More

    Tourist Attractions in Lisbon

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Lisbon. Photos and a brief description.

    Lisbon
    clear sky
    86.1 ° F
    91.1 °
    77.8 °
    38 %
    2.2mph
    0 %
    Mon
    87 °
    Tue
    81 °
    Wed
    78 °
    Thu
    83 °
    Fri
    86 °
    About Lisbon

    Lisbon – in the distant past, the capital of a powerful maritime empire, which gave the world the great Vasco da Gama and Fernand Magellan, and now a picturesque and atmospheric city that still preserves the memory of its former greatness. A dramatic and turning point in the history of Lisbon was in 1755, when a powerful earthquake destroyed it almost to the ground. But, despite the fact that medieval architecture and many priceless monuments have been lost, the restored Lisbon of the XVIII-XIX centuries is of great interest to tourists.

    The capital of Portugal keeps the treasures of the Jeronimos Monastery and the Ajuda Palace, creeps along the quaint streets of the Alfama and Baixa quarters and flaunts grandiose suspension bridges. The historical heritage of the city is priceless, so a wide field for research opens up for tourists here.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Lisbon

    Prasa do Comercio

    The square is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. It is located on the bank of the river, where the Ribeira Palace used to stand, destroyed by an earthquake (that is why the second name of the place is Palace Square). A few centuries ago, Prasa do Comercio was the front gate of Lisbon. Ships with riches exported from the Portuguese colonies landed here, and royal delegations arrived. Majestic monuments and strict administrative buildings testify to its former glory.

    Prasa do Comercio
    Augushta Street

    Augushta Street

    The central pedestrian boulevard of Lisbon is full of tourists and locals at any time of the year. It stretches from Rossio Square to the Arc de Triomphe. The street is full of unusual atmospheric cafes and shops. The pavement of Augushta Street is laid out by hand, the original ornament is woven into a fancy pattern on it. The place was named after the Portuguese taxi driver August Machado, who drove passengers around Lisbon for almost 70 years.

    Rossio Square

    The square originated on the site of the ancient Roman hippodrome, its history dates back more than one hundred years. The square is located in the Baixa district – one of the most colorful and interesting places in Lisbon. Until 1755, it was surrounded by luxurious buildings in the Manueline style, as the whole city was bathed in luxury thanks to the fabulous wealth of the Portuguese colonies. After the earthquake, the whole area and the square were rebuilt.

    Rossio Square
    Alfama District

    Alfama District

    Almafa is the only urban area from which at least something remained after the earthquake of 1755. Its architecture with chaotically arranged streets corresponds to the idea of medieval cities. The area is located on a hill, people move along it with the help of numerous stairs. Cars are unlikely to leave between old houses with shabby walls, but there is room for tram lines.

    Belen Tower

    Architectural monument of the XVI century, included in the UNESCO list. The tower was erected in honor of Vasco da Gama's discovery of the way to India, at various times it housed: a defensive fort, a powder magazine, a prison, a customs post. The structure was built in the unique Portuguese Manueline style, almost lost by the XIX century. The facade and interior of the tower are decorated with priceless monuments of the era of Great Geographical Discoveries.

    Belen Tower
    Kelush Palace

    Kelush Palace

    The palace was built in the XVII century in the Rococo style. It served as the summer residence of the Portuguese King Pedro II. Later, the building was used to house dignitaries. Nowadays, classical music concerts are held on the territory of the palace. Special attention is drawn to the luxurious Throne and Music Halls, as well as the magnificent and lavishly decorated royal chambers.

    St. George's Castle

    The castle appeared in the V century AD on the site of a Roman fortification, for fifteen hundred years of its existence, it was repeatedly rebuilt. In the XII century, it housed the residence of the Moorish ruler. Until the XVI century, Portuguese monarchs lived in the castle. In 1755, the structure was destroyed by an earthquake to the very foundation. The restoration took place only in the first half of the XX century.

    St. George's Castle
    Azhuda Palace

    Azhuda Palace

    The building of the first half of the XIX century in the neoclassical style, built for Louis I and his wife. Earlier, an earlier royal residence of the XV-XVI centuries was located on the site of Azhud, but it was destroyed during an earthquake. The palace rooms and halls are elegantly and luxuriously furnished, the wide halls and passages are decorated with sculptures, paintings and tapestries of great cultural value.

