Lisbon

Santa Justa Lift

Excellent vertical view of the Baixa streets, next to Igreja do Carmo. The line can be quite long, you may want to consider walking up and riding it down instead.

08:30-20:30 (viewing platform) · €1.50 · Built 1902 · Heritage listed · Wheelchair accessible

Lisbon Cathedral

Sé de Lisboa, Igreja de Santa Maria Maior

Built in 1147, the cathedral has survived various earthquakes and has undergone restoration, renovation, and modification over the years. Its elements include Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles. It has been a national monument since 1910.

Mon–Sat 10:00–18:30 · EUR 5, children 7–12 EUR 2.50, children 6 & under free · Heritage listed

Museu Nacional dos Coches

National Coach Museum

Housed in the former riding school of the palace, don't miss the world's largest collection of horse-drawn coaches and other royal vehicles. One of Lisbon's many unusual museums. In the "Museum street", Belem.

10:00-18:00 · €8 · Heritage listed

Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology

MAAT – Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia

This museum of contemporary art is housed in a riverside building of contemporary design.

Wed–Mon 11:00–19:00 (Jun–Sep: Fri Sat until 22:00), closed Tue · Adults EUR 9, kids 12+/students/seniors 65+ EUR 6, kids under 12 free,15 Jul–31 Aug: 20% discount off all tickets (admission includes Tejo Power Station) · Wheelchair accessible

Parque Eduardo VII

Formal park with expansive views down toward the city and water from Miradouro Parque Eduardo VII. Home to the wonderful Estufa Fria greenhouse gardens.

Panteão Nacional

Igreja do Santa Engrácia

This is one of the most striking buildings in Lisbon. Its tall dome and white facade makes it a real landmark in Alfama/Eastern Lisbon. Excellent views from the rooftop terrace. Construction began in 1681, then halted until the dome was added in 1966 and then converted to the National Pantheon. Amália Rodrigues, queen of fado, is buried here, and fresh roses can be seen on the tomb. The church also has wide viewing platform on the rooftop all around its dome. Excellent panorama of the river and surroundings. No elevator.

Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00, platform 10:00-18:00 (closed Mondays, shorter hours in winter) · €4

Ajuda Botanical Gardens

Jardim Botânico da Ajuda

The botanical garden of Ajuda is one of the oldest gardens in Europe and is considered the first in Portugal. After the earthquake that occurred in 1755, the homeless Portuguese royal family decided to build a new royal residence at Ajuda but also gardens around it. This 10-acre garden was laid out in from 1858-1873.

Daily 09:00-20:00 (summer), 09:00-18:00 (winter) · €2 · Entry 2EUR

Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara

Mirador

Excellent panorama from the lovely terrace/garden on top of Elevador da Glória and northern corner of Bairro Alto.

Free

Museu da Marioneta

Puppetry Museum

The museum covers the history of puppetry around the world, with an emphasis on Portugal. Various types of puppets are on display.

Tue–Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat Sun closed Mon · Admission EUR 5, ages 13–25 EUR 2.50, 65+ or disabled EUR 4.30, kids under 13 free; shows EUR 7.50, kids, seniors 65+, and students under 25 EUR 5 · Entry 5.00 EUR

Museu da Água

Water Museum

The Mãe d'Água das Amoreiras (Portuguese for "Mother of Water of Amoreiras"), formally known as the Reservatório da Mãe d'Água das Amoreiras, is a historic reservoir in Lisbon, Portugal. Constructed as the terminal reservoir of the Águas Livres Aqueduct, it was designed in 1745 and completed in 1834 in the Jardim das Amoreiras district.

Mon–Fri 10:00–12:30 & 13:30–17:30 · Free

Jardim da Estrela

Jardim Guerra Junqueiro

A 4.6 ha English-style garden with Romantic inspiration. You can find many plant and bird species here.

Daily 07:00–00:00 · Built 1882 · Wheelchair accessible

Museu Militar de Lisboa

Lisbon Military Museum

Housed in a 16th-century foundry, this museum holds its testaments to Portuguese military history, and contains many artifacts, including a sword used by Vasco da Gama.

Tu-Su 10:00-17:00; easter off; Jan 01,May 01,Dec 25 off

Palácio Foz

A palace constructed in the 18th and 19th centuries. Visits can be arranged in advance via email. Concerts (some of them free) are offered.

Mon–Fri 09:30–16:00, closed Sat Sun

Miradouro de Santa Luzia

Good viewpoint in Alfama uphill from the cathedral along tram route. Lovely view over rooftops and river.

Free

Museu do Teatro Romano

Roman Theatre Museum

Along the way from downtown to Saint George's Castle.

Tu-Su 10:00-18:00; Jan 01 off; May 01 off; Dec 25 off · Heritage listed · Entry 3.00 EUR

Fundação Arpad Szenes / Vieira da Silva

This museum is installed in the restored 18th-century former Royal Silk Factory. Its permanent collection covers a wide time period of the works of 20th-century painters Arpad Szenes and Maria Helena Vieira da Silva, and regularly hosts exhibits by their contemporaries.

Mon-Sat 11:00-19:00, Sun 10:00-18:00 · Adults €2.50, students €1.25, kids under 14 free · Entry 7.50 EUR

Museu da Carris

City transport museum

Transport museum with various old trams and buses on display.

