What to see in Lisbon. The best things to visit in the capital of Portugal
Visiting Lisbon is very easy since it is a not too big city with most of the monuments and places to see in Lisbon very close so you can get to know it in a short break of a few days without the need for stress or haste.
Here we are going to talk about the main places to see in Lisbon with the monuments to see in the city.
If you want to know more about the best places to see in Lisbon, do not forget our trip diary to Lisbon that we made in 2014 or enjoy our daily tours:
The best neighborhoods to see in Lisbon
What to visit in La Baixa
Around the Baixa and the different hills that surround this neighborhood is where we find the center of Lisbon.
It is also known as Baixa Pombalina in honor of the Marquis of Pombal, the architect of the reconstruction of the city after the earthquake and subsequent tidal wave that destroyed much of the city in 1755.
In La Baixa we find several of the most important squares in the city, such as the Plaza de Restauradores and the Plaza de Rossio, occupying a flat area between the hills.
Different streets start from Rossio Square, intertwining with other perpendicular ones, forming a grid whose main street is Rua Augusta, a pedestrian street with black and white cobblestone floors so typical in Portuguese cities.
The Rua Augusta, where we can find numerous shops and restaurants, leads to the Triumphal Arch that gives access to the other large square of the Baixa, the Plaza del Comercio and from which we have great views of the Tagus River.
This large esplanade, which has a part open to the river, stands out for its surrounding yellow-fronted buildings and is a very typical image of Lisbon.
In Baixa we can also find another of Lisbon’s great attractions, the Santa Justa Elevator, which facilitates access to Chiado and Barrio Alto.
This lift is not only an efficient means of transport to overcome differences in height, but it has also become an almost obligatory tourist visit thanks to the views from the top.
And on the other side of the Baixa we have another hill where the Alfama neighborhood is located, another essential thing to see in Lisbon.
To the north of the neighborhood, starting from Restauradores Square, Avenida da Libertade starts, where the most exclusive shops are located and which leads to Marqués de Pombal Square.
The Alfama neighborhood, the cradle of fado
Alfama is undoubtedly the most genuine neighborhood in the capital of Lisbon and one of the main places to visit.
Very close to the Plaza del Comercio we have the Sé, the Cathedral of Lisbon, Romanesque in style and also a must-see.
From there, the best thing to do is wander around reaching the different viewpoints to enjoy the best things to see in Lisbon.
We can continue going to the top of the hill where the Castle of São Jorge is located, another exceptional place from which to have views of Lisbon that you cannot forget.
The Alfama neighborhood is called ” the cradle of fado ” is that among its small alleys, typical houses, the cobbled streets and its winding streets we can find the best places to enjoy fado. Also in this neighborhood we find the Fado Museum.
Although also in the neighborhood opposite, which we will talk about below, we can find interesting fado venues. Also in this neighborhood we find another very peculiar place, the Mercado da Ladra.
To discover the Alfama neighborhood in depth, we recommend this guided tour of Alfama.
Chiado and Bairro Alto
Once we have visited the Baixa and the Alfama, we are left with the third largest neighborhood in the center of Lisbon.
Well, actually they are two neighborhoods that occupy the same hill, they are Chiado and Barrio Alto which can be reached thanks to the Santa Justa Elevator or if you prefer also by tram or even on foot if you dare.
Chiado is a neighborhood that stands out for its cafes and bookstores as well as its shops, theaters and museums.
It has always been associated with the aristocracy, although over the years the area has changed. Its main square is Luis de Camoes where there is a statue of the famous poet Fernando Pessoa.
In addition to the cafes, such as the famous A Brasileira, in Chiado we can visit the ruins of the Carmo Convent, destroyed in the 1755 earthquake and now the Archaeological Museum.
Next to Chiado we have the Barrio Alto, another interesting place with narrow streets that at night is filled with young people (and not so young) looking for fun.
Belem, the neighborhood of discoverers
Far from the center but a must-see, is one of the most historic neighborhoods in Lisbon, Belem.
It is located next to the Tagus River near the mouth and in it we can see three of the main monuments to see in Lisbon, the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belem Tower and the Monument of the Discoverers.
You cannot leave Lisbon without knowing this neighborhood that you must reach by tram, the metro does not reach here, or by car.
And in addition to visiting those 3 very special and important places, you also have the option of tasting the exquisite Pasteles de Belem in the same place where they were born, since the original factory is located here.
Undoubtedly, Belem is a good place to relax and enjoy an area of the Tagus River from where the Portuguese explorers set out to conquer America.
In addition, from Belem you can have the best views of the 25th of April Bridge, the most famous in Lisbon and through which you have surely accessed Lisbon if you have reached the city by car.
Do not miss anything of Belem with this tour of the Belem neighborhood and the Jerónimos Monastery.
Visit the Parque de las Naciones, the neighborhood of Expo 98
In 1998, a Universal Exhibition was held in Lisbon, dedicated to the discoveries, which left us with a very beautiful neighborhood thanks to the pavilions that were used for that exhibition.
This neighborhood has nothing to do with the rest of the city and you will think you are in a different city, but its architecture makes visiting Parque de las Naciones a must.
With the Vasco de Gama Bridge, the longest in Europe, dominating the horizon, we can enjoy the spectacular architecture of the Oriente Station, designed by Santiago Calatrava, the Vasco de Gama Shopping Center, the Oceanarium, the Atlantic Pavilion and other buildings. that hosted the exhibition.
Nor can you forget to travel on the cable car that joins the ends of the enclosure or relax in a unique environment with large gardens and walks along the Tagus River.
You can find more information on the official Lisbon tourism page.
