LISBON, PORTUGAL
Lisbon, the sun-kissed capital of Portugal, is a city where history, art, and culture come alive at every corner. From world-class museums like the National Museum of Ancient Art and the MAC/CCB Museum of Contemporary Art, to timeless landmarks such as the Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, and the Alfama district, Lisbon offers endless opportunities for exploration. Whether you’re passionate about art, architecture, or simply soaking up the charm of cobblestone streets and ocean views, discovering Lisbon’s museums and landmarks is an unforgettable experience that captures the city’s unique spirit.
Our trip to Portugal was a 7-day summer holiday in Lisbon during the second half of July. We explored some of the city’s most beautiful museums, historical landmarks, and hidden gems. Below you’ll find all the essential Lisbon travel tips and insights you might need if you’re planning a similar route.
We chose to focus on the attractions that felt most interesting to us, and because of the heavy summer crowds, we decided to skip two of the most visited spots – the Jerónimos Monastery and the interior tour of the Belém Tower. Instead, we spent that time exploring a few lesser-known Lisbon museums, which turned out to be a great decision.
If you’re planning to visit Lisbon’s top attractions, make sure to plan ahead: buy your tickets in advance and prepare for long queues during peak season. With a bit of good timing and local insight, you can make the most of your trip and experience the best that Lisbon has to offer.
Fado Museum
MUSEUM | MUSIC | HISTORY
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
INTERACTIVITY ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
FUN ⭐⭐☆☆☆
GUIDES ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
INSTA-WORTHY ⭐☆☆☆☆
The Casa Dos Bicos
MUSEUM | HISTORY | LITERATURE
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
INTERACTIVITY ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
FUN ⭐⭐☆☆☆
GUIDES ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
INSTA-WORTHY ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Oceanario
ATTRACTION | NATURE
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
INTERACTIVITY ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
FUN ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
GUIDES ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
INSTA-WORTHY ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Sao Jorge Castle
LANDMARK | VIEWPOINT | HISTORY
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
INTERACTIVITY ⭐☆☆☆☆
FUN ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
GUIDES ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
INSTA-WORTHY ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Medeiros & Almeida Museum
MUSEUM | ART | HISTORY
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
INTERACTIVITY ⭐☆☆☆☆
FUN ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
GUIDES ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
INSTA-WORTHY ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
MAC/CCB Museum of Contemporary Art
MUSEUM | ART
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
INTERACTIVITY ☆☆☆☆☆
FUN ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
GUIDES ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
INSTA-WORTHY ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Tram 28
ATTRACTION | VIEWPOINT
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
INTERACTIVITY ⭐☆☆☆☆
FUN ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
GUIDES ⭐☆☆☆☆
INSTA-WORTHY ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Live Fado Show
ATTRACTION | MUSIC | HISTORY
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
INTERACTIVITY ⭐☆☆☆☆
FUN ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
GUIDES ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
INSTA-WORTHY ⭐☆☆☆☆
National Museum of Ancient Art
MUSEUM | ART
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
INTERACTIVITY ☆☆☆☆☆
FUN ⭐⭐⭐☆
GUIDES ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
INSTA-WORTHY ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Monument to the Discoveries
LANDMARK | HISTORY
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
INTERACTIVITY ⭐☆☆☆☆
FUN ⭐⭐☆☆☆
GUIDES ⭐☆☆☆☆
INSTA-WORTHY ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Commerce Square
LANDMARK | SQUARE
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
INTERACTIVITY ⭐☆☆☆☆
FUN ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
GUIDES ☆☆☆☆☆
INSTA-WORTHY ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Squares
LANDMARK | HISTORY
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
INTERACTIVITY ⭐☆☆☆☆
FUN ⭐☆☆☆☆
GUIDES ☆☆☆☆☆
INSTA-WORTHY ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Money Museum
