Things to do in Lisbon
Lisbon's Tram 28 trundles along cobbled streets towards St George's Castle in the Alfama and through the Bairro Alto and Chiado districts where the Carmo Convent ruins overlook the grid-like Baixa. Riverside Belém deserves an entire day for its maritime heritage and Manueline architecture at the Jerónimos Monastery and Discoveries Monument. Upriver in modern Parque das Nações the Oceanarium's sharks are a family favourite. Don't miss Sintra's fantasy retreat, the Pena Palace.
National Tile Museum
History of Portuguese tiles
Housed in a former convent in São João, the National Tile Museum is home to a
vast collection of valuable azulejos, traditional Portuguese tiles.
Gems include 15th-century Moorish tiles and large wall panels dating back to
the 18th century.
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Cost
€4; concessions €2; under-14s free
Opening Hours
Tue 2pm-6pm; Wed-Sun 10am-6pm
Address
4, Rua da Madre de Deus, Lisbon 1900-312
Telephone
+351 21 810 0340
MuDe
Design museum
In its temporary home in the Baixa, MuDe displays a selection of pieces from
the Francisco Capelo collection, portraying the history of design and
fashion since 1930. In 2010, MuDe moves to Santa Catarina as a fully fledged
fashion and design museum.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Tue-Thu & Sun 10am-8pm; Fri & Sat 10am-10pm
Address
24, Rua Augusta, Lisbon 1100-53
Telephone
+ 351 21 888 6117
National Museum of Ancient Art
Pre-19th-century masterpieces
The National Museum of Ancient Art in Santos houses Portugal's most prized
art collection, including Portuguese sculptures and paintings from the
13th-19th centuries. Also on display are European paintings, ceramics and
textiles, and art treasures from former colonies.
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Cost
€4; concessions €2; under-14s free
Opening Hours
Tue 2pm-6pm; Wed-Sun 10am-6pm
Address
Rua das Janelas Verdes, Lisbon 1249-017
Telephone
+351 21 391 2800
Berardo Museum
Contemporary and modern art
Located in the Belém district, the Berardo Museum showcases modern and
contemporary art from all over the world. Themed exhibitions are presented
in rotation so expect anything from Surrealism to Pop Art, painting,
photography and installations.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-7pm (until 10pm Fri, & Sat during Jul-Aug)
Address
Centro Cultural de Belém, Praça do Império, Lisbon 1449-003
Telephone
+351 21 361 2878
Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
Eclectic art collection
The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in São Sebastião boasts collections of
Oriental and Classical Art from Egypt to the Far East, and European Art,
including Renaissance works and René Lalique pieces. The building is a
leading example of 1960s Portuguese architecture.
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Cost
€4; concessions €2; under-12s free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 10am-5.45pm
Address
45A, Avenida de Berna, Lisbon 1067-001
Telephone
+351 21 782 3000
Carmo Convent
Earthquake memorial and museum
Built in the 15th century, today the Carmo Convent ruins in the Chiado
district stand as a poignant reminder of the 1755 earthquake. As well as
contemplating the ruins, make time for its compact archaeological collection
which includes Egyptian pieces.
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Cost
€2.50; concessions €1.50; under-14s free
Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 10am-6pm (until 5pm in winter)
Address
4, Largo do Carmo, Lisbon 1200-092
Telephone
+351 21 347 8629
Transport
Baixa-Chiado or Rossio metro; elevator Santa Justa
Website
Jerónimos Monastery
Manueline architecture
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and national icon, the Jerónimos Monastery in
Belém is a masterpiece of early 16th-century Portuguese Manueline
architecture. Highlights include elaborately carved interior features,
peaceful cloisters, explorer Vasco da Gama's tomb and the refectory.
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Cost
€6; concessions €2.40-€3; under-14s free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 10am-6pm (until 5pm Oct-Apr)
Address
Praça do Império, Lisbon 1400-206
Telephone
+351 21 362 00 34
Belém Tower
Medieval lookout
Built to guard Lisbon in the 16th century, Belém Tower is now a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Jutting into the Tagus River in Belém, the exterior features
ornate Manueline religious and maritime carvings. Climb to the top for city
views.
