Lisbon Landmarks and Monuments

(Lisbon, Portugal)



Picture of the city's famous Arco da Rua AugustaAs the proud and somewhat historic Portuguese capital, Lisbon is home to many of the country's most important landmarks and ancient treasures. Countless monuments to the past are scattered all around the Lisbon region and few are more impressive than the Castle of Sao Jorge (Castelo de Sao Jorge), which stands proudly atop the highest hill in Lisbon city centre, quite literally dominating the area from its elevated position of more than 100 metres / 328 feet.

The great Portuguese earthquake of 1755 played an important part of shaping Lisbon and many of the city's most impressive landmarks were either badly damaged or completely destroyed by this natural disaster, such as the Arco da Rua Augusta, the Casa dos Bicos and the Castelo de Sao Jorge itself. However, an ambitious and successful reconstruction plan was soon implemented and the main landmarks were either rebuilt, renovated or remodelled at this time.


Further view of the Arco da Rua Augusta

Arco da Rua Augusta

Address: Praça do Comércio, Rua Augusta, Lisbon, Portugal, PT
Tel: +351 021 346 3658
The Arco da Rua Augusta is a huge stone archway linking both the Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) with Augusta Street (Rua Augusta). Supported by classical stone columns, despite its size Lisbon's most famous arch appears very elegant and grand. Many statues adorn the arch itself and signify important moments in the city's distant past.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

Biblioteca Nacional (Portuguese National Library)

Address: Campo Grande 83, Lisbon, PT-1749-081, Portugal, PT
Tel: +351 021 7982000
A national landmark in the whole of Portugal, the Biblioteca Nacional is the acclaimed Portuguese National Library and can be found in the area of Campo Grande. Established in the latter part of the 18th century, the library contains many hundreds of thousands of books, historical documents and important local artefacts.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Photo showing the Casa dos Bicos

Casa dos Bicos

Address: Rua dos Bacalhoeiros 10, Lisbon, PT-1100-070, Portugal, PT
Tel: +351 021 881 0900
Standing in the Baixa area and dating as far back as 1523, the Casa dos Bicos is a much-loved Portuguese landmark with a glorious Renaissance-style exterior. The Casa dos Bicos literally translates as 'House of the Nozzles' and gained its name from its numerous peaks and points. Badly damaged during the 1755 earthquake, the Casa dos Bicos has undergone much restoration work over the years and is currently in an excellent state of repair.
Open hours: daily, seasonal variations
Admission: charge

Image of the Castelo de Sao Jorge (Castle of Sao Jorge)

Castelo de Sao Jorge (Castle of Sao Jorge)

Address: Costa do Castelo, Lisbon, PT-1100-179, Portugal, PT
Tel: +351 021 120 5050
The castle should be visited, not only to fully appreciate its 14th-century architecture and medieval treasures, but also for the quite breathtaking panoramas across the cityscape and beyond. The Castelo de Sao Jorge is partly encircled by an old moat and is entered across the stone bridge.
Open hours: daily, seasonal variations
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Picture of the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos (Hieronymites Monastery)

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Hieronymites Monastery / Jerónimos Monastery)

Address: Praça do Império, Lisbon, PT-1400-206, Portugal, PT
Tel: +351 021 362 0034
Situated in the Belém area of Lisbon and one of the most spectacular of the city's many monuments, the Hieronymites Monastery was built at the beginning of the 16th century, although it was not actually completed for 50 years. Created for the Hieronymite monks, the monastery features an extraordinary level of decoration, with detailed stone carvings squeezed in virtually everywhere on its palatial façade, while inside, you will find walls adorned with many colourful frescoes, a dramatic vaulted ceiling and beautiful ornamented stone columns.
Open hours: daily, October to April - 10:00 to 17:00, May to September - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

View of the Praca de Touros do Campo Pequeno (Bullring)

Praça de Touros do Campo Pequeno (Campo Pequeno Bullring)

Address: Avenida da República, Lisbon, PT-1000-082, Portugal, PT
Tel: +351 021 793 2093
The Portuguese tradition of bullfighting still remains in Lisbon and although this 'sport' may not be for everyone, the arena itself is quite impressive. Built in the early 1890s, there is actually much more to the Praça de Touros do Campo Pequeno of today than simply its bull ring and following a huge renovation programme, it was reopened in 2006 and is now described as a multi-event venue, complete with a shopping centre actually beneath its structure. The Campo Pequeno Bullring is hard to miss and is a huge, circular building, flanked with four octagonal, domed towers.
Open hours: hours vary, most bullfights are held during the summer months
Admission: charge