Lisbon Travel Guide to Top Tourist Attractions
Lisbon is any tourist's playground with its great sunny weather and nightlife that outshines Madrid's by far!
Lisbon offers many world-renowned tourist attractions from Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, incredible beaches to towering majestic castles. Stroll through its fascinating winding streets and stop anywhere to enjoy delicious experimental cuisine. Sample its famous seafood and Pasteis de Belem, a sort of custard tart. Lisbon can't possibly disappoint.
However, to avoid missing the best-rated places in your limited time frame there, use my Lisbon travel guide to find the 9 most famous must-see top tourist attractions in Lisbon. I have left the very best for last.
1. Mosteiro dos Jeronimos
The Jeronimos monastery is one of Portugal's great landmarks, and such a remarkable monument amounting to tremendous cultural and historic importance that it has earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
Standing close to the riverfront in one of Lisbon's most beautiful neighborhoods, the monastery was erected in 1501 to commemorate Vasco da Gama's great 1498 sea journey to India. Besides being a place of worship, the monastery also symbolizes the riches that poured in from the Age of Discovery, for its construction was mostly financed by trading of spices that da Gama brought back.
Notable features include the charming Manueline cloister and beautifully elaborate south portal. The tomb of Vasco da Gama lies inside the entry to Santa Maria church.
2. Oceanario de Lisboa
As one of Europe's best aquariums and one of the world's biggest, the Lisbon Oceanarium is also the most family-friendly of all the attractions in the city.
Peter Chermayeff designed it and was constructed specifically for the 98 World Exposition in Parque das Nações. The oceanarium houses an astonishing number of fish as well as marine animals, plus many various types of species of birds.
Here, you'll discover four different sea and landscapes, representing the habitats of the Antarctic, Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. They surround a vast major tank brimming with fish of all sizes and shapes such as sleek sharks, bulbous sunfish, and graceful rays.
The rounded plexiglass permits a wonderful close-up observation of this sensational undersea world. However, do not overlook the less conspicuous but no less remarkable species residing in smaller aquaria like the comic clownfish and sea dragon.
You'll love exploring the various ecosystems. The Antarctic habitat displays fun penguins and spirited sea otters in the Pacific tank.
3. Museu Calouste Gulbenkian
It's one of Europe's most celebrated museums and Lisbon's cultural crowning jewel. Located in a lush and verdant park, the museum took its name after Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, who, an Armenian oil magnate, donated his huge private art collection to Portugal before dying in 1955. After following the instructions of his endowment and creating a foundation, the arts complex became the centerpiece.
The late oil magnate's incredible hoard showcases priceless artworks from all over the world and spanning 4000 years, as far back as from Egyptian era to the 20th century. Here, you can spend at least half a day exploring the treasure chest from several different eras in history. You'll be blown away with your intoxicating exploration while discovering one of the continent's best collections of art.
For example, you'll find 11 Roman medallions, found in Abu Qir, Egypt, made to honor the Olympic games hosted in Macedonia in the year AD 242.
4. The National Museum of Ancient Art
As one of the best cultural attractions in Lisbon, the national museum is home to the biggest selection of Portuguese 15th and 16th century paintings in the nation. Moreover, there's also a fantastic exhibition of African, Oriental, and European art.
The museum itself is housed inside a 17th-century palace, which was constructed above the ruined St. Albert Carmelite monastery, destroyed by the 1755 earthquake. But the chapel survived miraculously and became part of the building.
Arranged in three levels, the expansive collection needs a solid two hours to browse through. Start exploring level 1 at St. Albert Chapel. Here you'll find Portuguese tapestries, textiles, and furniture.
5. Museu do Oriente
Located close to Alcantara, the museum is home to a remarkable collection of oriental art that talks about Portugal's presence in Asian countries as well as the Far East.
The permanent display is arranged in two levels and then further divided into groups around many core sections of oriental art. Shown under subdued light but with a spotlight shining on individual pieces, the collection introduces you to a stunning journey of discovering trade and cultural connections created between Portugal and Japan, Macau, Timor, India, and Myanmar.
On the first floor, a huge 17th-century teak door decorated with bronze and iron greets you and paves the path into a hall which dazzles with astonishing artifacts like the Namban screen portraying Portuguese sailors leaving the Kurofune and meeting Japanese locals.
6. Torre de Belem
Perhaps Lisbon's most emblematic monument, the famous Belem Tower rises close to the mouth of the River Tagus, symbolizing Portugal's outstanding Age of Discovery in the 16th century.
Completed by 1521 as a fort and established originally in the center of the river, the building represents the pinnacle of ornamental Manueline architecture. Its elaborate facade is decorated with imaginative maritime motifs and armillary spheres etched out of stone.
The monument has earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status because of its timeless value. Set over different levels, the most fascinating interior aspect is the 2nd-floor King's Chamber, which paves the way to a Renaissance loggia. The regal coat of arms belonging to Manuel l hangs over the graceful arcades.
Climb the steep spiraling staircase all the way to the top and you'll be generously rewarded as you enjoy a breathtaking vista of the river and waterfront esplanade.
7. Elevador de Santa Justa
The rather quirky-looking Santa Justa lift is a Neo Gothic elevator, very eccentric but makes an interesting means of transportation in the city as it towers unevenly above the rooftops of Baixa district.
It was built in 1901 to link the Baixa with the Largo do Carmo in the Bairro Alto community, a fashionable area dotted with expensive stores, little restaurants, and Fado homes.
Today, tourists take the 32-meter lift to the top, riding in wood-constructed cabins which still have original brass instruments. After the cabins make their route to a platform, passengers could either leave and cross a bridge into the trendy area of Bairro Alto or choose to climb the spiraling staircase leading all the way to the upper terrace.
The vistas from up here are extraordinary and observe the lively urban sights of busy streets, beautiful squares, and the inescapable castle.
8. Se Cathedral
Standing in the Castelo district, the Se, a fortified Romanesque cathedral, has seen many architectural makeovers since it was built back in 1150. A number of earthquakes, especially the 1755 thoroughly destroyed everything which once existed since the 12th century.
So, what you'll see now is a combination of architectural styles, of which the twin castellated bell towers steal the spotlight and are especially evocative during the afternoon as the declining sunlight strikes the brickwork resulting in a golden veneer.
When inside, head directly to the treasury to see the cathedral's priceless artifacts on display such as silverware, statuary, elaborately embroidered vestments, and some rare illustrated manuscripts.
Also, visit the Gothic cloister to explore the on-site excavations that have exposed the authentic foundations of Moorish and Roman dwellings.
9. Castelo de São Jorge
As Lisbon's most recognized major attraction that can't be overlooked, St. George Castle dominates a glamorous location close to Alfama on a hill overlooking the capital.
It shouldn't be no surprise that the castle is Lisbon's highest ranking destination in terms of tourist popularity, with its stunning battlements, intriguing museum, and enchanting archaeological site which will reward the entire family.
There has existed a fortress on this site from the Iron Age onward, but as a castle the Moors put up a brave defense against the Christian invaders before Afonso Henriques eventually overthrew them in 1147. The triumphant king commissioned the Alacova Palace, becoming official residence of later monarchs till a new regal residence was built near the river.
Be sure to stop by the observation terrace to delight in the amazing vistas of the River Tagus, the city, and the remote Atlantic Ocean.
