Lisbon is such a unique city. It is historic, hilly and overlooks the vibrant River Tagus. It doesn’t have world-renowned sights like Paris or Rome, but it’s a relaxing city that has incredible architecture. The intimate side streets, the trams, the diverse range of restaurants and the really warm climate make the destination very attractive to tourists. During our trip last week, we visited lots of amazing places and tourist sights, so I thought I’d share a list of them today. Hopefully this will be helpful if you’re planning a trip to Lisbon soon.
1. Praça do Comércio.
The Praça do Comércio is the main square in the heart of Lisbon city centre. It features bright yellow architecture, a magnificent archway and opens out onto the Tagus River. The square is a fundamental part of the city’s heritage, as lots of important historical events have occurred there. Today a variety of restaurants and the Lisbon Story Centre occupy the location.
2. Belém Tower.
The Belém Tower is one of Lisbon’s oldest tourist sights, dating back to the early 1500s. The tower is located on the waterfront at the edge of the Belém district and you can go inside for a small fee. With student cards it was only €3, making it a very affordable tourist attraction.
3. Jerónimos Monastery.
The Jerónimos Monastery was opened in 1601 and it is also located in Belém. The monastery is an absolutely magnificent building and sits at the centre of the Belém district, standing out from the restaurants and shops surrounding it. Surprisingly, the monastery is actually open to visitors quite late, so you can visit after having dinner at one of the restaurants nearby.
4. Sao Jorge Castle (Lisbon Castle).
The castle is where you can experience incredible views of the city and Tagus River from above. The grounds of the building are also relatively shaded, making it the perfect place to stop and take in Lisbon’s incredible architecture.
5. Time Out Market Lisbon.
Lisbon’s Time Out Market features food and souvenir stalls and it is just footsteps from the Cais du Sodre station. If you fancy trying local food, this is where you should visit, as there are so many amazing delicacies to choose from!
6. Rua Augusta.
Rua Augusta is Lisbon’s answer to Oxford Street. It is full of shops and restaurants that cover a variety of budgets. You can actually eat outside in the middle of the street. A meal for two at one of these outdoor restaurants was €35 (one starter, two drinks and two mains) and we thought this was pretty reasonable, given the city centre location.
7. Lisbon Story Centre.
The Lisbon Story Centre is perfect for history buffs as you get to experience an interactive overview of the city’s history. You learn all about the devastating earthquake that ruined the city in the 1700s, as well as more recent history such as the end of the Portuguese monarchy.
8. The riverside market next to Cais du Sodre station.
There’s a little market about 5 minutes walk along the river from Cais du Sodre station. Here you can purchase souvenirs or alternatively you can purchase a cocktail from one of the drinks stalls and sit by the river.
9. Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo.
On our second day we rode the trams across the city centre. On the return route, my boyfriend spotted a pretty street that he thought I’d like and this was in fact ‘Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo’. The road is known for its vertical tram: the Elevador da Bica. The vehicle is very old and from the top of the street, you can watch it going up and down the hill. There is the option to walk down the road too and it is well worth doing as there are so many gorgeous Portuguese houses on this street!
10. 25 de Abril Bridge.
The 25 de Abril Bridge connects Lisbon to Almada on the other side of the river. The structure is massive and can be viewed from all over the city.
Lisbon is such a gorgeous place to visit. Have you ever been? What are your favourite places to visit in the city?
Thanks for reading my blog today.
Love Kat xxxx
What a beautiful city! I love the look of the little markets, the idea of cocktails by the river in the sun is dreamy!