Lisbon Sights

Sights

Castelo de São Jorge (Castle of St George)

The Castelo de São Jorge is perched on the highest of Lisbon’s seven hills, high above the Baixa and the Mouraria (the Moorish Quarter). The site was occupied by Romans, Visigoths and Moors and was the royal residence until the late 15th century – it was rebuilt in the 1940s. Within the castle, tourists can visit multimedia presentations or just wander around the walls, towers and gardens. During summer, there are frequent festivals in the castle grounds. There is also a small restaurant (summer only). Perhaps the greatest attraction is the panoramic view from the ramparts.

Largo do Chäo da Feira
Tel: (+351) 21 887 7244.
Website: www.castelosaojorge.egeac.pt
Opening hours: Daily 0900-2100 (Apr-Sep); daily 0900-1800 (Oct-Mar).
Admission charge (€ 5).

Eléctrico 28 (Tram 28)

The legendary eléctrico 28 is a tourist attraction within itself. Vintage trams still ply the well-worn route from the city centre on sea level, right up through the jumble of streets towards the heights of the Castle of St George. On the way, the tram slices open the city, providing insights into the Lisbon way of life, as well as offering sweeping views back towards the city and out over the River Tagus. One word of warning – the tram is increasingly as popular with pickpockets as it is with savvy tourists.

Campo Ourique-Martim Moniz
Tel: (+351) 21 361 3000.
Website: www.carris.pt
Opening hours: Daily 0600-0100.
Admission charge.

Torre de Belém (BelémTower)

One of the city’s most famous sights is more impressive on the outside than it is on the inside. This white stone tower (built in the early 16th century to defend the river) was the last thing that the seafaring adventurers saw before setting off on their epic adventures. It is an excellent example of the Manueline style of architecture, with fanciful naval themes. A gangway leads to a very average museum within the tower.

Avenida de Brasília
Tel: (+351) 21 362 0034.
Website: www.mosteirojeronimos.pt
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 1000-1700 (Oct-Apr); Tues-Sun 1000-1830 (May-Sep), closed Mon.
Admission charge.

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Hieronimite Monastery)

This 16th-century monastery is one of the few surviving examples of medieval Manueline architecture (named after Manuel I and featuring naval motifs) and is listed, along with the Torre de Belém, as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also the resting place of Vasco da Gama and the nation’s most famous writer, Luís de Camões.

Praça do Império
Tel: (+351) 21 362 0034.
Website: www.mosteirojeronimos.pt
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 1000-1700 (Oct-Apr); Tues-Sun 1000-1830 (May-Sep), closed Mon.
Admission charge.

Parque das Nações (Nations Park)

The former Expo 98 site has been converted into a leisure oasis, with a shopping centre, a string of attractions, concert halls, bars, restaurants and a walkway along the River Tagus. The Torre Vasco da Gama (the site’s landmark tower and Lisbon’s tallest building) has an observation platform and restaurant, two-thirds of the way up. The Oceanário (one of Europe’s largest aquariums) has huge pools that are home to manta rays, penguins and sharks, as well as adorable otters floating around on their backs. Designed for all manner of public events, the Pavilhão Atlântico (Atlantic Pavilion) is a highly successful venue for concerts, fairs and other functions, which hosted the 2005 MTV Europe Music Awards. The waterside cablecar, connecting the tower and oceanarium, offers excellent views over the site. Summer weekends are best avoided for visits, however, as every family in Portugal seems to descend on the site. A three-day cartão do parque (park card), entitles visitors to discounted admission to many of the park’s attractions, as well as discounts in shops, restaurants and car parks.

Parque das Nações
Tel: (+351) 21 891 9333.
Website: www.parquedasnacoes.pt
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours.
Free admission.

Pavilhão Atlântico (Atlantic Pavilion)
Rossio dos Olivais
Tel: (+351) 21 891 8409.
Website: www.atlantico-multiusos.pt
Opening hours: Daily 1300-1900 (ticket office).
Free admission; event prices vary.

CableCar
Between Torre Vasco da Gama and the Marina locks
Tel: (+351) 21 895 6143.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1100-1900, Sat-Sun 1000-2000 (Oct-May); Mon-Fri 1100-2000, Sat-Sun 1000-2100 (Jun-Sep).
Admission charge.

Oceanário
Esplanada D Carlos I-Doca dos Olivais
Tel: (+351) 21 891 7002/6.
Website: www.oceanario.pt
Opening hours: Daily 1000-2000 (summer), 1000-1900 (winter).
Admission charge.

Torre Vasco da Gama
Cais das Naus
Tel: (+351) 21 891 8000.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-2000.
Admission charge.

Museu Calouste Gulbenkian (Calouste Gulbenkian Museum)

This treasure house of art, covering almost every significant epoch, benefited greatly from a major revamp at the start of the new millennium. Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Islamic and Oriental art comprise half the exhibition rooms and the remainder is devoted to European art from medieval times to the early 20th century. The sequence continues with the foundation’s Centro de Arte Moderna, which is part of the same complex.

Avenida de Berna 45
Tel: (+351) 21 782 3461/3450.
Website: www.gulbenkian.pt
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1800.
Admission charge.

Centro Cultural de Belém (Belém Cultural Centre)

This modern complex is home to the Museu do Design (Museum of Design) as well as performance and exhibition spaces. The museum features 20th-century design (divided into ‘luxury’, ‘pop’ and ‘cool’ themes) supplemented by temporary exhibitions. The courtyards and rooftop gardens make a great place to relax in between sightseeing.

Praça do Império
Tel: (+351) 21 361 2400.
Website: www.ccb.pt
Opening hours: Daily 0800-2130 (Cultural Centre); Tues-Sun 1000-1900 (Museum of Design).
Admission charge.

Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (National Museum of Ancient Art)

Essentially Portugal’s national gallery, this museum’s collections of painting and sculpture date from the 12th century and include a wide range of works by Portuguese and international artists.

Rua das Janelas Verdes 9
Tel: (+351) 21 391 2800.
Website: www.ipmuseus.pt
Opening hours: Tues 1400-1800, Wed-Sun 1000-1300 and 1400-1800.
Admission charge.

Sé (Cathedral)

Built by Dom Alfonso Henriques, Portugal’s first king, in the 12th century, Lisbon’s cathedral is primarily Romanesque in style, although later styles were incorporated when earthquake damage was repaired. The cloister dates from the 13th century, while the Baroque sacristy houses the remains of St Anthony (Lisbon’s patron saint) and other treasures. The cathedral also houses a small museum.

Largo da Sé
Tel: (+351) 21 886 6752.
Opening hours: Tues-Sat 1000-1700.
Free admission; charge for cloister and treasury.

Aqueduto Das Águas Livres (Águas Livres Aqueduct)

The impressive AquedutodasÁguasLivres achieved the much-deserved status of a national monument in February 2002. The aqueduct’s startling Baroque stone arches were erected by architects Manuel da Maia and Custodio José Vieira in 1748; they survived the 1755 earthquake, which rocked and all but crumbled the city. The 18km (11-mile) journey makes this an attraction only for those with a keen interest in architecture.

Largo do Rato

Website: www.museudaagua.epal.pt
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10.00h-13.00h.
Free admission.