Awesome Tourist Attractions to Visit and Things to Do in Lisbon

September 25, 2020 Mustafa Natalwala 4001 Views

Lisbon is the national capital of Portugal situated on the western coast of the Iberian Peninsula where the river Tagus meets the Atlantic Ocean. The limestone buildings and quirky alleyways are Lisbon’s top attractions. The city is developed along the slope of a mountain and looks majestic as it intersects the Atlantic Ocean at the peninsula. This makes for a truly picturesque view. One of the best things to do in Lisbon, Portugal is to just bask in the beauty of the city from atop the hill or across the river.

Lisbon is among the oldest cities in the world. You can check out the remains of early civilizations at the Carmo Archeological Museum. It is among the best places to visit in Lisbon for history buffs. Lisbon is the second oldest capital in Europe after Athens. One of the most popular things to see in Lisbon is coaches, and there is an entire museum dedicated to it. The Coach Museum is the largest of its kind in the world and boasts an incredible collection of coaches which belong to the Portuguese Royal Family. It is a unique attraction among the top things to do in Lisbon, Portugal.

Though the most famous among Lisbon attractions is Torre de Belem also called the Belem Tower. This tourist attraction looks as if it magically rose from the ocean. It is among the top places for Lisbon sightseeing for admirers of Romanesque, Moorish, and Gothic architecture. If you are looking for places to see in Lisbon bearing the limestone structure plus the red roof that we described earlier, you should head to Alfama District via tram ride. At the very top of that hill is St. George’s Castle, a regal presence overlooking the city. It is one of the best places for city sightseeing in Lisbon from above. This citadel was built by the Romans about 2,000 years ago and is now among Lisbon’s top attractions. You will get to enjoy several unique Lisbon activities as you get to the castle.

Lisbon is also home to a UNESCO world heritage site: The Monastery of Jeronimos. This monastery was built to celebrate Portugal’s Age of Exploration. This Lisbon tourist attraction combines several styles of architecture borrowed from the cultures that Portuguese explorers encountered on their journeys. Another Lisbon attraction dedicated to the explorers is Padro dos Descobrimentos. If you want to hear stories about these explorers or the city you can head to Lisboa Story Centre. It is among the most fun things to do in Lisbon in the context of history. There are several segments pertaining to different aspects of Lisbon and Portugal.

If you are looking for cool things to do in Lisbon, Portugal you should try Ginjinha, also known as Ginja. It is a liqueur made from local berries and served in a chocolate glass. You can pop down the drink and eat the glass afterward or have the chocolate shot glass along with the drink. Either way, it tastes amazing. The city is somewhat like a drink, you can explore it in a gulp from high up the hill or savor the different flavors of all the best things to do in Lisbon slowly.

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Table of Contents

Explore The Best Places of Lisbon in 3 days (Trip Itinerary)

If you want to save your money and time during your travel to Lisbon then i suggest you must get 24h, 48h and 72h Lisbon City Pass. So you can explore as much as museums and attractions and also you can do unlimited use of public transport.

Day 1

1. The Lady of the Mount Observation Point (Miradouro da Senhora do Monte)

The observation point is situated on Mount San Gens. It is one of the most beautiful points for Lisbon sightseeing. You will need about an hour at this highest hill in the neighborhood.

2. National Pantheon (Panteão Nacional)

This church is the final resting ground for the nation’s royalty as well as a select few who have made the country proud. It is one of the most important cultural things to see in Lisbon. You will need an hour to explore this 17th-century church.

I suggest you should book your Entry Ticket of the National Pantheon in advance.

3. Monastery of São Vicente de Fora (Igreja da São Vicente de Fora)

Monastery of Saint Vincent Outside the Walls was first built in 1147 and then reconstructed in the 17th century. You will need about an hour at this monastery.

4. São Jorge Castle (Castelo de São Jorge)

Saint George’s Castle is a large complex with several Lisbon tourist attractions within it. You will need at least 2 to 3 hours to explore the museum, archeological ruins, and other attractions within this castle.

I suggest you should book your Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket of Sao Jorge Castle in advance.

5. Alfama

This neighborhood is known for its beautiful cobblestone streets and quaint little houses. You can walk around the streets for an hour or so and explore the architecture, shops, and cafeterias here.

