Things to do in Lisbon

If there is just one landmark you visit when touring through the Portuguese capital, make it this one.

​

Soaring high above the seafront of the Lisbon quays, this great tower displays a veritable fusion of architectural styles from the Mudejar to the Moorish, the Gothic to the Romanesque.

It has stood watch over the mouth of the Tagus River since its construction under the patronage of Saint John back in the 16th century.

​

Just a glance at the ornate spires and grand carvings of the great Monastery of Jerónimos should be enough to deduce the raison d’être for this massive landmark which is nestled close to the banks of the Tagus River.

​

It was built to mark Portugal’s most glorious age which was called ‘The Age of Exploration’. The fusion of architectural designs, known as the Manueline style, stands as testimony to the cultures encountered by Lisbon’s explorers, while the money used to build the structure came from Portugal’s international trade in cloves, cumin and exotic spices.

​

It is also another of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Now something of a historical monument in its own right, the Padrão dos Descobrimentos marks the shore of the Tagus Estuary with its grand architecture and beige stone.

​

It’s been here since the early 1960s and is an ornate testimony to the successes of Portuguese exploration during the Age of Discovery.

​

You can reach the towering landmark by strolling along the waterside of Santa Maria de Belém.

​

Once you spot it, be sure to pick out the legendary figures of Vasco da Gama (an explorer of India and Arabia) and Prince Henry the Navigator (an adventurer of the Great Sand Sea).

Like San Francisco in the United States, Lisbon is a city famed for its historic, rattling tram lines.

None are more iconic than Tram 28 which has been working its way up the steep, cobbled roads and into the old Alfama district for decades.

​

The journey starts below the palm-spotted hills of Graça, and weaves toward the hair-pin alleys of Escolas Gerais, before pulling up to a halt beneath the gorgeous domes of the Estrela Basilica.

​

The people-watching opportunities from the windows are second-to-none, and you’re bound to discover decades of history as you pass the various majestic palaces and castles along the route.

The compact little Alfama District is Lisbon’s answer to the old town centers of Europe’s other ancient capitals.

​

Like the Forum of Rome, it’s hailed as the oldest part of the city, although this one dates back to the Moors of Africa instead of the kings of Latium.

​

Delving into the warren of winding streets and alleys that forms the district is one of the top activities for visitors to Portugal’s capital.

As you stroll, great cathedrals like the Lisbon Cathedral and tile-fronted chapels reveal themselves on the corners.

There are also the remains of old city walls and hidden squares with al fresco cafes aplenty.

‘Did you go to Sintra?’ is the usual question asked by veterans of Portugal’s capital.

Despite being a totally different city and situated more than half an hour away from Lisbon by car, the glorious town of Sintra remains one of the major attractions here.

Daytrips are common, while others will want to spend a couple of days exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

​

It sits high up amidst the mythical Mountains of the Moon, displaying elegant baroque churches, colorful mansions and the grand palaces of former Portuguese kings and queens.

St George’s Castle is unquestionably the most visible landmark of Lisbon’s historic center.

Standing tall and firm above the streets of the old Alfama District, the great citadel was first built more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans.

Since then, it has been developed by subsequent rulers of the city, from the Berbers to the Reconquista knights.

​

Today it has mighty palisades and crenulated towers to admire, along with an encircling dry moat and other anti-siege features.

Pass beneath the large gate here and notice the Portuguese royal seal, marking the country’s monarchic strength.

Located out in the blue waters of the Tagus Estuary, the huge Lisbon Oceanarium rises like a hulking aircraft carrier.

​

Inside, the structure houses countless exhibits related to marine life, which together pull in over one million visitors each year.

​

You can get up close to colorful puffer fish as well as watch the marauding sharks.

You’ll see curious moray eels and meet cuddly penguins.

​

There are also interesting collections of sea anemones and corals, not to mention an artificial boating lagoon out front where you can rent a pedalo if it is sunny.

There are two distinct sides to Lisbon’s most famous food market.

​

First of all there is the downstairs part, which throbs with local fruit and vegetable sellers touting succulent legumes and Mediterranean fruits every morning of the week, so make sure to get there early if you want to get the best deals.

​

Then there is the upstairs section which comes packed with more modern, often quirky food stalls and cutting-edge eateries.

​

It is there that you will be able to taste the local specialty of custard tarts, sip fine Portuguese wines, and even attempt to conquer a massive francesinha sandwich which is one of the treats to come out of Porto in the north.

Bringing up the more modern side of Lisbon’s already formidable array of world class museums and exhibition spaces is the acclaimed Berardo Collection Museum.

​

This massive institution now pulls in excess of 2.5 million visitors each year.

​

They come to wonder at the smorgasbord of eclectic artworks, which range from abstract expressionism to digital art installations or neo-realism and photography.

​

Curators are dedicated to maintaining the cutting-edge aspect of the collections, which means there are also regular touring collections so you can expect the likes of French avant-garde pieces and European cubism to be on display.