Known for the white exterior and dual bell-towers, Basílica da Estrela warrants a brief visit to…read moreview Queen Maria's tomb and an impressive pulpit. Less ornate than other churches in Lisbon, there is an outside terrace available for a small fee but the view is fairly limited.

The inside is pretty, but not really of interest to me as I am not Catholic…read more We paid the €4 each to climb the narrow circular stairs up to the roof. Expansive views of Lisboa. Worth the money.

Happened upon this beautiful church and celebrated with a 6:00 mass. A handful of community was…read morepresent in this wonder of a Catholic Church. Most notable was its simple and small congregation area amid the grand Portuguese columns, artwork and altar.

Basílica de Nossa Senhora dos Mártires (Basilica of Our Lady of the Martyrs) is a Neoclassical…read morestyle church, originally built in 1147, destroyed, like so much else, in the 1755 earthquake, and rebuilt. A very similar story can be told about the church a block up the street, Igreja Nossa Senhora da Encarnação. Both churches were rebuilt in the style of the post-earthquake era, but Nossa Senhora dos Mártires has far more back history, having existed for centuries before Senhora da Encarnação. This church is dedicated to the martyrs who participated in the 1147 reconquest of Lisbon from the Moors. It began as a small chapel built to house the image of the Virgin brought by English crusaders, and it was where the first baptism took place after the expulsion of the Moors. It is better known to the Portuguese as the site where poet, Fernando Pessoa, was baptized. This church has free admission, but you must observe open hours. If you participate in a service, you will hopefully get to hear the church's impressive 18thC organ, one of the best in Portugal. As mentioned, about a block away on the same street is Igreja Nossa Senhora da Encarnação, so it is convenient to visit both churches at once. Afterward, I recommend a nata (egg tart) at Manteigaria, on the far corner of Praça Luís de Camões.

The arch leads to Praça do Comércio. There are six columns with statues of various historical…read morefigures. The figures at the top represent Glory rewarding Valor and Genius. People can also visit the top for views of the city and the river.

"To the winch, wench." ("Neverending Story")…read more The Arco da Rua Augusta/Arch of Triumph is a stone memorial arch at the end of Rua Augusta street that majestically connects Lisbon to the Tagus River. Passing through the arch gateway from Rua Augusta street, one can confidently enter Praça do Comercio square without fear of being annihilated by lasers shot from giant, angry sphinxes. The arch was built to commemorate the reconstruction of Lisbon following the 1755 earthquake and tsunami that leveled the city and took the lives of an estimated 70,000 people. As per "The Neverending Story", "Nothing is lost...Everything is transformed." Lisbon was thereafter beautifully transformed and rebuilt with the world's first anti-seismic architecture, perhaps aided by a little boy's magical wishes. The arch is beautifully crowned by three sculptures that symbolize Glory, Genius, and Valor. The remaining statues are historical figures that include the Marquis of Pombal and Vasco da Gama. Visitors can reach the top of the arch via spiral staircase or elevator for stunning 360° views of the city, including Praça do Comércio and the Tagus River. No need for wenches to be winched up! This arch is a must see landmark when visiting Lisbon--I give it five flying Falkors! *Entrance is free with the Lisbon Card

Although I wouldn't characterize Lisbon as a symmetrical city due to its hilly terrain, the one…read moretruly symmetrical area in the city is this waterfront plaza, a model of balance between land and sea in its clean layout and openness to the Tagus River. It defined my first impression of Lisbon on my first visit, and enhanced my awareness of the city's rich maritime history on my most recent visit with Jamie W. Built after the 1755 earthquake destroyed the Royal Palace that stood on the grounds, this public square is anchored by the majestic Augusta Street Arch, the stone gateway through which people enter from downtown (Photo 2). In front at the center of the plaza is the equestrian statue of King José I (Photo 8). Surrounding us were bright yellow arcades framing three sides of the plaza in a U shape. The arcades were lit up in appropriately dramatic fashion at night. We eventually made our way to the waterfront where we looked back on the panoramic view of the square from the Cais das Colunas columns and marble steps (Photo 6). You can picture how visiting dignitaries must have arrived by boat and got their first impression of the city. If there's a single snapshot that defines Lisbon, it's this one. RELATED - Exploring Lisbon? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/ayZwwRJHQd

This is a popular site in Lisbon. It's a big plaza with lots of little shops and restaurants…read morenearby. Three sides of the square are surrounded with bright yellow walls/buildings, while the fourth side of the square is made up by the water! I think that's a cool feature! You enter it through a big, pretty stone arch, and in the very center of the plaza is a statue. When I went, I enjoyed hearing a man sing opera under the arch. It contributed to a nice atmosphere. It felt fitting. I came across this location more than once so it's relatively easy to get to depending on where you are/where you're going. I had sardines for the first time at a restaurant in the plaza, and I wish I could remember the name of the restaurant! They were so good!!! They had a nicer flavor than I expected- mild and salty with maybe a bit of sweetness too. Crispy thin texture on the outside, too. And much larger sized fish than I expected. I was lucky to be there during sardine season/festival, so I'm sure that helped.