I suggest you should try a Walking Tour of Alfama District.

6. Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara (Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara)

This observation point is also known as Belvedere, meaning a beautiful vantage point. And that is exactly what it is. You will need about an hour here. The sunset here is especially amazing.

7. Museu de São Roque and Sacred Art Museum

The church is known for its beautiful interior designed by Filippo Terzi. The church also includes the Sacred Art Museum. You will need about an hour or two to explore the church and the Sacred Art Museum located inside it.

8. Bairro Alto

This is another hill with a great vantage point for Lisbon sightseeing. The hill also has historic significance and is one of the best places to visit in Lisbon to enjoy the city’s nightlife.

I suggest you should go for a Guided Tour of Bairro Alto.

Day 2

1. National Coach Museum (Museu Nacional dos Coches)

The National Coach Museum exhibits unique royal carriages once used by the Royal Family. You will need an hour to explore the museum.

I suggest you should book your admission ticket to the National Coach Museum in advance.

2. Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos)

This Gothic architecture monastery is one of the most popular places to visit in Lisbon. You will need 1 hour to explore this monastery.

I suggest you should get your Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket of Jeronimos Monastery in advance.

3. Belém Cultural Center (Centro Cultural de Belém)

This cultural center is among the major Lisbon attractions for artists. Besides several events and cultural activities, Centro Cultural de Belem also houses museums of modern and contemporary art. You will need an hour or two to explore the cultural center complex.

4. Padrão dos Descobrimentos

This monument is dedicated to the Age of Discovery during which Portugal Navy and explorers played a vital role. You should keep aside 30 minutes to see this monument. The monument depicts figurines of some of the most iconic Portuguese explorers. It is among the most prominent things to see in Lisbon.

5. Belém Tower

This tower is included among UNESCO world heritage sites. The tower is located on the banks of the river and it looks straight out of a fantasy film. You will need at least an hour to explore the tower.

I suggest you should get a Fast-Track Entry Ticket of Belem Tower in advance.

6. Vasco da Gama Aquarium (Aquário Vasco da Gama)

This aquarium, named after the famous explorer, houses more than 4000 marine animals. You will need more than 2 hours to explore the entire aquarium.

Day 3

1. Museum of Design and Fashion Lisbon (MUDE – Museu do Design e da Moda)

The museum is divided into several sections, some of which are collections by iconic designers. It is considered one of the well-known museums of design and fashion in the world. You will need at least 2 hours to explore it.

2. Rua Augusta Arch (Arco Triunfal da Rua Augusta)

This arch of triumph marks the entrance to Rua Augusta Street. It is known for its intricate carving and is among the most popular things to see in Lisbon. Though you don’t need more than half an hour to admire it.

I suggest you should get your Admission Ticket to Rua Augusta Arch in advance.

3. Lisboa Story Centre

This museum tells the story of Lisbon and some of its prominent figures. You will need 2 hours to enjoy various multimedia narrations at this museum.

I suggest you should get your Ticket to Lisboa Story Centre in advance.

4. Church of Saint Anthony (Igreja de Santo António de Lisboa)

The church is known for its interiors, though exteriors aren’t too shabby either. The church contains several beautiful statues and paintings. Though the gilt woodwork is what people admire the most when they visit this Lisbon tourist attraction. You will need at least an hour at this church.

5. Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa)

Also known as Igreja de Santa Maria Major, this is the oldest cathedral in the city. There isn’t much to explore inside the church, so you don’t need more than 30 minutes here.

I suggest you should get your Entrance Ticket to Lisbon Cathedral in advance.

6. Fado Museum (Museu do Fado)

The museum is dedicated to the Fado style of folksinging. This style is traditional to Portugal and this museum gives great insight into the style. You will need about 2 hours at this museum.

If you visit Lisbon for more than 3 days, you can check out our exhaustive list of all the attractions in the city below.

