Lisbon is the heart of Portugal, its capital. Initially, there was a Roman camp on the site of Lisbon, which gradually grew to the size of a city. The first name associated with the city is translated into Russian as “Happy Julia”. As you might guess, the name refers us to the figure of Julius Caesar. The second name is Ulisea, but the etymology of the name, unfortunately, has been lost for centuries.
In the Middle Ages, the city belonged to Muslims, and the influence of the East is still observed in architecture. But by the XII century, Lisbon was conquered by the crusaders. For four centuries, the country has been actively developing and came to the “golden time”, which lasted about two centuries. In the 18th century, a natural disaster struck Lisbon. Due to the earthquake and numerous fires, most of the city was destroyed.
➤ Torre de Belém
The tower has been one of the main symbols of Lisbon for many years. The building was designed in the 15th century as part of a defensive complex. Several rulers, replacing each other, picked up the idea of building a tower that would defend the position on the Tagus River. The building was finally completed in the 16th century.
When visiting the tower, be sure to try to find the rhinoceros statue. It is located on one of the outer walls. This is the memory of the gift that the Indian Sultan presented to the King of Portugal.
- Opening hours: every day from 10am to 5pm;
- Price:the minimum entrance fee is 3 euros;
- How to get there: you can get to the tower by train or tram to a nearby stop, and then walk.
➤ Jeronimos Monastery
In 2007, Jeronimos Monastery was awarded the title of one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. This building is a magnificent monument of late Gothic architecture, in particular, of the Manueline direction. The decoration of the monastery can be considered for a long time, each time noticing new details.
Jeronimos sheltered two museums: the Archaeological Museum and the Maritime Museum. In addition, the monastery is an important religious center that still performs its direct functions.
- Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm;
- Price:the ticket price is from 5 to 10 euros;
- How to get there: you can get to the territory of the monastery by tram number 15E.
➤ Castle St. George
The Castle of St. George can be compared to the Kremlin. This is the center of Lisbon, which has existed for many millennia. The oldest building on this site was a Roman fortress. According to historical sources, in the XII century, the land passed into the possession of the Portuguese king.
Interestingly, the castle building can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. Around the fortress, a moat has been preserved, over which a bridge is thrown. On it you will reach a massive gate, behind which the inner part of the fortress is hidden.
- Opening hours: every day from 9 am to 6 pm, in summer can be open until 9 pm;
- Price: the minimum ticket price is 8 euros;
- How to get there: you can get to the castle by tram number 28.
➤ Lisbon Aquarium
The oceanarium was opened at the end of the 20th century. Now many interesting events are held here: from scientific lectures to unusual services. And, of course, there is the usual format of excursions for groups of different sizes. Parents and children can spend the night in one of the halls of the oceanarium, where sharks are kept.
For children under three years old, magical performances with the participation of animators are often arranged here. And for the elderly, special thematic excursions are organized.
- Operating mode:every day from 10 am to 7 pm, in the summer the aquarium is open until 20 pm;
- Price: the cheapest ticket costs 10 euros;
- How to get there: you can get to the aquarium by bus, you need to stop “Oriente Station”.
➤ Carmelite Monastery
The Carmelite Monastery was built by the forces of the national hero, the monk Pereira, whose sister originally owned the land. Until the end of the 14th century, a small church stood here, on the site of which a monastery was built in the Gothic architectural style.
In the 18th century, the monastery was badly damaged due to a natural disaster. Almost no surviving buildings remained, and the library, which contained more than five thousand copies, was gone. Now there are guided tours, telling about the rich history of the area.
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, in summer the monastery is open until 6 pm;
- Cost: free;
- How to get there: You can get to the monastery by metro and bus.
➤ Baixa District< /h2>
In the heart of Lisbon is the famous Baixa district, which stretches from Liberty Avenue to the waterfront. The area is especially interesting from an architectural point of view. All buildings are conceived as earthquake-resistant structures. The first floor is reserved for shops and cafes, and the rest are residential.
This is the first such project, which eventually became the standard for European cities. The area is home to many historical and cultural monuments that are of key importance to Lisbon. You can safely allocate several days to explore the territory!
