11 Amazing Landmarks in Lisbon You Can’t Miss!
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links. We only recommend products that we truly feel will bring value to our audience. If you click on a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions go towards improving our blog and creating a better experience for you. We really appreciate your support!
Lisbon is an incredible city with so much to do and plenty of beautiful landmarks that will astound any visitor especially if you’re looking for romantic places to visit in Lisbon as a couple.
In honesty, Lisbon is up there as one of our favourite European destinations just because it is so diverse. When you’re wandering around the different areas of the city you will have a beautiful blend of old and modern that comes together to make this great city.
The only downfall of visiting Lisbon is that you really do need to be prepared for a lot of walking and steep hills. When you return from your trip to Lisbon you will find that you may need another vacation to get over this one and rest.
It is one of those cities that you could visit time and time again and still find things to do. As there is that many things to do, we decided to create a list of some of the best landmarks in Lisbon that you absolutely cannot miss whilst you’re visiting.
In this travel guide we will share not only the landmarks that you need to visit in Lisbon but also why you should visit Lisbon, how many days you should spend there and where to stay no matter what type of traveller you are.
Reasons to Visit Lisbon
- Mixture of Beach & City Break
- Lots of tourist attractions for any traveller
- Delicious Food
- Great Weather Most of the Year
- Incredible Photo Opportunities
Whilst you’re visiting Lisbon make sure that you try as much Portuguese food as possible. We were lucky enough to try plenty of Portuguese food in Faro and Lisbon does not disappoint either! There are plenty of different dishes to try that there is guaranteed to be something for everyone!
How many days in Lisbon?
You may have noticed whilst reading this article that we’ve mentioned a few times how much there is to do in Lisbon and that is really true.
Lisbon has a lot of attractions to offer tourists no matter what interests you have so you may find that you want to spend a good amount of time there.
Amy has been to Lisbon a few times now and there is still so much more that she wants to do. If it is your first time visiting Lisbon then you would want to consider at least 4-5 days so that you can really make the most of your time there.
This is especially true if you’re wanting to take a trip to Sintra because this will take a full day up as well. If you are bless with not being on a strict time limit then we would say to aim for around a week in Lisbon so that you can take day trips, enjoy the sights that Lisbon has to offer itself and also have time in between to relax too.
That being said, if you only have limited time to spend there then it is perfectly possible to see the main sights by spending 2 days in Lisbon but we would say that if you can extend then we would 100% recommend it.
Where to Stay in Lisbon
There are honestly so many different places to stay in Lisbon so it completely comes down to what you want from the trip as to where to stay.
In our opinion, Barrio Alto and Chiado are the best areas to stay because they are so beautiful and have a mixture of atmosphere and charm.
As the attractions in Lisbon are somewhat scattered, there is no set area that you need to stay in to make everything easily accessible but Barrio Alto and Chiado are definitely good areas to stay this is especially true if you’re travelling solo to Lisbon.
Below, we’ve included a list of 3 recommendations of where to stay whilst you’re in Lisbon for hostel stayers, budget travellers and luxury explorers. However, if either of those are not floating your boat then you will also find a map underneath that to explore the areas and find a place to stay in Lisbon that suits you!
1. Selina Secret Garden & Cowork
Landmarks in Lisbon
In Lisbon, there are so many amazing places to visit and awesome landmarks to visit. Below you will find some of our favourite landmarks in Lisbon that you can’t miss whilst you’re visiting.
Some of these landmarks are places to visit that will only take a short amount of time to see whereas others we would recommend spending more time there!
Belem Tower
This is a great place to go and watch the sunrise or the sunset. In our opinion, everything looks even more impressive with the sun setting or rising.
Belem Tower was built in the 16th century by Portuguese architect Fransisco de Arruda and is another UNESCO World Heritage Site within Lisbon. If you’re also planning to visit the Jeronimos Monastery then try to do these on the same day as they are located right near each other.
You can also get combination tickets to go to the top of Belem Tower and entrance into Jeronimos Monastery too.
The architecture of the tower is absolutely phenomenal and on a good day the reflection against the water is spellbinding. You are able to enter the tower too which will give you some great views and get to explore the architecture even more.
It will cost around £7.50 / 8 euros 50 cents for adults but children up to 14 are allowed to enter for free. During peak season you will find that this is a very popular tourist attraction so make sure you head there early to avoid crowds and get some awesome photos.
