Time Off

Visitors to Lisbon often remark on the instant attractiveness of Portugal's first city. Built on the terraced sides of low, steep hills overlooking the harbour, the combination of wide, tree-lined avenues, large public gardens and handsome squares demonstrates a thoughtful desire to provide a relaxed and informal setting with an easygoing pace for business and pleasure. The narrow, crooked charm of the Alfama quarter survived the terrible earthquakes of the 18th century, so visitors can now step back in time and experience the cobbled lanes and flea markets of this traditional fishing community.

Elsewhere, trams judder up incredible gradients and shoeshiners, local crafts, magnificent churches and the beautiful old cafes in the Baixa blend comfortably with inspired modern development. The outstanding Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, Portugal's showpiece museum, boasts one of the finest collections of ancient world and European artefacts. It is also home to a significant collection of paintings, including works by Rubens, Rembrandt and Ghirlandaio's unmissable Portrait of a Young Woman.

Lisbon Attractions

Torre de Belém (Belém Tower)
Avenida de Brasília, Belém, 1400 Lisbon
Tel: +351 21 362 0034 | Fax: +351 21 363 9145

This pretty tower, which looks more like a miniature castle, is positioned close to the bank of the River Tagus. It was built in 1515 as both a monument to Portuguese maritime discoveries and to protect the mouth of the river.

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos
Praça do Império, Belém, 1400 Lisbon
Tel: +351 21 362 0034 | Fax: +351 21 363 9145

Construction was started on this magnificent monastery by King Dom Manuel I in 1502. It was built to signify Portuguese importance as a world power at the time and more specifically to celebrate Vasco da Gama's discovery of a sea route to India and the Spice Islands.

Alfama
1000 Lisbon

This is the old town of Lisbon, which is still beautifully picturesque with narrow, winding streets and old, overhanging buildings.

Castelo de São Jorge (St George's Castle)
Largo do Chão da Feira, 1100 Lisbon
Tel: +351 21 887 7244

This majestic castle housed the kings and queens of Portugal until the 16th century. The well-preserved outer walls were built by the Moors. From the mighty ramparts of this once powerful fortress there is a spectacular view of Lisbon.

Museu Nacional dos Coches (National Coach Museum)
Praça de Afonso de Albuquerque, 1300 Lisbon
Tel: +351 21 361 0850 | Fax: +351 21 363 2503

One of the most popular attractions in Lisbon and perhaps the finest example of this type of museum anywhere in the world. Consisting of a large display of opulent coaches built for the aristocracy, dating mainly from the 17th to the 19th century.

Museu Calouste Gulbenkian
Avenida de Berna 45, 1395 Lisbon
Tel: +351 21 782 3461 | Fax: +351 21 782 3032

The building in which this excellent art collection is housed beautifully complements the wonderful assortment of work by a broad selection of artists.

Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon Cathedral)
Largo da Sé, Alfama, 1100 Lisbon
Tel: +351 21 886 6752

The cathedral was originally founded by Portugal's first king, Dom Afonso Henriques (1109-1185), in 1150 to commemorate the defeat of the Moors and is a mix of Gothic and Romanesque architectural styles.

Praça do Comércio (Terreiro do Paco)
1000 Lisbon

This used to be the site of the royal palace until it was demolished by the disastrous earthquake of 1755. It is now Lisbon's largest open space, with government buildings built around the perimeter.