What is Lisbon all about?
The Portuguese capital is the perfect city for a holiday – there is no shortage of sunshine, great weather, delicious food and rich history. Lisbon is older than Paris, London and Rome – only Athens can match its age. According to legend, the city was founded by Odysseus himself during his sea voyages. Today’s Lisbon is a place full of attractions, enchanting narrow streets, fado music flowing from cafés and unique atmosphere. If you are dreaming about visiting Lisbon, check out our tours and take an unforgettable walk with a local guide!
Lisbon – what’s worth seeing during your trip?
There are some places in Lisbon that are simply a must-see. These certainly include the Praça do Comércio, or Commercial Square, where the Ribeira Palace, the former main residence of the kings of Portugal, was once located. The palace was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake and a decision was made not to rebuild it. In memory of this building, locals still refer to the Plaza de Commerce as the Palace Square (Terreiro do Paço).
Lisbon is also home to the famous Sé Cathedral, known as the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary. The building dates back to 1150 and was built in the Romanesque style. The site was formerly occupied by a Moorish mosque and the Cathedral was built here after the Reconquista period. Also noteworthy is the church de São Domingos from the 13th century, built in the Gothic style and rebuilt several times due to damage caused by fires and earthquakes.
While in town, be sure to also visit the Castle of Saint George, which the Moors built as a fortress in the 12th century. The castle is located in one of the oldest parts of the city, and from the castle hill you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of Lisbon. One of the prettiest buildings in all of Lisbon is the 19th-century City Hall, which is located in the Municipal Square (Praca do Municipio). The square is covered with calcada portuguesa paving stones, laid in eye-catching patterns.
Lisbon’s very popular neighborhoods also include Belém, Alfama and Mouraria. Belém is home to, among others, the Hieronymite Monastery, which is a showcase of the Manueline style, an exquisite and extremely rich combination of Gothic and Renaissance, specific to Portugal. The building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also worth noting is the Torre de Belém, a military structure dating from 1520 and one of the most distinctive buildings in all of Portugal.
Alfama and i Mouraria are places that survived the great earthquake of 1755, when visiting them you can feel the atmosphere of the old Lisbon, once inhabited by people of different walks of life and religions.
Free walking tour – Lisbon with an experienced guide
If you are visiting Lisbon make sure you join our free walking tour! Free tour of Lisbon guarantees an unforgettable experience, a dose of historical knowledge, anecdotes and curiosities. A free walking tour in Lisbon works on your terms entirely, as you are the one to decide how to value the work and commitment of our guide. Our free walking tours are a perfect offer for individual tourists, small groups of friends, couples and families. Come with us for an unforgettable walk! And remember that together with Walkative guides you can also visit other European capitals such as Bucharest, Brussels, Madrid, Prague or Berlin.