Lisbon
Discover Lisbon
Belém was the place chosen for the Famous Crows, right next to the famous Pastéis de Belém. It is an important cultural area, with monuments such as Jerónimo’s Monastery, National Coach Museum, Belém National Palace, CCB, Planetario Calouste Gulbenkian, Maritime Museum, Berardo Museum, National Museum of Archaeology, Império Square Garden, Tropical Botanic Garden, Discoveries Monument, Belém Tower, Electricity Museum, Popular Art Museum, Ajuda Royal Botanic Garden, Ajuda Palace and Tagus river where you can see the 25th April Bridge and on the other side the Monument of Christ King.
Near the 25th April Bridge, on the other side of the river, you can admire the Lisbon Aqueduct which is an amazing piece of engineering that survived the earthquake in 1755.
Places close to the Famous Crows that you can walk to
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Belém Tower, Lisbon
Built on the northern bank of the Tagus between 1514 and 1520 as part of the Tagus estuary defence system, the Tower of Belém is one of the architectural jewels of the reign of Manuel I.
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Jerónimos Monastery, Lisbon
The Monastery is a cultural reference point that has attracted artists, chroniclers and travellers in the course of its five centuries of existence. It received, and became a burial place, for kings, and later poets. Today it is admired by one and all, not only as a remarkable piece of architecture but also as integral part of Portuguese culture and identity.
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Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra
Located in the Old Quarter of Sintra and classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, the Quinta da Regaleira is one of these special places. Built at the turn of the 20th century in the romantic ideal, this fascinating ensemble of constructions which have been built in the middle of the dense forest is the result of the achieving of the mythical magical dreams of its owner.
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Cascais Bay, Cascais
In Cascais, the bay is the main attraction. It is worthwhile walking around the pathways that surrounds the bay. You may wish to go to the fortress, to The Museum of the Sea and on to the fascinating Museum of Conde Castro Guimarães, with its small private beach.
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Pena Palace
The first center of romantic architecture in Europe is found right outside Lisbon. Sintra is a magically green town dotted with fantasy palaces and an exquisite, exotic feel that’s been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
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St. Justa Lift
The Santa Justa Lift is a remarkable masterpiece designed by an apprentice of Gustave Eiffel and makes the connection between downtown and Bairro Alto.
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Berardo Museum
The Berardo Museum has one of the world’s most acclaimed modern art collections, with works by Warhol, Picasso, Dali, Duchamp, Magritte, Miró, Bacon, Jackson Pollock, Jeff Koons, among others representing dozens of modern movements. It’s inside of Belem Cultural Center.
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MAAT Museum
The MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology is a new cultural proposal for the city of Lisbon. A museum that combines these three fields in a space for debate, discovery, critical thinking and international dialogue. An innovative project that brings together a new building, designed by the architect Amanda Levete, and the Tejo Power Station, an example of Portuguese industrial architecture from the first half of the 20th century, and one of the most visited museums in the country.
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St. Amaro Docks
Santo Amaro Docks is an international bars and restaurants by the river. The dock area below 25 de Abril Bridge along the river in Alcantara between Baixa and Belem is one of the city’s most pleasant places for a drink in late afternoon and with a lively atmosphere at night.
Former warehouses overlooking an attractive yachting marina have been transformed into a multitude of cosmopolitan bars, restaurants, and clubs for all tastes.
Former warehouses overlooking an attractive yachting marina have been transformed into a multitude of cosmopolitan bars, restaurants, and clubs for all tastes.
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National Tile Museum
Despite its out-of-the-way location, this delightful museum is well worth a visit, presenting 5 centuries of decorative ceramic tiles, tracing the history and production of the art form.
Its collection is the only of its kind in the world and contains a splendid array of tiles from as early as the 15th century along with displays on how they’re made.
It’s housed in the monastic buildings of Madre de Deus Convent which after renovation following the Earthquake had its interior turned into one of the most magnificent in the city. The splendor and opulence of the chapel dedicated to St. Anthony and the chapter house is particularly impressive. Noteworthy amid the rich decoration are panels in the ceiling with gilt frames set with paintings. The highlight of the museum is a blue and white composition of 1300 tiles of Lisbon’s cityscape made in 1738.
Its collection is the only of its kind in the world and contains a splendid array of tiles from as early as the 15th century along with displays on how they’re made.
It’s housed in the monastic buildings of Madre de Deus Convent which after renovation following the Earthquake had its interior turned into one of the most magnificent in the city. The splendor and opulence of the chapel dedicated to St. Anthony and the chapter house is particularly impressive. Noteworthy amid the rich decoration are panels in the ceiling with gilt frames set with paintings. The highlight of the museum is a blue and white composition of 1300 tiles of Lisbon’s cityscape made in 1738.
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Christ The King and 25th April Bridge
Built in 1959 in thanks to God for having spared Portugal during WWII, this enormous monument to Christ was inspired by the famous statue in Rio de Janeiro. The 28m (90ft) figure of Christ opens its arms to Lisbon, and there is a sweeping view of the city and 25th of Abril Bridge. To reach it take the commuter ferry from Cais do Sodre Station across the river to Cacilhas, from where there are buses (number 101) outside the station that stop right by the monument.
The inexpensive ferry crossing is an experience in itself, as it is a great way to admire Lisbon’s setting and skyline.
The inexpensive ferry crossing is an experience in itself, as it is a great way to admire Lisbon’s setting and skyline.
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Edward VII Park
The Edward VII park is the largest park in central Lisbon. The big attractions within the park are the two estufas, the hothouse (with the more exotic plants) and the greenhouse (“Estufa Fria”) filled with tropical plants, ponds, and endless varieties of palms and cacti and on the opposite, sits an ornately tiled sports pavilliona historic pavilion.
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Lisbon Cathedral
Lisbon’s ancient cathedral (Sé de Lisboa) was built by Portugal’s first king on the site of an old mosque in 1150 for the city’s first bishop, the English crusader Gilbert of Hastings.
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Bairro Alto
Bairro Alto is a place that truly changes from night to day. In daylight this bohemian district is a sleepy place, hungover from the previous night, with not much going on except for the trendy shops down Rua do Norte. When the sun sets a new life begins, with restaurants opening their doors and crowds showing up to spend their bar-hopping night.
The bars are small, forcing everyone to spill out onto the streets and creating a street party atmosphere. Spending a night at a Fado restaurant it’s an essential experience. There are many in Bairro Alto, but the most authentic are found in Alfama.
The bars are small, forcing everyone to spill out onto the streets and creating a street party atmosphere. Spending a night at a Fado restaurant it’s an essential experience. There are many in Bairro Alto, but the most authentic are found in Alfama.