Capital of Portugal, Lisbon is a dynamic city open to the world. Praised by more and more young people and also retirees, Lisbon is the richest city in Portugal, itself endowed with a GDP higher than that of the European average. Lisboa, from its Portuguese name, boasts magnificent landscapes, a city with cobbled streets and many activities to do alone or with the family. The Lisboa experience will then be unforgettable!
The Belém Tower is in the city of Lisbon, Portugal in southern Europe.
This monument was erected for the purpose of service both as a gateway to the city of Lisbon but also as a defense system against possible invasions and attacks from the Tagus.
This rampart was a strategic point also protecting the Jeronimos Monastery, which were strategic points to invade the city.
See the page dedicated to the Tower of Belém.
Built in the 4th century by the Visigoths, the Castelo de São Jorge is located in the parish of Castelo. Initially the castle was named “Castle of the Moors” (Castelo dos Mouros). The castle will suffer from earthquakes on many occasions. In addition, it was also the scene of historical events. Since June 16, 1970, São Jorge Castle has been classified as a Historic Monument. To get to Castelo de São Jorge from the Baixa district, you can take the “Elevador do Castelo. The fortress, which overlooks Lisbon, will offer you magnificent landscapes.
The price for visiting the castle is 7.5€ and 4€ for students.
The National Azulejo Museum is atypical since it has a very large collection of ceramic tiles which allows you to appreciate the evolution of ceramics over time. Its collection comprises more than 7,000 pieces. Among them, tiles from the Arab world, North Africa or Flanders, with the famous Delft tiles. This museum is the artistic testimony of the Portuguese decorative culture. Founded in 1509 by the Queen consort of Portugal Éléonore de Viseu (1458-1525), the Museu Nacional de Azulejo is located in a former convent, that of Madre de Deus. Open to the public since 1960, the National Tile Museum has had the title of National Museum since 1980. Visits take place from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Prices: The price is €5, or €2.50 for pensioners, children under 12 and students.
The Feira de Ladra is Lisbon’s flea market, and its name literally means “Fair of the thief!” “. Here, the tone is set from the start and the atmosphere is very relaxed. Located between the splendid Panteão Nacional and the imposing São Vicente church, the Feira de Ladra welcomes tourists, collectors and even residents of Lisbon two days a week.
This joyful bric-a-brac offers second-hand clothes, trinkets, children’s toys, old and atypical objects, old books, coins… This flea market takes root in the Middle Ages, when people resold what they had stolen, which gave its name to the market.
Times: The Feira de Ladra is held every Tuesday and Saturday between 9am and 6pm.
Located in the district of Belém, the Jeronimos Monastery was built in 1502 by King Manuel I to welcome the return of Vasgo de Gama from India. He thus decided to build a monastery intended for the religious of the order of Hieronymites. If the Jeronimos Monastery escaped the earthquake of 1755 which nevertheless devastated the city of Lisbon, it will be damaged by the English troops of Wellington at the beginning of the 19th century. In 1907, the Jeronimos Museum was classified as a Historic Monument. Moreover, and since 1983, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is currently considered “The monument with the most architectural elements of the Manueline style”. The Jerónimos Monastery is open from April to October, from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (except Mondays) and until 6.30 p.m. from May to September.
Prices: The price of the visit is €10, but it is free if you are a “Lisboa Card” holder.
The Océanário de Lisboa is, as its name suggests, an Océanariun. It is an element of the “Pavilion of the Oceans” which is located in the Park of Nations (Parque des Naçoës), designed to accommodate the International Exhibition of Lisbon dating from 1998 called “The Ocean the future of humanity “. The Lisboa Oceanarium contains 15,000 animals and plants, specimens from the high seas, rare species in 5 million liters of sea water. It also contains many fish from Antarctica (such as penguins), from the Indian Ocean (like coral reefs), from the North Atlantic (like squid) or from the Temperate Pacific (like cat sharks).
Opening hours: The Lisboa Oceanarium is open every day, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and until 8 p.m. in summer.
Prices: The price of entry is 18€, but 12€ (from 4 to 12 years old), as well as for those over 65 years old. It is free for children under 3 years old.
Located 30 km west of Lisbon, Cascais is a famous seaside resort, very popular with tourists. Between the freshness of the winds and its delicate sea air, Cascais offers a magnificent beach of fine sand, as well as an atypical fishing port.
The Cascais site was born in antiquity. Today, the exceptional setting of Cascais has attracted many painters and writers, who draw their inspiration from it. You can also practice water sports such as surfing or sailing.
The park and the palace of Sintra are very famous for their architectural style of Romanticism. At the heart of a 200-hectare park, the Sintra Palace sports bright colors, orange, red, yellow. After buying the ruins of a Hieronymite monastery in 1839, Ferdinand de Saxe-Cobourg-Gotha, King Consort, entrusted the construction of his palace to Baron Ludwig von Eschwege.
The latter will mix architectural styles (Baroque, Renaissance, Gothic, Manueline) in order to offer him an exuberant building rich in colors. The end of the palace will end in 1885, the year of the death of the King.
The palace became state property in 1910, after the proclamation of the Republic. Sintra Park is made up of rare and precious trees, cut by numerous fountains and lakes. Towards the exit, you can also stroll around the “Vale de los Lagos” where the landscapes are breathtaking. The Sintra National Palace, and its park, is open every day of the year, from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., but 6:00 p.m. in winter.
Prices: Admission is set at €10, but €8.50 for young people between 6 and 17 years old as well as for those over 65 years old.
The tour departing from Fatima is very popular with tourists. You should know Fatima has been considered a city of peace since the first apparition of Our Lady of Fatima, in 1917, to three shepherd children, Francisco, Jacinta and Lucia, in the Cova da Iria, where the Chapel of the Apparitions is now located.
The town of Batalha owes its success to the construction of the Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitoria, in 1386. The latter was the result of the Battle of Aljubarrota, a battle between the Portuguese army commanded by D. João I, the master of Avis, and Nuno Alvares Pereira against the Castilian army led by D. João I of Castile. The battle took place in the countryside of São Jorge. In order to thank the Virgin Mary for the victory over the Castilians, D. João demanded the construction of the monastery of “Santa Maria da Vitoria”.
The city of Alcobaça originated during the Roman period. The city of Nazaré is a fishing village, and one can appreciate the cult around Our Lady of Nazareth there. Obidos Castle is located on a small hill 79 meters above sea level. It harmoniously combines elements of Romanesque, Baroque, Gothic, or even Manueline and Baroque styles. With this sightseeing tour, you will immediately dive into the heart of medieval villages and Gothic churches.
The Basílica da Estrela (Basilica of the Star in French) is located in the Lapa district, and was inaugurated in 1842 and 1852 for the garden. The Jardim di Estrela, initially named “Jardim Guerra Junqueiro” is a very romantic place made up of small lakes with ducks, a bandstand, playgrounds for children. With its 4.6 hectares, the jardim di Estrela has the style of English gardens where life is good. On summer weekends, this garden will also host a jazz festival.
The Basilica da Estrela is the first basilica in the world to be dedicated to the Sacred Heart. Commissioned by Queen Maria I of Portugal, it symbolizes the promise fulfilled for having given birth to a son, Joseph of Portugal, who unfortunately died in 1788 before the end of the construction of the basilica.
