Unique Things To See In Lisbon

An Overview of Lisbon

Lisbon is the wonderfully vibrant capital of Portugal. Home to over twenty centuries of history, Lisbon showcases unique historical districts, ancient ruins, opulent palaces alongside cultural landmarks, modern designs and a legendary nightlife. Due to it’s excellent trading location, Lisbon has remained an influencer on European and global history since Phoenician settlers founded a community here around 1,200 BCE. Thanks to it’s robust culture, colorful buildings, fado music and engaging locals, there are many unique things to see in Lisbon.

Unique Things To See In Lisbon

Carmo Convent Ruins

These ruins are a reminder of one of the largest and most devastating earthquakes in history. The skeletal ruins are all that remains of Lisbon’s Carmo Convent.  The magnitude 9.0 earthquake in 1755 killed thousands of people, collapsed buildings, spawned fires and birthed tsunamis.  The subsequent period of frenzied soul-searching gave birth to incredible art, including Voltaire’s “Poem on the Disaster in Lisbon.”

Livraria Bertrand

This beautiful, small building contains the world’s oldest operational bookshop, opened in 1732.

Pavilhao Chines

This is a strange bar with five packed rooms crammed with vintage collectibles and oddities, including helmets, military uniforms, old paintings, dolls, models, chandeliers and action figures.  

Belem Tower

Officially known as the Tower of Saint Vincent, this 16th century fortification is located at a major historic embarkation point.  The tower, originally a fort to protect against raids along the Tagus River, stands as a many-times-restored memorial regarding the Portuguese influence on the Age of Exploration.  A stone-headed Rhino is part of the structure, commemorating the odd and sad fate of a beast shipped to the court of King Manuel the First. The structure is one of the most famous and unique things to see in Lisbon.

Seashell Gallery

Located in the Monastery of Sao Vicente, this is a huge gallery with imposing rows of artistically placed shells.  The monastery also operates as a cultural and spiritual mecca for the Alfama neighborhood.

Church of Santa Engracia

This is a famous church and overlook of the city. The Church of Santa Engracia has a shaky history of curses, setbacks, financial issues and ruin.  The church was eventually completed despite numerous issues and now houses the bones of famous presidents, football players and historically prominent figures of Portugal.  

Museu Nacional dos Coches

The National Coach Museum is the largest and most magnificent collection of royal coaches and carriages around the world.  The display is housed in an opulent Neoclassical building with many works of art, including the famous scene showing Lisbon being crowned by Fame and Abundance. 

Electricity Museum

Located right next to Lisbon’s Belem Tower is a strange Electricity Museum which once powered the entire city through coal burning.  The heavy-metal plant made of industrial architecture was converted into a polished museum space with many interesting exhibitions.  

Bordallo Pinheiro Garden

This is a small garden space located inside the Museum of the City of Lisbon. It has several giant, slightly-scary porcelain animals and figures clustered around various tiny fountains.  

Caza das Vellas Loreto

This venue is a fantastic hidden gem of Lisbon. The amazing candle shop has been a viable business since 1789. Many of the original store aspects remain alongside other unique features and old display cases.  The store has been owned and operated within the same family for seven generations.

Chapitô à Mesa

This is an impressive restaurant located near Castelo de São Jorge.  Chapito is a large non-profit cultural organization which supports art classes, circus schools, traditional dances and cultural performances.  These performances are often available by reservation at the restaurant.

Terreiro do Paco – Praça do Comércio

This is the large central area of Lisbon with 18th century structures. The Terreiro do Paco is where the old Royal Palace used to be.  Commerce Square is an extremely popular shopping area, especially at night. The cultural heritage space and shopping district is one of the most unique things to see in Lisbon.

Cabo da Roca

Located about an hour outside of the city, this is the European continent’s westernmost point.  The rocky cliffs follow a four hour hike where all land ends and the sea begins.  Other attractions here include the wild Ursa Beach and some of the best sunsets in the world.

Queluz National Palace

This is a surprisingly empty and gorgeous hall of sheer royal opulence built as a residence for Queen D. Maria and her husband Dom Pedro III.  It is full of ornate golden ballrooms and quiet historical gardens.

