Top 10 Must-See Places in Lisbon – Your Ultimate BubblyLiving Guide

Olá, lovely travelers! Lisbon is one of those rare cities that feels timeless and fresh all at once, a place where ancient neighborhoods meet shimmering river views, where trams rattle through steep streets, and where sunsets glow in pink and gold. After exploring Lisbon’s landmarks, hidden corners, delicious cafés, and postcard-perfect landscapes, I’m so excited to share this Top 10 Must-See List, a beautifully curated guide for first-timers and returning visitors. Think of it as your perfect introduction to Portugal’s dazzling capital: historic, soulful, sunlit, and irresistibly charming. Let’s dive in!

1. Belém Tower – Lisbon’s Stone Guardian

One of Lisbon’s most iconic monuments, Belém Tower rises gracefully from the Tagus River, its Manueline details carved like lace into pale limestone. Built in the early 16th century during the Age of Discoveries, the tower once guarded the city’s harbor and welcomed explorers returning from distant voyages. Up close, the maritime motifs – ropes, crosses, armillary spheres – feel like whispers of Portugal’s ocean-bound past.

The riverside promenade is just as magical. Waves shimmer against the tower’s base, sailboats drift by, street musicians play softly, and the sky turns to pastel hues at sunset. It’s the kind of place where you naturally linger, simply enjoying the water, breeze, and beauty.

Bubbly Tip: Arrive early in the morning for the softest light and the smallest crowds.

2. Jerónimos Monastery – The Jewel of Manueline Architecture

A UNESCO World Heritage treasure, Jerónimos Monastery is breathtaking from the moment you see its ornate façade stretching across Belém. Built to honor Vasco da Gama’s voyage to India, the monastery is a masterpiece of Manueline style – intricate stone carvings, maritime symbolism, cloisters filled with arches that seem to float in the light. Inside, the cloister is pure serenity: symmetrical, golden, and impossibly photogenic. The church is equally awe-inspiring, with soaring columns that resemble palm trees and Vasco da Gama’s tomb resting peacefully inside.

Bubbly Tip: Pair this visit with a stop at nearby Pastéis de Belém, the original home of Portugal’s famous custard tarts.

3. Alfama – Lisbon’s Old Soul

Alfama is Lisbon’s most atmospheric neighborhood – a maze of narrow alleys, colorful homes, hidden stairways, tiny squares, azulejo-covered walls, and viewpoints that seem to hold the whole city in their palm. This is the birthplace of Fado, the traditional music that sings of longing and love. Wandering Alfama feels like uncovering Lisbon’s past step by step. Laundry hangs from balconies, cafés spill onto the street, church bells echo softly, and glimpses of the Tagus appear between rooftops. Every turn reveals something new.

Bubbly Tip: Visit around golden hour for the most beautiful light and enjoy a Fado performance in the evening.

4. São Jorge Castle – Where Lisbon Meets the Sky

Perched on the city’s highest hill, São Jorge Castle offers panoramic views over Lisbon’s terracotta rooftops, the river, and the sparkling 25 de Abril Bridge. Its medieval walls, towers, and gardens invite slow wandering, you’ll find peacocks roaming freely, shady terraces, and endless photo spots. From the ramparts, Lisbon looks like a living painting. And if you visit near sunset, the entire city glows.

Bubbly Tip: Stop for a drink at 1147 Lisboa, right beside the castle, and enjoy the Tagus shimmering below.

5. Praça do Comércio – Lisbon’s Grand Riverside Square

Facing the Tagus River, this grand 18th-century square feels regal, open, and beautifully symmetrical. Once the site of the royal palace, Praça do Comércio is framed by yellow arcaded buildings and anchored by the triumphal Rua Augusta Arch. The atmosphere is lively yet elegant: street performers, cafés, river breezes, and golden reflections at sunset. Step closer to the water and you’ll see the historic Cais das Colunas, marble steps descending into the river.

Bubbly Tip: Climb the Rua Augusta Arch for stunning rooftop views.

