Things to do in Lisbon
Monuments, museums, viewpoints, gardens and markets, organised so you can choose quickly.
There is no single way to experience Lisbon. You might start at a viewpoint, cross an elegant square, explore a museum, listen to fado or follow the river towards Belém. The most rewarding plan depends on your interests and available time. Rather than trying to see everything in one day, group sights that naturally fit together.
Monuments
Monuments · Xabregas e Beato
Igreja e antigo Convento do Grilo
Igreja e antigo Convento do Grilo is a listed heritage site in Beato parish, beside Rua do Grilo and Calçada do Grilo.
Monuments · Bairro Alto
Igreja de São Roque
A plain façade hiding a striking gilded and marble interior.
Monuments · Parque das Nações
Ponte Vasco da Gama
Tagus estuary crossing opened in 1998, with a total length of 17,185 metres including its approach roads.
Monuments · Lapa e Santos
Basílica da Estrela
Basílica da Estrela stands on its namesake square, a national monument whose construction followed a vow by D. Maria I.
Monuments · Baixa & Chiado
Praça do Comércio
The great riverside square, gateway to the Pombaline Baixa.
Monuments · Parque das Nações
Telecabine Lisboa
Riverside cable car linking Passeio de Neptuno, by the Oceanário, with Passeio das Tágides, near the Myriad hotel.
Monuments · Belém
Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
A Manueline masterpiece with a lace-like stone cloister.
Monuments · Belém
Torre de Belém
A Manueline bastion on the Tagus shore, symbol of the age of exploration.
Monuments · Alfama
Castelo de São Jorge
Ramparts crowning the city's oldest hill, with sweeping views over the Tagus.
Monuments · Alfama
Sé de Lisboa
A fortress-like Romanesque cathedral at the edge of Alfama.
Monuments · Alcântara
Ponte 25 de Abril
Suspension bridge over the Tagus between Lisbon and Almada, opened in 1966 and carrying both road and rail traffic.
Monuments · Baixa & Chiado
Elevador de Santa Justa
Temporarily closed: see it from outside and check for reopening
A neo-Gothic iron tower linking Baixa to Carmo.
Museums
Museums · Belém
MAC/CCB - Museu de Arte Contemporânea e Centro de Arquitetura
Contemporary art and architecture meet at Centro Cultural de Belém, beside Praça do Império.
Museums · Avenidas Novas
Museu Calouste Gulbenkian
Museu Calouste Gulbenkian presents the founder’s collection in a building linking art, architecture and garden.
Museums · Belém
Museu Nacional dos Coches
Ceremonial and leisure carriages trace the history of horse-drawn transport in a contemporary building in Belém.
Museums · Bairro Alto
Museu de São Roque
Sacred art, painting, sculpture and silverwork at Largo Trindade Coelho, on the eastern edge of Bairro Alto.
Museums · Alcântara
Museu da Carris
Museu da Carris at Estação de Santo Amaro in Alcântara explores the history of Lisbon’s public transport network.
Museums · Belém
MAAT
Art, architecture and technology museum with a walkable roof.
Museums · Alcântara
Museu do Oriente
Museu do Oriente presents Asian heritage at Doca de Alcântara Norte, within the administrative parish of Estrela.
Museums · Príncipe Real
Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência
Scientific collections and the heritage of the former Escola Politécnica at a University of Lisbon museum in Príncipe Real.
Museums · Parque das Nações
Pavilhão do Conhecimento - Centro Ciência Viva
An interactive science museum in Parque das Nações, with exhibitions and activities exploring science.
Museums · Baixa & Chiado
Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea - Museu do Chiado
Portuguese art from the 19th century onwards in a museum housed in the former Convento de São Francisco in Chiado.
Museums · Lapa e Santos
Museu da Marioneta
In Convento das Bernardas, Museu da Marioneta explores puppet theatre through objects and techniques from several countries.
Museums · Campo de Ourique
Casa Fernando Pessoa
Visit the house where Fernando Pessoa spent his last 15 years, with an exhibition and poetry library.
Museums · Parque das Nações
Oceanário de Lisboa
An aquarium and museum exploring marine life, with exhibitions and educational programmes in Lisbon.
Museums · Baixa & Chiado
Museu Arqueológico do Carmo
Archaeology and sculpture among the ruins of the former Igreja do Carmo, at Largo do Carmo in the Chiado area.
Museums · Belém
Museu Nacional de Arqueologia
Portuguese archaeology and settlement history at a Praça do Império museum currently listed as temporarily closed.
