Lisbon: Monasteries, Azulejos and City History

Discover Lisbon through its buildings, collections and gardens: a monastery and a defensive tower tell the story of the city’s harbor, while museums range from azulejos to art, architecture and technology. When looking for a hotel in Lisbon, you can first decide whether architectural history, museum visits, journeys through historic neighborhoods or nature will shape your stay.

Architectural History on the Tagus

The Mosteiro dos Jerónimos stands at the entrance to Lisbon’s harbor; construction began in 1502. Its surviving rooms and features include a 16th-century cloister, the monks’ former refectory and the library. The Torre de Belém was built on the banks of the Tagus around 1514 by Francisco de Arruda and served to defend Lisbon’s harbor. The Belém complex is considered one of the most representative examples of Portuguese power during the Age of Discoveries.

The Aqueduto das Águas Livres also reveals the technical side of the city’s history: this more than 14-kilometer-long structure, built in the Baroque and Neoclassical styles, supplied Lisbon with fresh drinking water from 1744 onward. You can book a time to walk through the aqueduct; check the current dates in advance.

Museums: Collections and City History

The Museu do Tesouro Real permanently displays a large portion of the former possessions of the Portuguese royal family, as well as works from the former private collections of several members of the royal family. Its eleven exhibition areas provide a clear structure for the collection. One notable object is the complete Germain table service: it was commissioned from the goldsmith François-Thomas Germain after the 1755 earthquake.

The Museu Nacional do Azulejo is housed in the former Convento da Madre de Deus, founded in 1509, and traces the history of azulejos from the 15th century to the present day. The Igreja da Madre de Deus is considered a significant example of Portuguese Baroque and is richly decorated with sculptures, paintings and azulejos. Here, intricately decorated surfaces sit alongside an exhibition tracing the development of this ceramic tradition over several centuries.

With a different focus, the MAAT – Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia brings together art, architecture and technology in a space for debate, discovery and critical thinking. Its architecture includes a new building designed by Amanda Levete Architects and the industrial heritage building Central Tejo. For music history, the Museu do Fado offers interactive research stations and audio guides featuring recordings from several decades.

At Terreiro do Paço, the interactive Lisboa Story Centre presents important events in the city’s history, from the past to the present, in a visitor trail comprising 17 chapters. Praça do Comércio, which Lisbon residents also call Terreiro do Paço, is one of Europe’s largest squares. At the Arco da Rua Augusta, an exhibition in the Sala do Relógio explores the history of the triumphal arch; from its summit, views extend across Baixa de Lisboa and the Tagus. When planning your visit, check the latest information on access and the exhibition.

Getting Around and Finding Your Bearings

Tram line Eléctrico 28 runs between Graça and Prazeres, through the historic neighborhoods of Baixa, Chiado and Estrela, and ends in Campo de Ourique. Routes and service details may change, so check the current connection before you travel. On the Lisbon Metro, you can travel on all lines using a contactless bank card. As this is a current transport policy, it is also advisable to check before your trip.

The first Metro stations opened to the public in 1959 and were decorated with azulejo panels designed by the painter Maria Keil. The Elevador de Santa Justa connects Rua do Ouro with Largo do Carmo; its structure is in the Neo-Gothic style. These two transport structures show different aspects of design in public spaces: the Metro’s artistic decoration and the elevator’s historic architecture.

Botanical Collections and Marine Worlds

Founded in 1768, the Jardim Botânico da Ajuda was Portugal’s first botanical garden. It brought together more than 5,000 plant species from mainland Portugal and its overseas territories. The Jardim Botânico Tropical is home to more than 500 perennial species from tropical or subtropical regions. Created for scientific and educational purposes as the Jardim Museu Agrícola Tropical, it is now also a venue for themed exhibitions.

At the Oceanário de Lisboa, a central aquarium containing five million liters of water represents the Global Ocean. The exhibition showcases four marine habitats across two visitor levels: one terrestrial and one underground or underwater. The contrast between botanical collections and the marine habitats on display offers two very different nature themes to consider when planning your stay.

Discover more destinations: São Mamede, Benfica, Socorro, Tondela, Vila Franca De Xira, Sintra, Torres Vedras, Loures.

Return to the main travel overview: Lisbon.