13 Places to Visit in Lisbon – Travel with Brian and Brittany

Lisbon is a fascinating city for many reasons. Situated on the Tagus river between the Atlantic Ocean and a large bay, Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal. With miles of shoreline and an incredibly hilly geography (think San Francisco), Lisbon is a must see city. Don’t worry, if endless miles of hilly walking is not your style, Lisbon has old fashioned trolleys among modern day busses and subways to get you around. Additionally, Uber is exceptional cheap in the Portuguese capital. Read on to learn about my top 13 places to visit in Lisbon!

Before getting started, I want to quickly discuss the Lisboa Card. This card gives you access to most of the attractions on this list and a few more that I have not listed. You can use the card for 24, 48 or 72 hours, depending on which level you choose. If you will be in Lisbon for 3 days and want to see everything offered, plus receive discounts at other things around the city, you should definitely check out this card!

As always, scroll to the bottom of the page for quick links to every site and a Google Map!

1. Time Out Market Lisbon

It’s hard to pick one thing to top this list, so I’m just going to jump straight in with the Time Out Market. Built in a historic market hall, the Time Out Market boasts 26 restaurants, 8 bars and over a dozen shops. Take your time to walk around and be amazed at the selection of food and drink available in the vibrant hall. It took me a couple of go arounds before I knew what I wanted! If it’s difficult to pick out a place to eat, the Market is in the center of Lisbon and you can visit as many times as you’d like!

Inside of the Time Out Market in Lisbon

2. Palácio Nacional da Ajuda

Heading west from the Time Out Market, be sure to swing by the Ajuda neighborhood in Lisbon. Built in the first half of the 19th century, the National Palace is found here. The Palace housed the royal family until the creation of the Republic in 1910. Lisbon didn’t reopen the Palace to the public until 1968. Today the Palace is a museum of Portuguese history and artwork. The entrance fee is €5 for Adults and free for children under 12.

Ajuda National Palace

3. Jerónimos Monastery

Built to commemorate the return of the Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama from India, the Jerónimos Monastery took almost 200 years to finish. The Monastery is home to the Church of Santa Maria as well as a two-story cloister and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Entrance to the Church is free but it will cost €10 per person to get into the cloister (discounts are offered for adding additional attractions such as the National Archaeological Museum or the next place on the list, the Belém Tower). Do allow plenty of time to view the Monastery as the lines can be outrageously long.

Jerónimos Monastery with a mounted police procession passing by

Just outside the Jerónimos Monastery is the famous Pastéis de Belém bakery. Using a secret formula, monks from the Monastery have been baking egg tarts for generations. Be sure to grab a few while you’re on that side of Lisbon! The wait isn’t bad and it’s worth it!

Famous Egg Tarts from Pastéis de Belém

4. Belém Tower

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Belém Tower defended the city of Lisbon on the Tagus river. Built between 1514 and 1520, the exterior of the tower has 16 windows with which to house cannons. Additionally, the tower has a terrace that offers views of the Tagus river, but depending on how many people are visiting the tower you might have to wait to ascend and descend the narrow stairwell. The city of Lisbon has since transformed the Belém Tower into a lighthouse and customs house. If you purchase just a ticket for the Belém Tower, it’s €6 per person, with combinations providing some discounts as mentioned above.

Belém Tower

Walking around the Belém Tower you’ll find additional fortifications and weapons around. For example, this cannon that is conveniently looking across the river. You can clearly tell how advantageous this position would be to protect the city of Lisbon as the river narrows and you can see the other bank from the Belém Tower!

A replica cannon overlooking the Tagus river at Belém Tower

5. Padrão dos Descobrimentos

Padrão dos Descobrimentos, or Monument to the Discoveries, is a 52 meter tall monument to commemorate the Age of Discoveries in Portugal. Inaugurated in 1960 for the fifth centenary of Prince Henry the Navigator, the sculptors of the monument wanted to depict the prow of a caravel which was the typical sailing ship constructed by the Portuguese. Today, if you sail into Lisbon on the Tagus river, the Monument to the Discoveries would be one of the first things you see.

Padrão dos Descobrimentos

Compass Rose from Monument of the Discoveries

There is an observation deck on top of the Monument to Discoveries that is accessible via a paid ticket. The ticket is €6 per adult (30% off with a valid Lisboa Card) and free for children until 12. Lastly, in front of the monument is a giant 50 meter in diameter compass that was gifted to Portugal by the Republic of South Africa.