Museums · Baixa & Chiado
MUDE - Museu do Design
Objects, fashion and other forms of design invite a fresh look at everyday life on Rua Augusta in the Baixa.
Museums · Lumiar
Museu Nacional do Teatro e da Dança
Temporarily closed: see it from outside and check for reopening
Museu Nacional do Teatro e da Dança occupies Palácio do Monteiro-Mor in Lumiar and is currently closed for refurbishment.
Museums · Lapa e Santos
Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga
Temporarily closed: see it from outside and check for reopening
Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga houses paintings and decorative arts in Palácio Alvor and is closed for works.
Museums · Alvalade
Museu de Lisboa - Palácio Pimenta
Discover Lisbon’s history through archaeology, paintings and a model of the city before the earthquake.
Museums · Alvalade
Museu Bordalo Pinheiro
Museu Bordalo Pinheiro, at Campo Grande in Alvalade parish, preserves and shares the work of Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro.
Museums · Alfama
Museu do Fado
A journey through Lisbon's song, from taverns to great voices.
Museums · Avenidas Novas
Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian (CAM)
CAM occupies a building redesigned by Kengo Kuma, with a project bringing its art spaces into closer contact with the garden.
Museums · Belém
Aquário Vasco da Gama
Historic aquarium in Dafundo, in the Algés area of Oeiras municipality, outside Lisbon city and close to Belém.
Museums · Xabregas e Beato
Museu Nacional do Azulejo
Temporarily closed: see it from outside and check for reopening
Portugal's tile museum, in the former Convento da Madre de Deus, from the 15th century to today; closed for works.
Museums · Lumiar
Museu Nacional do Traje
Temporarily closed: see it from outside and check for reopening
Museu Nacional do Traje, housed in Palácio Angeja-Palmela, is closed for works, while the botanical park remains open.
Viewpoints
Viewpoints · Graça
Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen
On Largo da Graça, this viewpoint bears Sophia’s name and offers a view stretching from the castle to the river.
Viewpoints · Bairro Alto
Miradouro de Santa Catarina
On Rua de Santa Catarina, a viewpoint over the Tagus with a statue of Adamastor marking the garden.
Viewpoints · Alfama
Miradouro de Santo Estêvão
In Alfama, Miradouro de Santo Estêvão appears in Lisbon’s municipal directory of viewpoints.
Viewpoints · Alfama
Miradouro de Santa Luzia
A tiled, bougainvillea-draped terrace above Alfama's rooftops.
Viewpoints · Alfama
Miradouro das Portas do Sol
A terrace in Alfama on Largo das Portas do Sol, facing Palácio Azurara and overlooking the São Vicente hillside.
Viewpoints · Graça
Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
Graça's highest point, facing the castle and the river.
Viewpoints · Belém
Jardim da Capela de São Jerónimo
In Belém, the garden extends from the chapel forecourt, identified by SIPA as a viewpoint.
Viewpoints · Alcântara
Experiência Pilar 7
Interpretive centre for Ponte 25 de Abril in Alcântara, with an associated viewing platform; the lift is under repair.
Viewpoints · Bairro Alto
Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara
A two-level garden looking across to the castle and Baixa.
Viewpoints · Arroios
Miradouro do Monte Agudo
A viewpoint park in Arroios, transformed in the 1950s, with a footpath linking two streets.
Gardens
Gardens · Avenidas Novas
Jardim Gulbenkian
Jardim Gulbenkian surrounds the Foundation’s spaces in Avenidas Novas and offers free admission, confirmed by the Foundation.
Gardens · Arroios
Jardim Constantino
A public garden in Arroios with benches, a kiosk and a statue depicting Prometheus.
Gardens · Campo de Ourique
Jardim Teófilo Braga
Also known as Jardim da Parada, this garden combines trees, curving paths and a pond.
Gardens · Benfica
Jardim Zoológico de Lisboa
Zoo in Sete Rios, in the parish of São Domingos de Benfica, with dedicated educational activities for children.
Gardens · Lumiar
Parque Botânico do Monteiro-Mor
Parque Botânico do Monteiro-Mor remains open in Lumiar despite the temporary closure of Museu Nacional do Traje.
Gardens · Benfica
Parque Urbano da Quinta da Granja
A park in Benfica with walking paths, a cycle path and a kiosk with outdoor seating.
Gardens · Alvalade
Jardim Mário Soares
Explore the garden at Campo Grande, with lakes, statues and outdoor leisure spaces.
Gardens · Príncipe Real
Jardim do Príncipe Real
A romantic garden with a giant cedar acting as a parasol.