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Price:free;
- How to get there: walking distance from the city center.
➤ Santa Justa elevator
work on the construction of the elevator tower began at the end of the 19th century, and was completed at the beginning of the 20th century. Initially, the elevator did not work on electricity, but on steam traction. But rather quickly the system was replaced by a more modern one.
At 30 meters from the ground is the first observation deck and a bridge that leads to Largo Square do Carmo. In total, the height of the tower is more than 45 meters.
- Opening hours: check opening hours before visiting;
- Price: one lift ride costs 1, €3;
- How to get there: the lift is a short walk from the center of Lisbon.
➤ Lisbon Cathedral
Until the 4th century, an ancient Roman temple stood on this site, which was then turned into a mosque, and by the 12th century, after reconstruction, it became a Christian temple. The architectural style is close to Gothic with elements of Baroque, Romanesque and Neoclassical.
The cathedral has been well preserved to this day, although it has survived many earthquakes. Inside, the cathedral looks like a classic Christian basilica. The cathedral now houses an archaeological museum.
- Opening hours: every day from 9am to 7pm;
- Price: free;
- How to get there: the cathedral can be reached by two buses: number 28E and 737.
➤ Ajuda Palace
Ajuda Palace is interesting because it is outwardly unremarkable, beautiful inside. The rich decoration is amazing: numerous statues of the ancient period, exotic statues and tapestries, first-class handmade furniture, amazing wall paintings. The construction of the palace began in the 18th century and was completed only in 2021. Now only two floors are open for tourists: the basement and the knight's.
- Opening hours: Friday to Wednesday, from 10 am to 5 pm, during the summer the palace closes at 6 pm;
- Price: entrance ticket costs 5 euros;< /li>
- How to get there: the palace can be comfortably reached by tram number 18E.
➤ Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum is considered one of the oldest museums in the city. Its discovery took place in the middle of the 19th century, but the collection began to be collected a century earlier.
The museum has both permanent and temporary exhibitions. Most of the expositions relate to the theme of the country's geographical discoveries. In the first hall there are statues of the great discoverers from Portugal. And the central place was occupied by the figure of Enrique the Navigator.
- Opening hours: every day from 10am to 5pm;
- Price:ticket price starts from 4 euros;
- How to get there: you can walk to the museum from the city center or take tram number 15E.
➤ Oriental Museum
At the beginning of the 21st century, a museum dedicated to the culture of the East was opened in Lisbon. The expositions of the museum are dedicated to various periods of the country's existence. For example, one of the exhibitions is entirely devoted to the Asian period of Portugal's development. And the other exposition contains exclusively exhibits donated by representatives of the Parisian museum.
The building, which now houses the museum's collection, was previously an industrial enterprise. The appearance of the building was deliberately not changed in order to preserve the contrast between the exterior and interior of the museum.
- Operating mode:from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 18 pm, on Fridays the museum is open until 22 pm;
- Price: we recommend that you check the price of the entrance ticket before visiting;
< li>How to get there: you can get to the museum building by bus number 712.
➤ San Pedro de Alcantara Viewpoint
San Pedro de Alcantara was designed in the 19th century. Now it is one of the most popular viewing platforms in the city. It offers a wonderful view of the panorama of the city: multi-storey buildings with white facades, red-brick roofs and the blue of the Tagus River.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Price: free;
- How to get there: you can walk to the lookout from the city center.
➤ Mafra Palace
Built in the Baroque style, Mafra Palace is considered one of the most beautiful in Lisbon. It so happened that its construction was initiated by one of the richest kings of the country, who at one time was also the richest ruler in all of Europe.
The king invested a significant part of the funds in the construction of the palace. He dedicated it to his long-awaited heirs. The territory of Mafra occupies more than four hectares. The first project of the palace was conceived as small, but over time it was supplemented with another palace building and a basilica.
- Opening hours: every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
- Price: an average entrance ticket costs 5 euros;
- How to get there: there is a bus stop next to the palace.
