What should i see in lisbon

Included in the Lisbon Card. Standing tall and firm above the streets of the old Alfama District, the great citadel was first built more than 2, years ago by the Romans.

Since then, it has been developed by subsequent rulers of the city, from the Berbers to the Reconquista knights. Today it has mighty palisades and crenulated towers to admire, along with an encircling dry moat and other anti-siege features. Source: travelhdwallpapers. Located out in the blue waters of the Tagus Estuary, the huge Lisbon Oceanarium rises like a hulking aircraft carrier.

Inside, the structure houses countless exhibits related to marine life, which together pull in over one million visitors each year. There are also interesting collections of sea anemones and corals, not to mention an artificial boating lagoon out front where you can rent a pedalo if it is sunny.

Source: tripadvisor. Most of the canvasses date from between the 16th and 19th centuries, and came into public ownership following the Liberal Wars that rocked the country in the early modern age. Patrons here can also enjoy countless traveling exhibitions, with past collections reflecting Lisbon in the Renaissance period as well as featuring historical paintings from the Age of Discovery.

Source: guiadacidade. It is housed in a colossal former fish processing factory, which now enjoys up-to-date exhibition rooms. The focus here is on all things Asian, with stories of Chinese rituals and seafaring across the South China Sea all part of the tour. Unlike Rome, the city planners here developed a series of funicular railways to help with transport to and from the neighborhoods above the city.

Lisbon has a vibrant creative and artisan scene, and the focal point for this is the LxFactory. This is a uber-trendy development of an abandoned factory, which promotes artists and niche independent businesses, but also attracts a clientele who can afford the bespoke price tags.

Within the LxFactory complex are unique stalls, speciality shops and funky restaurants, along with a dynamic creative tech hub. If you are seeking something very different from classical tourist attractions or what to experience modern, forward-thinking Lisbon, then Lx factory is the place for you.

Tourist information: Travel E15 tram Santo Amaro stop. Within the former Jesuit church, there is an immeasurable wealth of gold leaf and fine wood carving across the eight extravagant chapels. Tourist information: free admission. Fado is a haunting and emotional style of music, which is sung by a lone female singer and accompanied by a classical guitar.

Fado captures this essence of longing, missing and fate, and is ideally experienced in a small intimate live music venue. The Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge spans the Tejo estuary at its narrowest point, and connects Lisbon on the north bank with the commuter districts of Almada to the south.

The bridge closely resembles that of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, a likeness that comes from the fact that this bridge was constructed by the same company. The name of the bridge commemorates the revolution of Portugal from the Salazar regime on the 25th of April Lisbon is a city that has a close connection with the oceans and seafaring, and there is no better way to view the city than from the water.

There are numerous tourist boat tours, but a much cheaper alternative is to cross the Tejo Estuary on one of the commuter ferries. These ferry routes provide frequent departures and inexpensive fares.

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Lisbon top 10 sights, attractions, activities and things to do. Home Page Home page and introduction to Lisbon. Secret Lisbon Hidden gems and authentic experiences of Lisbon. Where to stay? Which district should you be based in? The museum is set west of the city center within a 17th-century palace, itself built over the remains of the Saint Albert Carmelite monastery , which was virtually destroyed in the earthquake.

Fortunately, the chapel survived and is integrated into the building. Set over three levels, the extensive permanent collection requires a good two hours of your time.

Begin by exploring the aforementioned St. Albert Chapel on Level 1 and then meander through rooms exhibiting Portuguese applied art: furniture, tapestries, and textiles, among other objects, many reflecting the influences of Portugal's colonial explorations. Look out for the exquisite 17th-century casket from India crafted in silver gilt.

Indeed, Level 1 houses some truly remarkable works. The astonishing fantasy that is The Temptations of St. Anthony c. Jewelry, ceramics, gold, silverware, and art from the Portuguese Discoveries all hold the gaze on Level 2, but make a point of studying the fascinating 16th-century Japanese Namban screens that illustrate the Portuguese trading in Japan.

Level 3 is devoted to Portuguese painting and sculpture. Afonso V. The gardens at the rear of the museum deserve a mention. The permanent exhibition is set over two levels and grouped around several core areas of oriental art, particularly Chinese.

Displayed under subdued lighting, but with individual pieces showcased under pinpoint spotlight, the collection takes you on an incredible journey that traces the cultural and trade links forged between Portugal and India, Japan, Myanmar, Macau, and Timor. An enormous 17th-century teak door from India embellished with iron and bronze greets you on the First Floor, and opens the way into a hall that dazzles with artifacts such as the delicate Namban screen depicting Portuguese mariners disembarking from the Kurofune to be met by bemused Japanese locals.