Gardens · Benfica
Parque Silva Porto
A park on Avenida Grão Vasco whose origins go back to woodland planted in 1880.
Gardens · Xabregas e Beato
Mata da Madre de Deus
Municipal park on the slope of the Chelas valley in Beato, with a recently refurbished multi-sports court.
Markets
Markets · Baixa & Chiado
Mercado da Ribeira
A traditional fresh market and food hall by Cais do Sodré.
Markets · Alcântara
LX Factory
LX Factory brings together shops, restaurants and creative spaces in a former industrial area of Alcântara, with its own market.
Markets · Arroios
Mercado de Arroios
Neighbourhood market with fish, salt cod, fruit, vegetables, meat, bakery and food stalls with flavours from around the world.
Markets · Benfica
Mercado de Benfica
1971 municipal market with bakery, fruit and vegetables, fish, butcher, poultry, eggs, charcuterie and regional products.
Markets · Alvalade
Mercado de Alvalade Norte
Municipal market on Avenida do Rio de Janeiro, with fresh food, bakery, ice cream, places to eat and a playground.
Markets · Arroios
Mercado 31 de Janeiro
Market near Saldanha with fish, meat, fruit, spices, pastries and several places to eat.
Markets · Príncipe Real
Feira Biológica do Príncipe Real
Weekly market of certified organic produce in the Jardim do Príncipe Real, on Saturdays from 9:00 to 15:00.
Markets · Campo de Ourique
Mercado de Campo de Ourique
Municipal market with traditional fresh-produce stalls, gourmet products, restaurants, bars and a wine shop.
Nightlife
Nightlife · Bairro Alto
Adega Machado
A fado house at Rua do Norte, 91, offering dinner and live Portuguese music.
Nightlife · Baixa & Chiado
Rua Nova do Carvalho (Rua Cor-de-Rosa)
A Cais do Sodré street with outdoor seating regulated by the local parish council.
Nightlife · Alfama
Clube de Fado
A fado house at Rua de São João da Praça, 94, offering dinner and live Portuguese music.
Nightlife · Baixa & Chiado
Praça de São Paulo
A square in Cais do Sodré, used in this guide as a geographical reference for an evening out.
Nightlife · Príncipe Real
Foxtrot
A bar at Travessa de Santa Teresa, 28, an address to consider when planning an evening out in Lisbon.
Nightlife · Baixa & Chiado
Pensão Amor
A bar at Rua Nova do Carvalho, 38, an address to consider when planning an evening out in Lisbon.
Nightlife · Bairro Alto
Café Luso
A fado house at Travessa da Queimada, 10, offering dinner and live Portuguese music.
Nightlife · Bairro Alto
Rua da Atalaia
A Bairro Alto street identified by the parish council as the location of its neighbourhood office.
Nightlife · Alfama
Mesa de Frades
A fado house at Rua dos Remédios, 139, offering dinner and live Portuguese music.
Nightlife · Bairro Alto
Pavilhão Chinês
A bar at Rua Dom Pedro V, 89, an address to consider when planning an evening out in Lisbon.
Concert halls and theatres
Concert halls and theatres · Avenida da Liberdade
Cinemateca Portuguesa
Film museum on Rua Barata Salgueiro, with screening rooms and a regular programme of screenings.
Concert halls and theatres · Baixa & Chiado
Teatro Politeama
Lisbon theatre associated with Filipe La Féria's musicals, on Rua das Portas de Santo Antão.
Concert halls and theatres · Avenidas Novas
Teatro da Comuna
Theatre at Praça de Espanha, with programme and booking information from Comuna Teatro de Pesquisa.
Concert halls and theatres · Avenida da Liberdade
Cinema São Jorge
Cinema at Avenida da Liberdade 175, open since 1950, hosting screenings, festivals and other events.
Concert halls and theatres · Avenida da Liberdade
Teatro Maria Vitória
Performance venue in Parque Mayer, off Avenida da Liberdade; programme and tickets on the official website.
Concert halls and theatres · Baixa & Chiado
Teatro Nacional D. Maria II
Temporarily closed: see it from outside and check for reopening
National theatre on Rossio, currently closed for refurbishment works.
Concert halls and theatres · Baixa & Chiado
Teatro da Trindade INATEL
Theatre on Rua Nova da Trindade, served by Baixa-Chiado Metro station.
Concert halls and theatres · Parque das Nações
Teatro Camões
A theatre in Parque das Nações and home of the Companhia Nacional de Bailado, with official ticketing and information online.
Concert halls and theatres · Parque das Nações
MEO Arena
A multi-purpose venue in Parque das Nações for concerts, shows and other major events.
