Lisbon attractions

The Chalet of the Countess d’Edla is an Alpine-style building set in the forested grounds of Pena Park that surround the UNESCO-listed Pena National Palace. Visit to see the building’s Portuguese azulejo tiles, murals, and traditional cork decor and to take in views of the surrounding park.

Spanning the River Tagus at its narrowest point, the soaring April 25 suspension bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril) is one of Lisbon’s most recognizable landmarks. As well as admiring it from afar, visitors can enjoy an interactive and immersive experience of the bridge’s exterior and interior areas with a ticket to the Pillar 7 Bridge Experience.

Located on the upper level of the 16th-century, eccentric-looking Casa dos Bicos (literally, House of Spikes) is the José Saramago Foundation (Fundação José Saramago), dedicated to one of Portugal’s most celebrated writers. The small museum presents the life and work of Saramago, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998.

One of central Lisbon’s most beautiful parks, Estrela Garden (Jardim da Estrela) is an oasis from the bustling Bairro Alto and Chiado. The park—lined with tropical trees, sculptures, and a small lake—is surrounded by history, with its old English cemetery, wrought-iron gazebo, and 18th-century Estrela Basilica (Basílica da Estrela).

Visible in the distance from any of Lisbon’s famous seven hills, the Tagus River is a lasting symbol of the city. Lisbon’s river port is one of busiest in Europe, and numerous container ships and cruise ships sail into town along the Tagus. Sightseeing boats and ferries also travel along the Lisbon riverfront.

In Lisbon’s affluent Lapa district, international embassies stand beside grand homes, including the official residence of the Portuguese prime minister. With a handful of historical mansions, 15th-century São Bento Palace, and the famous Basílica da Estrela church, this quiet neighborhood provides a welcome break from central Lisbon.

With its elegant landscaping and meandering pathways, the Gulbenkian Garden provides a respite from the busy city streets of Lisbon. Here you’ll find a mix of impeccably manicured lawns, shade-giving trees, and paved pathways, along with a large reflective pond.

The Casa-Museu Amália Rodrigues is dedicated to the great Queen of fado, Portugal’s most famous musical genre. Her three-story former home now features more than 30,000 of Rodrigues’ personal items on display for fans to discover. Visitors can see her glamorous outfits, portraits, awards, jewelry, and recordings on display.

Across the red 25th of April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril) from Lisbon begins a prized strip of coastline called the Costa da Caparica. Extending for about 16 miles (26 kilometers) from a city of the same name down to the Arriba Fóssil nature preserve, the area is a Portuguese mainstay for surfing and sunbathing. Head to its windswept beaches to watch fishermen and kitesurfers in action, then take in the scenery from a different angle on clifftop trails.

Shopping, dining, and coworking are just a few of the things you can do at LX Factory, a retail destination beneath Lisbon’s landmark 25th of April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril). The cluster of 19th-century factory buildings, now decorated with murals and art installations, houses more than 50 stores and eateries selling everything from books and brigadeiros (a type of dessert) to vintage clothes and quirky souvenirs. On Sundays, yet more vendors gather at LX Factory for a weekly flea market.

Since 1892, the Bica Funicular (Ascensor da Bica) has been transporting passengers to Lisbon’s Bairro Alto district. This particular elevator is perhaps one of the most photographed in the city, providing views of the Tagus river from the top. The yellow and white cars also transport people along one of the district’s most popular streets.

An ornate, Baroque palace located in the heart of Lisbon, Foz Palace (Palacio Foz) was originally built in the 18th century as the home of the Count of Castelo Melhor. In the 1800s, it was purchased by the Marquis of Foz, who decorated the palace’s interior in the extravagant style we can still see today.

Casa Fernando Pessoa is dedicated to the life of one of Portugal’s most prolific writers. Fernando Pessoa called this apartment in Lisbon’s Campo de Ourique neighborhood home for the last 15 years of his life. Today it is now filled with his personal possessions including his writing desk, handwritten letters, paintings, and tapestries.

The historic Dom Fernando II e Glória frigate was Portugal’s last sailing warship. Featuring three masts and 50 cannons, the vessel has been restored to appear as it did when the Portuguese Navy launched it in 1843. The ship, now dry-docked just outside of Lisbon, is one of the best preserved examples of a wooden-hulled frigate in the world.

Works from influential 20th and 21st-century artists, such as David Hockney, Salvador Dali, and Yves Klein, fill the stark, white-on-white galleries of this popular museum. In addition to the permanent displays, which present major modern and contemporary art movements in chronological order, the museum also houses temporary exhibits.

Home to the chic Hotel do Chiado, as well as 40 stores and 15 eateries, the Armazéns do Chiado building is a popular local shopping destination. Its heritage facade and art deco signage belie the modern interior, which opened in 1999 after a fire destroyed the original department store.