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Cost
€4; concessions €1.60-€2; under-14s free
Opening Hours
Oct-Apr Tue-Sun 10am-5pm; May-Sep Tue-Sun 10am-6.30pm
Address
Avenida de Brasília, Lisbon 1400-038
Telephone
+351 21 362 0034
St George's Castle
Ancient fortress
As a testament to centuries of Lisbon history, St George's Castle stands on
top of the city's highest hill, dominating the ancient Alfama quarter. After
enjoying panoramic city views, climb the reconstructed battlements for even
headier sights.
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Cost
€5; under-10s free
Opening Hours
Nov-Feb daily 9am-6pm; Mar-Oct daily 9am-9pm
Address
Alfama, Lisbon 1100-129
Telephone
+351 21 880 0620
Discoveries Monument
Homage to Portuguese explorers
Built in 1960 to mark the fifth centenary of Henry the Navigator's death, the
Discoveries Monument has a riverside location in the Belém district. This
concrete caravel is adorned with sculptures of Golden-Age explorers and
offers Tagus River views.
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Cost
€2.50 (viewing platform); concessions €1.50; under-7s free
Opening Hours
Oct-Apr Tue-Sun 10am-6pm; May-Sep Tue-Sun 10am-7pm
Address
Avenida de Brasília, Lisbon 1400-038
Telephone
+351 21 303 1950
Oceanarium
Sealife centre
Located in Parque das Nações, the Oceanarium is a popular aquarium, home to
sea creatures of four coastal habitats. Linking these is the Global Ocean, a
two-storey tank of sharks, rays and giant one-tonne sun fish.
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Cost
€11; seniors €6; 4-12s €5.50; under-4s free
Opening Hours
Apr-Oct daily 10am-8pm; Nov-Mar daily 10am-7pm
Address
Doca dos Olivais, Lisbon 1990-005
Telephone
+351 21 891 7002
Pena Palace
Fantasy royal retreat
A striking combination of yellow and pink dominates the exterior of Pena
Palace in Sintra, built as a royal retreat in 1839. Indulge your sense of
fantasy as you explore the pastiche of Moorish and late Gothic Portuguese
architecture inside.
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Cost
€8; concessions €6; under-6s free
Opening Hours
Apr-Sep daily 10am-7pm; Oct-Mar daily 10am-6pm
Address
Estrada da Pena, Sintra, Lisbon 2710-609
Edward VII Park
City-centre park
The Edward VII Park in Campolide is criss-crossed with paths, trimmed hedges
and flower beds and provides panoramic city views. Home to tropical
greenhouses and lakeside restaurants, there is also a garden dedicated to
Portuguese diva Amália Rodrígues.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily dawn-dusk
Address
Edward VII Park, Lisbon 1070-099
Transport
Marquês de Pombal or Parque metro
Tram 28
Historic city-centre ride
Rickety old Tram 28 weaves through Lisbon's historic centre. Starting at
Martim Moniz, it heads for the Roman settlements of the Alfama quarter,
through bustling Baixa with its elegant squares and into bohemian Bairro
Alto, popular with artists and writers.
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Cost
€1.40 (single)
Opening Hours
Eastbound Mon-Fri 6.20am-11.20pm; Sat 6.15am-11.05pm; Sun 7.25am-11.05pm. Westbound Mon-Fri 5.40am-11.10pm; Sat 5.45am-10.35pm; Sun 6.45am-10.35pm
Address
Martim Moniz Square, Lisbon 1100-151
Telephone
+351 21 361 3000
Botanic Garden
City retreat
Tucked away in the Bairro Alto district, the Botanic Garden is a lush retreat
from the afternoon sun. Wander along mosaic paths under tall palms, take in
the scents of the herb garden and visit the colourful butterfly house.
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Cost
€1.50; concessions €0.75; under-6s free
Opening Hours
Apr-Oct Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat & Sun 10am-8pm; Nov-Mar Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat & Sun 10am-6pm
Address
58, Rua da Escola Politécnica, Lisbon 1250-102
Telephone
+351 21 392 1800
