Situated in Portugal, Lisbon is a historic and vibrant city and is a real bucket list destination. Like other great cities in the world, it manages to blend the historic with the new and draws travelers and tourists year in and year out.
With this in mind, let’s look at the fantastic places to see in Portugal’s capital city.
Seeing Lisbon
Lisbon is a coastal city and has good transport links. As such, with a little planning, you should be able to get around the city either by tram or bus. Many visitors opt to take a cruise which operates on the beautiful Tagus River to see the delights of the city.
Praça Do Comércio
A place to be experienced is the Praça do Comércio. The plaza was built in the 18th century as a statement of the country’s wealth and power. In the early days, sea captains and merchants would plan perilous voyages to Brazil, India, and South East Asia, returning to sell the goods for a tidy profit.
You can’t help but notice the grand statue of King Joseph I at the centre of the plaza. Head to the north, and you’ll notice the Arco da Aau Augusta an impressive arch that leads into central Lisbon. Equally impressive vistas are revealed from the top of the arch.
Visiting here today and it is easy to see the grandiosity of the past.
Ponte 25 De Abril
Linking Lisbon’s north bank with Alameda the massive suspension bridge is a true landmark. If you’re coming from the south, the bridge is where you enter the city. The bridge is for your vehicles only, and there is a toll when heading into Lisbon.
Like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, you can get some great views of it at strategic points in the city. Arguably it is best seen from the deck of a riverboat.
Museum Of Art, Architecture And Technology
If you want a break from stunning UNESCO historical landmarks then the place to head is the Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology. It is a fusion of industrial twentieth-century buildings with a newer building designed by Amanda Levete Architects’ studio.
Inside you’ll find a space that celebrates art, architecture, and technology hosting both national and international exhibitions.
Padrão Dos Descobrimentos
Standing 52m high on the banks of the Tejo Estuary is the Padrão dos Descobrimentos. Originally this monument to the Portuguese seafarers of the 15th and 16th centuries was built for the 1940 World Fair. Constructed from wood and plaster, it soon had to be dismantled.
In 1960 it was rebuilt with more weatherproof materials, and the result is a stunning bold monument that can be seen equally well by the river as it can be by foot.
Sanctuary Of Christ The King
Visible from any point in Lisbon, the statue is 28m high and stands on a base of 80m, and is inspired by Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.
Construction began in the 1930s after a Portuguese bishop visited Rio de Janeiro. Although funding was slow, to begin with, the coffers started to flow after the outbreak of the Second World War. It was completed in the 1950s.
Visiting is a pilgrimage, and you visit 14 stations before reaching this epic monument to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Portugal is a fantastic country and Lisbon is an amazing city. Make sure you visit as soon as you can.
