Top places to visit

The great thing about Lisbon is that it’s full of the little things that can delight a child: the bumpy rides on the yellow trams to acting out dungeons and dragons at Castelo de Sao Jorge. In fact Lisbon is one of the most family-friendly cities around with free or half-priced tickets, small portions at restaurants and free transport for children under five. The best place to start their adventure is Parque das Naples where they can run around; nearby is Oceanario (

Found in boho Santa Catarina, this viewpoint boasts views from the river to the Ponte 25 de Abril and Christo Rei not to mention student buskers, hippies and loved-up couples. If you are coming from Cais do Sodre, take the 19th century Elevador do Bica funicular up the Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo to get to the top. Noobai Cafe is located there where it is lovely to sit back and watch the view, especially at night.

If Padrao dos Descobrimentos is the monument to Portugal’s Age of Discovery then Torre de Belem symbolises the essence of it. Almost like a stand-alone chess piece, the tower was built to be a defence point along Lisbon’s harbour with Manueline designed filigree stonework and even a stone rhinoceros below the western tower. You can explore the small dungeons and climb the narrow, rickety staircase to the tower which offers beautiful views of Belem and the river.

You would swear this bridge is almost a dead ringer for San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge – in fact it was constructed by the same company in 1966 and is almost as long, stretching at 2.27km. Concerning the unusual name, the bridge was called Salazar after the dictator until the 1974 Revolution of Carnations when a demonstrator separated the ‘Salazar’ and wrote ‘’25 de Abril’ – the new name was adopted almost as quickly as the dictatorship dissolved later on.

Built to herald the success of Vasco da Gama’s discovery of a sea route to India in 1498, this monastery is a beautiful structure, definitely wrought for ‘the glory of God’. This place was first occupied by monks under the Order of St Jerome; on dissolving in 1833, the building was used as a school and orphanage until 1940. Once you enter the church, after marvelling at the intricate stonework, you’ll find Vasco da Gama’s tomb in the lower chancel towards the left, celebrated poet Luis Vaz de Camoes is interred on the opposite. The view of the church from the upper choir is outstanding and the rows of seats are decorated with the first Renaissance woodcarvings ever found in Portugal. The Manueline cloisters are an eyeful of elaborate craftsmanship while you can also see the cross of the Military order and gargoyles in the upper balustrade.

This amazing monument was officially inaugurated in 1960, marking 500 years after the death of Henry the Navigator’s death. Standing at 52m high and carved out of limestone, this statue pays tribute to all the famous people within Portugal’s Age of Discovery: Henry stands at the prow followed by Vasco da Gama, Diogo Cao and over thirty over great explorers. The mosaic in front of the monument is a chart of all the routes the explorers took. To get to the top you can take a lift or, if you’re feeling fit, climb the 267 steps to get 360 degree views of the river.

Almost a temple, with its columns and statues symbolising justice and fortitude, this is where Portuguese parliament convene. While you can’t go in, it’s worth just to see the outside decor.

This magical museum is housed in the 17th century Convento das Bernadas and showcase all sorts of puppets the world over. There are familiar favourites like Punch and Petrushka but there are also Vietnamese water puppets, Sicilian opera marionettes and Burmese shadow puppets. The museum also offers workshops where children can try their hand at puppetry.

Completed in 1790 by Dona Maria I (her tomb is here) in gratitude for the male heir, this neoclassical church is a beautiful mix of pink and black marble. Opposite is the Jardim da Estrela (7am-midnight) which is a great garden to relax in, along with a playground for the children.

Looking at this neo-Gothic elevator you would swear you’ve seen something like it before – that’s because it was designed by Rual Mesnier, the apprentice of Gustave Eiffel. The only vertical street lift in the city, get in early to beat the crowds and go to the top to experience all-encompassing views of the city.

A beautiful building that houses cut pillars, scruffy walls and eerie sculptures; the Star of David out the front is a tribute to this spot where an anti-Semitic massacre occurred in 1506. A popular hang-out for Lisbon’s African community, locals gather at dusk to pass round liquor at A Ginjinha.

A network of tunnels underneath the Banco Comercial Portuguesa, they are believed to be the remnants of a Roman spa circa 1st century AD. Guided tours are offered by the Museu da Cidade; phone ahead of your intended visit to book.