Often touted as one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Lisbon, the panoramic Miradouro de Santa Luzia is a dreamy terrace overlooking the Tagus River and the old Alfama district. With its hilltop location next to Santa Luzia Church, it’s the perfect spot for a sunset visit, as it showcases views of notable landmarks such as the National Pantheon and São Miguel Church.

For anyone interested in military affairs and warfare, Lisbon Military Museum (Museu Militar de Lisboa) is truly a sight to behold. Set in lavish baroque rooms with beautifully decorated ceilings, the city’s oldest museum houses an impressive collection of 100-year-old artifacts, such as artillery pieces, swords, cannons, pistols, and guns.

Lisbon’s National Archaeology Museum (Museu Nacional de Arqueologia) presents Portugal’s archaeological heritage from prehistoric times. Housed in the old Jerónimos Monastery dormitory, the museum includes Iron Age and Visigothic jewelry, Roman ornaments and mosaics, Moorish artifacts, and other pieces found on the Iberian peninsula.

Housed in a sweeping, wave-shaped white building along the Tagus riverfront, Lisbon’s leading museum of architecture, design, and engineering definitely looks the part. Open since 2016, the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, or MAAT, leads the way with forward-thinking temporary exhibitions, events, and workshops, often with a strong focus on renewable energy solutions.

Situated on the River Tagus (Rio Tejo) in the center of Lisbon’s downtown, Lisbon Cruise Port is conveniently located for cruise passengers wanting to explore this charming city’s many attractions. However, it also serves as a jumping-off point for venturing farther afield into the surrounding countryside and beyond.

Makeshift stalls at Santa Clara Market—also known as Lisbon Flea Market (Feira da Ladra) or Mercado de Santa Clara—sell everything from antiques to vintage items, handcrafts, and all sorts of knick-knacks. This twice-weekly market has been a moving fixture in Lisbon for centuries before settling in the São Vicente neighborhood. While you’ll now find souvenirs and tourists present, the market still has a down-to-earth approach, with goods often arranged on rugs on the ground.

Escape Hunt in Lisbon offers a fun, fast-paced way to test your problem-solving skills. The experience takes you into an imaginative themed escape room, where the door shuts behind you and the countdown begins. Then, work together to crack clues, solve puzzles, and complete interactive challenges—all while against the clock to win your freedom. Ideal for couples or groups, it’s a great choice for rainy days or a break from sightseeing.

The world’s oldest operating bookstore, Livraria Bertrand’s Chiado outlet has been serving bookworms since 1732. Now one of roughly 60 bookshops, the azulejo-tiled frontage with its art deco sign houses a café, historical paintings and murals, and areas dedicated to the giants of Portuguese literature. In addition to signings, it runs book clubs, courses, and classes.

The Teatro Nacional de São Carlos is a national monument and the only theater in Portugal devoted to producing opera, choral, and symphonic music. The Portuguese Symphony Orchestra and the Choir of the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos perform here, as well as visiting artists. It’s a great place to catch a concert in Lisbon or to admire its neoclassical facade during sightseeing tours.

At the heart of downtown Lisbon, Rossio Station (Estação do Rossio) is part transport hub and part architectural landmark. Built in the late 19th century, it is regarded as one of Europe’s most beautiful train stations thanks to its striking neo-Manueline facade and horseshoe-shaped arches. Trains run from here to UNESCO–listed Sintra, the city’s most popular day-trip destination.

Portuguese equestrian art—a type of choreographed horseback riding performed by local Lusitano horses and period-costumed riders—dates back to the 18th-century court of King John V. The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art (Escola Portuguesa de Arte Equestre) preserves the tradition today with regular shows, and you can watch the rehearsals most mornings at the school’s riding ring in Belém.

Famous for its landscaped gardens and exquisite traditional Portuguese tiles known as azulejos, the Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira (Palácio dos Marqueses de Fronteira) is one of the country’s best-preserved estates. Still privately owned, the 17th-century mansion has been passed down through generations of Portuguese aristocrats.

Lisbon has no shortage of stunning viewpoints—it is, after all, known as the City of Seven Hills. From various spots around the city, you can enjoy vistas across the roofs of colorful buildings and the Tagus River (Rio Tejo), while on a clear day, you may see all the way to Almada. Miradouro das Portas do Sol—translated as the Gates of the Sun viewpoint—offers one of Lisbon’s most famous views.

Centrally located in Lisbon’s bustling Chiado district, the National Museum of Contemporary Art (Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea do Chiado, or MNAC) houses one of Portugal’s largest collections of modern art. Also known as the Chiado Museum, the gallery is housed in the historic Convent of São Francisco.