The charming city of Lisbon is generally considered to be quite small in terms of capitals, but nonetheless it is a beautiful place to visit in Europe, and is a fine combination of tourist attractions, history and financial powerhouse.
Visitors to Lisbon have long come for the combination of fine weather, great food and sightseeing to be enjoyed here, and it is only a short distance away from some of the tourist destinations too.
Whether you are a looking for a short European weekend break, Lisbon is a city that you will love and want to return again and again.
Lisbon’s Best Attractions
Here are some of the most popular places to see that you really shouldn’t miss.
1. Belem Tower
One of the most interesting sights in Lisbon is the sensational Belem Tower, which is a defensive fortification that was built on the banks of the Tagus River in the sixteenth century.
Should the city come under attach by boat, the tower was one of several that could be used to fire upon these ships from a network of cannon openings along the sides of the building. The tower itself was originally located on an island in the river, but a change in the course of the river now means it is on the shore of the Tagus.
Today the tower is listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site and attracts visitors from all over the world to view the stunning architecture that make it a beautiful building as well as a militarily functional one. Throughout the years it has also been used as a dungeon and a customs house as well as a defensive fortification, but today it is one of the most important tourist sites in Portugal.
2. Jeronimos Monastery
For visitors to Lisbon, there are few buildings that are as impressive and attractive as the Jeronimos Monastery, which is the second building in the city classified as a world heritage site. The building was home to the Hieronymite order of monks until 1833, and has since served a variety of uses, and has become one of the iconic sights of the city.
The Monastery is an excellent example of the Manuelite architecture that is typical of Portuguese architecture during the colonial period, and the stunning south portal was the site the politicians assembled after signing the Treaty of Lisbon in 2007.
3. Museums, Art & Culture
When you wander the streets you will see why Lisbon is one of the must visit destinations in Portugal and another of the attractions for visitors to Lisbon is the superb culture to be enjoyed there. There are many museums to visit, and particularly in the winter the theatres and opera house have a lively series of shows on offer. Even walking around the city can be beautiful, with many examples of ‘Portuguese Pavement’ art to be found around the city.
4. Local Seafood Restaurants
In terms of the cuisine in Lisbon, the majority of the dishes make good use of the easy availability of seafood, with cod being a feature of many such dishes. There are also plenty of meat dishes, with the variety of enchidos (local sausages) being particularly attractive. These dishes are beautifully complemented by the wonderful Portuguese wines, which I think rival the wines of Italy. Be sure to learn some basic Portuguese phrases to really impress the locals.
5. Sintra
Sintra is a great day trip from Lisbon city centre, and the perfect place to learn about Portuguese history and culture, and see some really Instragramable architecture. This is one of the must see UNESCO sites in Portugal with beautiful 19th century architecture.
The main attraction is the huge yellow castle which used to be a ruined monastery, the Gothic, Egyptian, Moorish and Renaissance elements are really impressive up close, whilst the surrounding trees and park make for a really relaxing place to wander.
6. Cascais
Cascais is a popular holiday destination on the Lisbon coast, located around 30 minutes by car from the city centre. Cascais is a traditional and charming Portuguese fishing town, with scenery streets, beautiful beaches and a very upmarket and relaxed atmosphere.
Summer is the best time to visit, although also the most busy. The beaches here are only moments away from the town, and if you would like to go surfing in Portugal this area is one of the best in the country.
If you book a day trip excursion or tour you can usually see Cascais and Sintra on the same trip.