    Belensky Palace

    The residence of the Portuguese President, located in the Belen district. Earlier during the monarchy, the rulers of Portugal stayed here. The palace was built in the middle of the XVI century and rebuilt in the XVIII century. The prevailing architectural styles of the complex are Baroque and Mannerism. The facade is decorated with Portuguese azuleju tiles, which depict mythological heroes and epic scenes.

    Belensky Palace
    Jeronimush Monastery

    Jeronimush Monastery

    One of the key attractions of Portugal, recognized as a national monument at the very beginning of the XX century. Since 1983, it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The remains of the great navigator Vasco da Gama are buried in the monastery. The monastery was built by the end of the XVI century on the income received from the newly discovered lands. The history of Geronimos is closely associated with the grandiose period of Great Geographical Discoveries and the power of Portugal.

    Carmelite Monastery

    Medieval monastery of the XIII-XIV centuries, built by the aristocrat of Spain Alvarez Pereira for the brothers of the Carmelite Order. This noble knight sold all his possessions and got a haircut as a monk. In 1755, as a result of an earthquake, the building was destroyed and many priceless relics were lost. After the restoration, the complex was used as a warehouse and barracks, later an archaeological museum was placed in the walls.

    Carmelite Monastery
    Monastery of San Vicente de Fora

    Monastery of San Vicente de Fora

    The complex was built in the XVI-XVII centuries on the site of the Church of St. Vincent, the patron saint of Lisbon. The monastery is one of the most revered in Portugal, for some time the residence of the city archbishop was located here. The monastery was built in the late Renaissance style. Its walls are richly laid with mosaics depicting battle scenes, the facade is decorated with azuleju mosaic. On the territory of San Vicente de Fora there is a tomb of the Braganza dynasty.

    Basilica da Estrela

    The church, erected by order of Queen Mary, who was grateful to Heaven for the appearance of the long-awaited heir. The Basilica is considered one of the most picturesque temples in Lisbon, it is built in the Baroque style with neoclassical elements. The temple began to be built after the Lisbon earthquake (the queen was late with the fulfillment of the promise, since at that moment her son Jose was already 18 years old).

    Basilica da Estrela
    St. Roch 's Church

    St. Roch 's Church

    The Jesuit Church, one of the oldest temples of this order. It was erected on the site of the cemetery in the XVI century. The temple was named in honor of St. Roch, the patron saint of the sick. The interior is distinguished by splendor, King Juan V took part in its creation. The walls are decorated with artful frescoes by famous Portuguese painters, many finishing elements are made of marble and decorated with gilding.

    Lisbon Cathedral

    The main cathedral of Lisbon, which originated in the Early Middle Ages. It is believed that a Roman temple stood in its place, which the Visigoths turned into a Christian church. During the period of Arab rule on the Iberian Peninsula, the temple was destroyed, and a mosque was erected in its place. In 1150, a new building appeared, which stood for six centuries before the earthquake. However, the cathedral was not completely destroyed by the elements, it was reconstructed, diluting the strict Romanesque architecture with Gothic, Baroque and neoclassicism.

    Lisbon Cathedral
    Church of St. Engrasia

    Church of St. Engrasia

    A majestic and monumental pink marble structure in the Portuguese Baroque style, which has a second name – the National Pantheon of Portugal. The church began to be built in the XVII century, and finished only in the XX. The role of the pantheon went to the temple under the dictator A. Salazar. Politicians, famous writers and other representatives of culture are buried in the church.

    Galust Gulbenkian Museum

    An art gallery where samples of European, antique and Oriental art are collected. The museum was organized at the expense of the Armenian magnate G. Gulbenkian in 1969, who emigrated to Portugal after World War II. The museum exhibits a large collection of paintings, jewelry, sculptures and objects of applied art. Here you can see the works of Rembrandt, Manet, Degas, Rubens and Renoir.

    Galust Gulbenkian Museum
    National Museum of Ancient Art

    National Museum of Ancient Art

    The collection is based on works of art confiscated from monastic orders. These religious associations were dissolved at the beginning of the XIX century, and part of their wealth fell into the hands of the state. The museum exhibits works by Portuguese masters of the XIV-XIX centuries, paintings by European artists, collections of sculpture and ceramics, textiles, furniture and other decorative items.

    National Carriage Museum

    The museum where the collection of carriages of the royal family is kept. It was created with the participation of the last Queen of Portugal, Amelia, as she wanted to save the maps and show them to the general public. Subsequently, the collection was replenished with specimens from France, Austria, Italy and other European countries. In the museum you can see the carriages of the XVII-XIX centuries. In 2015, a new modern building was built for the exposition.

