Lisbon, Portugal

What to do in Lisbon, Portugal

Tour of Lisbon and Estoril Coast

Start your visit with an introductory tour of Lisbon, stopping at St George's Castle and the Moorish Alfama district, continuing to favorite sites like the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower, and Estoril, the "Portuguese Riviera.".

Sintra

Stunningly set on the slopes of the granite Serra among woods and springs, this region was long a favorite retreat for the kings of Portugal. Two striking palaces grace the town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The wooded hills are a lovely place for quiet walks.

Castelo de São Jorge

Upon his defeat of the Moors, King Afonso set about transforming their hilltop fortress into a royal residence. After Manuel I built a more lavish palace in 1511, the castle became, in turn, a theater, prison, and arms depot. A 1938 renovation turned the castle ruins into a garden-and-wildfowl-filled "medieval village" with the finest views in the city.

Museu Calouste Gulbenkian

An oil magnate with wide-ranging tastes and an eye for masterpieces endowed Portugal with his astounding art collection, which is one of the best in Europe. Highlights include Rembrandt's Portrait of an Old Man and an Egyptian bronze cat.

Sé Cathedral

Afonso Henriques built this cathedral in 1150, three years after he recaptured Lisbon from the Moors. Though the décor is austere, it is an impressive structure that includes nine chapels, 14th-century sarcophagi, a Gothic cloister, and an ecclesiastic treasury.

Palácio de Belém

When the palace was built in 1559, the Tagus had not yet receded and the gardens stretched down to the riverbank. In the 18th century, João V expanded it and made it much more opulent. His family happened to be staying there during the earthquake of 1755, and so escaped harm. Today, it is the residence of the President of Portugal.

Torre de Belém

In 1515, this tower was built as a fortress in the middle of the Tagus. It became the starting point for the navigators who set out to discover the trade routes and it became a symbol of Portugal's era of expansion. The ornate decoration combines Moorish and Gothic styles.

Elevador de Santa Justa

This Neo-Gothic funicular was built by an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel, and utilizes similar laced ironwork. Wood cabins transport passengers between the Baixa and Bairro Alto. At the top, café tables welcome visitors to relax and take in the grand view.

Mosteiro dos Jeronimos

This great tribute to the Age of Discovery was commissioned in 1501 in celebration of Vasco da Gama's triumphant return. Long entrusted to the Order of St Jerome, its highlights include the tiled refectory, da Gama's tomb, a cloister, and the lion fountain.

Miradouro de Santa Luzia

A sweeping view over the Alfama and the Tagus includes the cupola of Santa Engrácia, the church of Santo Estêvão, and the twin white towers of São Miguel. Old men play cards under the bougainvilleas and two tiled panels depict historic scenes.

Museu Nacional do Azulejo

The 1509 Madre de Deus Convent is the extraordinary setting for the National Tile Museum. Intricate panels and individual tiles trace the evolution of this ancient craft introduced by the Moors to Spain and Portugal.

Feira da Ladra

This "Thieves' Market" has been flourishing under the trees on the edge of the Alfama for over a century. As its popularity has grown, so have its prices, but there are still good bargains in wrought-iron, ceramic, and tile crafts. Handiwork from the African colonies, fruit, fish, clothes, and other goods are also available.