Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, is a beautiful place to visit with your family. Its location is such that it enjoys the beauty of the beachside as well as the calm serenity of the hills with thousands of pastel colored buildings in between. This cosmopolitan city has a rich history wherein people embarked from this place on ships that sailed to discover new places. Today, Lisbon is very well known for its good weather, Fado music, colorful buildings, great nightlife and friendly people with a welcoming nature. It is also home to some great landmarks which are a must visit for the tourists. If you are planning a trip to Lisbon, then here are some beautiful places in Lisbon that you should visit with your family.
Sao Jorge Castle
One of the most recognized landmarks in Lisbon is the Sao Jorge Castle or St. George’s Castle that sits on top of a hill near Alfama and overlooks the entire city. This iconic structure dates back to the time when Lisbon was under the Moorish rule. One of the most beautiful places in Lisbon, this castle has impressive battlements, interesting archaeological sites and an engaging museum which is sure to mesmerize you and your family. Additionally, the visitors get to see some great panoramic view of the city from the observation terrace.
Lisbon Oceanarium
The largest indoor aquarium of Europe is the Lisbon Oceanarium that was built as part of the improvements done for 199 world exposition. Located in Parque das Nações in north eastern Lisbon, this aquarium is home to thousands of marine animals and is the most family friendly place in all of Lisbon. The entire aquarium is divided in four habitats, each representing the Atlantic, Indian, Pacific and Antarctic Oceans. Each habitat is surrounded by Plexiglas that allows for close up views of marine animals such as sea otters, clown fish, sharks, bulbous sunfish and sea dragons. This aquarium is Portugal’s most popular tourist attractions because the different ecosystems are a delight to watch.
Sintra
Sintra is a small town located just out of Lisbon that can be reached in half an hour by car from the Lisbon airport. This romantic town, nestled in between the Serra de Sintra, will provide you with a unique experience amongst the nature. The scenic backdrop of the town includes rolling hills, woodlands with outcrops of granite that is dotted with royal palaces, mansions and Moorish castles that dates back to the 8th century. The streets are a maze of cobblestones running between quaint café’s, traditional restaurants and ornate townhouses. The town of Sintra has a majestic appeal that will leave you thrilled.
Jeronimos Monastery
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Jeronimos Monastery is an important landmark of Portugal that has immense historical and cultural significance. This 16th century monastery located in the attractive neighborhood of Belem was commissioned by King Manuel I in 1501 in honor of Vasco Da Gama’s epic journey to India in 1498. The highlight of this structure is the architecture, especially the south portal and the beautiful Manueline cloister. Built as a tribute to the Age of Discovery, this monastery contains the tomb of Vasco Da Gama, which is situated at the entrance of the Santa Maria Church.
Santa Justa Lift
Located in downtown Lisbon, the odd looking Santa Justa Lift towers over the rooftops of the surrounding buildings, having a presence of its own and is one of the beautiful places in Lisbon. It has a wrought iron frame that is 32 meters high and was designed by a French architect in the 1900’s. The Santa Justa Lift attracts many tourists who travel to the top to get unimpeded views of the streets, squared and River Tagus. From here, you can walk across a bridge that takes you to Bairo Alto neighborhood of the city.
