69 Best Sights in Lisbon, Portugal

Built in 1802 as a royal residence, the last regal occupant (Queen Maria) died here in 1911. Today, the ornate neoclassical building functions as a museum. Visitors can take a peek at how Portuguese monarchs lived, as well as admire 18th- and 19th-century paintings, furniture, and tapestries. It is also used for official ceremonies and functions by the Presidency of the Republic, and one wing houses the government's culture department. It's a 20-minute walk up Calçada da Ajuda from the Museu Nacional dos Coches.

The newly modernized Navy Planetarium is an immersive space presenting astronomical films with various themes several times per week. Headphones can be used to translate the presentations into English, and there are special sessions for kids. Check the website for a full schedule, as it's updated regularly.

Lisbon's first suspension bridge across the Tagus River, linking the Alcântara and Almada districts, is a double-decker that stands 230 feet above the water and stretches almost 2½ km (1½ miles). Reminiscent of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, it's somewhat smaller, but still a spectacular sight from any direction. Cars and buses cross the river on the top tier, while trains make the crossing on the lower level, offering some great views. Overlooking the bridge from a hill on the south bank is the Cristo Rei (Christ the King) statue, which is smaller and stiffer than Rio de Janeiro's more famous Redeemer.

Adjacent to Rossio Train Station, this square marks the beginning of modern Lisbon. Here the broad, tree-lined Avenida da Liberdade starts its northwesterly ascent. Restauradores means "restorers," and the square commemorates the 1640 uprising against Spanish rule that restored Portuguese independence. An 1886 obelisk commemorates the event. Note the elegant, pink-hued 18th-century Foz Palace on the square's west side. Before World War I, it was a casino; today it houses a tourist office, a sports museum, and a shop selling reproductions from the country's state museums. The only building to rival the palace is the restored Éden building, just to the south. This art deco masterpiece of Portuguese architect Cassiano Branco now contains a hotel. You'll also see the Elevador da Glória, the funicular that travels up to Bairro Alto and its famous viewpoint.

Dominating the center of Marquês de Pombal Square is a statue of the marquis himself, the man responsible for the design of the "new" Lisbon that emerged from the ruins of the 1755 earthquake. On the statue's base are representations of both the earthquake and the tidal wave that engulfed the city; a female figure with outstretched arms signifies the joy at the emergence of the refashioned city. The square is effectively a large roundabout and a useful orientation point, since it stands at the northern end of Avenida da Liberdade.

The Mãe d'Agua—literally "Mother of the Water"—is a centuries-old reservoir that's an impressive feat of engineering from Hungarian architect Carlos Mardel, who designed the enormous Aguas Livres Aqueduct. Art lovers are in for a treat too: the ultra-modern Immersivus gallery (open Thursday to Sunday) transforms the walls of the reservoir into a giant canvas, with famous works by artists like Monet, Klimt, and Kahlo projected onto walls and water.

Together with nearby LX Factory, Village Underground is a colorful symbol of Lisbon's rebirth as Europe's Capital of Cool. Beneath the river-spanning 25 de Abril Bridge, shipping containers and double-decker buses have been transformed into spaces for eating, drinking, co-working, and partying. DJ sets, vibrant murals, funky family events, and the chance to eat and drink in a converted bus atop a shipping container make it one of Lisbon's hottest hangouts for scenesters and the Instagram brigade.

On the west side of the square is an impressive showroom for more than 1,000 Portuguese wines representing the country's many wine-producing regions. Tastings can be adapted to suit personal preferences, and there are regular themed events such as port wine tasting sessions.