Macau, a former Portuguese colony, is well represented by eye-catching pieces like the suspended boat-shaped cradle c. Elsewhere, an impressive display of Chinese Ming and Qing-dynasty terra-cotta figurines is placed near a set of forbidding 17th-century Samurai chainmail armor. But make a point of seeking out smaller pieces, items like the quirky collection of Chinese snuff boxes and the silver alloy bracelets from Timor.

The Second Floor houses the extensive Kwok Collection comprising more than 13, examples of figures and mythological beings cut from cowhide and parchment and used by puppeteers in shadow theaters from Turkey to Thailand.

The Orient Museum will absorb a couple of hours of your attention, but if you time a visit for mid-morning, you can pause for lunch in the 5th floor restaurant and relive the experience.

Built in as a fortress and originally sited in the middle of the river the watercourse has shifted over the years , the tower represents the highpoint of decorative Manueline architecture. Set over various levels, the most interesting interior feature is the second-floor King's Chamber , where the room opens onto a Renaissance loggia. The royal coat of arms of Manuel I is placed above the elegant arcades. Climb the impossibly steep spiral staircase to the top-floor tower terrace, and you're rewarded with a fine panorama of the waterfront esplanade and the river.

Located somewhat off the tourist trail east of the city center, the National Tile Museum is worth seeking out for its unique collection of azulejos — decorative tiles — and the fabulously ornate Igreja Madre de Deus. Housed within the church and cloisters of the Convento da Madre de Deus , this is the only museum in Portugal dedicated to this historic art form. The permanent exhibition traces the evolution of tile-making from Moorish days through Spanish influence and the emergence of Portugal's own style.

Exhibited chronologically, some of the earliest examples date from the 15th century and are displayed as complete panels of intricate patterns in vivid colors. Portuguese tile work features the more familiar blue and white azulejos , with one outstanding piece, a meter tiled panorama of pre-earthquake Lisbon, one of the highlights of the collection.

Entry to the museum includes access to the 16th-century church of Madre de Deus. Here, visitors are treated to one of the most ebullient and decorative church interiors anywhere in Portugal, a sumptuous Baroque showcase of gilded woodwork, shimmering 17th-century azulejos, and a stunning Rococo altarpiece. Elevador de Santa Justa. Looming somewhat incongruously over the rooftops of Lisbon's Baixa downtown district is the odd-looking Santa Justa Lift, a neo-Gothic elevator and the most eccentric and novel means of public transport in the city.

It was built as a means of connecting the Baixa with the Largo do Carmo in the Bairro Alto neighborhood, a trendy area of the city peppered with expensive shops, Fado houses, and small restaurants.

Today, it is curious tourists rather than the commuting public who make the meter jaunt to the top, traveling in wood-paneled cabins that still feature the original polished brass instruments. The cabins creak their way to a platform set just below the top terrace. From here, passengers can either exit and walk across a bridge into Bairro Alto or opt to climb the spiral staircase that leads to the upper terrace. The views from the top are superb and take in a busy urban canvas of pedestrianized streets, picturesque squares, and the omnipresent castle and River Tagus.

You can also enjoy a wonderful perspective of the nearby Igreja do Carmo. Expect large queues throughout the summer season. Another unique form of transport in Lisbon is the Elevador da Bica , a funicular railroad that was constructed by Raoul Mesnier de Ponsard and opened to the public in Today, it still rises above the steep Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo and whisks passengers up to a panoramic viewpoint.

The lower station of this funicular railroad is almost hidden behind a facade on the Rua de S. Paulo with the inscription "Ascensor da Bica" no. Only a few cars journey here due to its sloping topography, narrow streets, and densely packed buildings. A series of earthquakes culminating in the devastating tremor completely destroyed that which stood in the 12th century.

What you see today is a blend of architectural styles, the standout features being the twin castellated bell towers that embellish the downtown skyline — particularly evocative in the late afternoon when a setting sun burnishes the brickwork with a golden veneer. Inside, a resplendent rose window helps illuminate a rather gloomy interior, and you're likely to head straight for the treasury where the cathedral's most valuable artifacts are on display, items that include silverware made up of chalices and reliquaries, intricately embroidered vestments, statuary, and a number of rare illustrated manuscripts.