    National Carriage Museum
    Museum of Electricity

    Museum of Electricity

    The museum is located in the building of a former power plant, which regularly supplied electricity to the city for several decades. The building is a rare and interesting example of Portuguese industrial architecture, which mixed Art Nouveau and classicism. In the museum, the visitor can look at the equipment, observe the processes of electricity production or listen to an informative lecture.

    Maritime Museum

    The exposition is located on the territory of the Jeronimush Monastery. In the distant past, Portugal was a great maritime empire, numerous colonies around the world were subordinate to it. Museum exhibits remind the visitor of those glorious times. Various models of ships, maps, navigation devices used by Portuguese discoverers in their travels are displayed in the halls.

    Maritime Museum
    Lisbon Zoo

    Lisbon Zoo

    The city zoo is located on a very picturesque territory, decorated with architectural monuments. It is home to about 300 species of animals, mainly cats, signs and animals imported from the colonial possessions of Portugal. The zoo proclaims the main goal of its existence to preserve and revive rare and endangered species. Some animals on the territory of the zoo are adapted for release into the wild.

    Lisbon Aquarium

    The aquarium is considered the largest in Europe, it is home to more than 450 species of marine life (16 thousand individuals). The main aquarium occupies an area of 1 thousand m2, it reaches a depth of 7 meters. The aquarium contains quite rare marine species: moonfish, sea beaver, spider crab and others. The inhabitants of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans live in separate aquariums.

    Lisbon Aquarium
    Elevador di Santa Justa

    Elevador di Santa Justa

    City elevator connecting Rua do Oro Street and Largo do Carmo Square. It was built at the beginning of the XX century to help pedestrians who were forced to overcome a steep enough slope to get from the Baixa area to the Chiado area. The elevator is designed in an elegant Neo-Gothic style. At first it was powered by steam engines, later they were replaced by electric ones. The elevator is a popular tourist attraction.

    Monument to the discoverers

    A monument erected in honor of the figures of the era of Great Geographical Discoveries. This impressive monument was built during the reign of dictator Salazar. It is distinguished by its majestic style and huge size, the monument reaches a height of 50 meters. In this way, the architect wanted to emphasize the importance of the discoveries made by Portuguese navigators. There is a panoramic observation deck at the top of the monument.

    Monument to the discoverers
    Aqueduct of Aguas Libris

    Aqueduct of Aguas Libris

    The aqueduct was erected in the first half of the XVII century and survived the earthquake of 1755. It is still included in the current water supply system of the city. The arches of the aqueduct reach a height of 60 meters. Until the middle of the XIX century, it was possible to walk along it, but it was decided to close the passage due to frequent suicides. Nowadays, you can take a guided tour of the aqueduct as part of an organized group.

    Bridge named after April 25

    An iron suspension bridge of the 60s of the XX century, spanning the Tagus River and connecting two urban districts. In length , the structure stretches for 2.22 km . It is considered one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. Until 1974, the structure was named after Antonio Salazar, but after the Red Carnation Revolution on April 25, it was renamed in honor of this momentous day for Portugal.

    Bridge named after April 25
    Vasco da Gama Bridge

    Vasco da Gama Bridge

    The most impressive and longest European bridge over the Tagus River, stretching for 17 km. The grandiose structure was erected in just 3 years, despite the incredible scale of the project. The bridge was launched on March 29, 1998. This date was not chosen by chance, since it was in 1498 that Vasco da Gama set sail on the sea route from Europe to India. The bridge was built at the expense of the private company "Lusoponte".

    Yellow Lisbon tram

    Tram routes have been laid along the narrow and uneven streets of the central part of Lisbon, which have been serviced for more than a hundred years. The famous yellow trams belong to the Lisbon Tram Network. Route No. 28 is especially popular. It passes through all the historical districts of the city, makes a lot of sharp turns and drives into very colorful places. Tram No. 28 is constantly packed with tourists, as many prefer to get to know the city through a trip.

    Yellow Lisbon tram
    Viewing platforms

    Viewing platforms

    Lisbon is spread out on the hills, often in order to get from one area of the city to another, it is necessary to make remarkable physical efforts and overcome many stairs and slopes. There are viewing platforms scattered throughout the city, offering magnificent views of Lisbon, the Tagus River, suspension bridges, and the ocean coast. The best sites are considered to be Santa Luzia, Senhora do Monte, Grasse, the Gate of the Sun, as well as the one located on Cape Roca.