Lisbon attractions listed by popularity
Portugal's most famous monument was built in the early 16th century in the Tagus river to protect the city from enemy invasion. The fortress is beautifully decorated with limestone carvings and maritime ornaments.
The Sé, Lisbon's Cathedral, was built in the 12th century, shortly after the city was captured from the Moors. Despite many renovations, the church has retained much of its original Romanesque appearance.
The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is a magnificent monastery built in the early 16th century. The monastery is the most impressive example of the Manueline architecture style, a Portuguese variant of High Gothic.
The Monument to the Discoveries was built in the mid-20th century to celebrate the Age of Discoveries, when Portuguese explorers brought wealth to Lisbon thanks to the discovery of new land and trade routes.
Built in the early 20th century by a student of Gustave Eiffel to transport people between upper and downtown Lisbon, this iron elevator is now one of the must-see attractions in Lisbon.
The Castelo de São Jorge or St. George's Castle was built in the 11th century by the Moors. It was the last stronghold to fall during the recapture of Lisbon by the crusaders in 1147.
After the earthquake of 1755 destroyed much of downtown Lisbon, a large reconstruction project was started with this large square as the main focal point. At its center stands a monument dedicated to king José I.
The roundabout known as the Praça do Marquês de Pombal is dominated by a monument dedicated to the Marquis of Pombal, a powerful minister who gained respect for his efficient leadership after the earthquake of 1755.
The Gulbenkian Museum has an excellent art collection, spanning an era from 2000 BC to the early-20th century. The museum's art collection was acquired by Calouste Gulbenkian, an Armenian petrol magnate.
The Miradouro de Santa Luzia is a look-out point in Lisbon. From under a pergola in the beautiful garden terrace visitors have panoramic views over the old Alfama district.
This unique museum showcases the history of azulejos - ceramic tiles - from the 14th century to the present day. The azulejos are displayed in the 15th century Madre de Deus convent, an attraction in itself.
The Museu de Marinha, Lisbon's maritime museum, highlights the rich maritime heritage of Portugal through the display of model ships, nautical instruments and ceremonial barges.
The Parque Eduardo VII (Edward VII Park) was created at the end of the 19th century. Highlights in the park include a historic pavilion and Estufa Fria, a greenhouse garden.
The Ponte 25 de Abril is a more than 2 km long suspension bridge that was built in 1966 across the Tagus river. Its name refers to the Carnation Revolution of 1974.
The National Palace in Sintra, some 40 kilometers from Lisbon, was the summer palace of the Portuguese monarchs. The palace, built in the 14th century, is decorated with colorful tiles and wall paintings.
More than three centuries passed before the Church of Santa Engracia was completed. In 1916 the church was designated a pantheon where heroes of the nation of Portugal are honored.
The ruins of the Carmo church show the destruction caused by the earthquake of 1755, when numerous buildings in Lisbon collapsed. The Carmo church was built in 1423 and at the time was one of Lisbon's most magnificent churches.
The Avenida da Liberdade is Lisbon's main boulevard. The 90-meter-wide street was laid out in the late 19th century and modeled after the grand boulevards in Paris.
The Vasco da Gama bridge is a 17-km-long bridge that spans the estuary of the Tagus river. The modern bridge opened in 1998 to relieve congestion on the older April 25 Bridge.
The National Museum of Art is the largest museum in Lisbon, with a varied collection of art objects, many of which were created by Portuguese artists. The museum also has a quiet sculpture garden.
The Basilica da Estrela is one of Lisbon's most beautiful churches. It was built in the 18th century on the order of Queen regent Maria I of Portugal, whose tomb is now in the church.
The Botanical Garden of Ajuda is one of the nicest gardens in Lisbon. Main attractions are a large 18th-century fountain and a 400-year-old dragon tree.
At the center of this expansive square stands a tall monument erected in the 19th century to commemorate the Restauradores - the restoration of Portugal's independence from Spain in 1640.
