If you have not yet had the opportunity to travel to lisbon, Portugal, I can tell you that it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
Its location between hills and in the estuary of tagus river, and its combination of a traditional and, at the same time, cosmopolitan city, gives the Portuguese capital great appeal.
I have traveled several times for years to Lisbonlarvae, nymphs, and adults, so we have a good experience, and I will tell you that I like it more and more, because it is also a city that has a special luminosity that gives it a special charm.
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To start with, before your trip, if instead of doing the visits on your own, you prefer to join organized groups, here is the information about tours in Lisbon in Spanish.
Among them you have a guided tour of Lisbon and Belem with guide in spanish and four hours long.
But if you prefer to visit the city on your own, the following information about the places of greatest interest to visit in Lisbon.
All the information in detail
- 1 The best things to see and do when visiting Lisbon (our experience)
- 1.1 Castle of Saint George, the great fortification of Lisbon
- 1.2 Santa Lucía Viewpoint in the Alfama neighborhood
- 1.3 Alfama, the most popular neighborhood in Lisbon
- 1.4 Lisbon Cathedral
- 1.5 Ride Tram 28 and other traditional
- 1.6 La Baixa, the commercial district of Lisbon
- 1.7 Commerce Square in Lisbon
- 1.8 Rossio Square, historic center of Lisbon
- 1.9 Ride the Santa Justa Elevator
- 1.10 Chiado, the elegant neighborhood of Lisbon
- 1.11 Barrio Alto, nightlife in Lisbon
- 1.12 Nations Park and Oceanarium
- 1.13 Azulejo Museum, panoramic Vision of Lisbon
- 1.14 Belem neighborhood, large monumental area in Lisbon
- 1.15 Jerónimos Monastery, jewel of Manueline architecture
- 1.16 Belém Tower
- 1.17 Monument to the Discoveries
- 1.18 Belem Cakes Pastry Shop
- 1.19 Visit the surroundings of Lisbon
The best things to see and do when visiting Lisbon (our experience)
To start with, to visit the Portuguese capital you must know how go from the airport to the city center.
Since in reality said airport is located in the same city, so that you will land above the city, you should know that the option of taxi from the airport to the center of Lisbon.
And finally you also have the option of private transfer from Lisbon airport, ideal if you go with a group of family or friends, as they will transport you in a minibus.
Below we detail the essential places to visit in Lisbon.
Castle of Saint George, the great fortification of Lisbon
El St. George's castle It is the great fortification that rises on one of the hills of the city of Lisbon.
It has its origin in a fortress of the Arabs and became Royal Palace after being reconquered for the Christians by the king Alfonso I.
After Lisbon earthquake of 1755 It was destroyed, but today it is one of the main monuments that you should visit on your trip to the Portuguese capital.
From the St. George's castle, you will have the best panoramic views of the city and the Tagus Estuary.
Here you have practical information about schedules and ticket prices to visit St. George's Castle.
To visit the Portuguese capital, here is some information about tours in Lisbon in Spanish, among which is this Free Tour of Lisbon (here you have other free tours to choose from), and also others alternatives in English and other languages
Santa Lucía Viewpoint in the Alfama neighborhood
While St. George's castle is the great viewpoint over Lisbon, there is another lesser-known viewpoint that offers you different panoramic views, as it is oriented towards the interior of the Tagus estuary.
El Santa Lucia viewpoint You find it as you go up towards the castle of San Jorge, and it is located on the popular Alfama neighborhood.
You will see him next to the little girl church of santa lucia, from the 18th century, and don't forget to walk around the area to reach the nearby Puertas del Sol viewpoint which offers you another perspective of the eastern area of Lisbon.
Alfama, the most popular neighborhood in Lisbon
On the slope that descends from the castle to the tagus river, and from where the cathedral is located, the popular Alfama neighborhood of Lisbon.
It is a neighborhood authentic, with hidden corners, where you will find houses with colorful facades and hanging clothes, and where several traditional restaurants are located where the musical expression of the Fado has all the prominence.
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Lisbon Cathedral
As you begin the climb to the hill where the castle and the aforementioned viewpoint are located, you will find the Lisbon Cathedral.
This is the oldest church of the city since it was built from 1147.
In style Romanesque, next to it a convent of Gothic style, in whose cloister archaeological excavations are currently being carried out.
Ride Tram 28 and other traditional
If there is something typical that you should do in your Lisbon visit is to get on one of the old trams, which have now largely become a tourist attraction.
And if there is a popular line among tourists, it is the tram 28, which takes you up from the Baixa neighborhood up to the castle hill.
Here you have information about lines of Lisbon trams interesting to use during your visit, such as the one that takes you to the Belem neighborhood.
La Baixa, the commercial district of Lisbon
El Baixa neighborhood It is where the commercial life of the city of Lisbon takes place.
This is the neighborhood with a layout of perpendicular streets that extends between the two hills of the castle and the Barrio Alto that configure the city urbanistically.
This neighborhood extends from Commerce Square On the banks of Tajo, to the also wide squares of the Rossio y Restorers.
Commerce Square in Lisbon
La Commerce Square It is the place where the old town was located until the earthquake of the 18th century. Royal Palace.
With a large pedestrian esplanade on the banks of the tagus river, is currently the axis of the city's transportation networks, since the main bus and tram lines coincide there.
Rossio Square, historic center of Lisbon
La Rossio Square It is a nerve center of the city of Lisbon, and has a natural extension with the Restaurateurs Square and Avenida de la Libertad.
In the center of the wide square is the monument to Don Pedro IV, first emperor of independent Brazil.
