What to do in Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is such a beautiful city!

So what to do in Lisbon? I already had a hard time to choose the ten best photos out of all the Lisbon things to do for this article. I just want to advise you to visit Lisbon and as many Portuguese cities as you can manage in your life, as they have such beautiful designs. Also don’t forget (the former Portuguese) Macao in China.

Lisbon is a perfectly walkable city. So you can combine all elements below except Torre de Belém and Cristo Rei in your personal Lisbon walking tour.

Rossio seen from Elevador de Santa Justa

Stroll through the town / Tram 28

One of the better Lisbon Portugal attractions is the Tram 28. You will get a feel for Lisbon and it’s many treasures. The places you should see is Martim Moniz, Rossio, from Rossio walk to Praça do Comercio through the city quarter Baixa, Bairro Alto (a wonderful spot in it is the Largo do Chiado), Alfama (a nice spot there is Largo da Sé, from there walk more uphill).

The historical tram no. 28E drives through many of the interesting areas. The car is historic and beautiful and you will be surprised, how it winds uphill around the curves. Just wait for it somewhere in the Alfama quarter (e.g. Sé station near Largo da Sé) and embark.

Rossio

Baixa street and Praça do Comercio

Largo do Chiado and another street in Bairro Alto

Viewpoint in Alfama

Castelo de São Jorge

Another must see in Lisbon ist the Castelo de São Jorge. It’s an impressing fortress and allows great views on Lisbon. You can’t miss it. You can see it from many places in downtown Lisbon. The hill on which the castle stands is inhabited for 2500 years already. The first constructions on the hill started in the 2nd century BC.

How to get there for your travel planning

The best is to walk up through the Alfama quarter.

Elevador de Santa Justa

One more idea, what to see in Lisbon, would be this elevator. It represents beautiful older technology perfectly melted into the city. Since Lisbon is built on seven hills a few elevators were built to ease access to the different quarters. And they were already built a long time ago and look beautiful like everything else here. This elevator was opened in 1902. It was first run on steam and then electrified.

How to get there for your travel planning

It’s right next to the big Rossio square into the Rua Aurea.

Torre de Belém

Another one of the places to visit in Lisbon, although in the outskirts of the city, is the beautiful tower of Belém. The beauty of this tower will convince you it was worth the visit. The construction of this tower was finished in 1519 and it’s purpose was being a fortress against invaders from the ocean. But it actually looks far too beautiful for just being a fortress. In this area you can also visit the monastery “Mosteiro Dos Jerónimos”.

How to get there for your travel planning

The bus line 28 goes along the coastline of Lisbon and stops at Belém.

Cristo Rei

Another idea regarding what to do in Lisbon in Portugal is to enjoy the good view to Lisbon from Cristo Rei and to witness a Catholic monument. This monument was built in 1959 inspired by the Christ statue of Rio de Janeiro. From the observation deck, on which the statue stands, you have a great view onto Lisbon on the other side of the river.

How to get there for your travel planning

Use the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas. If you have enough time walk the 3km along the coastline from Cacilhas and take the elevator up to the statue. There are some nice restaurants on the way.

Cristo Rei is in the back left of the bridge, viewn from Alfama

Fun question: Is Lisbon in Spain? 🙂

Nope. It is in Portugal. It even is the capital of Portugal. Portugal lies west of Spain. The two countries – and the tiny British exclave Gibraltar – share the Iberian Peninsula in the west of Europe as their Geographic location.

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