There is certainly a lot to see and do in Lisbon. Also known as the coastal capital of Portugal, you will find that there are endless options in this city. With a wide range of culture, nature and gastronomy on offer, Lisbon has become one of the favourite destinations for travellers in recent years.
You will be fascinated by its good atmosphere, the warmth of its people and the beautiful colours of its buildings. You will be able to enjoy and get to know its most important cultural elements such as the Jeronimos Monastery or the Castle of St. George, as well as enjoy its beautiful beaches, from where you will be able to contemplate some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. Read on to find out more!
Things to see in Lisbon
1. Santa Lucia Viewpoint
The beautiful Santa Lucia viewpoint is located on the way to St. George’s Castle, in the heart of the Alfama district. Although it’s not the most famous viewpoint in the city, you won’t regret a visit.
This 18th century viewpoint is undoubtedly the most popular in the neighbourhood. Don’t be fooled by the fact that it’s not so well known: you’ll be able to avoid the crowds and enjoy the views in a more intimate and peaceful way. It is decorated in the purest Lisbon style, with tiled walls and a beautiful bougainvillea roof. Once at the top, you can sit back and relax while looking out over the beautiful city of Lisbon – don’t forget your camera!
2. Commerce Square
Located in the beautiful and acclaimed Baixa Pombalina neighbourhood, the Praça do Comércio is one of the most emblematic places to see in Lisbon. It was formerly famous for having housed the Royal Palace, before it was destroyed by a natural disaster.
This square, located by the sea, offers breathtaking views. In addition, its vast expanse and the beautiful buildings that surround it form a picture postcard-worthy scene. The square is home to the main tourist office and is a lively place with a wide range of shops, restaurants and cafés. After strolling around the area and admiring the beautiful central statue, we recommend you climb up to the Arco de la Rua Augusta viewpoint. From there you can see the square from a unique vantage point.
3. Santa Justa Elevator
The Santa Justa Elevator is located in the heart of the Baixa district, connecting it with the Chiado district. Besides being one of the favourite attractions for travellers, this 45-metre high elevator is an impressive iron structure inspired by works such as the Eiffel Tower.
Inside you will find two lifts that take you up to the terrace, from where you can enjoy incredible views of the whole of Lisbon and the Tagus River. You can sit and relax in the terrace’s pleasant café, or cross the footbridge that connects to the Chiado district. A visit to this elevator is almost obligatory, especially when the sun is setting; you will enjoy a real movie-like sunset.
4. Tile Museum
One thing you definitely can’t miss on your trip to Lisbon is a visit to the Tile Museum. Located close to the Parque das Nações and Praça do Comércio, this museum will give you an insight into one of the most cherished traditions to see in Lisbon.
First of all, you will be fascinated by the majesty and size of the building where it is housed: no more and no less than inside the former Convent of the Mother of God. Once inside, you will be able to enjoy a great collection of tiles and learn about the history of Lisbon before the earthquake that destroyed part of it. Before you leave, don’t forget to take a look at the impressive Vision of Lisbon, a set of tiles that will leave you speechless.
5. St. George’s Castle
St. George’s Castle is probably the most significant monument to see in Lisbon. With origins dating back more than eight centuries, this castle is located in the beautiful Alfama neighbourhood, on the highest hill of all.
As well as enjoying a pleasant walk up there, you can’t miss the panoramic views that the castle offers. You can enter the castle by crossing the St. George’s Arch, and once inside you can stroll around the parade ground, visit the dungeons, climb the numerous towers and even see the famous Moniz Gate. Don’t miss a visit to this magnificent fortress!
6. Sé Cathedral of Lisbon
Along the route to St. George’s Castle you will find the impressive Lisbon Cathedral, better known by its inhabitants as the Sé Cathedral. This Romanesque-style infrastructure is one of Lisbon’s greatest architectural gems.
