[NEIGHBORHOOD] Together, these three neighborhoods form the center of Lisbon's tourist districts, sandwiched between Bairro Alto to the west, Alfama to the east and the Rio Tejo to the south. They are full of cafes and shops, as well as train/tram stations that connect visitors to top daytrip options, such as Belém, Sintra and Cascais. These neighborhoods also offer a variety of hotels & lodging options.
[NEIGHBORHOOD] Perched on a hill to the east of downtown, Alfama is Lisbon's most famous district. In contrast to the wide boulevards and grid-based street plan of the adjacent Baixa district, the Alfama consists of narrow, wandering streets that zigzag around a hillside, atop which the Castelo de São Jorge (St. George's Castle) presides over the lower city. Lisbon's Tram 28 is popular with visitors and rambles up and down between the Alfama district and lower Lisbon throughout the day.
[NEIGHBORHOOD] Bairro Alto is uphill from most of downtown Lisbon. Trams can take you there, but if you're up for a walk, you can go by foot as well. This section of town survived a devastating earthquake in 1755 and is one of the best places to catch a glimpse of pre-18th century Lisbon architecture. Bairro Alto is best known for its rich and varied nightlife scene, including many of the city's best Fado clubs.
[DAY TRIP] A former fishing village, Cascais is now a premier and hip beach resort. It's a very popular spot during the summer, but it has appeal even during the off-season. Many visitors who make the 45-minute trip to Cascais (typically by train) combine it with a visit to the adjacent town of Estoril.
[DAY TRIP] Around 40 minutes northwest of downtown Lisbon, beautiful and exotic Sintra is the city's most popular daytrip. Even if you're only in Lisbon for a few days, many people recommend you dedicate some of your itinerary to Sintra. The town is perched at an elevation several hundred feet higher than seaside Lisbon. This gives Sintra both outstanding views of the greater Lisbon region, as well as a more temperate microclimate. Places to visit include the National Palace of Sintra, the National Palace of Pena and the Moors' Castle. Sintra is best reached by train.
[DAY TRIP] Twenty minutes west of downtown along the banks of the Rio Tejo, the Belém district includes several of Lisbon's must-see sites. The 16th-century Monastery of St. Jerome (Mosteiro de Jeronimos) is a must-visit. Add the Torre de Belém, year-round botanical gardens, a vibrant restaurant scene and a coffee paired with Belém's famed cream-filled pastries, pasteis de nata – and you could easily spend a full day here. It is best to get from downtown to Belém by tram.
[SIGHTSEEING] Castelo de São Jorge is a Moorish castle occupying the hilltop that overlooks the historic centre of Lisbon and Tagus River. The castle dates from the medieval period of Portuguese history and is one of the main tourist sites in the city.
[SIGHTSEEING] The National Azulejo Museum is also referred to as The National Tile Museum. The National Tile Museum was established in 1965 and became a National Museum in 1980. The museum collection features decorative ceramic tiles or azulejos from the second half of the 15th century to the present day. Besides tiles, it includes ceramics, porcelain and faience from the 19th to the 20th century.
[SIGHTSEEING] This 17th century palace was built as a hunting pavilion to Dom João de Mascarenhas, 1st Marquis of Fronteira. Both the exterior and interior decorated with the largest and best collection of Portuguese decorative tiles. The gardens are decorated with fountains, statues and other constructions from the 17th century which make the walk through the premises a delight. Although this is an inhabited Palace still today, visitors are welcome to take guided tours of the inside and enjoy visiting some of the most beautiful rooms, the Library, the terrace with "azulejo" panels representing the Liberal Arts, and the Chapel.
[SIGHTSEEING] Time Out Market Lisboa is a food hall located in the Mercado da Ribeira. It opened in May 2014, and is the first of several planned food hall ventures. The Lisbon market has 35 kiosks selling regional specialities, such as Azeitão sheep's cheese, Alentejo ham, custard tarts from cafe Aloma, sardines, wines and chocolates. Five top chefs have restaurants here. The original fish, fruit and vegetable market stalls occupy the other half of the landmark building.
[SIGHTSEEING] In 1846, a fabric production plant was created in Alcântara, Lisbon and was one of the most important undertakings the city had seen. Forward to the late 20th century and the location was an abandoned, run-down and decrepit inner-city area that needed a makeover. Today, the space is home to more than 200 businesses ranging from cafés, restaurants, design houses, show-rooms, shops, offices, commercial spaces to other projects that link directly to the space’s unique cultural and artistic standing.
[SIGHTSEEING] The museum is home to collections of paintings, sculptures and decorative arts from the 12th century to the early 19th century that are closely tied in with the history of Portugal including Portuguese artists, European painters who lived or spent time in Portugal, and objects from the Portuguese colonies.
[SIGHTSEEING] Often called the Sé, this is a Roman Catholic church located in Lisbon. It is the oldest church in the city and since the beginning of the construction of the cathedral in 1147, the building has been modified several times and survived many earthquakes. It is a mix of different architectural styles and has been classified as a National Monument since 1910.
[SIGHTSEEING] The Lisbon Oceanarium is the largest indoor aquarium in Europe. The Lisbon Oceanarium has a large collection of marine species — penguins, seagulls, sharks, seahorses, sea anemones, jellyfish, marine plants, terrestrial plants and many other marine organisms.
[SIGHTSEEING] The Jardim da Estrela is one of the most beautiful parks in Lisbon, laid out in a landscaped style with plenty of exotic trees, cacti, flower beds and a pond with fountains. The park is especially popular with locals who come here during weekends to socialize, stroll along the paths or have a drink at the café.
[SIGHTSEEING] Entirely devoted to Lisbon's urban song universe, Museu do Fado opened its doors to the public in 1998. It celebrates Fado’s exceptional value as an identifying symbol of the City of Lisbon, its deep roots in the tradition and cultural history of the country, its role in the cultural identity statement and its importance as an inspiration source and intercultural trade between people and communities.