- Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, predating London, Paris, and even Rome by several centuries.
- The 1755 earthquake, followed by a tsunami and fires, destroyed nearly 85% of the city, leading to the development of the Pombaline architectural style designed to be earthquake-resistant.
- It is the only European capital located on the Atlantic coast, which heavily influenced its historical role as a maritime hub during the Age of Discovery.
- The city's iconic calçada portuguesa pavement consists of hand-laid limestone and basalt tiles, a decorative tradition dating back to the mid-19th century.
- Lisbon maintains the oldest bookstore in the world, Livraria Bertrand, which has been in operation since 1732.
- The city’s famous yellow trams are not just for tourists; they are a critical component of public infrastructure required to navigate the city's exceptionally steep inclines.
About Lisbon
Lisbon, the hilly capital of Portugal, is uniquely situated on seven hills overlooking the Tagus River estuary, distinguishing it with a layout defined by steep alleys and historic funiculars. The city serves as a living museum, where the Romanesque Lisbon Cathedral stands in contrast to the remnants of the Carmo Archaeological Museum. Visitors often flock to the elevated platforms of the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara to survey the urban landscape. Beyond the architecture, the city hosts the extensive Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, showcasing a globally significant private art collection.
Highlights of Lisbon
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Zoos
This massive aquarium is one of the largest in Europe and focuses heavily on marine habitat conservation.
Historical places
These ancient fortifications offer the most commanding panoramic views of the city's red-tiled roofs.
Parks
This expansive green space provides a formal garden setting and an elevated vantage point toward the river.
Places of interest
This terrace features traditional blue-and-white tile murals depicting the city's history.
Places of interest
Locals frequent this spot for what is widely considered the highest and most expansive view in the city.
Historical places
This monumental gate serves as the formal entrance to the historic Praça do Comércio square.
Museums
The museum preserves the roofless remains of a Gothic convent destroyed during the 1755 earthquake.
Museums
The collection spans thousands of years, housing everything from Egyptian artifacts to Impressionist paintings.
Top things to do in Lisbon
The 364 highest-rated places in Lisbon, ranked by travellers.
1
Zoos
The Oceanário de Lisboa is one of the largest indoor aquariums in Europe, centered around a massive five-million-liter m...
2
Historical places
Castelo de São Jorge is a fortified Moorish citadel occupying the highest hill in Lisbon, offering panoramic views of th...
3
Parks
Eduardo VII Park is Lisbon's largest central park, occupying a natural valley that slopes upward from the Marquês de Pom...
4
Places of interest
Miradouro de Santa Luzia is a terrace observation deck situated in the Alfama district, overlooking the Tagus River and...
5
Zoos
Jardim Zoológico de Lisboa is one of the oldest wildlife parks in the Iberian Peninsula, housing over 300 species of ani...
6
Places of interest
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte is the highest viewpoint in Lisbon, offering an unobstructed panoramic perspective of the...
7
Places of interest
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara is a landscaped two-tiered garden terrace providing a direct, elevated vantage point...
8
Temples
Lisbon Cathedral, known as Sé de Lisboa, is the city's oldest church, commissioned in 1147 by King Afonso Henriques foll...
9
Historical places
The Arco da Rua Augusta is a triumphal arch connecting Rua Augusta to the Praça do Comércio in central Lisbon. Completed...
10
Historical places
Praça Luís de Camões is the primary intersection point between the historic Bairro Alto district and the Chiado shopping...
11
Museums
The Carmo Archaeological Museum is housed within the open-air nave of the Carmo Convent, which was severely damaged duri...
12
Museums
The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum houses a vast private collection amassed by the British-Armenian oil magnate Calouste Sar...
13
Museums
The Museu Nacional do Azulejo is housed within the former Madre de Deus Convent, founded in 1509. It is one of the only...
14
Parks
Jardim da Estrela, officially Jardim Guerra Junqueiro, is a 19th-century Romantic-style garden established in 1852 in fr...
15
Places of interest
Miradouro da Graça, officially named Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, is a public terrace offering an expansi...
16
Parks
Estufa Fria is a unique botanical refuge located within Parque Eduardo VII that utilizes a wooden slat structure to crea...
17
Parks
Principe Real Garden, officially named Jardim França Borges, is a 19th-century romantic-style garden located in the hear...
18
Museums
The National Pantheon, housed within the Church of Santa Engrácia, serves as the final resting place for Portugal's most...
19
Places of interest
Praça do Marquês de Pombal is a major circular roundabout and transit hub in central Lisbon that anchors the upper end o...
20
Museums
Pavilhão do Conhecimento is a prominent science and technology museum located in Lisbon's Parque das Nações district. Or...
21
Parks
Jardim da Alameda Dom Afonso Henriques is a large urban park located between the Areeiro and Alameda districts, known fo...
22
Venues
Teatro Politeama is a historic theater located in the heart of Lisbon, currently serving as the primary base for product...
23
Parks
Jardim Mário Soares, formerly known as Jardim do Campo Grande, is an extensive urban park located in the Alvalade distri...
24
Museums
The National Museum of Ancient Art, known locally as Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, holds the most significant public co...
25
Places of interest
Praça da Figueira is a large, rectangular public square in Lisbon's Baixa Pombalina district. The site formerly housed t...
26
Venues
Teatro Tivoli BBVA is a historic 1920s theater located on Lisbon’s central Avenida da Liberdade. Originally inaugurated...
27
Venues
Sagres Campo Pequeno is a multi-purpose indoor arena housed within a restored 19th-century neo-Moorish bullring in Lisbo...
28
Temples
The Basilica of Estrela is a late 18th-century Baroque and Neoclassical church commissioned by Queen Maria I to fulfill...
29
Places of interest
The Amoreiras 360º Panoramic View is an observation deck situated at the top of the Amoreiras Shopping Center in Lisbon,...
30
Temples
Igreja de São Roque is one of the earliest Jesuit churches in the world, renowned for its stark, unassuming Mannerist ex...
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Lisbon on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Lisbon
Spring (March to May) or early Autumn (September to October) offers mild temperatures and avoids the intense heat and peak crowds of the summer months.
3-4 days allows sufficient time to cover the historic core, the riverside museums, and a short excursion to nearby Belém.
The city is best navigated using the extensive metro system, historic tram network, and frequent funiculars, supplemented by significant walking.
Stay in Baixa or Chiado for central access to most historic sites, or opt for Alfama if you prefer narrow, traditional winding streets.
Lisbon is generally considered a mid-range destination, though prices in central tourist zones have increased significantly in recent years.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 364 curated attractions in and around Lisbon, ranked by traveller ratings.
Oceanário de Lisboa is the highest-rated place to visit in Lisbon right now.
The largest category is museums, with 99 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Braga (São José de São Lázaro e São João do Souto), Porto, Penafiel.
Explore more of Portugal
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