Oriente Station was built in 1998 as the transportation hub for the World Expo held that same year in Lisbon. The station is one of the most spectacular modern buildings in the city.
The Pena National Palace in Sintra is a colorful, fairytale palace, built in the 18th century for king Fernando II. The palace has exuberant decorations in a mixture of architectural styles, from Gothic to Oriental.
The Museu Nacional dos Coches in Belém is one of the world's most important coach museums, with an excellent collection of historic vehicles displayed in a marvelously opulent setting.
The Águas Livres aqueduct was built in the 18th century to provide Lisbon with fresh water from the hills. The structure was one of the largest engineering projects of its time.
Praça do Município (Municipal Square) is a beautiful square in Baixa, dominated by the Neoclassical façade of the 19th-century city hall. At the center of the square stands a decorative column, known as pelourinho.
The São Bento Palace houses the legislative chambers of the Portuguese parliament. The palace was originally a monastery, built in the 16th century by the Benedictines.
The Vasco da Gama Tower is one of several architectural highlights that were built for the world expo of 1998. The tower was later expanded with a 22-story hotel building.
The church of São Vicente de Fora was built in the 17th century on the orders of the Spanish king Philip II. The former refectory of the adjoining monastery is now a pantheon honoring the last royal rulers of Portugal.
From this miradouro (belvedere) you have splendid views over a large part of Lisbon. The miradouro's garden, decorated with busts and a fountain, is a popular meeting point.
The Jardim da Estrela is a beautifully landscaped park located opposite the Estrela Basilica. The garden was laid out in the mid-19th century and is embellished with several statues and a wrought iron pavilion.
Largo do Chiado is a square at the center of the popular Chiado neighborhood, known for its theaters, cafés and shops. This was long the literary heart of Lisbon, and statues honor some of Portugal's most famous writers.
The Botanical Garden was created in the 19th century as a scientific garden for the University of Lisbon. There are some 10 000 plants, including primitive cycads and a huge dragon tree.
Lisbon attractions listed alphabetically
The Ponte 25 de Abril is a more than 2 km long suspension bridge that was built in 1966 across the Tagus river. Its name refers to the Carnation Revolution of 1974.
The Botanical Garden of Ajuda is one of the nicest gardens in Lisbon. Main attractions are a large 18th-century fountain and a 400-year-old dragon tree.
The Avenida da Liberdade is Lisbon's main boulevard. The 90-meter-wide street was laid out in the late 19th century and modeled after the grand boulevards in Paris.
The Basilica da Estrela is one of Lisbon's most beautiful churches. It was built in the 18th century on the order of Queen regent Maria I of Portugal, whose tomb is now in the church.
The Botanical Garden was created in the 19th century as a scientific garden for the University of Lisbon. There are some 10 000 plants, including primitive cycads and a huge dragon tree.
The Gulbenkian Museum has an excellent art collection, spanning an era from 2000 BC to the early-20th century. The museum's art collection was acquired by Calouste Gulbenkian, an Armenian petrol magnate.
The ruins of the Carmo church show the destruction caused by the earthquake of 1755, when numerous buildings in Lisbon collapsed. The Carmo church was built in 1423 and at the time was one of Lisbon's most magnificent churches.
The Jardim da Estrela is a beautifully landscaped park located opposite the Estrela Basilica. The garden was laid out in the mid-19th century and is embellished with several statues and a wrought iron pavilion.
Largo do Chiado is a square at the center of the popular Chiado neighborhood, known for its theaters, cafés and shops. This was long the literary heart of Lisbon, and statues honor some of Portugal's most famous writers.
The Museu de Marinha, Lisbon's maritime museum, highlights the rich maritime heritage of Portugal through the display of model ships, nautical instruments and ceremonial barges.
The Miradouro de Santa Luzia is a look-out point in Lisbon. From under a pergola in the beautiful garden terrace visitors have panoramic views over the old Alfama district.
