Portugal Things To Do

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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.

Rua da Costa do Castelo; Lisbon; 011-351-21-880-0620; www.castelosaojorge.egeac.pt

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.

Rua 1º de Maio; Lisbon; 011-351-21-361-3000; www.carris.pt

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.

Ave. de Berna 45A; Lisbon; 011-351-21-782-3000; www.museu.gulbenkian.pt

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.

Praça do Império; Lisbon; 011-351-21-362-0034; www.mosteirojeronimos.pt

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.

Rua das Janelas Verdes, 9; Lisbon; 011-351-21-391-2800; www.mnarteantiga-ipmuseus.pt

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.

Largo da Sé; Lisbon; 011-351-21-887-6628; www.ippar.pt

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.

Ave. de Brasília; Lisbon; 011-351-21-362-0034; www.mosteirojeronimos.pt

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.

Esplanada D. Carlos I; Doca dos Olivais; Lisbon; 011-351-21-891-7002; www.oceanario.pt

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

Rua Garrett 120; Lisbon; 011-351-21-346-9541

Catch a quickie train ride from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré station to this former fishing village. Now a moneyed town, Cascais is filled with picturesque, whitewashed houses, cobblestone streets, seaside cafes, and the occasional fishing boat.

18 miles west of Lisbon; Cascais; www.estorilcoast.com

Portugal Travel Guide: Deals to Portugal | Cities and Regions | Hotels | Things to do | Itineraries | When to go | Getting there | Tips | Additional Resources

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