Lisbon attractions

Housed in the 17th-century Palácio Alvor, Lisbon’s National Museum of Ancient Art (Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga) holds arguably the most notable collection of Portuguese art in the world. Works by other European artists, such as Piero della Francesca, Albrecht Dürer, Hieronymus Bosch, and Raphael, to name just a few, are also highlighted.

A former royal residence located outside of Lisbon, the National Palace of Queluz lives up to its nickname as the Versailles of Portugal. Its opulent design fuses rococo, baroque, and neoclassical elements, with manicured gardens that complement the elegant architecture. Touring the 18th-century palace gives you an idea of the lavish parties and royal happenings that took place on its grounds, from the chandeliered throne room to the 377-foot (115-meter) tiled canal.

One of the largest aquariums in Europe, the Lisbon Oceanarium (Oceanário de Lisboa) attracts some 1 million people every year, making it one of Lisbon's most popular tourist attractions. An ideal destination for visiting families and nature lovers, the aquarium is home to more than 450 aquatic species across two levels. It's housed in an architecturally notable building that appears to float on the surface of the Tagus River.

Lisbon’s lively Baixa District (Lower Town) occupies the sweet spot between Alfama and Bairro Alto. The buzzing district is packed with stores, restaurants, hotels, and bars, and is home to some of the city’s most symbolic streets and squares. Built after the 1755 earthquake, Baixa showcases neoclassical architecture and engineering marvels; highlights include the neo-Gothic Santa Justa Lift (Elevador de Santa Justa) and the monumental Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio), with its grandiose arched entryway.

Sitting in the shadow of Lisbon’s 25th of April Bridge, the Santo Amaro Docks, known locally as Docas, are both a functioning marina and a nightlife hot spot. The area holds moorings for more than 300 boats and is home to a wealth of bars and restaurants set in converted waterfront warehouses. Nearby are several museums, the LxFactory arts center, and the new Pilar 7 Bridge Experience, perfect for a daytime visit.

The towering Arco do Triunfo (Arco da Rua Augusta) in Lisbon overlooks one of the biggest market squares in Europe: Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio). Following the 1755 earthquake, this triumphal arch was built to commemorate the rebuilding efforts, and it became one of the city’s most magnificent landmarks. Take in the arch’s intricate exteriors from the ground, or head up to the top for city views.

At the northern end of the grand Avenida da Liberdade and fringed by Eduardo VII Park, the Marquis of Pombal Square (Praça do Marquês de Pombal) is the nucleus of downtown Lisbon. Both a busy traffic intersection, linking several important boulevards, and an emblematic city landmark, it’s known for its towering white monument honoring the 1st Marquis of Pombal.

The Knights Templar built the stronghold of Almourol Castle (Castelo de Almourol) atop an ancient fort on a tiny island in the Tagus River (Rio Tejo). Thanks to its fairy tale–style turrets and stunning river perch, it’s hailed as Portugal’s most beautiful castle and is a must for travelers interested in medieval history.

A former industrial zone beautified for the 1998 World Expo, the Park of Nations (Parque das Nações) is a trendy waterfront area filled with restaurants, museums, and the massive Lisbon Oceanarium (Oceanário de Lisboa) aquarium. Much of the ultramodern architecture—featuring undulating rooftops and buildings that soar like ship masts—evokes the nearby Atlantic. Art installations line the public gardens and bike paths along the Tagus River.

Money was no object when King João V commissioned the National Palace of Mafra (Palácio Nacional de Mafra) in 1717. One of the largest monuments in Europe, the baroque complex includes a royal palace, convent, library, and basilica across a whopping 1,200 rooms. Imagine how the Portuguese elite lived—and admire the Italian sculptures, French paintings, and Belgian carillons they collected—while touring this over-the-top estate.

Sitting atop Portugal’s Serra da Arrábida with views over the Tagus and Sado estuaries, Palmela Castle (Castelo de Palmela) combines a superior regional vantage point with a well-preserved national monument full of cultural value. This structure, converted from a 15th-century convent, hosts a hotel, an archeological museum, and the Igreja de Santiago church, all of which showcase this region south of Lisbon as more than just vineyards and fishing villages.

Lisbon’s National Tile Museum (Museu Nacional do Azulejo) exhibits one of Portugal’s most beautiful icons: the colorful azulejo tile. It traces the evolution of the ceramic tile from the first 15th-century Spanish imports to today. A must-see for culture lovers in Lisbon, a major highlight of the museum is an 18th-century blue-and-white tile composition that depicts the city, composed of 1,300 tiles.

Housed in what was once the Royal Riding School of Belém National Palace, along with a second more contemporary building, Lisbon’s National Coach Museum (Museu Nacional dos Coches) features an impressive collection of royal coaches and horse-drawn carriages from the 16th–19th centuries. It also showcases ceremonial and processional items related to equestrianism, as well as several portraits of the Portuguese royal family.

The Estadio da Luz (Stadium of Light) is a multipurpose stadium best known for being the home of Portugal’s leading soccer team, Sport Lisboa Benfica. It has seating for more than 68,000 people, making it the largest stadium in the country, and features a retractable roof. Additional draws include facilities for hockey, volleyball, and basketball, as well as swimming pools and health clubs.