Things to do in Lisbon

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Lisbon

Belem Tower
Jeronimos Monastery
Castelo de S. Jorge
Santa Justa Lift
Padrao dos Descobrimentos
Sanctuary of Christ the King
Arco da Rua Augusta
Carmo Convent
Lisbon Cathedral
Museu Nacional do Azulejo
National Pantheon
National Coach Museum
Museu Calouste Gulbenkian
Queluz National Palace
Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga
Museu de Marinha
Palacio Nacional da Ajuda Palace & Museum
Church of Sao Vicente of Fora
Basilica da Estrela
Aquaduto das Aguas Livres
Museu Coleção Berardo
Pombal Square Marquis
Church of Sao Roque
Museu do Fado
MAAT Electricity Museum
Casa dos Bicos House Museum
Palace Fronteira
Mafra National Palace
National Museum of Contemporary Art
Belem Palace
National Archeological Museum
Oriente Museum
Prazeres Cemetery
Carmo Archeological Museum
Santo Antonio Church
Church of St Dominic
Sao Bento Palace
Pavilhao do Conhecimento Science Museum
MUDE Fashion & Design Museum
Fernando Pessoa House Museum
Graca Convent
Carris Museum
National Museum of Natural History & Science
Ancient Roman Theatre
Costume Museum
Museu da Marioneta Puppetry Museum
Popular Art Museum
National Tile Museum
Padro dos Descobrimentos

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Lisbon

Parque Florestal de Monsanto
Garden of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Lisbon

Oceanario de Lisbon Aquarium
Parque Eduardo VII
Miraduoro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara
Lisbon Zoo
Centro Cultural de Belem
LxFactory
Lisboa Story Center
Casino Lisboa
Estufa Fria Botanical Gardens
Tropical Botanical Gardens
Tile Making Workshop
Ginja / ginjinha Tasting

Shopping in Lisbon

Praca do Comercio
Avenida da Liberdade
Mercado de Santa Clara Flea Market
Time Out Market
Mercado da Riberia
Embaixada Shopping Center
El Corte Ingles Lisboa Mall
Lx Factory
Rua Augusta Street
Centro Colombo
Bairro Alto Street
Chiado Square

Beaches & Island in Lisbon

Praia de Alges

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure Things to Do in Lisbon

Elevador da Bia ride
Lisbon Cable Car
River Tagus Cycling Tour
Kayaking

Sightseeing in Lisbon

Praca do Comercio
Rossio Square
Ponte 25 de April Bridge
Vasco da Gama Bridge
Pombal Square
Miraduoro da Senhora do Monte
Restauradores Square
Miraduoro de Santa Luzia
Praca da Figueira Square
Cais do Sodré
Vasco Da Gama Tower
Jardim da Estrela Park
Miraduoro das Portas do Sol
Rua Augusta
Principe Real Garden
Luis de Camoes Square
Miradoura da Graca
Praca Martim Moniz Street
Praca do Imperio Plaza
Jardim do Torel Park
Largo do Carmo Square
The Pink Street
Largo Portas do Sol Street
Rua Nova do Carvalho Street
Pavilhao de Portugal
Panoramico de Monsanto
Avenida Ribeira da Naus Street
Escultura de Fernando Pessoa

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Lisbon

Mercado de Ribeira
Prado
Dear Breakfast
Bota Sal
Manteigaria
The Food Temple
Enoteca de Belem
Beco Cabaret Gourmet
Pasteis de Belem
Alma
Lx Factory
Pesca
Mercado de Campo de Ourique
Taberna da Rua das Flores
Tapisco
Pharmacia
Local
Hello, Kristof
Os Gazeteiros
Esplanada Furnas
Boi Cavalo
Ze da Mouraria
Belcanto
A Cevicheria
Chutnify
Fabrica Coffee Roaster
Boa Bao
Cervejaria Ramiro
Feitoria
Tartine

Where to Stay in Lisbon?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Lisbon. You can check the below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Lisbon.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Lisbon

How to Reach Lisbon?

By Air

Your best bet for Lisbon travel is Aeroporto da Portela, which is the largest international airport in Portugal. You can get direct flights to visit Lisbon from almost every major European city. There are also direct flights for Lisbon travel from the continent of Africa from Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Guinea, Bissau, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Cape Verde, and so on. You can also get direct flights to visit Lisbon from USA, Canada, Brazil, and Venezuela. Though TAP Portugal is the major player for most of the travel destinations connected to Lisbon, there are several other airlines that serve Aeroporto da Portela like Emirates, British Airways, Air France, German Wings, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, United Airlines, and so on.

