Unmissable Lisbon: 8 of the best things to see and do in the Portuguese capital
- See works by Rembrandt, Manet and Gainsborough in one of Europe's leading art galleries
- São Jorge Castle is one of the oldest structures in the city. Don't miss the archaeological museum
- Lisbon Oceanarium is Europe's largest indoor aquarium and home to over 8,000 sea creatures
Lisbon is one of Europe's most fascinating capitals with its wealth of museums, art galleries and ancient fortifications. But it’s best known for its iconic yellow antique trams, charming cobbled streets and lively nightlife. Check out our pick of the best things to see and do in Lisbon.
The Torre de Belém is a must-see sight when visiting the city of Lisbon
One of the city's most famous landmarks, the Torre de Belém sits on the northern banks of the Tagus River. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old fortification was built in the early 1500s to protect Lisbon harbour from seafaring pirates. Explore the beautiful landscaped gardens surrounding the tower or take a self-guided tour of the fort and climb up to its highest bastion for sweeping views of the city.
Metro/Tram: Centro Cultural de Belém
Open October to May, 1000–1730, May to September, 1000–1830.
For more stunning panoramic views of Lisbon's city centre and the Tagus River, a visit to São Jorge Castle will be one of your holiday highlights. Crammed with history, this Moorish hilltop fort is one of the oldest buildings in the city, its foundations dating back over a millennium. The castle was restored in the early 20th century and is now also home to a modern archaeological museum.
Metro: Martim Moniz
Open daily, 0900–1800
When it comes to fine art, Lisbon is right up there with Paris, London and Madrid as one of the art capitals of Europe. Widely regarded as one of the continent’s leading art galleries, the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian displays the largest one-time privately held collection, walking you from 2000 BCE pieces right up to 20th-century modern artworks. In a building designed specifically for this collection, you’ll see ancient Egyptian scarabs and exquisite Syrian art, alongside iconic artworks by the old masters, including Rembrandt and Manet. One of the highlights of this elegant museum is the Lalique Room, which houses ornate glassworks by René Lalique.
Metro: Praça de Espanha
Open daily, 1000–1800, closed Tuesdays
Opened in 1998 as part of the World Fair, the Lisbon Oceanarium is Europe's largest indoor aquarium. Over two floors, the aquarium is home to over 8,000 sea creatures and is dominated by a huge central glass tank. As an added bonus, it’s one of the few aquariums in the world to keep a sunfish. Widely regarded as one of the city's top family attractions, Oceanarium brings kids face-to-face with sharks, stingrays and manta rays, as well as the resident sea otters and penguins.
Metro: Oriente
Open daily, 1000–1900
With its 2,000 animals, Lisbon Zoo promises to take you around the world in one day. Founded in 1884, what's known locally as Jardím Zoológico has changed with the times. Now one of the zoo’s highlights is a trip in the cable car, which stretches across the enclosures offering you a bird’s-eye view of the animals.
Metro: Jardím Zoológico
Open March to September, 1000–2000, September to March, 1000–1800
There's a lot to see and do at Lisbon Zoo
Ride Tram 28
Lisbon is famous for its antique yellow trams, which date back to the 1930s when they were the only way to climb the city's seven hills – if you didn’t want to walk. For the best experience, take an unofficial city tour on the iconic Tram 28. It connects Martim Moniz with Campo de Ourique and passes through Graça, Baixa and Bairro Alto districts, taking in São Jorge Castle and the historic Alfama district on its way.
Tram: Various.
Open daily, 0730–2100
The Museu Nacional dos Coches is home to the world's largest collection of historical carriages, from antique perambulators to gilded royal coaches. You’ll see the doomed royal carriage, which carried King Carlos and his son, Dom Luís Filipe, when they were murdered in Terreiro do Paço in 1908. But one of the real highlights is the rare 17th-century coach used by King Phillip of Portugal in 1670.
Tram: Belém
Open daily, 1000–1800, closed Mondays
Pasteis de nata is a traditional Portuguese dessert
You can't visit Lisbon without trying at least one of the city's most iconic pastries, pasteis de nata – Portuguese custard tarts. One of the most popular bakeries in the city is the Pastéis de Belém, opposite Jardím Vasco da Gama and Jardím de Belém. The family-run bakery opened in 1837 and, to this day, still makes the sweet, flaky custard tarts from an age-old recipe found in the nearby Mosteiro dos Jerónimos.
Bus: Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
Open daily, 0800–2300
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