catholic sect of monks known as the Hieronymites.
Some of Lisbon’s best bits are closed on Mondays, so make sure you check the opening hours in advance.
Lisbon Travel Booking Resources
These are my favourite companies to use when I travel.
• Find cheap flights with Skyscanner.
• Get the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
• Book sightseeing tours & attraction tickets on GetYourGuide or Viator.
Lisbon Facts
• Lisbon is thought to be 400 years older than Rome!
• Lisbon’s trams are in fact American
• Underneath the city’s streets is the underground roman galleries one of the best attractions in the world. The site is only open to the public once a year for 3.5hours adding to their mystery.
• Lisbon was conquered by the Portuguese during the Reconquista
• Lisbon is ranked number 1 in the Portuguese most liveable cities survey published yearly by Expresso newspaper.
Weather and When to Go
With its mild winters, long summers and affordable way of life, the capital city of Portugal is a popular choice amongst holidaymakers all year round.
As the oldest city in Western Europe, it’s full of plenty of fascinating history and a contemporary culture that will interest all ages. Wander around the old medieval ruins, indulge on traditional delights like pastel de nata (custard tart), relax with a coffee in the 1930s-style cafes and dance the night away in Lisbon’s favourite bars and clubs. And don’t forget those iconic yellow trams!
In particular Tram 28 is the best – and most authentic – way to see all the city has to offer. Whether it’s sun, sand or sightseeing you’re looking for, Lisbon has it all! Fly to Lisbon in around 2 and a half hours, and check it all out for yourself!
Best Places to Visit
Lisbon is home to many museums and monuments and is the best place to soak up some unique Portuguese culture.
Most of the main attractions are in Belem, an area at the mouth of the River Tagus. Here, you’ll find all the major Lisbon landmarks, including the Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Palace – the official residence of the Portuguese president.
The Museu Berardo has an impressive collection of contemporary art by Picasso, Dali and Andy Warhol, and the Museu dos Coches houses one of the finest collections of coaches and royal vehicles in the world. Make sure you walk through the spectacular Jardim de Belem, just in front of the palace and Coach Museum.
Lisbon has quite a compact centre which contains many of the important sights, including Sao Jorge castle and the Royal Palace.
A little further out is the suburb of Belém with its famous Tower overlooking the River Tagus and the wonderful Jeronimos Monastery. Above all, it’s worth taking time to explore the different districts which make up the city centre including Baixa with its elegant squares, broad avenues and rectangular layout.
This area is mostly flat and was completely rebuilt by the city’s mayor, the Marquês de Pombal, after the 1755 earthquake which destroyed much of the city.
Baixa contrasts greatly with the narrow, winding streets and intimate corners of the Alfama district with its Moorish remains and the hilly Bairro Alto area. Take one of the 3 funiculars or the Santa Justa Elevador – a lift which is over 100 years old – for stunning views of the city.
Lisbon is also well known for its historic yellow trams and a tram ride is an excellent way to explore the oldest and hilliest parts of the city.
Culture
Lisbon has a wealth of excellent museums, including the National Museum of Contemporary Art, the Military Museum which contains Vasco da Gama’s sword and the Maritime Museum in Belém, which tells the story of Portugal’s pioneering role in world exploration by sea.
The centrally located Sé Cathedral dates back to the 12th Century and combines Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical styles. A former religious building well worth visiting is the ruined Carmo Convent and Church which is also home to the Carmo Archaeological Museum.
Fado is the traditional Portuguese folk music which originated in Lisbon and it’s worth heading to the Alfama or Bairro Alto districts to find the most authentic Fado bars and clubs in the city.
Elaborately-painted Portuguese tiles, called azulejos, can be found everywhere in Lisbon, from the walls of churches and façades of townhouses to bar walls and even in metro stations. The Tile Museum is tucked away on the Rua Madre de Deus and gives visitors the fascinating background to these seemingly ubiquitous blue and white tiles.
Architecture
While visiting Lisbon, there is plenty to see and do. However, you’ll definitely want to pay attention to the incredible architecture found within the city.
While you won’t find a lot of architecture from the pre-18 century, a few of the major monuments from this time period have been preserved to see. The reason so much of the pre-18 century architecture is gone is because of the 1755 earthquake that hit the area, devastating much of the older architecture.
The good news is that some monuments did survive after the big earthquake, although some had to have restoration work done at a later date. Some of the beautiful monuments you’ll want to see while you’re in Lisbon include the works of Felipe Terzi, a master of Italian Renaissance.
Two of his works you’ll want to check out include the Igreja de Sao Roque and the Igreja de Sao Vincente de Fora. The beautiful Romanesque Se is also a wonderful piece to visit, as are the incredible ruins of the Convento do Carmo, which shows much of what the powerful earthquake did to the city.