Principe Real Garden (Jardim do Principe Real) is a small and peaceful park at the heart of Lisbon’s Principe Real neighborhood. The park is a favorite spot for locals who come to relax in the shade, play chess, and admire the exotic trees—including a 250-year-old juniper. Pop-up markets, a café, and children’s playground round out the park’s offerings.

Fado is Portugal's signature performing art, and it's showcased almost every evening at the Fado in Chiado show in the heart of Lisbon. The live show, backed by a montage of images of iconic Lisbon attractions, introduces the musical form to audiences from around the world and features a singer and two instrumentalists: one playing Portuguese guitar, and the other, classical guitar.

Tomar may seem like a simple riverfront town, but it packs a strong historical punch. Set on the banks of the Nabão River, this small city is home to the impressive Castle of Tomar (Castelo de Tomar) and the Convent of Christ (Convento de Cristo), a 12th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former medieval headquarters of the Knights Templar.

One of Lisbon’s most recognizable symbols, the egg-yolk-yellow Tram 28 rattles through the capital’s narrow streets and offers a unique perspective on the city. Riding aboard is one of the most popular things to do in Lisbon, thanks to the cost-effective ticket price and the wealth of attractions the tram covers. Highlights along the route include São Jorge Castle, the Sé Cathedral, and Jardim da Estrela park.

Built during the late 1800s, Campo Pequeno Bullring is a striking neo-Moorish building and events venue in the northern part of Portugal’s capital city. It hosts everything from craft markets to concerts, and is home to more than 60 shops, 20 restaurants, and a cinema. Bullfights are still held in summer, though the bull is not killed during the event (like in Spanish bullfighting).

The interactive Lisboa Story Centre museum tells the story of Lisbon through a variety of multimedia exhibits, including a fascinating display on the 1755 earthquake that reshaped the city. Here you’ll find five main sections, each focused on a different era in Lisbon’s history, plus a sixth exhibit featuring a virtual model of the city. During school vacations, the museum sometimes offers workshops and activities for kids.

Situated near Lisbon’s Tagus River, where Portuguese explorers set sail on the Age of Discovery in the 15th century, the Lisbon Maritime Museum (Museu de Marinha) spotlights the country’s seafaring history. Highlights of the exhibitions include maps and globes studied by Portugal’s early navigators, a collection of intricately decorated royal barges, and a wooden statue of Archangel Raphael saved from Vasco da Gama’s 1498 voyage to India.

Resembling the sail of a Portuguese ship and characterized by lattice steelwork, the Vasco da Gama Tower (Torre Vasco da Gama) has become a symbol of modern Lisbon. The tallest building in the Portuguese capital, it soars 475 feet (145 meters) above the banks of the Tagus River, making it a natural choice for travelers seeking panoramic views—and the option to enjoy them with a drink in hand at the tower’s rooftop bar.

Amoreiras Shopping Center is a premium shopping destination and one of Lisbon’s flagship malls. Set in a central location with striking post-modern towers, the complex features over 200 stores, offering a mix of mid- to high-end brands from all over the world. Visitors can also find a cinema, a large supermarket, and lots of restaurants. There’s even an observation deck at the top of the complex, which offers panoramic views of the city.

Set in a lush garden, the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum is regarded as one of Portugal’s finest private collections and contains artworks ranging from ancient Egyptian sculptures to modernist paintings. The museum also houses a large selection of European art, with pieces by Rembrandt, Rubens, Monet, Van Dyck, and Renoir.

Built in 1744 to bring potable water to the people of Lisbon, the mighty Águas Livres Aqueduct is one of the few historical monuments to have withstood Lisbon’s devastating 1755 earthquake. The ruins are just as impressive today, with 109 stone arches that tower as high as a skyscraper and cover a distance that would span the entirety of New York City.

One of Lisbon’s most popular family attractions since it opened in the 19th century, the Lisbon Zoo (Jardim Zoológico de Lisboa) is home to hundreds of species of animals from around the world, from primates to farmyard animals. More than just a zoo, it’s also a conservation, reproduction, and reintroduction center for endangered species, where scientists and spectators can learn about animals from tigers to dolphins.

Spread over three floors, Lisbon’s Benfica Museum (Museu Benfica–Cosme Damião) tells the story of football (soccer) in Portugal. Located beside the mighty Estádio da Luz, the museum explores the history of the Sport Lisboa e Benfica football club. Highlights include a showcase of hundreds of trophies along with a selection of interactive audiovisual displays. A short documentary is screened inside a geodesic dome theater.

With more than 150 retailers offering discounts of up to 70 percent, Freeport Lisboa Fashion Outlet is a shopper’s dream—especially for travelers from outside the European Union, who can claim VAT refunds on purchases over a certain amount. The outlet is home to an array of big-name brands and homegrown Iberian labels, which sell clothing, homeware, beauty products, and more. During shopping breaks, visitors can refuel at cafés and restaurants, while kids will be entertained at the on-site play areas.

A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a popular destination for hikers, snorkelers, and divers, the Berlengas archipelago is a collection of small islands and reefs off the coast of Peniche, Portugal. Only the largest of the islands, Berlenga Grande, is inhabited, and the unspoiled scenery and secret sandy coves draw visitors from far and wide. Fort St. John the Baptist is the island’s most popular attraction, connected to Berlenga Grande by a precarious stone causeway.

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.