How to Get To Belem Tower
As the tower is located outside of Lisbon, the easiest way to get to Belem Tower is to get the number 15 tram and it will take you around 15 minutes to get there.
If you’re up for a walk and want to stop at some places along the way then that is perfectly possible.
Also, if you’re planning to purchase a ticket for the hop-on hop-off bus then this is definitely one of the best ways to get there. This is what we did and we ended up spending some time down the marina too enjoying the sunshine.
By the time we arrived at Belem Tower, we got to see the sun set across the water and behind the tower. It really was a sight to behold!
Best Belem Tower Tickets & Tours
- Belem & Jeronimos Monastery Guided Small Group Walking Tour
- Belem Tower & Monastery TukTuk Tour
- E-Ticket to Belem Tower with Audio Guide on Your Phone
Castelo de Sao Jorge
Castelo de Sao Jorge was one of our favourite spots in Lisbon. It has so many beautiful viewpoints of the city that you will be entranced.
Not just that but if you’re lucky you’ll also get to see some of the peacocks that reside at the castle. It’s an important historic landmark in Lisbon and some of the first settlements on this hill date back to 1BC.
The castle holds many different guided tours which are great for anyone wanting to learn more about the extensive history that this castle holds.
There are also plenty of different workshops available for anyone that is travelling with children. To gain access to the castle you will need to pay £14 / 15 euros for entrance but even if you’re just going for the view it is still worth it! As you will be doing a lot of walking within the castle itself make sure that you wear comfortable shoes!
How to Get To Castelo de Sao Jorge
As Lisbon has a lot of hills, it might be too much for everyone to walk to the castle. However, there are a lot of different options for you to get there other than walking. You are able to get the 747 bus from Rossio Metro Station until you get the Castelo stop. It is around 5 minutes to walk the rest of the way.
Castelo de Sao Jorge Tours & Tickets
- Skip The Line Ticket Castelo de Sao Jorge
- Private Amphibious Sightseeing & Castelo de Sao Jorge Trip
Ponte 25 de Abril
This bridge will give you serious San Francisco vibes! We’ve actually shown people a few photos from this bridge in Lisbon and people have assumed that it was actually San Francisco.
It really is an incredible piece of architecture! You will find some great spots to stop and admire it from too which makes for some perfect Instagram snaps. If you’re looking for Instagram captions for those Lisbon pictures then don’t worry we’ve got you covered there too!
The bridge connects Lisbon to Almada and is actually the 47th longest suspension bridge in the world. It was originally called the Salazar Bridge. However, after the revolution it was voted to be changed to the date of the revolution. It is an absolute beauty and you will get some incredible photos around this area too!
Lisbon has so much to offer for tourists. You could easily spend a couple of weeks here trying to do it all. Try to avoid visiting in the peak times. You will find that it is very busy and swarming with tourists. We visited in February and the weather was still nice and sunny but there were much less crowds than if we had gone during the summer.
Why not see the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge in a unique way by enjoying a panoramic helicopter ride across Lisbon? This is a unique experience that will offer views of the city unlike any other! There’s a reason why Lisbon is one of the ultimate romantic destinations in Europe to visit for Valentine’s Day…
The 28 Tram
The symbol for Lisbon is undoubtedly the iconic yellow tram or otherwise known as 28 tram. There is no way that you can visit Lisbon without at least seeing the trams in action and having a ride on the famous 28. Even though tram 28 is just a normal public route, it does go past a lot of the historical and famous landmarks in the city.
This is definitely a great way to explore the city but beware that there are often a lot of pickpockets lurking around the trams. Keep your valuables on you and hidden away to help avoid pickpockets. Also make sure that you’re paying attention to everyone around you and not just the sights. As much as we would all love to relax and enjoy the incredible sights rushing past as you ride the tram, you need to still make sure that you keep you and your belongings safe! It is a cheap way to travel and you can purchase a ticket for £2.50 / 3 euros on board.
Time Out Market
If you’re a foodie like us then you have got to check out the Time Out Market. You will walk in and be surrounded by a variety of different smells.
You will find plenty of street food stalls where you can try a range of dishes from Portugal. It is usually pretty busy so try to avoid peak lunch / dinner times and go just before or after. Even if you don’t want to go get something to eat, it is still good to wander around and see the different things that are on offer.
We even found a sign for Octopus hot dogs when we visited! We weren’t able to try any at the time as we had just eaten when we saw the sign but this just goes to show that you never know what you’re going to find.