A square right on Lisbon’s riverfront, this place seems to out-do any place you’ve ever been to in terms of grandeur. High 18th century cloisters, meringue coloured facades and, of course, mosaic cobblestones, this place used to be the first point of disembarkation for the boats while now it retains its bustling history by being the gateway for trams and people going places. The statue of Dom Jose I sits primly in the centre, alluding to the square’s royal history; it is the original site of Palacio da Ribeira, before the earthquake. In fact the square has been the spot for much of Lisbon’s history; 1908 saw the fall of the monarchy with anarchists assassinating Dom Carlos I and his son. There is also the Arco da Victoria which pays homage to many notable Lisboetas such as Vasco da Gama.

Northwest of Praca do Comercio, this square alludes to Lisbon’s marine history as its former arsenal stock hold. The neoclassical Pacos do Concelho (City Hall) is also a prominent site here; the republic of Portugal was proclaimed here in 1910. If you look to Rua do Arsenal you’ll find grocers selling cheap wines and bacalhau (dried salt-cod).

Rossio is the local nickname for Praca Pedro IV and with all the hustle and bustle of office workers, peddlers and tourists; it operates almost like a mini-district on its own. It certainly looks the part: cobblestone streets, fountains and perched high on a marble platform is Dom Pedro IV (first emperor of Brazil). Rossio train station, with its filigree horse-shoe shaped arches is standout, along with Teatro Nacional de Mona Maria II which harbours a dark past as the site of the Portuguese Inquisition. If you look further you’ll find Praca da Figueira which has lots of al-fresco cafes for you to sit and sip a bica as you admire the castle on the hillside.

All but destroyed completely by the earthquake, its crushed pillars and fragile arches, exposed to the weather, are all that remain of this place. The Museu Arqueologico nearby houses objects such as 14th century carved tombs, Palaeolithic flint stones and even a trio of mummies: one Egyptian and two quite freaky Peruvian ones.

This gallery has a permanent art collection of 19th-20th century pieces from Rodin, Jorge Vieira and Jose de Almada Negreiros. Check the website for upcoming exhibitions.

It’s not called House of Points for nothing; some 1125 pyramid shaped stones punctuate the sky. The former 16th century home of the viceroy to India, it now houses a private organisation but if the lobby is open pop in to see remnants of the old Moorish city wall.

Towering over Lisbon, this castle has seen much of history: Moors in the 9th century, Christians in the 12th century, royals ranging from 14th to the 16th century and convicts from every century. If you walk inside the Ulysses Tower you’ll find a camera obscura which offers a unique view of the city. Near the castle entrance is Olisiponia (9am-5:30pm Nov-Feb, 9am-8pm Mar-Oct) which offers a multilingual exhibition about Lisbon’s history.

The music of fado is at the heart of Alfama’s history and this museum traces its history from the working class to its international exposure. There is even a re-created guitar workshop and you can

If you must see only one museum in Lisbon make it this one. Housed in a 16th century convent, this place pays homage to one of Portugal’s most famous exports the azulejo (tile). The exhibits cover everything, from the azulejo’s beginnings in the Ottoman empire to the present. Star attractions include a 36m panel depicting a pre-earthquake Lisbon and a gold-bedecked baroque chapel. The cafe also gets into the azulejo spirit by serving food inspired azulejos.

While intended to be a church, this structure now pays homage to the heroes and heroines of Portugal including explorer Vasco da Gama and fadista Amalia Rodrigues. While the outside of the structure is porcelain white, the dome within, being all pink marble and gold lining, resembles a Faberge egg. Like most of Lisbon’s attractions, this one also boasts a brilliant view of the river.

Built on the site on a mosque in 1150 by the Crusaders, this place is one of the biggest icons in Lisbon. While the medieval outside may look imposing, the inside is very Romanesque with a beautiful rose tinted window. There is a treasury that houses religious jewels and apparently the burial place of Lisbon’s patron saint, St Vincent. The Gothic cloister has items from archaeological excavations which include 6th century stonework and the original Islamic foundations. Entry to both treasury and cloister costs €2.50.