➤ Fronteira Palace
Fronteira Palace was built as a hunting lodge in the 17th century. The Marquis of Fronteira became famous during the Portuguese War of Independence, for which he received the title as a reward. The era in which the palace was built is considered golden, the era of prosperity. The architecture of the building fully reflects the features of the 17th century for Portugal.
Inside the palace is a collection of frescoes and paintings, many of which are dedicated to the history of the country. The building is surrounded by a beautiful garden, decorated with statues of Portuguese kings. Interestingly, among the sculptures there are no images of the three kings.
- Operating hours: Monday to Saturday, 11 am to 12 noon, sometimes hours vary;
- Price:< /strong>entrance ticket costs 5 euros;
- How to get there: you can get to the palace building by bus number 70.
➤ Monument to the discoverers
For Russian-speaking tourists, the monument is better known as the Monument of Geographical Discoveries. The height of the monument is about 50 meters. The ship hovered over the Tagus River, and on board those who became the discoverers in their time.
The figures of people are carefully detailed. There are 32 of them in total. The monument looks most spectacular at sunset, but for the same reason there are many people near it at this time of day.
- Opening hours: every day from 10 am to 6 pm;
- Price: the minimum ticket price is 3 euros;
- How to get there: to the monument you can quickly get there by tram number 15E.
➤ Edward VII Park
This park is considered one of the largest in the city. The area of the park is more than 25 hectares. There are several monuments on the territory, including Carlos Lopes, a pavilion built in the 20th century, a pond decorated with sculptures and several greenhouses. The park has several playgrounds for children and adults. In addition, there is a tennis club and a large sports ground.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Price: free;
- How to get there: the park can be reached by metro or on foot from the city center.
➤ Arc de Triomphe
The triumphal arch is located near the Commerce Square. The construction of the monument was dedicated to the city, which, like a phoenix, was able to come to life after a large-scale natural disaster in the middle of the 18th century. Then the entire central part of the city was destroyed, most of the buildings had to be overhauled.
Work on the arch was completed 4 years after the disaster. Now it is one of the most popular places among tourists. Photographers often go here, ready for a small amount to take your photo against the backdrop of the monument.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Price: free;
- How to get there:you can walk to the arch from the city center or take the Az metro line.
➤ Augusta Street
Augusta is the longest pedestrian zone in Lisbon. In addition, Augusta is the shopping center of the city. Numerous monuments of ancient architecture are located along the street, and the pavement is lined with mosaics.
There are many tourists here at any time of the day. Someone came to listen to street musicians, someone – for shopping, and someone – to their favorite cafe. The famous Arc de Triomphe is also located here, symbolizing the revival of the city after an earthquake that destroyed almost the entire city center.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Price: free;
- How to get there: There are bus stops outside for routes 746, 783 and 711.
➤ The National Museum of Carriages
The unique museum has gathered in its collection the brightest examples of carriage building, created in the period from the 16th to the 20th century. The museum is divided into two parts. The first presents works in the Renaissance style, and the second – high-tech models.
Most of the specimens collected belonged to monarchs and nobility. Graceful carriages, decorated with complex sculptural structures, amaze the imagination! In addition to the museum, the same building houses a workshop for the restoration of exhibits and a library.
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm;
- Price: admission ticket costs 8 euros;
- How to get there: you can get to the museum by tram number 15E.
➤ Praça do Comércio shopping area< /h2>
Until the middle of the 18th century, when a terrible earthquake destroyed half of the city, Ribeira, one of the most luxurious palaces in Lisbon, stood on the site of the square. After the earthquake, it was decided to reconstruct the territory and make a square here. In the center was placed a monument depicting King Jose the First, during whose reign most of the city was restored.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Price: free;
- How to get there: the square can be reached on foot from the city center.
➤ Lisbon Zoo
The zoo contains a variety of animals that live on land or in water. Here you can see many: from lemurs to fur seals. There is a small dolphinarium on the territory of the zoo, where performances are regularly held.
The peculiarity of this zoo is that the places where animals are kept are as close to natural as possible. Enclosures are islands of “wild nature” in which animals feel comfortable.