6. Ponte 25 de Abril

About a mile and a half down river is the Golden Gate, er, Ponte 25 de Abril (25th April Bridge)! The same company that built the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco designed the Ponte 25 de Abril under direction from then dictator of Portugal, António de Oliveira Salazar in 1966. The bridge originally shared his name, but after the Carnation Revolution that took place on April 25th, overthrowing the dictator, the bridge was renamed.

Ponte 25 de Abril Bridge

7. Sanctuary of Christ the King

Another monument built to resemble an international icon, the idea to build the Sanctuary of Christ the King came from the Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. After visiting Rio in 1934, the Cardinal Patriach of Lisbon suggested the idea of a similar statue in Lisbon. Due to financial difficulties stemming from World War II and the subsequent takeover by Salazar, it took until 1959 to officially inaugurate the statute. Today, the statue sits 133 meters above sea level and is 110 meters tall. The Chapel of Our Lady of Peace rests under the statue, which is across the river from the Ajuda neighborhood. Thus, a trip over Ponte 25 de Abril is required. Please allow adequate time for a visit!

Sanctuary of Christ the King

8. Carmo Convent

The Constable of Portugal founded the Carmo Convent in 1389. However, in 1755, an earthquake off the coast of Portugal destroyed most of the convent, forcing the clergy who resided there to leave Lisbon. It would be centuries later before restoration work would begin on the convent, before another earthquake in 1969 caused further damage. Today, the Carmo Convent is an archaeological museum and houses several tombs and notable exhibits. Entrance to the Carmo is included with the Lisboa card, or €5 for adults and free for children under 12. Also available for private events, the convent may be closed when you go to visit (as what happened when I went) :/

Carmo Convent

Whether or not the Carmo is open during your visit, be sure to check out the Carmo Rooftop! It’s a nifty little bar around the back of the convent that has plenty of outdoor seating to grab a beer and admire the view of Lisbon!

Carmo Rooftop Bar

Enjoying a beer at the Carmo Rooftop

9. Chiado

Every neighborhood in Lisbon has its own identity. The Chiado and Barrio Alto neighborhoods are ones I would highly recommend taking the time to stroll around! Chiado is an elegant and bohemian neighborhood, while Barrio Alto is an alternative area. Both are full of a wide range of shops, restaurants, museums and interesting graffiti to see and admire.

Chiado

Since Lisbon is a seafood town, be sure to swing by The Fantastic World of Portuguese Sardines located in Rossio Square. Here you can learn about the wonders of sardines and bring home all the canned seafood that will fit in your suitcase!

The Fantastic World of Portuguese Sardines

10. Praça do Comércio

Nicknamed the “door to Lisbon,” Praça do Comércio means commerce square in English and was once the most important location in Lisbon. When Praça do Comércio was first built, commercial ships would unload their cargo right into the square. Today it houses the Equestrian Statute of Joseph I, who was king of Portugal during the earthquake from 1750-1777, and the Arco da Rua Augusta which gives way to boulevard Rua Augusta.

Praça do Comércio

11. National Pantheon

Located in the Alfama neighborhood of Lisbon, the National Pantheon, or Church of Santa Engrácia, is the final burying spot for several influential Portuguese. Construction on the church began around 1568, but financial shortcomings and geological interruptions prevented the church from being completed in a timely manner. It wasn’t until 1916 that it was converted into the National Pantheon and additional projects and renovations continued until it was officially inaugurated in 1966.

National Pantheon

12. Neighborhoods of Lisbon

I already mentioned the Alfama, Barria Alto and Chiado neighborhoods, but Lisbon is a collection of 24 distinct neighborhoods. You can spend hours wondering the streets and climbing the stairs throughout Lisbon. Be sure to check out Miradouro da Graça and Miradouro da Senhora do Monte for some intriguing sights – such as the pictures below. Believe it or not, I unintentionally took these two day/night pictures in almost the exact same spot without even realizing! Just goes to show how wondrous the Lisbon neighborhoods can be!

View of Lisbon During the Day

View of Lisbon at Night

13. Vasco da Gama Bridge

Wait, another bridge? Yes, there are two bridges in Lisbon that connect the city to the other side of the Tagus river. What makes the Vasco da Gama bridge significant is the fact it is over 10 miles long and the longest bridge in all of Europe. The bridge is so long that on cloudy days it is impossible to see the other side! Completed in 1998, the bridge takes it name from the famous Portuguese explore, Vasco da Gama, the first European to reach India by sea.

Vasco da Gama Bridge

Want to see the entire bridge? Next to the Vasco da Gama bridge is the Torre Vasco da Gama that was built for the 1998 World’s Expo Fair. Designed to look like a caravel sailing on the river, today it’s a luxury hotel. At the top is a panoramic restaurant. Beware though, it is expensive!

Torre Vasco da Gama

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