15+ Best Things To Do In lisbon (Portugal Travel Guide)

Lisbon, is one of Europe’s most enchanting cities, with beautiful architecture, amazing old lanes, historical destinations,s, and beautiful sceneries at every turn. Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is equipped with unique attractions and sightseeing for tourists. Whether in the city’s hilly districts or along the Tagus riverbank, 12 of the most scenic sights to see in Lisbon are revealed below.

1. Praça do Comércio

Praça do Comércio or Terreiro do Paço is one of the beautiful and splendid squares located in Lisbon at the bank of the River Tagus. The large circular central courtyard is covered and has arches supported by large 18th-century building constructions. It is one of the initial places that most tourists will set eyes on, especially those arriving from the river, and can therefore serve as a perfect starting point in the exploration of the city.

2. São Jorge Castle

The São Jorge Castle is another iconic monument of Lisbon; it is located on one of the city’s hills. The castle was built in the mid-11th century when Moorish settlers started building the first fortifications, but the construction is a combination of medieval Manueline and Portuguese models. There is a castle where tourists can walk around both the walls and towers to enjoy the views of the red roofs and the river.

3. Belém Tower

The Belém Tower is one of the most famous monuments in Lisbon situated on its coast on the Tagus River. Dating back to the early 16th century, the fortification of a castle appears to be something out of a fairy tale with its delicate Manueline-style tower. This is one of the most famous examples of how Portugal is distinct from other European country's architectural styles.

4. Alfama

Among all districts of Lisbon, Alfama looks quite traditional as its narrow alleys and streets were preserved in their original appearance. There are beautiful buildings carved with flower motifs, cozy cafes where you can sit down and have a cup of coffee, and typical Fado bars. You should walk up the steep narrow roads toward Castelo de São Jorge and see the beautiful views along the way.

5. Ribeira Market

Ribeira Market has been restored to the old times, the guests feel the spirit of Lisbon’s trading days. The present-day market hall is a 19th-century structure where you can find the remains of the old market in the form of a metal structure of the market stalls, colored glass, and historical tile panels. What makes it even better is that one can buy the products being sold in the market, making it ideal for purchasing indigenous foods and other handcrafted items.

6. Monument to the Discoveries

Exploration is deeply embedded in the culture of Portugal and that is why on the riverside there is a monument known as the Monument of the Discoveries with statues of famous explorers. The 56-meter-long monument is built in the shape of the bow of a ship getting ready to set sail. Tip, for a few euros it is possible to get to the terrace located on the top of the building with the view of Belém district and the Tagus River.

7. Lisbon Oceanarium

For children, Lisbon proudly presents one of the finest aquariums in Europe. The Lisbon Oceanarium has one central tank with a holding capacity of 750,000 litres which houses several sharks and rays. Multilevel tunnels give people full frontal views of thousands of global marine species feeding in brilliant coral zones.

8. Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

Among Lisbon’s most picturesque places, you should go visit the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint. Located in one of the several Lisbon hills, the picturesque terrace offers splendid vistas over the downtown areas of Lisbon to the castle, the river, and even beyond − a must-visit place to catch the sunset.

9. View of the Lady of the Mount

The longest flight of stairs in Lisbon is at the summit, the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte Viewpoint offers stunning views – in return for a good climb. Look down at the suburban hills, watchtowers of San Jorge Castle, and the Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge over the Tagus River.

10. Jerónimos Monastery

The most exquisite expression of Portugal’s epoch of Discovery is the Jerónimos Monastery, constructed in the 16th century. The main site of interest in the Belém district impresses visitors with a detailed Manueline entrance portal symbolizing sea motifs. Inside it, there are also buried Vasco da Gama and other explorers.

11. Rossio Square

Being one of the main squares located in the very center of Lisbon where the pedestrian-only zone has been established, Rossio Square offers visitors a vibrant atmosphere. It is a street of Baroque architecture with wrought-iron balconies, which is quite good if you want to sit down in an outdoor café. The stone pavement is not without interest and the forms that can be seen resemble the waves.

12. Commerce Square

Commerce Square is one of the most impressive in Lisbon; it has a second name – Palace Square, which refers to its location near the Royal Palace. The combination of black and white cobblestones together with a triumphal arch to the palace provides an ultimate grandeur. Tourists are equally privileged to follow the Changing of the Guard exercise at the palace gates.

Being a city with a rich history and an atmosphere that combines the opulent European ambiance with a modern cosmopolitan feel, Lisbon offers stunning sights and enigmatic experiences at every turn. It is fine to lose yourself meandering through markets and narrow streets and then occasionally pause in front of terraced miradouros to enjoy the splendid view of the river and the city. In this guide to the top things to do in Lisbon, you will find many unexpected delights if you spend enough time getting to know Portugal’s hill-top coastal city.

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