- Operating mode:every day from 10 am to 6 pm, in the summer the zoo is open until 8 pm;
- Price: entrance ticket costs from 15 euros;
- How to get there: You can get to the zoo by metro, the stop is called Lisbon Zoo.
➤ Belém Palace
Belensky Palace was built in the 16th century. Once on the site of this palace there was a riding school created by the Portuguese king. And now it is the current residence of the president. The palace looks luxurious, both the interior and the exterior are rich. On the site of the school building there is now one of the most famous museums – the carriage museum.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Price: free;
- How to get there: the palace can be reached on foot from the city center.
➤ Rossio Square
The name of the square is a memory of one of the emperors, Emperor Pedro. Now it is the main square of the city, to which thousands of tourists flock every year. Estauche, a palace, was built on the square, which for some time served as the headquarters for the Inquisition.
During the earthquake that occurred in the XVIII century, the area was almost completely destroyed. But within a century it was completely reconstructed.
- Opening hours: around the clock;
- Price: free;
- How to get there: The square is located in the city center and can be reached by any means of transport.
➤ Alfama Old Quarter
The most beautiful and oldest quarter of Lisbon. Previously, there were many baths providing medical procedures. There is an amazing atmosphere of antiquity here. The area most closely resembles a village that somehow survived in the middle of a big city.
- Opening hours: 24/7;
- Fee: free;
- How to get there: You can walk from the city center to Alfama in fifteen minutes.
➤ San Vicente de Fora Monastery
This monastery has existed since at least the 12th century. At least, the first mention of the monastery dates back to this period. For more than a century, the archbishop of Lisbon lived within these walls. What deserves special attention are the decorative architectural elements in the Renaissance style. In addition, an extensive collection of works of art is kept inside the monastery.
- Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm;
- Cost: cost needed check before visiting;
- How to get there: you can get to the monastery by bus number 734.
➤ Church of St. Roch
The church building is considered one of the oldest buildings of the Jesuit church in the world. Until the 16th century, there was a “plague cemetery” on this territory, where the dead were buried during the plague epidemic. In the same century, a church was built near the cemetery in honor of the saint who patronized sick people. The church has a museum where exhibits of sacred art are kept.
- Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm;
- Price: Entrance ticket costs 1 euro;
- How to get there: You can get to the church by buses 709, 711, 736.
➤ Electricity Museum
The museum was created at the end of the 20th century. After some time, it was closed for reconstruction, and since 2006 it has again become available to the public.
The feature of the museum is interactive expositions in which you can interact with the exhibits. These are special exhibitions with samples to study. There is also a separate exposition, which presents a variety of devices designed to generate electricity.
- Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday, from 12 pm to 8 pm;
- Price: check the price before visiting;
- How to get there: the museum can be reached by buses No. 15E, 727, 751.
➤ Queluz Palace
The palace was built for the royal family and fully justifies the expected level of luxury. Construction was completed in the 18th century, the project was conceived as a summer residence. The palace survived a severe fire, but, fortunately, the building has survived perfectly to this day, despite all the difficulties.
- Opening hours: every day from 9 am to 7 pm;
- Price: ticket costs from 8 euros ;
- How to get there: The palace can be comfortably reached by train.
➤ Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
The museum is unique with an extensive selection of exhibits. Here you will even come across world heritage sites that were once exhibited in the Hermitage. The creator of the collection, after whom the museum is named, began collecting art objects in the 20th century. The museum is divided into several parts: antique rooms, expositions of the European period, a library and a separate room with masterpieces of painting.
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm;
- Price: minimum charge the ticket is 3 euros;
- How to get there: you can get to the museum by bus or metro.
➤ Basilica da Estrela< /h2>
The basilica is one of the buildings erected by a member of the royal family to celebrate the birth of an heir. In this case, the initiator of the construction was Maria the First.
The construction of the basilica was delayed for a long time, because around the same time the city was badly damaged by an earthquake. The best architects worked on the building, and it turned out to be impressive! The dome of the basilica can be seen from almost anywhere in the city.
- Opening hours: every day from 8 am to 8 pm;
- Price: entrance ticket costs 4 euros ;
- How to get there: you can get to the Basilica by metro to Rato station.