Once you reach the airport, there are several options to reach the best places to visit in Lisbon or your hotel. One of the most popular means of transport to the city is Aerobus. This green-colored bus operates on two routes from the airport. One to the city center and another to the central bus station. You can purchase tickets online and get a 10% discount for Lisbon travel via Aerobus. The bus is also great for Lisbon sightseeing. Aerobus 1 drops you at the city center, which itself is among the popular things to see in Lisbon.

The second option is the metro. It is advisable to avoid the metro late at night owing to incidents of petty thefts. Otherwise, it is a cheap way to get around to Lisbon’s tourist attractions. You can also get a daily pass for the metro if you plan on spending the entire day traveling to various Lisbon attractions. The pass is valid for 24 hours and can be used for bus, tram, and metro.

Another option is public transport buses running between the airport and the city. There are 5 buses you can pick from the airport depending on where you want to go for Lisbon sightseeing. You should expect delays in public transport bus timings during peak traffic hours. Otherwise, they generally run on time. If you can learn the routes well, they are quite a cheap ways to get around the city during Lisbon travel.

Finally, you have the option of taking a cab, which is the most expensive of all options. You can use cab-hailing apps, cab-sharing apps, and ride-sharing apps at the airport to get a cheaper ride to visit Lisbon. You can also pick up a cab directly from the airport to visit any of the places to go in Lisbon. But, the fare at the airport is generally higher compared to the city. Public transport is the cheapest way to get around for city sightseeing in Lisbon.

By Road

After air travel, the second fastest means to visit Lisbon is by train. There are two major train stations in the city serving international rail journeys for Lisbon travel. You can get a direct train to Lisbon from Irun, Hendaye, Valladolid, Miranda, and Madrid. There are several connecting trains from France, the UK, and Spain for Lisbon travel as well. As for international buses, you get far more options for direct routes. You can even get day trip tours for the best places to visit in Lisbon from nearby cities. You can choose a bus to reach the city and then go on to places to see in Lisbon. Alternatively, you can pick a tour bus which covers your transport during the city sightseeing in Lisbon. If you choose to drive yourself to Lisbon or hire a car with a driver, you can take routes A30, A36, A12, A2, A40, A9, and A5.

By Water

You can visit Lisbon by catching a ferry from Cacilhas, Barreiro, Montijo, and Trafaria. There are also river cruises along the Tagus river among Lisbon activities.

Image Reference

The Lady of the Mount Observation Point (Miradouro da Senhora do Monte) – M. Orchard / Flickr
National Pantheon (Panteão Nacional) – David Baron / Flickr
Monastery of São Vicente de Fora (Igreja da São Vicente de Fora) – Deensel / Flickr
São Jorge Castle (Castelo de São Jorge) – Duncan Rawlinson / Flickr
Alfama – LisArt / Flickr
Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara (Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara) – Jean-Christophe BENOIST / Wikimedia Commons
Museu de São Roque and Sacred Art Museum – Brian Dooley / Flickr
Bairro Alto – Júlia Orige / PixaBay
National Coach Museum (Museu Nacional dos Coches) – Pedro Ribeiro Simões / Flickr
Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) – Kirk Siang / Flickr
Belém Cultural Center (Centro Cultural de Belém) – Therese C / Flickr
Padrão dos Descobrimentos – Matt Kieffer / Flickr
Belém Tower – António Francisco Calado / PixaBay
Vasco da Gama Aquarium (Aquário Vasco da Gama) – Vitor Oliveira / Flickr
Museum of Design and Fashion Lisbon (MUDE – Museu do Design e da Moda) – Sharon Hahn Darlin / Flickr
Rua Augusta Arch (Arco Triunfal da Rua Augusta) – Rehman Abubakr / Wikimedia Commons
Lisboa Story Centre – lucico / Flickr
Church of Saint Anthony (Igreja de Santo António de Lisboa) – Singa Hitam / Flickr
Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa) – Shadowgate / Flickr
Fado Museum (Museu do Fado) – 69joehawkins / Wikimedia Commons