Top 5 Attractions in Lisbon: Places to Visit for the Best Experience

Lisbon: The City of Contrasts and Historical Wonders

Lisbon is a unique city with a breathtaking atmosphere and charm, making it one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in Europe with an eventful history. The city's streets are full of sightseeings that reflect its cultural identity.

The charm of the winding alleys, the romantic Fado music, and the diverse sights create the unique image of Lisbon tours. Churches and palaces, house facades, richly decorated with colorful ceramics are reminiscent of the time of the Portuguese kings.

The Castle of St. George

St. George's castle traces its history back to the turn of the old and new eras, keeping all the memories in its unique architecture. In 1147, the Crusaders led by Afonso Henriques conquered the castle, driving out the Moors, and laying the foundation for the Portuguese state. The fortress was a royal residence until the 16th century.

The castle has a great location that is easily accessible for all tourists interested in walking tours in Lisbon, Portugal. The fortress is clearly visible from almost everywhere in the city. The battlements of its powerful walls stand out clearly against the blue Portuguese sky, and the foundation seems to have merged with the high hill above the Tagus River.

Right at the entrance to the castle, you can see the massiveness and, at the same time, laconic symmetry of its structure with unique architectural elements: a circular moat with an arched bridge, two levels of ramparts with a gallery, watchtowers, and a barbican. Basically, it's a huge outer fortress bastion that has been well-preserved to this day.

Baisha

The lower town was completely destroyed by a powerful earthquake in Portugal in 1755. The Portuguese didn't give up and rebuilt the streets of the Baisha under the leadership of the Marquis de Pombal. If you're planning an unforgettable adventure, choose day trips from Lisbon, including visiting the city's liveliest and most memorable district!

What's interesting in this area? Look out for one in particular:

• Figueiró and Rossio squares;
• Arc de Triomphe;
• Monuments to Portuguese kings and museums.

The atmosphere of Baisha has a special influence and puts everyone in a philosophical mood. Anyone who has taken a walk through the lower town with Lisbon local tours here soon understands the simple truth that no matter what happens in life, it can still be fixed. Often new experiences make significant changes, and the world can become even more amazing than it already was!

Elevador de Santa Justa

The elevator is easily accessible as it's located in the heart of the city and connects the Baisha with the Chiado. On one-day visits, the tourists travel to the lowest point of the elevator, which is located directly on the street of the same name, and look down from the top onto the Largo do Carmo square, where the Carmo church and the Archaeological Museum are located.

The tower is 45 meters high and the elevator goes up 30 meters to the first viewing platform, from where a bridge connects the elevator to the square.

Entry to the site is free from Largo do Carmo. The view from there is almost as breathtaking as from the top. Don't miss the opportunity to join the day trips from Lisbon to enjoy it! Up to 20 people can be transported in one trip. The interior of the elevator cabins has been preserved almost in its original form, the materials are wood, brass, and mirror inserts.

A spiral staircase (costs 1.5 euros) leads to the upper viewing platform. The panoramic views of Lisbon deserve special attention and time, so spending some time on them is highly recommended!

Carmelite Monastery

The monastery is currently just a ruin but still beautifully built, located on the picturesque plain of Lisbon.

It was built in 1389 in the Gothic style by the Portuguese national hero Nuno Alvares Pereira. Unfortunately, a strong earthquake in 1755 and then fire destroyed a large part of the building so that we can see only part of its beauty.

The restoration of the monastery started at the end of the 18th century and lasted till the middle of the 19th century. Later, it was decided not to continue with the reconstruction due to financial reasons, and the monastery was left as it was. Later, the General Directorate of the Portuguese National Guard was located in the residential part of the monastery.

Today, the crumbling walls of the monastery remind us of the terrible natural disaster that occurred here more than two centuries ago.

Commerce Plaza

One of the main attractions, it is shaped like a square and occupies an impressive area. Amazing arcades and beautiful buildings, a staircase leading to the picturesque river - these are the structures that surround the square, making your Lisbon trips as unique as possible. The Palace Square is the second name of the trading square. This name is connected with a historical fact: there used to be a royal palace on this site, damaged during the earthquake.

On the square, tourists can enjoy the view of numerous monuments, old towers, and the Arc de Triomphe opposite.

To sum up

The list of Lisbon sights for day trips perfectly reflects the spirit of the capital, and you can fall in love at first sight and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of life. Be sure to consider the list if you want to visit all the iconic places of the capital and get a general impression of the city. Therefore, the selection of the main sights for the Lisbon city walking tour that is definitely worth a visit can be completed by choosing exactly the options that interest you.