It's also worth lingering in the Gothic cloister , not so much for its series of chapels including one that retains its 13th-century wrought-iron gate , but for the fact that on-site excavations have revealed the foundations of Roman and Moorish dwellings the cathedral was built over the ruins of a mosque and the archaeological dig is a worthwhile visitor attraction in its own right.

Lisbon Cathedral Map Historical. The design is deliberate. This landmark structure was built in to commemorate the th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator. Henry himself stands at the fore, caravel in hand. After admiring those immortalized in stone, you can jump in an elevator and be whisked to the top of the monument for a seagull-eye's view of the riverfront and the surrounding vicinity. Sunk into the esplanade below is a huge pavement compass , a giant mosaic map of the world that charts the locations and dates each new land was discovered.

It's one of Lisbon's more unusual photo opportunities. More than 40 spaces with the leading representatives in all the food categories that help make Lisbon what it is - and tastes - all together under one roof.

Why go? Have you ever heard of curated burgers? Curated nigiri? Curated pizzas, sandwiches or even curated cod? Probably not. It has over 40 restaurants, a shop selling Portuguese products, a cooking academy, a bar, a club and a showroom. Definitely an unmissable stop. If nothing else, the structured designed by British architect Amanda Levete, combined with a sunset backdrop, makes a killer pic to share on social media.

Thirty years later, a new management remodelled the venue into the look it still has today. Conduct manual for eating at Gambrinus bar: 1 Always eat a croquette with the house mustard; 2 ask for the Gambrinus tulip, a very good mixed beer; 3 Do not skip on the toasted almonds; 4 wait patiently for the toast of rye bread; 5 Try a prego beef sandwich or a roast beef sandwich with tartar; 6 watch the preparation of the balloon coffee - and drink it, of course.

Perfect for: having lunch alone. With so many employees, you're never really alone. The prego? Feira da Ladra started in the 13th century and moved around town, before setting up camp at its current Campo de Santa Clara location in Founded in , this state-run museum reopened in after a hiatus following the Chiado fire.

Notwithstanding the cool, modernist redesign by French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, the name - National Museum of Contemporary Art - is a little ambitious given the place's size and budget. Still, the rehang of a couple of years ago, involving works from the permanent collection, offers an instructive overview of years of Portuguese art - from romanticism through naturalism to neo-realism, surrealism and abstractionism - up to These are two of the most significant contemporary artists here, both recently deceased, and their work your is a must see.

Also, the shop is excellent! Now that you know about the name, let us tell you about their internationally renowned roast cod, whose secret is to use thick slices with no bones while adding good quality chickpeas, olive oil and roast potatoes.

Also great: the veal steaks with garlic and the garlic cuttlefish. This establishment began life in as a shop selling drinks and ice.

At Martinho da Arcada, Lisbon's oldest restaurant, they believe in ghosts. Or in symbolic gestures. In a decaying mansion that has housed all manner of clubs and associations over the past century or so, this is the latest and probably the liveliest incarnation.

Loco is a haute cuisine restaurant headed by one of the most creative minds of the city, chef Alexandre Silva. And book ahead. Six Time Out stars for the late Bocca, five stars only because we don't give out six anymore for Loco and now a Michelin star. Alexandre Silva earned them all. He is one of the city's most creative minds, despite his calm and sober demeanour.

A bit like his restaurant — haute cuisine where the staff greets patrons wearing trainers. The mood is relaxed but the food is very delicate and great effort went into it. This is a place where you should go a bit wild and be ready to spend some money and where you will be treated as a unique guest. Nicolau became a phenomenon when it opened in Nailed it! Design, fashion, and temporary exhibitions all feature. There's no more diplomatic 'Embassy' than this. Housed in an 18th-century mansion, it hides some of the city's most intriguing secrets: very original Portuguese and foreign stores all under the same roof which is sometimes decked out with flowers and with a restaurant with a French name but which serves Portuguese snacks.

There are no doubts among us: Ground Burger has the best burgers in Lisbon. Let's pronounce every word properly because what takes places at the Ground Burger lab, in view of the patrons, if pure magic. As for drinks, order a huge milkshake don't feel bad about it or a craft beer. This sprawling rooftop bar on a multi-storey car park at the south-western corner of the Bairro Alto gets packed on warm evenings.

Okay, it sounds weird. Phones at the ready — the view it has over Lisbon is one of the most instagrammables, as are the cocktails. Plus, there are usually DJs to liven things up. A relative newcomer, this sprawling rooftop bar on a multi-storey car park at the south-western corner of the Bairro Alto gets packed on warm evenings.