Ride the Santa Justa Elevator
One of the characteristics of the city of Lisbon is the possibility of going up lifts or in rack trams from the lower part of the Baixa neighborhood to the higher areas of it, such as the Alto and Chiado neighborhoods.
And if there is something you should not miss doing on your trip to the Portuguese capital, it is ride the Santa Justa Elevator, one of its tourist attractions.
It is a 45-meter-high metal structure built in 1902, with an elevator that leaves you next to the remains of the old Convento do Carmo, in the area of Chiado neighborhood.
From the upper platform of the elevator you have the best panoramic views from the city center of Lisbon.
Chiado, the elegant neighborhood of Lisbon
El Chiado neighborhood It extends half a hill near the Elevador de Santa Justa (Santa Justa Lift) and the Convento do Carmo, and currently it is one of the most elegant areas of the city, with modern shops, cafes and restaurants.
One of its axes is Garrett Street, in one of whose corners is the famous coffee A Brasileira, front of statue of Fernando Pessoa.
Barrio Alto, nightlife in Lisbon
In this area of the city is what is known as Barrio Alto, which in recent times has become a space for nightlife, with restaurants with terraces in its narrow streets, as well as bars.
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During the day it is a very quiet neighborhood, and you can also get there with the Santa Gloria Elevator, a cogwheel tram that takes you up from the Restaurateurs Square.
In this area you have the viewpoint of San Pedro de Alcántara, with panoramic views of the city center and, in the background, the hill of St. George's Castle.
Nations Park and Oceanarium
El Park of the Nations It is the place where the Lisbon Universal Exhibition, and where there is also a large shopping center, you can now visit various attractions such as a large aquarium known as the oceanarium.
Azulejo Museum, panoramic Vision of Lisbon
If you like traditional Portuguese tiles and are interested in delving deeper into this tradition, it is worth visiting the Lisbon Azulejo Museum, which you find halfway between the Commerce Square and the park of nations.
El tile museum It is located in the building of the old Convent of the Mother of God, from 1509, which in itself enriches the visit by being able to see some very interesting corners in its church.
In this museum you have the possibility of seeing a spectacular panoramic tile set known as the Vision of Lisbon,
This great artistic jewel of tile work shows you what the city was like at the beginning of the 18th century, before the earthquake that devastated the Baixa neighborhood and the old Royal Palace.
Belem neighborhood, large monumental area in Lisbon
A visit to Lisbon will be incomplete if you do not visit the Belem neighborhood On the banks of tagus river.
En Belem you can see some of the most outstanding monuments of the city, especially the Monastery of los jeronimos, but also the Belém Tower or monument to the Discoveries.
And be careful, it is the place where the original factory of the delicious Belem cupcakes.
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Jerónimos Monastery, jewel of Manueline architecture
I will tell you that the Monastery of los jeronimos It is my favorite monument in Lisbon.
Founded at the beginning of the 16th century, it is the best example in Portugal of the Manueline style architecture.
During your visits you will walk through its beautiful cloister and for other notable rooms, among which is the church of Santa María de Belem Gothic style and from the same period.
Here is the practical information you need to know to visit the Jerónimos Monastery.
Belém Tower
Another interesting monument is the Belém Tower, which is located in front of the monastery, on the same bank of the Tajo.
Also from the beginning of the 16th century, it was a defensive enclave to defend itself against attacks by corsairs and other enemies.
Also Manueline style, during your visit you will be able to tour the different floors of the tower and reach the terrace from where you will be able to see the best panoramic view of the Jerónimos Monastery.
Monument to the Discoveries
This monument is also located on the banks of the tagus river, and in front of the monastery.
It is very recent as it was built in 1960 to honor the Portuguese discoverers of the The new World.
I tell you that you can go up to the terrace of the Monument to the Discoverers, and from there, in addition to the panoramic views, you can see the enormous Compass Rose that is on the ground in front of it.
Belem Cakes Pastry Shop
If you like sweets, in your visit to the Belem neighborhood You have an appointment with the establishment where they are made and the famous Belem cakes.
There is the historic factory where these popular sweets have been produced since 1837. Lisbon, and currently has numerous rooms where you can taste these known as cream cakes, but they are actually cream.
Visit the surroundings of Lisbon
A major Lisbon attractions is power visit your surroundings, where you find coastal enclaves such as Cascais y Estoril, or the very leafy Sintra Mountains.
In a excursion around Lisbon You will be able to visit very outstanding corners among which the Palace of Pena, with its majestic location, the Quinta de Regaleira, the Monserrate palace or Cape of Roca.
Here you have extensive information about the places to visit around Lisbon.
And if you prefer to sign up for a organized tour with a guide in Spanish, here we propose several excursions to do from Lisbon.
Among them stand out a tour in Spanish to Sintra, Cascais and Estoril, or tour in Spanish to Obidos and Fátima.
Thank you. Lisbon is a city full of charm and surprises, with many options for walks and activities. I recommend exploring it without haste and with a lot of curiosity!
There is much more, your Alfama neighborhood at night walking listening to Fado everywhere is a dream. Visiting the Ladra Fair is soaking up its history. The Jose Saramago house museum. The house museum of Fernando Pessoa. Fado Museum. Water Museum….well, so much more, everything is beautiful.
Great guide to things to see or do in Lisbon. Thank you!
A good option for eating is the Time out Market (or Ribeira market) or Armazens do Chiado.
As if there weren't hundreds of places to eat – much better and at decent prices – throughout Lisbon!
Time Out, as the name suggests, is nothing more than a place of action, for GenZ (from Zero/Cero) and tourists! We don't even talk about the warehouses!
My dream of knowing Portugal (terra do my country) is ancient, now in September we will be with my family there, therefore everything that refers to Portugal is of our interest.