Do you know that Lisbon had 6.5 million foreign tourists in 2023 alone? The number is going to increase in 2024.
Lisbon is known as the oldest and most attractive capital of European countries. It has a never-ending range of restaurants and chefs who are popular around the world. It also has vibrant street corners and charming architecture with historical elements.
It’s safe to say that Lisbon is a bustling city, and tourists are often confused about what to see and what to give up on. So, let’s have a look at the 10 best places to visit in Lisbon!
The Best Places to Visit in Lisbon in 2024
There are seven hills in Lisbon, and all of them have their own unique neighborhood. Also, every neighborhood has its own culture and charm but since Portugal is one of the safest cities of Europe, exploring it will be a promising experience.
1. Visit Alfama and Castelo São Jorge
Alfama is the oldest quarter of Lisbon and is known for its rustic charm. It has steep stairs throughout the area with small squares and alleyways. There are small, cramped houses in this part of the city, and the streets are covered with cobblestone. Remember that Alfama is an uphill walk, so make sure you go on a bus or buy a tram ticket.
Castelo São Jorge is on the site of an old fortress. It was once used by the Moors, Visigoths, and Romance. It was conquered back in 1147, but it was damaged by strong earthquakes in 1755. Over time, it has been restored. Now, it has huge courtyards and gardens surrounded by Moorish walls.
There are shady surroundings in the castle, and you can see peacocks walking around the fountains. Alfama also has two months of summer shows, known as Festas de Lisboa. The summer shows start from mid-May and continue till mid-July. If you go during these months, don’t forget to enjoy the grilled sardines and vinho verde (this is young wine!). Once you are done sprawling this area, go to Prado if you want to enjoy an organic and fresh meal.
2. Check Out the Belém Tower
Belém Tower has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983. It shows the true side of Portuguese culture and is a famous monument in Lisbon. Lisbon was discovered by Portuguese navigators, who turned it into a trade hub during the 15th and 16th centuries. That’s when King João II launched a project to secure the city from different entry points.
It was completed back in 1514, and Belém Tower was a part of this project. In particular, the tower was created to protect the city from the incoming raids. It was designed by Francisco de Arruda and he created a unique design. It has a modern yet armed mainstay. It oversees the river. In addition, the tower has a huge spiral staircase.
There is also a rooftop terrace, and you will be able to enjoy the river views from there. Also, there are five floors that you’ve to cross to reach the terrace. There are 16 windows on the ground floor, and all of them have cannons. You can book a tour visit, and the guide will show you the holes and pits where prisoners were thrown as a punishment. The tower is also lit up at night and looks amazing!
3. Enjoy Lunch at Pena National Palace
It is located on the Sintra Hills, and this palace looks like a crown on the hill. It has a park surrounding it, which complements the magical side of the palace. The first look at this palace will leave you in awe and somewhat mysterious. It was ordered by Dom Fernando of Saxe Coburg-Gotha.
Pena National Palace was created as a summer house for the royal family when Don Fernando married Dona Maria II. The palace was designed by adopting the Portuguese architectural design. The surrounding park used to be a woodland, and it has an English aesthetic. In addition, the park has exotic species of trees that provide shade in the scorching summer season.
The interior is decorated according to the different tastes of the kings and queens. The walls are painted with azulejos and trompe l’oeil effect. The best thing about this palace is the chapel. The chapel has an alabaster altarpiece designed by Nicolau Chanterenne. Lastly, one of the wings of this palace has a restaurant on the terrace. It gives panoramic views of the coast and Serra de Sintra while you enjoy the delicious food.
4. Relax at the Castelo de São Jorge
Castelo de São Jorge is a famous monument in Lisbon, and it’s located on the highest hill of the city. The oldest fortification can be traced back to the 2nd century BC, but there are some remains from the 6th century BC. In fact, there have been archaeological investigations here. As a result, traces of Carthaginians, Greeks, Muslims, Romans, and Phoenicians people were found here. It shows that this area was occupied by humans.
Back in the 10th and 11th centuries, when Lisbon was operating as a Moorish port, this castle was founded. Dom Afonso was the first king of Portugal, and he captured the castle and city in 1147. Castelo de São Jorge was named a national monument back in 1910. After that, there was a lot of renovation and restoration work during the 20th century.
The castle has become a relaxing spot for people in the neighborhood. Also, this castle offers the best view of the River Tagus (people who love water coasts will love this sight). Within the castle, there is a museum and they run the presentation of Lisbon’s history. In addition, there is an obscure camera in the castle, and it has a huge periscope. It will help you enjoy the 360-degree view of the city.
5. Explore the Night Life of Bairro Alto
Bairro Alto is an upper neighborhood and it’s been around since 1513. It was the first planned district of Lisbon, and it had narrow streets that connected with the medieval wall. In addition, it was known as the neighborhood of aristocrats and merchants.
Bairro Alto is known for its bohemian lifestyle. During the 1980s, everyone used to work till late at night, and that’s when street parties became a thing. The street parties were planned every Friday and Saturday night. However, it is mostly a sleepy place when you visit it during the day. You might see some seniors washing clothes and hanging them on the balcony.
As a tourist, you will enjoy this place more during the evening or night because that’s when everything is lit up. Lastly, don’t forget to visit São Pedro de Alcântara. Lastly, Bairro Alto faces a castle, and the entire setting is extremely romantic, so do enjoy the views if you are going with your loved one.