It is considered to be the oldest church in the city as its construction began throughout the 12th century. This enormous cathedral is made up of two large towers and a spectacularly decorated façade. And, as if that were not enough, inside you can see some archaeological discoveries and even the element of greatest religious value housed in this cathedral: the remains of Saint Vincent, the patron saint of the city.
7. Baixa district
The Baixa district is one of the most famous and crowded areas to see in Lisbon. Besides being the most commercial and central area of the city, the large extension of this neighbourhood will make you want to get lost in it for hours.
You will be fascinated by the great animation of this neighbourhood, largely due to its numerous shopping streets, squares and restaurants. Along your walk through this area, don’t miss sites such as Restauradores Square and its impressive obelisk. As well as the majestic Rua Augusta Arch and Rossio Square, one of the most important squares in the neighbourhood. Let yourself be carried away by its beautiful streets while you enjoy the purest essence of Lisbon.
8. Jerónimos Monastery
One of the things you can’t miss in Lisbon is the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery, declared a World Heritage Site. This impressive façade of Manueline architecture is located in the Belém neighbourhood.
It was built on the remains of an ancient hermitage, and was completed in the 16th century. It was formerly occupied by the monks of the Order of St. Jerome, which is why it has this name. You will be fascinated by its immense 300-metre-long façade, as well as its beautiful interior cloister full of maritime-style decorations. Some of the most recognisable elements of the monastery that you should not miss are the sculpture of Our Lady of Belém, the majestic Portada del Mediodía, which leads into the church, and the mausoleum. You can buy your tickets at a great price!
9. Park of Nations
The Parque das Nações is one of the most beautiful redeveloped areas of Lisbon. It used to be a totally abandoned industrial area, but was later remodelled and is now one of Lisbon’s most modern neighbourhoods.
Also known as the Expo for having hosted the World Expo in 1998, in this neighbourhood you can stroll through large areas full of shops, entertainment venues, residences and gardens where you can stroll and relax. You’ll feel like you’re in a different city, as there has been a drastic change in the architecture of its buildings; unlike the rest of Lisbon, the Parque das Nações has a contemporary architecture that gives it a truly modern feel. If you’re travelling with children, don’t miss a visit to the Lisbon Aquarium, where the little ones will have a great time.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to do in Lisbon with children?
1. Tram 28
Tram 28 is one of the most significant things to see in Lisbon. This traditional-style tram connects the areas of Campo Ourique and Martim Moniz, passing through some of the busiest parts of the city.
This tram has a distinctive yellow colour that sets it apart from all the others, making it a true icon of Lisbon. You can enjoy a pleasant and complete ride while contemplating some of the city’s most important monuments from inside the carriage. It is an alternative and dynamic way of getting to know Lisbon, especially recommended if you are travelling with children, so that they don’t end up tired after hours of sightseeing.
2. Belém neighbourhood
Belém is one of the most famous and beautiful neighbourhoods to see in Lisbon. Here you will not only find the most significant monuments of the city, but also a very interesting history.
This neighbourhood, which is located by the sea, has a history that is directly related to the port and its fishermen, being at the time an important commercial port and strategic point for maritime trade. Some of the places not to be missed in this neighbourhood are the impressive Belém Tower, located on a huge platform overlooking the sea, and the famous Jerónimos Monastery.
As if that wasn’t enough, apart from the monuments, you can also visit several museums and even buy some Pastel de Belém. You can also enjoy a long walk along the banks of the river, perfect for a sunny morning. This neighbourhood has everything!
3. Lisbon Oceanarium
If you are travelling with children, a visit to the incredible Oceanário de Lisboa is a must. This marine centre will leave both young and old speechless with more than 8,000 aquatic species, including sharks, rays, mammals and other animals.
Once inside, you will embark on an adventure “in the depths” of the sea as you meet some of the world’s most impressive animals. You will be able to travel through four different habitats: Antarctic, North Atlantic, Tropical Indian and Temperate Pacific. Along the way, you’ll learn about the lifestyle of these animals while the little ones have a great time. It’s the ideal plan for a great family morning out in Lisbon!
What to do around Lisbon?