6. Lisbon’s Iconic Trams – A Ride Through History

Lisbon’s trams are more than transportation, they are part of the city’s identity. These charming yellow eléctricos have been winding through Lisbon’s hills since the early 1900s, offering riders a front-row seat to some of the city’s most enchanting scenery. Whether you board the legendary Tram 28, glide along the waterfront on Tram 15, or weave through traditional neighborhoods on the lesser-known lines, each route reveals a different side of Lisbon.

Tram 28 remains the most iconic, taking you past Graça’s viewpoints, Alfama’s maze-like alleys, Baixa’s grand squares, and Estrela’s basilica. But the magic doesn’t end there. Tram 12 loops around the steepest streets of Alfama, while Tram 24 connects Príncipe Real and Campolide, quieter routes that still capture Lisbon’s vintage charm.

The wooden interiors, the bell ringing as the tram approaches a curve, the slow climb up sun-drenched hills, it all feels wonderfully nostalgic. Riding Lisbon’s trams is like slipping into the heartbeat of the city.

Bubbly Tip: Board early at Martim Moniz or choose one of the quieter lines (like 12 or 24) for the same cinematic views without the crowds.

7. Avenida da Liberdade – Lisbon’s Most Elegant Avenue

Stretching from Restauradores Square to Praça Marquês de Pombal, Avenida da Liberdade is Lisbon’s answer to the Champs-Élysées, a stunning tree-lined boulevard blending luxury, history, and irresistible Lisbon charm. Designed in the 19th century in a French-inspired style, the avenue features patterned Portuguese pavements, leafy promenades, fountains, and grand sculptures.

Here, high-end boutiques like Cartier, Prada, and Louis Vuitton stand alongside historic theaters, Belle Époque buildings, and charming kiosks serving coffee and pastel de nata. Whether you’re shopping, strolling, or simply soaking in the city’s refined atmosphere, the avenue offers one of Lisbon’s most beautiful urban walks.

Bubbly Tip: Stop by one of the classic outdoor kiosks for a coffee and enjoy some of the best people-watching in the city.

8. Lisbon Cathedral (Sé de Lisboa) – A Romanesque Treasure

Lisbon’s oldest cathedral, Sé de Lisboa, stands proudly at the edge of Alfama. Its fortress-like exterior, rose windows, Gothic chapels, and peaceful cloister weave together centuries of history – Romanesque foundations, medieval additions, and later restorations. Step inside for cool stone corridors, filtered light, and a sense of ancient Lisbon preserved within its walls.

Bubbly Tip: Visit before or after your Tram 28 ride, the tram passes right in front of it!

9. The Tagus Riverfront – Where Lisbon Breathes

From Cais do Sodré to Belém, Lisbon’s riverfront is one of its greatest joys. Walk along the promenade, admire the Christ the King statue across the water, sit by the steps at Praça do Comércio, or simply watch ferries pass as the sun sets. The Tagus is more than scenery, it’s a feeling. Calm, expansive, and deeply tied to Lisbon’s identity.

Bubbly Tip: Sunset strolls here are unforgettable.

10. The Monument of the Discoveries – A Tribute to Exploration

Standing tall along the Tagus in Belém, the Monument of the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) honors Portugal’s great explorers, artists, and monarchs. The sculpted figures, from Henry the Navigator to Vasco da Gama, look out toward the water, symbolizing Portugal’s maritime spirit. The viewpoint at the top (accessible by elevator) offers one of the best panoramas in Lisbon: the river, the bridge, Belém Tower, and the monastery all in one sweep.

Bubbly Tip: Don’t miss the Compass Rose mosaic at the base, a stunning photo spot!

Final Thoughts

Lisbon is a city that glows, with sunlight, history, music, color, and soul. Whether you wander through Alfama’s maze-like alleys, gaze over the Tagus from Belém, admire azulejos on quiet stairways, or listen to Fado echo into the night, Lisbon touches you gently and stays with you long after you leave.

These 10 must-see spots are only the beginning, but they offer the perfect introduction to the city’s beauty, culture, and heart.

Have you been to Lisbon? Which of these places stole your heart? Tell me in the comments below, I’d love to hear your stories!

xoxo,
Bubbly💙