Lisbon water front
The best 5 things to do in Lisbon (Portugal)
Region: Lisbon and Tagus Valley
The best 5 things to do in Lisbon (Portugal)
Alfama. Lisbon
What you (surely) don’t want to miss on your trip to Lisbon.
Lisbon. The White City, as called by the Swiss director Alain Tanner.
Lisbon of the Discoveries, the Tagus river, the Tower and Jerónimos Monastery.
Lisbon of the beautiful Azulejos (Glazed Tiles) with hues of blue and white.
The traditional Lisbon, Alfama, Fado and the bohemian Bairro Alto.
The Picturesque Lisbon, with its typical neighbourhoods and narrow streets and alleys, from Sé to Cais do Sodré.
The Elegant Lisbon of the Chiado.
The Baroque Lisbon with richly decorated churches and basilicas.
The Contemporary Lisbon, from the diverse architecture to the lively cultural life. There’s so many facets to Lisbon that I am sure you’ll be amazed at its diversity and unique beauty.
The 25th of April Bridge
1. Belém. Centuries of History and a Little Treat.
Belém is intrinsically linked to Portugal’s Golden Age of Discovery, the site where navigators set sail to discover the world from the 1400's onwards.
It’s the area where you will find the most visited tourist attractions, Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites), the Monument to the Discoveries and The Coach Museum. The latter being a gem in a worldwide context, as you will be able to see a precious and one-of-a-kind collection of royal ceremonial coaches and carriages, that will immediately teleport you to ages long gone by.
First stop should be the Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos), a Manueline masterpiece that will leave you inspired.
Nearby is the Belém Tower, symbol of Portugal's maritime glory.
A stroll in Belém gardens and waterfront is mandatory. Open sky, the river breeze, the white hues of the buildings, as well as the contemporary Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT).
Don’t miss the chance to taste the divine traditional Pastéis de Belém (Custard tarts), just a short walk away. If it’s too crowded, take them with you to the gardens and have your delicious treat outdoors.
Blessed be the monks that created them!
Monument to the Discoveries, Belém
Monument to the Discoveries, Belém
2. The Lookout Points. The reward after climbing the hills of Lisbon.
The only way is up to visit these spots. For a quick ride up some of the city's steepest hills, Lisbon operates three bee-yellow elevadores (funiculars/trams), which were originally water-powered.
One of the most charming rides is the Elevador da Bica which creeps up to Rua do Loreto through the Santa Catarina district. At the end of Rua Marechal Saldanha, is the Miradouro de Santa Catarina with a few popular outdoor cafés, offering exhilarating views across the river and the 25th of April Bridge.
The other lookout point not to be missed is S.Pedro de Alcântara. Built in the 19th century, this Lisbon “hotspot” was recently restored. Located at the top of the journey of the Gloria Elevator, nearby Bairro Alto, provides a spectacular perspective over Lisbon’s Eastern side, like the appealing old quarters of Graça, Saint Vincent Monastery and St. George Castle.
The best views are at the end of the day, when the lights of Lisbon are lit and the slope of the castle is illuminated.
São Pedro de Alcântara Lookout Point
Santa Catarina Lookout Point
3. Chiado and Baixa Pombalina. Augusta Street Arch for Stunning Views.
Start your stroll in Chiado, one of the most elegant parts of the city, with centenary cafés and probably the best shops in town. In the beginning of the 20th century the menus of the finest cafés were written in French, as it had ambitions of being “Lisbon’s little Paris”.
Walk down towards Santa Justa Elevator, connecting the higher part of Chiado and Carmo to the lower streets of Baixa (Downtown).
Baixa, the next stop, is the best place to admire the typical Pombaline architectural style so characteristic of Lisbon. Out of curiosity, Pombaline is named after the feared and admired statesman Marquis of Pombal, that was in charge of revamping the city after the devasting earthquake of 1755.
Don’t miss the Arch of Augusta street, where you can admire stunning views to St. Jorge Castle, Downtown, Commerce Square and, last but not the least, the Tagus River.
Rua Augusta Arch
Rossio Square
4. National Tile Museum. Discover the Portuguese Art of Azulejos.
The National Tile Museum, one-of-a-kind in the world, is housed in the 16th century Convent of Madre de Deus - a rather secluded venue but well worth a visit.
Over the centuries the Portuguese have developed a particular form of art consisting of paintings on ceramic tiles, a mastery known as “Azulejaria” (from “azulejos” – glazed tiles).
You can admire a unique collection consisting of some 1,300 tiles, from ancient to contemporary styles.
The highlight lies on the third floor with a Great Lisbon Panorama wall panel, dating back to early 18th century, depicting Lisbon before the 1755 earthquake.
16th and 18th century Glazed Tiles displayed in the National Tile Museum
16th and 18th century Glazed Tiles displayed in the National Tile Museum
5. Gulbenkian Museum and Foundation
The Gulbenkian Museum houses one of the world’s finest private art collections.
The Foundation premises include a large auditorium with a wide selection of music concerts, from classical to contemporary, a space for temporary exhibitions, a congress area with auditoriums and other rooms, as well as the latter mentioned Gulbenkian Museum, the Art Library and a Modern Art Centre.
Don’t miss the chance to visit its beautiful gardens. If you visit in the beginning of August you will be lucky to get “Jazz em Agosto”, a rather quirky jazz festival with worldwide musicians playing live on a beautiful outdoor amphitheatre.
Gulbenkian Foundation & Museum – View to the the Park
For a more in-depth or detailed visit, Lisbon with Pats can help you maximize your time and have the best and memorable experience of Portugal’s capital city.
Meet Pats Madeira from Lisbon with Pats
Author bio:
Pats Madeira is an author, a cultural tour guide and the founder of Lisbon with Pats, that offer private tours of Lisbon, tailored to the visitor’s interests and preferences.She’s a Lisbon Expert and her tours are highly acclaimed for bringing history to life.
If you want to have a peek preview of Lisbon or can’t wait to travel, Lisbon with Pats also offers several live virtual tours in Lisbon, upon request.
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