Tourism in Lisbon

Lisbon is one of the most popular city destinations in Europe. Every year, many visitors come to the city of Lisbon and the Lisbon metropolitan area. People are drawn to Lisbon because of its rich history, exciting culture, easy ways to travel around, and places made just for tourists to enjoy. The city offers many things to see and do, making it a favorite spot for people from all over the world.

A view of the city with Lisbon's cathedral in the background

City layout and touristic neighbourhoods

The city of Lisbon has many historic streets and important places, especially in the higher parts of the city. Some well-known streets include Avenida da Liberdade (Avenue of Liberty), Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo, Avenida Almirante Reis, and Avenida da República (Avenue of the Republic).

Pombaline Lower Town

Pombaline Lower Town (Baixa Pombalina de Lisboa).

Main article: Pombaline Lower Town

The Pombaline Lower Town is a central area of Lisbon that covers about 23.6 ha (58 acres). It has a grid of streets north of Praça do Comércio, between the Cais do Sodré and the Alfama district below the Lisbon Castle. It stretches north towards Rossio and Figueira squares and Avenida da Liberdade, a wide street with trees, shops, and cafes.

The Pombaline Lower Town was mostly built after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. Its streets are laid out in a neat grid, very different from the older, winding streets that were there before the earthquake. In 2004, this area was added to Portugal’s list of possible World Heritage Sites.

Aerial view of Alfama

Alfama

Main article: Alfama

The Alfama is Lisbon’s oldest district. It sits on a slope between São Jorge Castle and the Tejo river. This area has many historic sites and plenty of places to enjoy Fado, Portugal’s traditional music.

A panorama of the Saint George Castle in the Alfama neighborhood.

Long ago, during Moorish domination, Alfama was the entire city. Later, the city grew west to the Baixa neighbourhood. Alfama was home to fishermen and poorer families, and it still feels like a neighbourhood for the local people. The 1755 Lisbon earthquake did not destroy Alfama, so its narrow streets and small squares remain. Recently, old houses have been fixed up, and new restaurants have opened, letting visitors enjoy Fado music.

Alfama has many important churches, such as Lisbon Cathedral, built between the 12th and 14th centuries, and the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, where kings from the House of Braganza are buried. Overlooking Alfama is the medieval Castle of São Jorge, once a royal home and now one of Lisbon’s top tourist spots. From the castle, you can see amazing views of the city and the Tagus River. The castle has old walls, gardens, and a big square with old cannons and a statue of Afonso Henriques, a famous Portuguese king.

Bairro Alto

Monument to the fallen in World War I (1931) in the Avenida da Liberdade.

Main article: Bairro Alto

Bairro Alto is a central area in Lisbon that is busy with homes, shops, and entertainment. It is known for its nightlife, attracting young people and fans of different music styles like Punk, Gay, Metal, Goth, Hip Hop, and Reggae. Even though many new types of music and culture are found here, traditional Fado music still exists among the modern scene.

Avenida da Liberdade

Main article: Avenida da Liberdade

Avenida da Liberdade ("Liberty Avenue") is a major street in central Lisbon, stretching northwest from the city centre. It is a wide boulevard, about 90 metres across and 1,100 metres long, with ten lanes and pedestrian walkways lined with gardens. The avenue connects Restauradores Square to Marquis of Pombal Square.

The avenue has many beautiful buildings showing Portuguese architecture from the late 1800s to today. Its sidewalks and roundabouts, made with traditional Portuguese pavement, feature monuments and statues honouring important people. A large monument for those who died in World War I was put up in 1931.

The avenue’s mix of modern offices, hotels, shops, theatres, and beautiful sights makes it a key attraction for visitors. It is famous for hosting luxury brands like Christian Dior, Versace, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Prada, and Armani.

Architecture and monuments

The Christ the King monument.

Lisbon has fewer old buildings and monuments than many other European cities because a big earthquake in 1755 destroyed most of them, including famous palaces and libraries. After the earthquake, fires also destroyed many buildings that were not badly damaged.

Even so, Lisbon has many beautiful buildings. You can see styles like Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Modern, and Postmodern all around the city. One well-known monument is Christ the King, which stands on the south side of the Tagus River in Almada. With its open arms looking over the city, it was built after World War II to thank that Portugal was not involved in the war’s fighting.

Parks

Edward VII Park is the second largest park in Lisbon, coming right after Monsanto Forest Park. It runs along the main avenue, Avenida da Liberdade, and is filled with colorful flowers and green spaces. The park also has a special winter garden called Estufa Fria, which houses a permanent collection of subtropical and tropical plants. It was first named Parque da Liberdade but was later renamed to honor Edward VII of the United Kingdom after his visit to Lisbon in 1903.

UNESCO sites

Lisbon has two special places chosen by UNESCO as important World Heritage Sites: Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. There is also a part of the city called the Pombaline Baixa, or Downtown of Lisbon, that could one day be named a UNESCO site too.

Name	Image	Location	Period	UNESCO data	Description
Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém		Lisbon	16th to 17th centuries	263; 1983, 2008 (extended); iii, iv; 2.66 ha (103 ha)	"Standing at the entrance to Lisbon harbour, the Monastery of the Hieronymites ... exemplifies Portuguese art at its best. The nearby Tower of Belém, built to commemorate Vasco da Gama's expedition, is a reminder of the great maritime discoveries that laid the foundations of the modern world."
Pombaline Baixa or Downtown of Lisbon		Lisbon	18th century	1980; 2004; (i), (ii), (iv), (v), (vi)	"As a result of the destruction of the greater part of the city, including the symbolic centres of power, by the 1755 earthquake ... a complex reconstruction scheme was imposed by the commanding figure of the Marqugs [sic] de Pombal .... it was decided to rebuild part of the city from scratch, on the basis of a strict legislative programme and a series of practical principles and methods inspired by Portuguese military engineering experience and urban experiments in the colonial territories."

Events

Lisbon has many special days and events that people enjoy. On June 13, the city celebrates a holiday for its saint, Anthony of Lisbon. Saint Anthony was a kind man who helped poor people and is remembered every year.

Lisbon has been a place for big, fun events. In 1994, it was named the European Capital of Culture, and in 1998, it hosted a big world exhibition called the Expo '98. The city also hosts large music festivals like Rock in Rio Lisboa, as well as Optimus Alive! and Super Bock Super Rock.

Church of Saint Anthony of Lisbon: the birthplace of the Portuguese saint became a place of great pilgrimages.

Lisbon is also known for its special art shows, design events, and light festivals. The city is famous for its beautiful stone walkway patterns, called Portuguese pavement, which began there in the 1800s.

Each year, Lisbon holds many different festivals, including film festivals, art fairs, and food events like the Peixe em Lisboa – Lisbon Fish and Flavours, and the Lisbon Book Fair. These events make Lisbon a lively and exciting place to visit.

Museums and theatres

Lisbon has many interesting museums. Some of the most famous include the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, the National Azulejo Museum, and the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian. There are also museums about fashion, modern art, electricity, royal coaches, and more.

D. Maria II National Theatre, located in the Rossio Square.

The city has beautiful theatres too. The Teatro Nacional de São Carlos is Lisbon's Opera House, which has shows mainly in the autumn and winter. Other important places for performances include the Centro Cultural de Belém, the Teatro Nacional D. Maria II, the Gulbenkian Foundation, and the Teatro Camões.

The Pena Palace in Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

List of museums

Portuguese Riviera

Main article: Portuguese Riviera

Lisbon has many places to visit just outside the city. These include the Portuguese Riviera, with its famous spot Estoril, the sunny beaches of Cascais, and the historic old city and castle in Sintra.