Prepare to have a busy and booked vacation in Lisbon with all the endless things you can do as a tourist. You’ve certainly done yourself a great service by picking such a worthy destination. The charming and vibrant city of Lisbon has so much to offer from the rich history of the place to delicious food of European and international cuisine, architecture, and nightlife.
With the list we compiled for this article on things to do in Lisbon, Portugal, you’ll probably need more than 3 days to cover up all locations or have the 3 days booked if that’s the schedule you have. As much as the locations are beautiful it is okay to filter through the ones that pique your interest the most and visit. The last thing you'd want on a vacation is to get burnt out from exploring a destination.
Lisbon has had an impressive makeover over the years with its historic cobbled streets, pretty teams, and pristine river and tiled facades, making it an intriguing destination. Lisbon has one of the best restaurants and bars that raise standards. It also has stunning sights from the Castelo de são Jorge to Belém Tower, there's so much to explore in the colourful city. Here are 11 things to do in Lisbon.
1. PANTEAO NACIONAL
This 17th-century monument was originally a church, the church of Santa engracia. It was converted into the national pantheon in 1916. The monument took 50 years making it the longest to complete in Portugal. It is considered Portugal's first baroque monument with its interior made of coloured marble although the exterior doesn't boast the golden ornaments you'd find in other Portuguese baroque.
This monument holds the tombs and burial sites of important Portuguese personalities or famous cultural figures.
The Panteao Nacional has a large terrace by the dome that showcases a stunning view over Alfama and the river. If you visit on a Saturday or Tuesday morning, you can explore the city's flea market in the monument's shadow and the beautiful area.
2. CASTELO DE SAO JORGE
This historic castle in Lisbon is a tourist attraction you wouldn’t want to miss. It is one of the city's most iconic symbols as it stands magnificently on the peak of Sao Jorge Hill. The castle site is extensive with eleven towers to explore and keep your whole morning booked. You get the best views from the castle and visit the surrounding area like the Lisbon cathedral which is only a few minutes away.
3. PRACIO DE COMMERCIO (COMMERCE SQUARE)
The most important square in Lisbon has a fascinating history as it was built on the site where the old royal palace existed until 1755 when it was destroyed by an earthquake. You get to explore the “Rua Augusta arch” which gives way to the prominent boulevard. It was created to celebrate the reconstruction of Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake and on top of its pillars are numerous statues that represent important Portuguese figures.
4. ROSSIO SQUARE
Parca do Rossio officially called Parca de Pedro IV is the most lively area in Lisbon as it is surrounded by many restaurants and bars. There are various places to visit like monuments and landmarks in Rossio Square like the column of Pedro IV, the National Theatre D Maria and nearby is the Rossio railway station, and Cafe Nicola, one of the most famous coffee shops in Lisbon.
5. JERONIMOS MONASTERY
Declared a world heritage site in 1983 by UNESCO, the Jeronimos monastery also called the Heironymites monastery is a landmark along the Belem tower which is one of the most visited sites in Lisbon. This predominantly Manueline-style building is a two-story cloister decorated with ornaments and breathtaking symbols. Explore the cloister halls of the monastery with dedicated history, the church of Santa Maria and the tomb of a renowned Portuguese writer and poet, Fernando Pessoa. Nearby locations include the archaeology museum located adjacent to the monastery, Belem Tower and the monument to the discoveries.
6. BELEM TOWER
Built between 1514 and 1520, the Belem Tower classified as a world heritage site in 1983 by UNESCO was created to first defend Lisbon and later transformed into a lighthouse and then a customs centre. It is located right by Jeronimo's monastery and you can visit it on the same day. The ground floor of the architectural prowess Belem Tower has 16 windows with cannons and a tour includes seeing the pits and holes where prisoners were thrown into. The tower has a total of 5 floors that lead to the roof terrace all with stories that connect them.
7. MONUMENT TO THE DISCOVERIES
This stunning monument inaugurated in 1960 was designed to commemorate the age of discovery in Portuguese and the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the navigator who discovered the Azores, Madeira, and Cape Verde. Located on the coast of Belem, it is close to other important sights like Belem Tower and Jeronimos monastery.
8. THE NATIONAL COACH MUSEUM
This tourist location is a highly recommended place to visit and is one of the most popular museums in Lisbon. It houses one of the most important collections of horse-drawn carriages in the world and was inaugurated in 1905. it features noteworthy horse-drawn vehicles like the ones that belonged to Phillip II of Spain, and Pope Clement XI. The museum contains several paintings and other interesting objects from the same period and is located close to the Jeronimos monastery.
9. OCEANARIUM DE LISBOA
The second largest aquarium in Europe, the Lisbon Oceanarium contains over 15k creatures from over 450 different species. The eye-catching building of the oceanarium floats in the ocean and can only be accessed by crossing a footbridge. Everything rotates the huge central aquarium of the oceanarium which has two floors and you get to visit marine species, water-dwelling animals and deep sea creatures. The most impressive part of the oceanarium is the largest aquarium which houses hundreds of species including different sharks, stingrays, manta rays and colorful tropical fish. It is also a good attraction to visit with your family and you can even get a discount on ticket fees.
10. MONSANTO FOREST PARK
Located in the west of Lisbon, take a walk through the huge green space of Monsanto Park and see impressive views of the city of Lisbon. With different walking trails in the 50-hectare park, each path has a beautiful view that gives you an ideal escape from the busy city and crowds.
11. RIVER TAGUS
A sunset cruise on the river Tagus might just be the highlight of your trip. The river Tagus has pristine blue waters and a grand bridge which makes it worthy of the most photographed attraction in Lisbon. Admiring it from the ground area would not be enough to fully immerse in the experience so book a sunset boat cruise and add to your unforgettable memories if lucky you might get to spot some dolphins in the river.
