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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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