You'll find many shops and restaurants on this street. It starts from the arc Praça do Comércio. A…read morebit touristy but a nice experience. Once a historical commercial hub of Lisbon giving it a great vibe even today.

Rue Augusta was my favorite street in Lisbon. This famous street is a bustling shopping area where…read moreshops and restaurants abound on either side. The street itself is beautiful with intricate tiled patterns throughout. It's also a popular spot for street entertainment. If you walk to the end of the street, you'll end up at the Praca de Comercio. The Rue Augusta makes for a lovely stroll and the site of several attractions. It's a can't miss in Lisbon!

1 of 2 Yelp reviews…read more Cut and pasted from the internet: "The monument celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery (or "Age of Exploration") during the 15th and 16th centuries." Quality/Quantity - A must visit, but we have been here so often and only stopped by because we had an all day train pass; see other reviews. So much history, just "Google" it and read. Kid friendly, so many field trips. Ambiance - Beautiful monument. Beautiful surroundings. Other tourist sites to visit. An easy train ride and a short walk. Service - Self service. Price - Free. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your success since 1939.

What can you do with a group of 33 people who are stuck together? If you were on the Titanic, you…read morecould put them in the last lifeboat and hope the floating door will fit you and Rose. Or if you're architect José Ângelo Cottinelli Telmo and sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida, you bring them together in a monument dedicated to Portugal's pivotal role in the Age of Discovery. It looks a bit like a conga line on an incline. Regardless, that's what they did in 1960 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Henry the Navigator's death. It's an awesome work of art designed to resemble a ship's prow. At 170 feet, the monument features 33 prominent historical figures with Henry the Navigator leading the way as they at the Tagus River. On the eastern profile are the seafaring explorers including Magellan and Vasco de Gama. On the western profile are the key royalty, scientists, and missionaries who supported the explorers. It's free to walk around it like we did, and there's an option to pay 8,5€ to enter the museum and observation deck inside. You should also know you can get a free panoramic view from the curved rooftop of the Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology just a short stroll up the riverfront. RELATED - Exploring Lisbon? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/SVKOeoChtd

Lisbon apparently has 20 miradouros, gathering spots with vista points from which panoramic views…read moreof the city can be found and savored. This one is in the historic Graça district on Lisbon's highest hill and offers a breathtaking panorama of the city. Jamie W and I wrapped up our Graça street mural walk here (review: https://yelp.to/sOE0B7X6gL). It turned out to be ideal timing because it was close to sunset and views of landmarks were unobstructed. We could see the Castelo de São Jorge, the Tagus River, the 25 de Abril Bridge, and the terracotta roofs of both the Alfama and Baixa neighborhoods. So significant was this viewpoint that Portugal's first king, Dom Afonso Henriques, built his fortress here and the Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount was erected. It still stands here. It's imperative to be here during witness the sunset hour because the otherwise white stone is bathed in orange and pink hues. CORRESPONDING REVIEWS Graça Murals: https://yelp.to/sOE0B7X6gL Miradouro das Portas do Sol: https://yelp.to/5snB5Xau8U Miradouro de Santa Luzia: https://yelp.to/dosoL9mFbD Miradouro de Santa Catarina: https://yelp.to/X3AgM3QM0j RELATED - Exploring Lisbon? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/Kn-CxzlTze

4.5 stars. Miradouro da Senhora do Monte or "Viewpoint of Our Lady of the Mount" is the highest…read morepoint in the Graca neighborhood and offers beautiful panoramic views of Lisbon. It is named after its statue of Nossa Senhora do Monte, the Virgin, which is in front of a chapel that was built in the 1700s. When my husband and I were on vacation in Lisbon, our tour guide drove us here on a tuk tuk. We spent many minutes viewing the surrounding city--the 25 de Abril Bridge, the Sanctuary of Christ the King, Sao Jorge Castle, the Tagus estuary, the orange rooftops of buildings, and much more. The only negative aspect of this area was two women who were pressuring us to purchase jewelry, and they refused to accept our no's. Our tour guide, however, intervened and told them something in Portuguese to get them to leave us alone.