Lisbon Things To Do

For scenic views of the river and the Alfama below, walk along the ramparts of the castle that belonged to Portugal’s first king; learn the city’s history at the multimedia exhibit or relax amidst peacocks and swans in the en-suite gardens.

A quick ride on the elevator of this Neo-Gothic tower whisks you from Baixa in Lisbon’s lower town up to Chiado, where panoramic city vistas await and a walkway leads to Largo do Carmo square.

Explore this stellar private collection founded by an Armenian oil mogul; its display runs the gamut from Egyptian, Greco-Roman, and Mesopotamian works to Far Eastern and European art. Also look for free concerts and film screenings.

Elaborate carvings and maritime motifs are hallmarks of this superb example of 16th-century Gothic and Renaissance fusion built to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s voyages of discovery; the explorer is said to be buried in its tombs.

A rich array of ancient art is housed in this 17th-century palace, including a Bosch triptych, 16th-century Japanese screens, Afro-Portuguese carved tusks, and even Chinese porcelain.

Erected by Portugal's first king in 1150, this austere cathedral is said to be Lisbon’s oldest building; highlights include a Gothic chapel, 14th-century cloisters, and a sacristy guarding Lisbon’s patron saint, St. Vincent, inside a mother-of-pearl safe.

Pay homage to the illustrious Age of Discovery by climbing this iconic 16th-century tower on the Tagus River, built as a monument to Portugal's military and naval past on the spot where the ships once set out across the sea.

Inspect the hi-tech waters of Europe’s largest aquarium, where ocean habitats span the Atlantic to Antarctic; the central tank is the size of four Olympic pools and home to 100 species of fish, seabirds, and mammals.

Get a caffeine fix at this Art Nouveau café, Lisbon’s legendary rendezvous spot for writers and artists since 1905.