From this miradouro (belvedere) you have splendid views over a large part of Lisbon. The miradouro's garden, decorated with busts and a fountain, is a popular meeting point.
The Monument to the Discoveries was built in the mid-20th century to celebrate the Age of Discoveries, when Portuguese explorers brought wealth to Lisbon thanks to the discovery of new land and trade routes.
The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is a magnificent monastery built in the early 16th century. The monastery is the most impressive example of the Manueline architecture style, a Portuguese variant of High Gothic.
This unique museum showcases the history of azulejos - ceramic tiles - from the 14th century to the present day. The azulejos are displayed in the 15th century Madre de Deus convent, an attraction in itself.
The Museu Nacional dos Coches in Belém is one of the world's most important coach museums, with an excellent collection of historic vehicles displayed in a marvelously opulent setting.
The National Museum of Art is the largest museum in Lisbon, with a varied collection of art objects, many of which were created by Portuguese artists. The museum also has a quiet sculpture garden.
More than three centuries passed before the Church of Santa Engracia was completed. In 1916 the church was designated a pantheon where heroes of the nation of Portugal are honored.
Oriente Station was built in 1998 as the transportation hub for the World Expo held that same year in Lisbon. The station is one of the most spectacular modern buildings in the city.
The Parque Eduardo VII (Edward VII Park) was created at the end of the 19th century. Highlights in the park include a historic pavilion and Estufa Fria, a greenhouse garden.
The Pena National Palace in Sintra is a colorful, fairytale palace, built in the 18th century for king Fernando II. The palace has exuberant decorations in a mixture of architectural styles, from Gothic to Oriental.
The roundabout known as the Praça do Marquês de Pombal is dominated by a monument dedicated to the Marquis of Pombal, a powerful minister who gained respect for his efficient leadership after the earthquake of 1755.
After the earthquake of 1755 destroyed much of downtown Lisbon, a large reconstruction project was started with this large square as the main focal point. At its center stands a monument dedicated to king José I.
Praça do Município (Municipal Square) is a beautiful square in Baixa, dominated by the Neoclassical façade of the 19th-century city hall. At the center of the square stands a decorative column, known as pelourinho.
At the center of this expansive square stands a tall monument erected in the 19th century to commemorate the Restauradores - the restoration of Portugal's independence from Spain in 1640.
Built in the early 20th century by a student of Gustave Eiffel to transport people between upper and downtown Lisbon, this iron elevator is now one of the must-see attractions in Lisbon.
The National Palace in Sintra, some 40 kilometers from Lisbon, was the summer palace of the Portuguese monarchs. The palace, built in the 14th century, is decorated with colorful tiles and wall paintings.
The Castelo de São Jorge or St. George's Castle was built in the 11th century by the Moors. It was the last stronghold to fall during the recapture of Lisbon by the crusaders in 1147.
The São Bento Palace houses the legislative chambers of the Portuguese parliament. The palace was originally a monastery, built in the 16th century by the Benedictines.
The church of São Vicente de Fora was built in the 17th century on the orders of the Spanish king Philip II. The former refectory of the adjoining monastery is now a pantheon honoring the last royal rulers of Portugal.
The Sé, Lisbon's Cathedral, was built in the 12th century, shortly after the city was captured from the Moors. Despite many renovations, the church has retained much of its original Romanesque appearance.
Portugal's most famous monument was built in the early 16th century in the Tagus river to protect the city from enemy invasion. The fortress is beautifully decorated with limestone carvings and maritime ornaments.
The Vasco da Gama bridge is a 17-km-long bridge that spans the estuary of the Tagus river. The modern bridge opened in 1998 to relieve congestion on the older April 25 Bridge.
The Vasco da Gama Tower is one of several architectural highlights that were built for the world expo of 1998. The tower was later expanded with a 22-story hotel building.
The Águas Livres aqueduct was built in the 18th century to provide Lisbon with fresh water from the hills. The structure was one of the largest engineering projects of its time.