Travel guide

Lisbon

On seven hills above the Tejo: yellow trams, azulejo-tiled façades, the monuments to the Age of Discovery in Belém, and fado drifting through the lanes of Alfama. From the miradouros, the view sweeps over a sea of red-tiled roofs down to the wide river.

What brings you to Lisbon?

The old town between Baixa, Alfama and Bairro Alto is walkable; for Belém you take Tram 15E.

First time in Lisbon

Spread Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery and São Jorge Castle sensibly across your days.

Plan the sights 02

Views over the rooftops

Senhora do Monte, Santa Luzia, São Pedro de Alcântara and Graça are all four free to visit.

See the miradouros 03

Discover the neighbourhoods

Choose by character, from the grid-planned Baixa to old-town Alfama and monumental Belém.

Compare neighbourhoods 04

Churches & monasteries

Place Jerónimos, the 1147 cathedral and the ruined Carmo Convent in context; four of the six have a free nave.

See the churches 05

Food, tascas & ginjinha

Pastéis de nata, bacalhau, grilled sardines and the tascas where locals eat.

Food & drink 06

Day trips from the city

Sintra's palaces, the seaside town of Cascais, Cristo Rei across the river and walled Óbidos.

Compare day trips 07

Getting there & around

Direct flight or the train via Madrid, and in the city the metro, trams and ascensores.

Plan your journey 08

Routes for 1 to 3 days

Ready-made itineraries for one, two or three days, plus the Lisboa Card comparison and the city map.

Highlights

All attractions →

The six places people come to Lisbon for.

Panoramic view of São Jorge Castle and the Tagus estuary with the river in the background.

São Jorge Castle

Moorish fortress above the old town

Torre de Belém on the bank of the Tagus, one of Lisbon's best-known landmarks.

Torre de Belém

Fortified tower and landmark on the Tagus

UNESCO World Heritage site in Belém: the magnificent Jerónimos Monastery with its Gothic facade and intricate stonework.

Jerónimos Monastery

Monastery of the Hieronymites in Belém

Yellow trams of the famous Tram 28 line on Lisbon's steep cobbled streets.

Tram 28

Historic tram through the old town

The sweeping riverside square with classical arcades and a view over the water, Lisbon's largest square.

Praça do Comércio

Grand square on the Tagus

Fountain in the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara garden, with a view over the old town and Alfama.

Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara

Viewpoint garden in Bairro Alto

Lisbon's neighbourhoods

All neighbourhoods →

Four neighbourhoods, four characters: from flat, central Baixa to monumental Belém.

Column of King Pedro IV with a fountain on the central Rossio square, a meeting point in Lisbon's old town.

Baixa & ChiadoPlanned centre with grand squares & shopping

Aerial view of the historic Alfama neighbourhood with its characteristic red-tiled roofs and narrow lanes.

AlfamaLisbon's oldest neighbourhood and home of fado

Traditional façades in the Bairro Alto district with blue Portuguese azulejo tiles and characteristic historic architecture.

Bairro AltoLisbon's nightlife hub, full of bars and fado

The Belém Tower on the bank of the Tagus, one of Lisbon's best-known landmarks.

BelémLisbon's Age of Discovery quarter on the Tagus

Lisbon on the map

What lies where: the sights, the neighbourhoods and the monuments along the Tejo.