1. Cascais
Considered Portugal’s most famous holiday resort and the closest to Lisbon, Cascais can be the perfect destination for a day trip.
Besides having a great location by the sea, this beautiful town hides an old town full of monuments worth visiting. You can take a pleasant stroll through its streets while you contemplate some of its most emblematic elements, including the remains of an old fishing village. Next, don’t miss the impressive cliffs known as Boca do Inferno. Once you have finished with the urban part, we recommend you go to one of its beaches and enjoy the sunset by relaxing on the sand or taking a dip in the sea.
2. Sintra Mountains
The Serra de Sintra is one of the most attractive places to see near Lisbon, as well as being a reason for most travellers to visit this country. Located just 30 kilometres from the capital, you can’t miss this beautiful part of the country.
Sintra is characterised by its incredible castles and wild nature, as well as its numerous monuments that will undoubtedly leave you speechless. Among them are the National Palace, the imposing Pena Palace, the Castelo dos Mouros and the Quinta de Regaleira. You’ll feel like you’ve entered a totally magical world as you travel along trails and roads lined with lush green trees, also typical of northern Spain. A destination you will want to return to again and again.
3. Caparica Coast
The Costa de Caparica is the most popular set of beaches for the inhabitants of Lisbon. Located south of the mouth of the Tagus River, the proximity of these sands to the capital makes it one of the favourite places to see in Lisbon.
The most impressive thing about this beach is, without a doubt, its extension of up to 30 kilometres, offering a wide space that escapes the crowds and where you can walk for as long as you like. In addition, as it is located to the west, from the Costa de Caparica you will be able to contemplate some breathtaking sunsets. If you want to enjoy absolute tranquillity, don’t hesitate to move a few kilometres away from the main beaches and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of a unique natural environment.
Itineraries for your trip to Lisbon
What to see in Lisbon in 2 days?
- Walk around the Praça do Comércio
- Visit St. George’s Castle
- Stroll through the Baix district
- Hop on Tram 28
- Walk around the Belém neighbourhood
- See the Caparic Coast
What to see in Lisbon in 4 days?
- Visit the Jerónimos Monastery
- Stroll through the Park of Nations
- See the Sé Cathedral of Lisbon
- Enter the Tile Museum
- Take the Santa Justa Elevator
- Enjoy the Santa Lucia viewpoint
- Escape to Cascais
- Enjoy the Sintra Mountains
How to plan your itinerary of places to see in Lisbon?
Download the Passporter app and plan your trip in the most organised way and according to the days and places you want to see in Lisbon.
With the app you can:
- Be inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Save valuable information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip.
- Save your tickets and reservations.
- Organise your route on google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other that you indicate.
- Know the best travel option for each place.
- Save and publish as you go your own photos and experiences in each of the places.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lisbon, like any city in the world, has its traditional dishes. Here is a list of those that you can’t miss for anything in the world.
We recommend you to start your first day of your visit by tasting the delicious Bolinhos, a piece of pastry.
To continue, for lunch we recommend you try the famous Cataplana, a hearty dish dominated by fish and seafood, or the Bacalhau á Bras, an incredible dish that mixes cod with eggs and grated fried potatoes.
Finally, for dinner we recommend you try the delicious Bifanas, a rustic bread stuffed with pork, a real Lisbon speciality!
The price for an adult ticket is 19€, the ticket for children between 4 and 12 years old costs 10€, and finally the ticket for seniors costs 13€. Children under the age of 4 are free.
There are several ways to get to Sintra from Lisbon, and you can choose the means of transport that suits you best depending on your budget and time.
The cheapest option to get to Sintra is to take the train, which departs from Rossio Station. The journey takes about 40 minutes and costs €4.50 return.
Another option, probably the most convenient, is to hire a car and take a 30-minute drive along the A37.
Finally, you can opt to go to Sintra by bus by booking a full day trip.
An adult ticket for the museum costs €5, while for seniors (over 65), students and young people it costs €2.50.
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