Lisbon is one of the most attractive capitals in Western Europe, with its brilliant waterside location, seemingly endless sunshine, and a host of beautiful buildings. While you’ll find spectacular, albeit sometimes crumbling, architecture almost anywhere in the city center, some buildings stand out as worth a visit in their own right.
From churches to train stations, old cathedrals and shiny new museums and more, these are six of the most beautiful buildings in the city.
Monastery of los jeronimos
Begin your architectural journey by taking a tram, train, bus (or your feet!) Along the riverside, towards the popular neighborhood of Belém. There are several impressive buildings in the area, but the most impressive has to be the Jerónimos Monastery.
The UNESCO World Heritage site dates back to the 1500s and dominates the surrounding area. Several important figures in Portuguese history are buried there, including poets, explorers, and members of the royal family.
It costs € 10 for an adult ticket to enter the monastery, with discounted combo tickets that also include the Belém Tower and several nearby museums. The opening hours are from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm from October to May, and from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm the rest of the year.
Bethlehem Tower
Sitting right on the river (in fact, it is surrounded by high tide), the Torre de Belém is a 10-15 minute walk from the Jerónimos Monastery. Much smaller than its counterpart, the fortified tower was built in the early 16th century on, and once served as the ceremonial entrance to the city, as part of its defense system.
Approximately 40 feet wide and 100 feet tall, visitors enter the tower via a small bridge. Head to the top for great photo opportunities of the Tagus River and the surrounding city.
The tower is open the same hours as the monastery above, and costs € 6 for a single ticket. Again, there are combo tickets for other nearby attractions available.
MEASURE
Still in Belém, the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT) shows that the most beautiful buildings in Lisbon are not centuries old. Housed in a former power station next to the river, the museum opened in 2016, spread over two buildings.
With a wide, undulating design, including an exterior walkway leading from ground level to an open rooftop viewing area, the MAAT is a bold, modern and dramatic building.
Entrance to the observation area is free, but tickets to the museum itself cost € 5 to enter one of the buildings, or € 9 for both. It is open from noon to 8 pm, but it is closed on Tuesdays and some holidays.
Rossio Train Station
The architecture of many old train stations in Europe is incredible, and Lisbon is definitely no exception. One of the best and easiest to find in the city is Rossio, right next to the large square commonly known by the same name. It is where you catch the train to Sintra, so it is very likely that you will cross it at some point during your stay.
Built in the late 1800s, from the outside you had no idea that the building was a train station. The ornate facades look more like a theater or civic building, and somehow even the ground-level Starbucks doesn’t detract from the grand building design. You’ll get great photo opportunities from the plaza across the street, especially if you find a break in traffic.
National Panteon
The white domed roof of the National Pantheon is visible from the vantage points around the city center, and is a dramatic feature of the Lisbon skyline. Sitting on a hill in the Alfama neighborhood, construction work on the Pantheon began in the 17th century, on the site of the former desecrated church.
Surprisingly, due to the death of the architect, loss of interest from royal sponsors, and financial problems, it took almost three hundred years to complete, with the reopening finally happening in 1966.
While the best photos of the exterior are from close-up vantage points, the building is also worth entering. The floor plan presented in the shape of a Greek cross (rather than Latin) is the highlight. Tickets cost € 3, with free admission on Sundays, but closed on Mondays.
Lisbon Cathedral
Also in Alfama, Lisbon Cathedral (or Sé ) is the oldest church in the city. The beginning of the construction dates back to the 1100s, on the top of an old Arab mosque.
Since then, the cathedral has survived fire and several earthquakes, including the infamous 1755 earthquake that caused significant damage. Most of the imposing exterior you see today dates from a major reconstruction in the 20th century. Inside, the altars and side chapels are impressive, but it is the stained glass that stands out especially.
Admission is free, although donations are always appreciated.