MUSEUM | ECONOMY | HISTORY
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
INTERACTIVITY ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
FUN ⭐⭐☆☆☆
GUIDES ⭐⭐☆☆☆
INSTA-WORTHY ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Belém Tower
LANDMARK | HISTORY
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
INTERACTIVITY ☆☆☆☆☆
FUN ⭐⭐☆☆☆
GUIDES ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
INSTA-WORTHY ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
National Museum of Science & Natural History
MUSEUM | SCIENCE | NATURE
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
INTERACTIVITY ☆☆☆☆☆
FUN ⭐⭐☆☆☆
GUIDES ⭐☆☆☆☆
INSTA-WORTHY ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Lisbon Travel Guide:
- First Time in Lisbon? 10 Things to Know Before You Go
- Best Places to Visit in Lisbon: A Complete Travel Guide
- Is Lisbon Worth Visiting? An Honest Travel Guide
- Best Things to Do in Lisbon: A Complete Travel Guide
- Free Things to Do in Lisbon: Museums & Attractions
- Best Museums in Lisbon: Art & Culture Guide
- Best Time to Visit Lisbon: A Complete Seasonal Guide
Destinations for Our Next Lisbon Trip
Since Lisbon offers an incredible variety of cultural attractions and things to do, there are still a few places we didn’t get to visit this time – but definitely plan to on our next trip. At the top of our list are the MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, the National Coach Museum, and the Jerónimos Monastery.
Lisbon is a city that’s impossible to experience in just one visit. With its world-class museums, historic landmarks, and art-filled neighborhoods, there’s always something new to discover – making it the perfect destination to return to.
Recommendations
If you’d like to stay at the same place I did, here’s the booking link with more details about the place. Book now→
ACCOMMODATION
“Our stay at the hotel was simply excellent. It offered everything you could wish for: a pool and spa center, gym, a generous breakfast with plenty of variety, a cozy café, and room service available all day. The rooms were cleaned daily with fresh linens and towels, and there was even an option for laundry service. It really had everything you need if you want to fully relax and enjoy your time in the city without any worries.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
CASA PORTUGUESA
DO PASTEL
DE BACALHAU
Don’t miss the deep-fried codfish fritters – a true local specialty! Read more→
FOOD
“The food was outstanding and added so much to our overall experience in the city. Fresh Mediterranean flavors were everywhere, with most places offering an excellent selection of fish and seafood. We especially loved the traditional specialties like pastel de nata, sangria, and deep-fried fritters with codefish – all were so good that we ended up searching for the recipes to recreate them once we got back home.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
RANKING OF LANDMARKS:
RANKING OF ATTRACTIONS:
HOSPITALITY
“During our time in Portugal, we didn’t have much opportunity to interact with locals, as we stayed in a hotel and spent our days sightseeing. Still, I was impressed by the professionalism and friendliness of those working in tourism, always ready to help visitors. Our only real conversation with a local happened in a taxi, where a young woman happily shared her perspective on everyday life in Lisbon and gave us an insight into the city from her point of view.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
“Public transport in Lisbon is fairly reliable, with the metro, city buses, and trams all available. The metro is well-organized, but its lines don’t reach every corner of the city, so we often ended up taking the bus instead. Buses aren’t always punctual, and a few times we found ourselves waiting for half an hour despite arriving on time. We only rode the tram once, which turned out to be a fun and memorable experience.
If you’re traveling by plane during the tourist season, be prepared for crowds at the airport. Bring a small blanket or something to sit on just in case, as the airport is very small and not particularly well organized.”
⭐⭐⭐☆☆
SAFETY
“Overall, Lisbon feels like a safe city. The city is generally calm, welcoming, and tourist-friendly, with a strong police presence in central and tourist areas. In the city center, there are more people on the streets who may approach you to offer something for sale, and on one occasion, someone even tried to sell us drugs. Petty theft can occur, particularly in crowded places such as trams (especially Tram 28), metro stations, and popular tourist spots. Pickpocketing is the most common issue and to stay safe, keep an eye on your belongings.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
