SIGHTS TO SEE:
Instead of paying for a trip in one of the tourist trams, try line 28. It takes you by many of Lisbon's most famous sites, and although it is overrun with tourists, you still get a flavor of the locals.
- The Gulbenkian Museum - Avenida de Berna, 45A. Avenida de Berna, 45A. Created from the personal collection of Calouste Gulbenkian, an Armenian who longed to see all his treasures displayed in a museum. A nice assortment of Egyptian artifacts, along with paintings by masters such as Rembrandt, Manet, Monet, Renoir, and Cassat. The museum's gardens are worth a visit in and of themselves, as a little oasis in the middle of downtown Lisbon. Entry to the museum is free for students with ID.
- St. Jorge's Castle - Located up the hill, with a great view over the city and the river. If you have the energy, get there by walking from downtown, going through the fantastic old neighborhood of Alfama. Entry fee 5 euros.
- Santa Justa's Elevator - Located downtown, this elevator was designed by a follower of French engineer Gustav Eiffel and connects the downtown to the Trindade, located several meters uphill. 7 Colinas valid.
- Praça do Comércio - This magnificent plaza, facing the river, is the beginning of Lisboa's downtown. It is also known as 'Terreiro do Paço', meaning 'Garden of the Palace', relating to its function before the Great Earthquake of 1755.
- Belém - This monument-packed neighbourhood features the likes of Belem Tower (entry fee 3 euros)(Torre de Belém), the Jerónimos Monastery, Padrão dos Descobrimentos (entry fee 2,5 euros) and the modern Belém Cultural Center. A stroll around its many gardens enjoying the river's bright blue is also a must. In front of the former Royal Palace of Belém, now the Presidential Palace, there is a massive statue looking out to sea, representing Afonso de Albuquerque, first Viceroy of Portuguese India at the early 16th century. Housed in the former ridding school of the palace, don't miss the world's largest collection of coaches and royal vehicles at the Coach Museum (Museu dos Coches). Take tram 15 to the west, which follows the coast line.
- Chiado - Take a stroll along the historical streets of this elegant shopping district, stopping for a cup of coffee with the statue of Fernando Pessoa, Portugal's great Modernist poet. Head uphill to Bairro Alto, for stunning views of the city and some wild partying in Lisbon's most popular nightclub district.
- Downtown (Baixa) - This part of the city was completely rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake by the Marquis de Pombal. The planned layout, greatly different from what you will see in the more ancient neighborhoods, is a testimony to the ideas of the Enlightenment.
- Ponte 25 de Abril - This sister bridge of the Golden Gate in San Francisco was designed by the same architect in 1966 to connect Lisbon with the Setubal peninsula across the Tagus (Tejo) River. Formerly known as the Salazar Bridge, it was renamed after the Carnation Revolution, which on April 25, 1974 ended the dictatorship.
- Cristo Rei - Similar to the Christ statue in Rio de Janeiro, this statue stands over 100 meters tall on the opposite bank of the Tejo River from downtown Lisbon. Views from the top of the statue are breathtaking, although the elevator up will cost you 3 euros.
- Jardim Zoológico - A zoo that is fairly pricey (€14.50), but with a variety of exotic animals.
- Parque das Nações - Built for the 1998 World Expo, the eastern side of town (take the Metro to Oriente) is a change from downtown and has one of the world's largest aquariums (10.50 euro admission fee), among other sights.
- Lisbon metro - Most of the metro system is a free art gallery. You'll find art by contemporary artists inspired by the stations' surrounding area. Check the subway webpage for more details on this curiosity. The red line is the newest one and has the best pieces of art.
- Fundação Arpad Szenes / Vieira da Silva
- Alfama. This neighbourhood is a sign of the Muslim presence in the city, with the buildings very close to each other, and very irregular streets. It's very atmospheric.
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