Of course, plenty of other architecture can be found in the city that was built after the great earthquake of 1755. Take time to visit Belem, which offers some of the most incredible architecture available in Lisbon.
You’ll be able to enjoy various Manueline style expressions, as well as some incredible baroque style architecture in the area. One of the most notable baroque masterpieces is the huge Convento do Mafra, which is opulent and an incredible sight to behold.
Throughout Lisbon, much of the architecture includes the use of talha dourada, which is special gilded woodwork. This was used on many of the different churches in the area. Some of the top places where you can observe this intricate work include the ingreja de Nossa Senhora da Madre de Deus, as well as the Ingreja de Sao Roque.
When the gold began to run out, soon architecture would leave the opulent baroque style and go on to the lovely, but more understated, classical style. A great example of the classical style that was popular near the 18 century’s end is the Palacio de Queluz, which was done by Mateus Vincente de Oliveira.
For those interested in more contemporary architecture, many will enjoy the architecture of Alvaro Siza Vieira. After a huge fire that took place in 1988, Vieira took the Chiado shopping district and totally restored it.
His style focuses on simplism and clarity, which can be seen in the beautiful Pavilhao de Portugal, which is located within the Parque das Nacoes. Within this Parque, you’ll find a variety of other great contemporary works as well, including works by Santiago Calatrava and Peter Chermayeff.
The city of Lisbon is rich with many different styles of architecture, from old baroque architecture to modern day architecture that has been recently designed within the city. Enjoy visiting a variety of different pieces of architecture throughout the city to enjoy all that this incredible city has to offer fans of architecture.
Lisbon Travel Tips
Budget & Sightseeing
A top tip for those wanting to make their money go further: buy a Lisboa Card from the Lisbon Tourism Office and get free or heavily discounted entry to the best attractions in the city.
The card comes in three versions – 24 hours for €18.50 (£15.75), 48 hours for €31.50 or 72 hours for €39 – and includes free travel on Lisbon’s public transport for the period specified.
This includes Metro rides and trips on the buses, trams and Elevadores, which are giant lifts transporting visitors up over the rooftops so they can see out across the city.
Food and Drink
Portugal is known around the world for its cuisine and Lisbon is the best place to tantalize your tastebuds!
Try real pastel de nata (Portuguese tarts) from local pastelarias, indulge on some of the Atlantic’s freshest seafood and sample the home grown wines and the sweet liquor ginginha.
Get the total Portuguese experience in a Fado House, a type of restaurant that serves authentic Portuguese fare with a side of traditional guitar music.
Shopping
For upmarket shops head to Lisbon’s broad boulevard, the Avenida da Liberdade, whilst the elegant streets of the Chiado district offer a delightful mix of designer boutiques, book shops, jewellers and chic cafés.
Sports
There are many sports that are popular in Portugal, but for Lisbon the rivalry between their football teams is legendary, and the opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere in such a derby should not be missed. Benfica has been the most successful of Lisbon’s teams, but Sporting Lisbon are still very competitive.
Day Trips & Best Places to Visit Near Lisbon
Sintra and Cascais
Aside from beaches, Lisbon also has plenty of charming rural villages to get lost in. Just 19 miles west of Lisbon, on the Atlantic coast, lies the former sleepy fishing village of Cascais, now a popular resort with elegant pedestrian streets, fashionable shops, restaurants and bars.
Cascais is just a short train ride away from Lisbon, as is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra. This picturesque town is set amidst the pine covered hills of the Serra de Sintra.
Its slightly cooler climate attracted the nobility of Portugal who built the exquisite palaces, extravagant residences and decorative gardens visitors can enjoy today. It’s just 40 minutes from the capital by car and is definitely worth the day trip.
Beaches and Out to Sea
Catch a ferry at Cacilhas to take you over the river to Almada, where you can see the Cristo-Rei, Portugal’s version of Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer statue.
Hit the beach If you’re in search of idyllic beaches, you simply have to head a few miles up and down along the Atlantic coast.
Costa da Caparica is easy to reach by bus, Ericeira is a beautiful coastal town popular with surfers, and Setubal is the best place to try and spot a few friendly dolphins.
Nature
For a break from the hustle and bustle of the city it’s worth escaping to the Monsanto Forest Park to the south west of the centre. Lisbon’s largest park also offers superb views over the city towards the River Tagus.
Porto
Porto, Portugal’s second largest city, which lies on the coast to the north of Lisbon, and is easily reached by train in less than 3 hours.
Other
Some more places which are slightly further away from Lisbon but are recommended to add to any Portugal itinerary include the Algarve and Madeira.