Lisbon: The Complete Guide

The eighteenth-century city of central Lisbon is known for its elegant design, proximity to the sea, and careful planning. This description applies within the boundaries of the old central triangle of hills, but not to the modern suburbs, some of which are grim. The Baixa, or lower town, was built in less than a decade by the Marquês de Pombal, a dictatorial minister, after the Great Earthquake of 1755 destroyed much of central Lisbon. The earthquake, which struck on All Saints’ Day in 1755, caused fires that raged throughout the city, and a tidal wave that killed 40,000 of the 270,000 population. Before the earthquake, Lisbon was one of the most active ports in Europe, having been prosperous since Roman times. The city was twice at the forefront of European development and trade in the past, during the great Portuguese discoveries of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and the opening decades of the eighteenth century, when Brazil yielded gold and diamonds. These were the great ages of Portuguese patronage. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Lisbon experienced political upheavals, but the Art Nouveau movement made its mark on the city. In recent decades, Lisbon has undergone significant reconstruction and renovation, boosted by EU funding for economic regeneration in the 1980s, its status as European City of Culture in 1994, hosting of the Expo in 1998, and the European Championships of 2004. The city’s transportation infrastructure has been improved, and historic districts and riverfronts have been given makeovers, making Lisbon one of Europe’s most exciting capitals.

Visiting Lisbon for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Lisbon on the first visit. Top help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!

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7 Best places to See in Lisbon

This complete guide to Lisbon not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.

This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in Lisbon and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!

São Jorge Castle (Lisbon)

LisbonCastle
CC BY-SA 3.0 / GNU
Standing atop the São Jorge hill, the highest point in Lisbon, is the majestic São Jorge Castle, an iconic symbol of the city. This castle is one of Lisbon’s most famous landmarks and its silhouette is instantly recognizable, whether seen during the day or illuminated at night. The hill is also home to two of […]
Location: São Jorge Castle, Rua de Santa Cruz do Castelo, Lisbon, Portugal | Hours: 9am-9pm Mar-Oct, to 6pm Nov-Feb | Price: adult/student/child €10/4/free | Website | Distance: 1.10km
Visiting São Jorge Castle (Lisbon)

Arco da Rua Augusta

Arco Da Rua Augusta
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Alvesgaspar
For a unique perspective of Lisbon, consider ascending one of the city’s iconic structures. Since August 9, 2013, the Arch has opened its doors to the public, providing an unparalleled view of Lisbon at your feet. Located on Rua Augusta, this triumphal arch has always impressed pedestrians with its grandeur. Now, visitors can ascend to […]
Location: Arco da Rua Augusta, Rua Augusta, Lisbon, Portugal | Hours: 9am-8pm | Price: €3 | Distance: 1.60km
Visiting Arco da Rua Augusta

Museu Calouste Gulbenkian

Museo Gulbekian, Sala Del Mobilio Francese
CC BY-SA 3.0 / Sailko
The museum, which displays the impressive private collection of Calouste Gulbenkian, was inaugurated in 1969. Its architecture reflects modern concepts of museum design, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding park. Recently, the permanent exhibition space underwent renovation by the architect Paul Vandebotermet to simplify and reorganize the displays. The museum is open to the public and […]
Location: Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, Avenida de Berna, Lisbon, Portugal | Hours: 10am-6pm Wed-Mon | Price: Coleção do Fundador/Coleção Moderna combo ticket adult/child €10/free, temporary exhibitions €3-6, free Sun from 2pm | Distance: 2.10km
Visiting Museu Calouste Gulbenkian

Museu Nacional do Azulejo

Convento Da Madre De Deus Lisboa Portugal
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Vitor Oliveira
Step into the Azulejos Museum and immerse yourself in the vibrant colors of Portuguese tiles. Housed within the former Madre de Deus convent, this unique museum offers an enlightening exploration of the history of tile art in Portugal. Lisbon’s alluring tiles, which adorn facades, streets, and metro stations, are a significant characteristic of the city’s […]
Location: Museu Nacional do Azulejo, Rua Madre Deus, Lisbon, Portugal | Hours: 10am-6pm Tue-Sun | Price: adult/child €5/free | Website | Distance: 2.20km
Visiting Museu Nacional do Azulejo

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

Mosteiro Dos Jerónimos, Lisbon, Portugal
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Holger Uwe Schmitt
The Jerónimos Monastery, situated on the banks of the Tagus, represents the pinnacle of Manueline architecture. Originally, a small hermitage dedicated to Santa Maria stood in its place, built by Infante D. Henrique in 1452. In the 16th century, King Manuel I obtained the Holy See’s approval to construct a large monastery there, which was […]
Location: Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Lisbon, Portugal | Hours: 10am-6.30pm Tue-Sun Jun-Sep, to 5.30pm Oct-May | Price: adult/child €10/5, free Sun until 2pm for Portuguese citizens/residents only | Website | Distance: 6.40km
Visiting Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

Padrão dos Descobrimentos

Padrão Dos Descobrimentos
CC BY-SA 2.0 / DAVID HOLT
Standing proudly on the riverside of Belém, the Monument to the Discoveries makes a striking impression. Originally designed in 1940 to commemorate the “Exposition of the Portuguese World,” an event organized by the Salazar government to honor the 800th and 300th anniversaries of the founding and restoration of Portugal in 1140 and 1640 respectively, the […]
Location: Padrão dos Descobrimentos, Av. Brasília, Lisbon, Portugal | Hours: 10am-7pm Mar-Sep, to 6pm Oct-Feb | Price: adult/child €6/3 | Website | Distance: 6.60km
Visiting Padrão dos Descobrimentos

Torre de Belém

Torre De Belém
Pixabay / António Francisco Calado
The Tower of Belém is a magnificent example of architectural beauty and delicate ornamentation. Its quadrangular shape and polygon bulwark, reminiscent of medieval castles, provide a formidable and imposing bastion to defend the entrance to the Tagus. Built by Francisco de Arruda between 1514 and 1521, the tower was ordered by King Manuel I (1495-1521) […]
Location: Torre de Belém, Av. Brasília, Lisbon, Portugal | Hours: 10am-6.30pm Tue-Sun May-Sep, to 5.30pm Oct-Apr | Price: adult/child €6/3, free Sun until 2pm for Portuguese citizens/residents only | Website | Distance: 7.50km
Visiting Torre de Belém

Tours and Activities from Lisbon