Concert halls and theatres · Baixa & Chiado
Coliseu dos Recreios
A performance venue on Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, hosting concerts, theatre and comedy.
Concert halls and theatres · Alvalade
Teatro Maria Matos
A theatre on Avenida Frei Miguel Contreiras, served by Roma metro station and with its own box office.
Concert halls and theatres · Lapa e Santos
Teatro A Barraca
A Barraca stages theatre at the Teatro Cinearte on Largo de Santos, where its box office is based.
Concert halls and theatres · Avenidas Novas
Campo Pequeno
A concert and events venue on Avenida da República, in a neo-Arab building inaugurated in 1892.
Concert halls and theatres · Avenidas Novas
Culturgest
Contemporary creation, performing arts, music and cinema at a cultural venue on Rua Arco do Cego.
Concert halls and theatres · Avenida da Liberdade
Teatro Tivoli BBVA
Performance venue at Avenida da Liberdade 182 A, hosting music, theatre and other shows.
Concert halls and theatres · Bairro Alto
Teatro do Bairro
An active venue for theatre, cinema, dance and music on Rua Luz Soriano, in Bairro Alto.
Concert halls and theatres · Baixa & Chiado
Teatro Nacional de São Carlos
Temporarily closed: see it from outside and check for reopening
National opera theatre on Rua Serpa Pinto, closed to the public for rehabilitation works.
Concert halls and theatres · Avenida da Liberdade
Capitólio - Cine-Teatro Capitólio
Parque Mayer venue programmed together with Teatro Variedades, with music, theatre and film.
Concert halls and theatres · Avenidas Novas
Teatro Aberto
Theatre by Praça de Espanha staging its own productions; programme and box office on the official website.
Concert halls and theatres · Xabregas e Beato
Teatro Ibérico
A theatre in Xabregas devoted to creating and presenting contemporary artistic work.
Concert halls and theatres · Avenida da Liberdade
Teatro Variedades
Parque Mayer theatre programmed with Capitólio, with theatre, music, opera and film through the year.
Concert halls and theatres · Belém
Centro Cultural de Belém
Music, theatre and dance in the CCB auditoriums on Praça do Império, with a programme for families too.
Concert halls and theatres · Baixa & Chiado
São Luiz Teatro Municipal
Municipal theatre on Rua António Maria Cardoso, with ticketing and access via Baixa-Chiado Metro.
Concert halls and theatres · Avenidas Novas
Grande Auditório Gulbenkian
A concert hall at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, inaugurated in 1969, on the Avenida de Berna site.
Concert halls and theatres · Alcântara
Village Underground Lisboa
A cultural space in Alcântara combining a club and events with shipping containers reused as creative offices.
Concert halls and theatres · Alfama
Teatro Taborda
Teatro da Garagem's venue on Costa do Castelo, with activity and programming listed officially.
Stadiums
Stadiums · Belém
Estádio do Restelo
Opened in 1956, Estádio do Restelo is the home of Clube de Futebol Os Belenenses in Lisbon’s Belém parish.
Stadiums · Benfica
Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Benfica’s football stadium, known as Estádio da Luz, offers stadium visits and access to Museu Benfica - Cosme Damião.
Stadiums · Lumiar
Estádio José Alvalade
Sporting CP’s stadium has official match ticketing and visits combining the ground with Museu Sporting.
Ideas by intent
Classic Lisbon sights
Alfama and São Jorge Castle offer old lanes and views over the Tagus. In Baixa, Commerce Square and Rua Augusta reveal the city rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. In Belém, Jerónimos Monastery and the riverfront open a window onto Portugal’s maritime history.
Beyond the landmarks
Browse Chiado’s streets and cafés, make time for neighbourhood gardens, or pause at a viewpoint as the light changes. Markets, traditional pastries and everyday public spaces are part of the experience, not merely breaks between attractions.
Choose for your travel style
On rainy days, favour museums and indoor venues that are confirmed open. With children, alternate sightseeing with space to run and rest. If time is short, nearby attractions are usually better than crossing the city for one additional stop.
Plan your next stop
Filter by category, then open the individual attraction guides for transport advice, practical details and useful nearby suggestions.
Frequently asked questions
What are the must-see places in Lisbon?
Popular starting points include Alfama, Commerce Square, São Jorge Castle, Belém and the city’s viewpoints. Your ideal choices depend on your interests.
What can you do for free in Lisbon?
Neighbourhood walks, gardens, riverside spaces and many viewpoints can be enjoyed without an admission ticket. Always check local access conditions.