Lisboa Sights

With 3000 years of history, Lisboa has acquired a fascinating aesthetic pedigree. Moorish azulejos (painted tiles) adorn the Alfama district; the 12th-century Sé cathedral maintains a tough Romanesque stone facade, contrasting with the elaborate Manueline monastery in Belém, which features excessive ornamentation reflective of Portugal’s glory during the Age of Discovery. The Neoclassical design of Praça do Comércio’s triumphal Roman arch marks a return to the simpler forms favored by the Marquês de Pombal’s post-earthquake rebuilding. But Lisboa’s beauty speaks of the present as well, from the sleek, modern Parque das Nações to the expressive, graffitied streets of Bairro Alto. Those planning to do a lot of sightseeing in a few days should consider purchasing the Welcome Center’s Lisboa Card for a flat fee . Museums and many sites are closed on Mondays and free on Sundays before 2pm.

• Baixa

Although Baixa claims few historical sights, the lively pedestrian traffic and dramatic history surrounding the neighborhood’s three main praças make it a monument on its own. Beware Baixa’s softly ...more

• Bairro Alto

 Museu Arqueológico Do Carmo. Located under the fantasy-like skeletal arches of an old church destroyed in the catastrophic 1755 earthquake, this partially outdoor museum allows visitors to get ...more

• São Sebastião

 Museu Calouste Gulbenkian. Perhaps Portugal’s biggest fan ever, native Armenian Calouste Gulbenkian was so charmed when he visited in 1942 that he stayed in the same hotel in Lisboa for 13 ...more

• Alfama

 Castelo De São Jorge. Built by the Moors in the 11th century, the castle was conquered by Don Alfonso Enriquez, first king of Portugal, then converted into a playground for the royal family ...more

• Graça

 Panteão Nacional. The National Pantheon was originally meant to be the Igreja da Santa Engrácia; the citizens of Graça started building the church in 1680 to honor their patron saint. Their ...more