Mon-Sat, 1000-1300 and 1400-1800 · €4.50, €2.50 for over 65s, under 6 free

Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga

Portugal's impressive national art collection, including 14-19th century European painting, artefacts of Portuguese contact with the East and Africa and a collection of ecclesiastical treasures. Highlights include Dürer's St Jerome, Hieronymus Bosch's Temptations of St Antony, Nuno Gonçalves' Adoration of St Vincent, and 16th century Japanese paintings of Portuguese traders.

Tue to Sun: 10:00-18:00; Closed Mon · Normal: €6.00

Museu Nacional do Azulejo

National Tile Museum

One of the most important national museums, dedicated to Portuguese azulejo tiles since the late 1400s. It's in the former Madre de Deus Convent, founded in 1509 by Queen Leonor.

Tue–Sun 10:00–13:00 & 14:00–18:00, closed Mon · EUR 5, seniors 65+/students/youth card EUR 2.50, disabled & children 12 and under free

Lisbon Botanical Gardens

Jardim Botânico

A hidden gem. It was created several hundred years ago, by a King of Portugal at the time of the Discoveries. The story goes that this King wanted one of every type of plant in the world, and although that's unlikely, there is a huge collection dating back by three or four centuries which is worth checking out. And there's something quite eerie about seeing plants or huge trees from completely different climates growing next to each other in apparent harmony. A great place to take a picnic: this green oasis is completely surrounded by city but even the city sounds filter out.

Daily 10:00-17:00 · Entrance €5 adults, discounts for kids, seniors and students

Torre de Belém

Belem Tower

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the iconic fortified tower was built in the early 16th century in the late Gothic Manueline style as a fortress. It was said to be the last thing Portuguese explorers saw when departing, and the first thing they saw upon return. It was later used as a prison for political prisoners, and is today one of the most recognized symbols of Lisbon and Portugal.

Oct-May: Tue-Sun 10:00-17:30; May-Sep: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:30; last entry 30 min before closing; closed 1 Jan, Easter, 1 May, 13 Jun, and 25 Dec · €6 (adults), €3 (seniors/students/youth card), free (children under 12); free admission on first Sun of the month. Combined ticket with Mosteiro dos Jerónimos €12, combined ticket with Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and Museu Nacional de Arqueologia €16, combined ticket with 5 other sites €25 (see website for details)

Praça do Comércio

This magnificent plaza, facing the river, is the beginning of Lisboa's downtown. It is also known as 'Terreiro do Paço', meaning 'Grounds of the Palace', relating to its function before the Great Earthquake of 1755. The upper floors of the yellow buildings surrounding the square are mainly used as government offices, while the lower floors often contains cafés and restaurants. King Josef I, who ruled during the reconstruction of Lisbon, is seen as a mounted statue in the middle of the square, while the arch facing north is a tribute to the explorer Vasco da Gama.

Palácio de São Bento

Saint Benedict's Palace

Built in 1598, the palace has served as the home of Portugal's parliament since 1834. The adjoining São Bento Mansion serves as the prime minister's residence.

Cemitério dos Prazeres

This large cemetery is packed with majestic gravestones and mausoleums, separated by wide, pedestrian, tree-lined "streets". Many graves are marked with icons telling something about the person's role in historical Lisbon. A beautiful respite from the busy city.

daily 09:00–16:30 · Free

Aqueduto das Águas Livres

The Águas Livres Aqueduct is a historic aqueduct system in Lisbon, Portugal. It is considered one of the most remarkable examples of 18th-century Portuguese engineering and one of Lisbon's best-known landmarks. The main aqueduct extends approximately 14.2 kilometres (8.8 mi), while the complete network of canals, galleries, reservoirs, and distribution systems reaches nearly 58 kilometres (36 mi).

Built 1748

Palácio Alverca

Antigo Palácio Pais do Amaral, Antigo Palácio São Luís, Casa do Alentejo

Unassuming from the outside, the interior combines neo-Gothic, neo-Arab, neo-Renaissance, neo-Rococo, Art Nouveau, and baroque elements.

Praça Dom Pedro IV

Rossio

One of Lisbon's principal squares. A statue of King Pedro IV stands on a column in the centre. The square, a popular meeting point for local and tourists, is known for its wavy black-and-white stone pavement.

Statue to Afonso de Albuquerque

In front of the former Royal Palace of Belém, now the Presidential Palace, there is a massive statue looking out to sea, representing Afonso de Albuquerque, second ruler of Portuguese India in the early 16th century.

Espaço Novo Banco

Multifunctional space dedicated to contemporary art, especially photography.

Mon–Fri 09:00-15:00 · Free

Igreja do Carmo

The hilltop church of the former convent of Carmo is a towering memorial of the 1755 earthquake, which made the roof of the church collapse, but the Gothic arches of the nave survived. The church was preserved that way and now serves as the Museu Arqueológico in the extant parts of the building. The museum houses a hodgepodge of archaeological artifacts from around Portugal and the world including mummies from South America, tombs of Portuguese rulers, and the Stations of the Cross on 18th-century painted tiles. The assorted artifacts are not well explained, but the church is a sight to see and visitors come to relax in the grassy nave of the church, and draw or photograph the spires.

Oct-May: Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00; Jun-Sep: Mon-Sat 10:00-19:00; closed Sun, 1 Jan, 1 May, 25 Dec · €4 (adults), €3 (students/seniors), €3.20 (Lisbon card), free (children under 15)