If you’re yet to try an infamous pastel de nata then this is certainly one of the best places to visit to find one!
Jeronimos Monastery
Located close to Belem tower, you will find the beautiful Jeronimos Monastery so it is worth trying to do these two landmarks in Lisbon around the same time.
The grounds to the monastery itself are actually stunning so it is definitely the place to go to get some incredible photos! For this alone, it is worth visiting and wandering around.
You can get combination tickets to go to the top of Belem tower and also entrance for Jeronimos Monastery.
Jeronimos Monastery Tours & Tickets
- Lisbon Full Day Tour with Jeronimos Monastery
- Jeronimos Monastery Guided Tour
- Jeronimos Monastery & Belem Tower E-Tickets with 3 Audio Guides
Saint Justa Elevadore
This elevator is one of the most popular things to do in Lisbon and offers some incredible views of the city too. As it is really popular, we would recommend trying to visit early if possible.
If you’re planning on purchasing a Lisbon explorer pass then you will often have access to the Saint Justa Elevadore too so that’s a good way to save money.
However, if you are not planning on purchasing the pass then you may want to consider getting a fast-track ticket so that you can skip the queues.
The interesting thing about this landmark in Lisbon is that previously it was used as a part of public transport for locals to get to Largo do Carmo but now it has become a popular tourist attraction!
Praca do Comercio
Whilst you’re in Lisbon, you absolutely cannot miss visiting the Praca do Comercio especially as it is the main square in Lisbon.
Here, you will find a number of restaurants, shops, monuments and much more. It is great to wander around the square and take in the sights and the atmosphere.
When we visited, there were different street performers and they were setting up for a concert too! The square is usually really busy but it is a really fun area to visit especially if it is your first time in Lisbon.
Another thing that we really enjoyed is that there was a small stall where you could sample Ginja shots. The best part about this is that you could also try a shot in a chocolate cup!
Monument to the Discoveries
This is a landmark in Lisbon that you will only end up seeing in passing. We got to see this beautiful monument on the Hippo Bus / Boat tour and it is absolutely phenomenal. However, for some reason it really reminds us of the statue in Harry Potter at the Ministry of Magic!!
It is a really interesting monument and can be found on the bank of Tagus River. Unless you’re interested in art, we wouldn’t necessarily say that you should go out of your way to visit it but if you’re taking a boat or bus trip then there are plenty of opportunities to see this monument!
Lisbon Cathedral
Wherever you’re travelling in Europe, you will often stumble across a cathedral and the one in Lisbon is truly a spectacular sight.
The architecture of this cathedral is very impressive and if it is your first time visiting Lisbon then you need to make sure to add this to your list before you leave!
It is only a short walk from Praca do Comercio so it is worth swinging by if you have some spare time afterwards. You can also enter inside the cathedral but make sure that you check the mass times prior to planning your trip.
It does cost to enter inside the cathedral which you can purchase your entrance to Lisbon Cathedral here.
LX Factory
We did not get a chance to visit LX Factory when we went and honestly it is the biggest regret for us. However, as we know that we will be going back to Lisbon, it is very much on the list for next time!
This is a really cool area to visit with plenty of different things to do. The LX Factory is a landmark because it has been converted into a range of bars, restaurants, shops and offices.
It is an urban area and if you’re looking for a unique place to visit then this is the place to go. From quirky restaurants, stalls and so much more, this is a great place to spend a good few hours.
Explore Lisbon Now!
Whilst Lisbon is expensive to visit there are a lot of things to do that are completely free as well so you can keep your trip on a bit more of a budget if you need to.
This travel guide gives you a mixture of different landmarks to visit in Lisbon that are both free and cost to visit. No matter your budget, you will find plenty of different things to visit and do whilst you’re in Lisbon.
There are so many amazing landmarks to visit in Lisbon that you will not be stuck. In our opinion, if you can only choose a few landmarks to visit in Lisbon then we recommend in particular Castelo de Sao Jorge, LX Factory and Ponte 25 de Abril.
However, if you have more time then every single one of these landmarks are well worth your time. If you don’t have a chance to do this on your first visit then you know what to add to your list for next time!
We hope you have an amazing time on your trip to Lisbon. If you’re looking to visit more places in Portugal then why not spend a few days in Faro? We’ve got plenty of guides below for you and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how incredible it is!
Save For Later
Lisbon Bucket List
