Lisbon: A City That Whispers Stories. Will You Listen?
While many of us think about traveling to exotic locations like the Maldives or the Caribbean when we think of vacation, we often miss some great places just because we didn’t do a great deal of research beforehand. Vacation doesn’t always need to be exclusive, and there are millions of places in the world where a person can go, have a great time, and not spend a fortune.
One of those places in Lisbon. The capital of Portugal is a beautiful city on the Atlantic coast with a beautiful Mediterranean climate.
Lisbon is home to relaxed Portuguese people, and it is home to many sights and great places to visit. Should you decide to give Lisabon a chance, we are here to show you some of those places and give you many reasons why Portugal should be your next destination spot.
We will wait no more and start our list of the best things to do in Lisbon!
Climb the mesmerizing Castelo de Sao Jorge
The iconic symbol of Lisbon lies on top of a hill in the Santa Maria Maior district. It is a castle and a fortification that overlooks Portugal’s capital and provides a stunning view for anyone who visits the place. The hill itself served as a fort for people who inhabited the lands since the dawn of time. The initial castle was built sometime in the Middle Ages and has been expanded ever since. Today it is under the protection of the Portuguese government, and it is a must-visit tourist hot spot.
Another day, another fort – The Belem Tower
While on the subject of forts, another one you shouldn’t miss is The Belem Tower at the delta of the Tagus River. Most of us learned about the incredible Portuguese armada, which ruled the Atlantic in the Middle Ages, but not everything in Portugal was focused on attack. Lisabon had an incredible defense, which was exactly what Belem Tower served for. Today, the tower’s purpose is to show the world the amazing architecture that Portugal had in the past.
Honor the predaccesors – Padrao dos Descobrimentos
Padrao dos Descobrimentos is a beautiful monument in the vicinity of the Belem Tower. It is dedicated to late Portuguese naval explorers and all those who contributed to making the Portuguese navy the strongest naval force in the past.
Take a break at PasteIs de Belem
While you are in Belem, I strongly recommend Pasteis de Belem bakery. The in-house specialty is a custard tart called “Pasteis de Nata.” They are served hot from the oven and are the best thing to snack on while sipping your coffee.
Jeronimos Monastery
A UNESCO World Heritage monastery is located in Lisabon. This beautiful monastery is one of the most beautiful constructions in the whole world. The order to build it was given by King Manuel I in honor of Portuguese explorers. Within the monastery’s walls lies Vasco da Gama, a world-famous explorer. The monastery also served as a necropolis for members of the House of Aviz. Today, it is a holy place but also a historical landmark.
Have a walk on Praca do Comercio
Every city in the world has its center. And in every city center, there aren’t many things to do. It is mostly just a piece of land where you can walk, drink coffee, or grab something to eat. Praca do Comercio is no exception. But I have to admit, even if there aren’t tons of attractions on the square itself, it is among the nicer ones that I know of. Plus, it is the biggest square in Portugal and among the biggest in the whole of Europe.
Ride the Elevador de Santa Justa
This incredible neo-Gothic elevator was constructed by the student of Gustave Eiffel, who was the main architect of The Eiffel Tower in Paris. It connects two Baiza districts and Carmo Square. The ride is free if you have the Lisabon pass.
Walk The incredibly cute Pink Street
While it is not the Roman Colosseum or The Acropolis of Athens, it’s still a cute street covered in pink color. There are some cute multicolored umbrellas above the street, and the whole street is covered with local cafes where you can sit down and relax on your walk.
Ride the Tram 28
One of the last remaining original Lisabon trams built in the late 1800s is Tram 28. Famous for yellow and red trams, it is one of those things you should do if you want to see most of the city. This way you can always exit at the station you like!
Support Benfica C.F. at Estadio da Luz
Benfica is a local soccer club with a rich history and continuous success in local and European championships like the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. Its home is a beautiful Luz stadium in Lisbon. During the weekends, Benfica plays in the local championship, so you can go to the stadium and support the club!
See the Cristo Rei
The Statue of Cristo Rei, or Jesus Christ if you prefer, is an enormous statue built in Rio under the influence of the Statue of Jesus Christ. It is a beautiful statue where you can pay your tributes and snap some great photos while you are at it.
Ride the gondola
Lisabon offers another great way to see the city. You can take a ride in gondolas at Telecabine Lisabon and see the city from above.
See the sealife at Lisbon Oceanarium
Lisbon Oceanarium is a huge saltwater aquarium, and it is among the biggest in the world. There you can see species from 5 different areas of the world. From jellyfish to sharks, they have it all!