6. Check the Historical Statues at the Praça do Comércio
Praça do Comércio, also known as Commerce Plaza, is a huge plaza facing the harbor. It was built in place of the old Royal Palace, which was destroyed in 1755 by an earthquake. The plaza has been popular for maritime trade and operated as the main entry point. The southern side of this plaza is open and offers a view of the Tagus River.
The remaining three sides have yellow buildings, and their façade is lined with arches. When this square was built, commercial ships used to unload the items because it was the door to the city. When you are there, do check out the Equestrian Status of Joseph. In particular, this statue was designed in 1775 by Machado de Castro.
If you are in the mood to enjoy the river, you can go to the Cais de Sodré. There is a ferry terminal here, and many ferries depart from here.
7. Visit the National Pantheon of Santa Engracia
The National Pantheon of Santa Engracia is a church. It’s meant to honor and promote the work and life of Portuguese people. It has been the national monument of Portugal since 1910 and shows the baroque lifestyle. In fact, it has a Greek cross plan. There are four equal arms in the building and there are curved elevations. Also, the interior is completed with stonework and ornamental stones.
The main entrance of the Pantheon has three portals, all of them with decorative details. You will also come across the sculptures of Santa Engrácia, Santa Isabel, and Santo Condestavel. All of them were designed by António Duarte. This Pantheon has unusual proportions, but they complement the rolling walls.
If you are visiting this place on Tuesday or Saturday, Fiera da Ladra is another place to go. That’s because it is a street market right with the National Pantheon. The fair has been around since the 13th century, and the final place was named Campo de Santa Clara in 1882. You can find vintage and antique things here, such as tiles, watches, vinyl records, clothes, and furniture.
8. Check out The Hieronymite Monastery
The Hieronymite Monastery is the old monastery of the Order of Saint Jerome. It is pretty close to the Tagus River. Back in the 16th century, this monastery was the necropolis of the royal dynasty of Portugal. However, it was secularized in 1833, and its ownership was transferred to the Real Casa Pia de Lisboa (this was a charitable organization).
The monastery is constructed with a gothic Manueline style in mind. In 180, the remains of Luís de Camões were transferred to the newly carved tombs. You can visit these tombs in the church. To be precise, these tombs are a few meters away from the tombs of John III and Manuel I. The Hieronymite Monastery was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
Diogo de Boitaca is the mastermind behind its architecture. He designed and built this monastery on the site of Ermida do Restelo. It was a chapel where sailors used to pray before they set sail to India. There is also the Church of Santa Maria that you can visit. It has only one nave and there are six sculpted columns here. Not to forget, there is a two-storey cloister, which looks stunning.
Also Read: Places to See in Portugal For Tourists
9. Enjoy the Art at The Berardo Museum
If you have a knack for history, visiting The Berardo Museum should be on your list. The museum has a collection of contemporary and modern art. Back in 2006, Jose Berardo loaned his art to the Centro Cultural de Belém for the long term. The Portuguese government is responsible for managing the costs of displaying the art.
The art has been arranged in a linear form. You can walk through a line of rooms, and all of them have austere white walls. These walls display modern art, which includes minimalist, pop art, conceptual art, and surreal art. There are permanent collections here, along with temporary exhibitions. Lastly, this museum has art from big names, such as Joan Mitchell, Sam Francis, Cindy Sherman, and Georges Vantongerloo.
10. Explore Chiado
Chiado is the most elegant neighborhood where you can go shopping and have a nice cup of coffee. There are old buildings here, dating back to the late 1700s. However, many buildings were restored in the 1990s, and Álvaro Siza Vieira was the mastermind behind this restoration. The restoration was ordered because of huge fires in 1988.
Chiado has a lot of classic theaters, restaurants, bookshops, and international brands in this neighborhood. It means you will be able to enjoy the cosmopolitan side of Lisbon in this neighborhood. If you want a good sight, we recommend going to the Convento do Carmo. It is a small but stunning archeological museum. Some other places to visit include Terraços do Carmo, Basílica dos Mártires, and Bertrand Bookstore.
Conclusion
Lisbon is a diverse city to visit. It has architectural wonders and historical places. In addition, it has Michelin-rated restaurants and amazing nightlife, so you won’t miss out on anything. With this article, you can find out about the 10 best places to visit in Lisbon if you are visiting for the first time.
FAQs
Are three days enough to visit Lisbon?
Yes, three days are enough. That’s because three days are enough to check out the historical sights of Lisbon and enjoy the local culture. You can visit the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora, and .Belém Tower.
What is the specialty of Lisbon?
You should treat yourself with Pastel de nata, which is a custard tart. The tart has a golden puff pastry with creamy egg custard.
What Is Lisbon Best Known For?
Lisbon is known for the colorful architecture and historical landmarks. In addition, tourists love the old-fashioned trams, particularly Tram 28. This tram takes tourists on a 40-minute long ride, on which you can check out Graça, Baixa, and Alfama.
Is Lisbon Expensive to Live In?
It is considered the most expensive city of Portugal but it is still very affordable as compared to other countries of Western Europe. This means international students and expats can live a comfortable life if your earning is around 2,615.7€, including rent.
How Expensive Is Eating Out in Lisbon?
No, it is not very expensive because €40 to €50 is enough to have lunch at a good cafe in Lisbon.
