Must-See Sights in Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal and lies where the Tagus River meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is packed full of history, culture and unmissable sights and is the perfect location for city breaks and weekends away. For exploring Lisbon, I would recommend purchasing the ‘Lisboa Card‘, as this provides entry into many of the sights around Lisbon, plus transport; if you are planning to visit more than a couple of sights, then this will definitely be worth it.
To ensure you get the most out of your trip, check out my personal favourite must-see sights in Lisbon:
1. Belém Tower – Torre de Belém
The Belém Tower is a 16th century fort originally built to defend Lisbon; it stands on the Tagus River and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Nowadays, the fort is one of the most popular sights to visit in Lisbon.
Closest Bus/Metro Stop: Largo da Princesa. Belém Tower will be around a 5-10 minute walk from the stop.
2. Commerce Square – Praça do Comércio
In Commerce Square, you will find the Equestrian Statue of Joseph I, a Portuguese King (from 1750-1777) and Rua Augusta Arch. The Square is built on the site of the old Royal Palace, which was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake.
Closest Bus/Metro Stop: Praça do Comércio. This stop is within the square.
3. Pink Street – Rua Nova do Carvalho
The Pink Street was once Lisbon’s Red Light District, but now is full of trendy clubs and bars and is a popular nightlife location in Lisbon. It is a much quieter scene during the day, but this can be a good time to have a look around.
Closest Bus/Metro Stop: Cais Sodré. This stop is less than a 5-minute walk to Pink Street.
4. Rua Augusta Arch – Arco da Rua Augusta
Located at Praça do Comércio, Rua Augusta Arch is probably one of Lisbon’s most recognisable structures. It was completed in 1873 and was built to acknowledge rebuilding the city following the 1755 earthquake, also known as the Great Lisbon earthquake.
Closest Bus/Metro Stop: Praça do Comércio. This stop is within the square, nearby Rua Augusta Arch.
5. Santa Justa Lift – Elevador de Santa Justa
Santa Justa Lift stands at around 45 metres tall and its architectural design is based on the Eiffel Tower. It is one of Lisbon’s most popular tourist attractions as there is a viewing platform providing wonderful panoramic views of the Baixa neighbourhood in Lisbon.
Closest Bus/Metro Stop: Baixa-Chiado. This stop is around a 5-minute walk to Santa Justa Lift.
6. Tram 28
A must-do in Lisbon – the traditional 1930s tram begins its 7km route at Martim Moniz and ends in Campo Ourique (or vice versa). It is one of the best ways to explore Lisbon, but best to start early as it can get very busy. The whole journey should take approximately 1 hour.
These are only a handful of the incredible sights Lisbon has to offer, but should absolutely not be missed. Here are some more sights to see in Lisbon:
- The Jerónimos Monastery – Mosteiro dos Jerónimos.
- 25th April Bridge – The 25 de Abril Bridge.
- São Jorge Castle – Castelo de São Jorge.
- Rossio Square – Praça do Rossio.
It is relatively easy to get around Lisbon and the Metro is user-friendly. Watch out for your usual travelling risks, like pick pockets, especially in and around the tourist attractions. For more infomation about Portugal, click here.
