Visit the City Museum
Located in the northern region of Lisbon, the Museu da Cidade is one of the most important museums in the city. That’s because the museum specializes in telling the entire history of the city , from its beginnings to the 19th century. So, if you want to know the history of Lisbon, this museum is a must stop.
Its inauguration was planned in 1909, but it only took place in 1942, that is, it took nearly four decades of planning and preparation. The entire environment of the museum is separated in chronological order , which makes the place so interesting.
In it you can follow the history of Lisbon as if you were reading a book, but viewing various historical objects, such as letters, official documents, paintings, engravings, drawings, statues, ceramics, tiles, archaeological objects, among others.
Visit the Castle of São Jorge
The Castle of São Jorge is one of the monuments that need to be on your list of things to do in Lisbon . Built over 1,000 years ago, the castle is located in one of the highest parts of the city and receives many tourists annually. In addition to enjoying the medieval architecture and all the construction of the castle, you can visit 11 towers, an archaeological site and viewpoints scattered around the place.
In addition, at the end of the visit you can still enjoy a beautiful view of the Tagus River and a good part of the city . So, don’t forget to bring your cell phone or camera to take great pictures of this unique place in Lisbon!
Ride a cable car
Another really cool thing to do in Lisbon is to ride the city cable car, also known as the Expo Cable Car or Parque das Nações Cable Car . Despite being a short walk, less than ten minutes long, the view is worth it!
To do this tour it is necessary to go to Parque das Nações , a park open to the public, located on the banks of the Tagus River. From the top of the cable car, you can see Parque das Nações itself, the Tagus River, the Doca dos Olivais, the Pavilhão de Portugal and the Torre de Belém, in addition to other buildings and houses in the city. Set aside an hour of your day for this tour and take the opportunity to visit restaurants and shops close to departure and arrival.
Go up the Santa Justa Elevator
Built in 1902, the Santa Justa elevator helps people move between Cidade Alta and Cidade Baixa and is certainly one of the must-see attractions for those looking for something to do in Lisbon. The elevator was designed by the architect Raoul Mesnier de Ponsard, a famous Portuguese engineer responsible for several elevators and funiculars throughout the country.
This project was designed to provide a pleasant trip to the visitor, in addition to access to the Miradouro de Santa Justa , a terrace from which it is possible to see the famous São Jorge Castle and all of Lisbon’s lowlands.
Despite being a tour worth putting on the list of things to do in Lisbon, be prepared for possible queues and delays due to the large number of tourists, especially in high season.
Visit the Convento do Carmo
In the famous Convento do Carmo, currently also known as the Archaeological Museum of Carmo , the remains of the church of the Convent of Nossa Senhora do Vencimento do Monte do Carmo are housed, which was founded at the end of the 14th century and has a very strong historical importance for the capital.
Inside the museum, in addition to the entire medieval structure of the former convent, it is also possible to have access to an incredible collection of tombs from the medieval era , ancient sculptures , pieces from the Roman empire , mummies, among other various treasures of human history. For those who still don’t know what to do in Lisbon, this is an attraction full of history and curiosities that are worth a visit.
Things to do in Lisbon: Discover the Tower of Belém
Torre de Belém is one of the many tourist spots that need to be on your itinerary due to its monumental beauty and its historical importance. The tower was built in Portugal’s Golden Age and helped protect the country from invaders who arrived via navigation.
After the period of navigations, the building was used for various government purposes, such as telegraph, prison, customs and even as a lighthouse. It is currently one of the most visited tourist spots in Lisbon and since 1983 it has been considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Knowing the Praça do Comércio
Also known as Terreiro do Paço, the largest square in the city of Lisbon is a great choice for a late afternoon visit, a picnic or bike rides with friends. The place was used as the initial disembarkation of people who came to Lisbon by sea. Due to this importance, the site has two 18th century arcades, a statue of Dom José I and also the Arco da Vitória.
Stroll along the Tagus River
The main river in the city of Lisbon is the target of postcards and many visits daily. In addition to enjoying the beauty, restaurants and other various places around the river, tourists take boat trips along the Tagus River.
The tour can last up to an hour, depending on the structure of the boat, some have bars, which can extend the tour. In addition, the tour features several routes , which may include passing through the sights located on the riverbank.