Welcome to Lisbon, Portugal’s fascinating capital and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe! Blessed with the charm of old and new, a horde of attractions and endless variety of ‘to do’ things, Lisbon offers all the delights you’d expect of Portugal’s star city.
Top things to do in Lisbon include:
Oceanarium
Europe’s largest aquarium, inhabited by 16,000 animals and plants of more than 450 different species, Lisbon Oceanarium never fails to dazzle local and international tourists, offering an enchanting experience of a different kind. Designed by American architect Peter Chermeyeff, the Oceanarium was built as a part of the World Expo in 1998, with the aim to celebrate ‘The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future.’ Here you’ll enjoy an experience similar to deep-sea diving with a plus that there are no risks involved here.
Belém Tower
One of the top things to do while in Lisbon is undoubtedly a visit to Belém Tower—a beautiful monument unrivalled in the whole world, symbolizing the Age of Discovery and often referred to as the historical heart and soul of Portugal. The tower is composed of several rooms, but the top storey is where you will enjoy remarkable panoramic views of the western part of the city and the Tagus River. In 1983, the fortress was placed on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and today its interior serves as a museum.
Museum of Galouste Gulbenkian
Ideally located in the magnificent 17-acre garden, belonging to the Foundation, the Museum of Galouste Gulbenkyan (an Armenian collector that lived in Portugal for some years), is the premier art museum and one of the most important cultural centers in Lisbon, representing Egyptian, Greek, Asian, Roman and European art, including world-famous paintings by Rembrandt and Rubens, like Portrait of Helen Fourment (Ruben), Pallas Athene (Rembrandt) and Portrait of an Old Man (Rembrandt). Admission is fairly inexpensive.
Saint George Castle
Locally named Castelo de São Jorge, the castle of Lisbon stands on top of the city’s highest hill, above the old Moorish quarter. Do not miss out the multimedia exhibitions related to the Portuguese history and culture and fantastic views of the city. You will also find an upmarket restaurant and a café. Opening ours of are from 9am to 9pm between March and October and 9am to 6pm between November and February.
Shopping
If you are a shopping enthusiast, Lisbon will truly cater all your needs, offering a high-end shopping experience filled with character and charm. Clothing, jewelry, shoes, perfumes, embroidered bed linen, lovely traditional products and everything you might need are what you will find in Lisbon’s malls, supermarkets and exclusive boutiques. Popular shopping centers and malls include Colombo Shopping Center, Amoreiras, El Corte Inglés, Escada, Louise Vuitton, Vasco de Gama shopping mall, Emporium Armani and D&G. Credit cards, particularly ‘Visa’ is widely accepted in most shops.
Other popular things to do include: a visit to Alafama Neighborhood, the Modern Art Center, Pastelaria, Parque Florestal de Monsanto and much more. There is so much to see and do in this wonderful city that you’ll need at least one week or two to cover them all!