Tapada das Necessidades

This is a great little gem hiding in plain sight.  This small, wonderful park area was a favored retreat for King Dom Joao V.  Today, the park feels quiet and abandoned, but it still hosts one of the oldest greenhouses for cacti in all of Europe.  

Estufa Fria Greenhouse

This is a large, semi-open botanical greenhouse hidden at the base of a hilltop in Eduardo VII park.  It is one of the nicest green spaces in the city with waterfalls, caucus gardens and tunnels.  

Anjos70

Anjos70 is an underground basement association which operates as a jam session studio and slightly hidden record store.  It’s a great venue for experiencing Lisbon nightlife.

Jardim Botânico d’Ajuda

This is another stunning botanical garden of Lisbon, built by Marques de Pombal in 1769.  It’s crammed with trees and plants from all of Portugal’s former colonies.  

Lojas Com Historia

While this isn’t a specific location, the Lojas Com Historia is a series of semi-protected historical shops which sell buttons, gloves, chocolates and other old-school goods.  The shops are mostly located in the Baixa area, but the Lojas Com Historia website lists them all.

Palacio Chiado

Possibly the most opulent place is Lisbon, this dining area hosts huge murals, incredible interiors and huge golden-winged lions on the ceiling.  The extravagance is publicly accessible since there’s a very affordable food court and champagne bar within, available to anyone who saunters inside. 

(Day Trip) Sintra

This is a real-life fantasy land has amazing castles in mountainous terrain.  Palacio Nacional de Sintra, Monserrate Palace, Castle of the Moors, Quinta da Regaleira and Convent of the Capuchos are all absolutely stunning places to visit.  However, the true gem is the brightly colored Pena Palace Hilltop Castle which is surrounded by 200 hectares of plant life, forests and vistas.  

(Day Trip) Cascais

This is an impressive resort town made atop a thriving, operating fishing village complete with ornate mansions, large museums, amazing beaches and protected, rocky shoals.  

Museu de Marinha

One of Portugal’s greatest claims to fame is spawned from their influence during the Age of Exploration and Navigation.  This museum showcases Portugal’s marine history, including a brilliant showcase of Vasco de Gama’s adventures.  It is located inside the Monastery of Geronimo.  

(Day Trip) Obidos

Obidos is a quaint, beautiful and charming medieval town with wash-white houses and bright red roofs.  It’s one of the most popular sites to visit outside of Lisbon, in part due to the expansive castle walls overlooking the entire city.

(Day Trip) City of Tomar Templar Knights Region

The City of Tomar (Thomar in English), which straddles the banks of the Nabao River, once housed the most famous and influential order of knighthood in all of Europe. The small town is extremely scenic, historically potent and complete with an imposing castle overlook.

(Day Trip) – Berlenga Islands

Considered one of Portugal’s best kept secrets, these islands are jutting red rocks in unique cave formations surrounded by perfectly turquoise water.  The location is listed as a UNESCO Biosphere reserve with lots of areas to snorkel or walk amongst cliffs.

The Nazaré Waves

Located at the shores of Nazaré, this location displays the largest waves on the planet.  The towering crashes of immense water and force billow upwards in a display of natural energy beyond nearly anything else found on the mainland.  Only the greatest and most daring surfers of the planet risk drawing near, while the majority of the beach is protected by immense sea walls for safe viewing.  

LX Factory

This venue offers a strange change of scenery outside of Lisbon’s historic district. This location hosts electronic-music festivals, numerous bars and strange shopping centers with quirky goods.

Castelo de Saint Jorge

This is an impressive landmark dating all the way back to the first century BCE. These castle walls, towers and history are exceptional points to overlook the panorama of Lisbon.

Marvila

Marvila serves as Lisbon’s art and mural district. The neighborhood is a gentrified portion of the city with large local communities proudly creating many pieces of modern artwork.  It’s an excellent area to walk around.

Parque de Nações

This is a recently redeveloped park area crafted for the Expo 98 with interactive miniature water fountains and a nearby, expansive aquarium. It’s a pleasant place to walk around with attractive pavilions, views of the Tagus river and landmarks.

Read more about unique things to see in Lisbon and exploring the world by visiting Leftfade Trails Blog.