Must sees in Lisbon
Sé Cathedral
Just around the corner of Casa Augusto Rosa is the famous cathedral Sé, built in 1147 and recognisable at its medieval rose window. A nice place for a coffee with best pics of tram 28.
Miradouro Santa Lucia
At 100 metres of Casa Augusto Rosa, how better to see Lisboa than on its best decorated 18th centuryview point ("miradouro"). Savour the city's wonderful colours and spectacular view of the river Tagus ("Rio Tajo"). Close to Casa Vasconcelos there is two other must see viewpoints: Miradouro da Graça and Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.
Bars, restaurants, cafés
The choice is vast in Lisbon. From a traditional meal to a luxury savoury. Check our special pages
- Where to eat close to Casa Augusto Rosa
- Where to eat close to Casa Vasconcelos
- What to eat pages.
Elevador Santa Justa
A must see downtown is the Santa Justa iron lift built in 1901 and beautifully renovated. No need to wait to go on it. You can reach the top from the Carmo convent too next to which there is a rooftop bar. The lift connects Baixa to Chaido and is 45m high (covers 7 floors).
Praça do Comércio
The main square of town is a must see. The famous arch is the entrance to the shopping street Rua Augusta. You see the castle and the cathedral Sé in the back.
Enjoy the view on the other end over the Tagus river.
Clubbing
If you like nightlife, you will be catered for, mainly in weekends.
Visit the Cais do Sodre area with Musicbox and Lounge. Principe Real with gay bars, Bairro Alto with small dancefloors, or head east for a big club as Lux. Alternative places like Arroz Studios or Nada Temple or the queer collective Planeta Manas are worthwhile checking.
Gulbenkian museum
For modern architecture lovers this is a must-see. The collections range from ancient Egypt to 16th and mid 20th century art. The collection of René Lalique jewels and glass is amazing.
Newcomer is MAAT, the art & architecture museum in Belem. A marbe monolith as Museu Berardo closeby remains a very good modern art museum.
Pasteis de Nata
If you love it sweet, you will love these little cakes. We just keep saying "a pasteis a day keeps the doctor away". Famous ones are in Belem (as they invented them) but in town there is Manteigaria, a delicious place to savour them hot or Pastelaria Santo António near Casa Augusto Rosa and Saga near Casa Vasconcelos in Graça who also makes them fresh. You can add some cannelle or sugar on top for even more flavour.
Beach
You are 30 mins by car or 1 hour by boat and bus from the nature reserve of Caparica beach. You can go for a family beach, a nudist beach, a gay beach or anything in between.
Family beaches to the north can be reached quickly by train. Visit Cascais or Estoril famous coastal cities.
Shopping
As rich as the history of the city is the history of its stores. The Bertrand Book Store is the oldest in the world (1732). You will find a lot of specialty stores: a store selling only woolens, or only candles, another selling dress accessories, or only iron objects, and lots more small shops with in-depth knowledge of their products. Luckily there is an increase in "Made In Portugal" stores, with traditional and contemporary articles from around the country, ideal for souvenirs.
