Castelo de São Jorge (Castle of St George)
The Castle of St George is perched on the highest of Lisbon’s seven hills, high above the Baixa and the Mouraria (the Moorish Quarter). The site was occupied by Romans, Visigoths and Moors and was the royal residence until the late 15th century – it was rebuilt in the 1940s. Within the castle, tourists can visit multimedia presentations or just wander around the walls, towers and gardens. In summer there are frequent festivals in the castle grounds. There is also a small restaurant (summer only).

Tram 28
The legendary tram 28 is a tourist attraction in itself. Vintage trams still ply the well-worn route from the city centre on sea level, right up through the jumble of streets towards the heights of the Castle of St George. On the way, the tram slices open the city, providing insights into the Lisbon way of life, as well as offering sweeping views back towards the city and out over the Rio Tejo. One word of warning – the tram is increasingly as popular with pickpockets as it is with savvy tourists.

Torre de Belém (Belém Tower)
One of the city’s most famous sights is more impressive on the outside than it is on the inside. This white stone tower – built in the early-16th century, to defend the river – was the last thing that the seafaring adventurers saw before setting off on their epic adventures. It is an excellent example of the Manueline style of architecture, with fanciful naval themes. A gangway leads to a very average museum within the tower.

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Hieronimite Monastery)
This 16th-century monastery is one of the few surviving examples of medieval Manueline architecture (named after Manuel I and featuring naval motifs) and is listed (along with the Torre de Belém) as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also the resting place of Vasco da Gama and the nation’s most famous writer, Luís de Camões.

Parque das Nações (Nations Park)
The former Expo98 site has been converted into a leisure oasis, with a shopping centre, a string of attractions, concert halls, bars, restaurants and a walkway along the River Tagus. The Torre Vasco da Gama – the site’s landmark tower and Lisbon’s tallest building – has an observation platform and restaurant, two-thirds of the way up. The Oceanário – one of the largest oceanariums in the world – has huge pools that are home to manta rays, penguins and sharks. Designed for all manner of public events, the Atlântico Pavilion is a highly successful venue for concert, fairs and other functions. The waterside cable car, connecting the tower and oceanarium, offers excellent views over the site. Summer weekends are best avoided, however, as every family in Portugal seems to descend on the site.

Museu Calouste Gulbenkian (Calouste Gulbenkian Museum)
This is a treasure house of art covering almost every significant epoch. Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Islamic and Oriental art comprise half the exhibition rooms and the remainder is devoted to European art from medieval times to the early 20th century. The sequence continues with the foundation’s Centro de Arte Moderna, which is part of the same complex.

Centro Cultural de Belém (Belém Cultural Centre)
This modern complex is home to the Museu do Design as well as performance and exhibition spaces. The museum features 20th-century design – divided into ‘Luxury’, ‘Pop’ and ‘Cool’ themes – supplemented by temporary exhibitions. The courtyards and rooftop gardens make a great place to relax in between sightseeing.

Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (National Museum of Ancient Art)
Essentially Portugal’s national gallery, the museum’s collections of painting and sculpture date from the 12th century and include a wide range of works by Portuguese and international artists.

Sé (Cathedral)
Built in the 12th century by Dom Alfonso Henriques, Portugal’s first king, Lisbon’s cathedral is primarily Romanesque in style, although later styles were incorporated when earthquake damage was repaired. The cloister dates from the 13th century, while the Baroque sacristy houses the remains of St Anthony (Lisbon’s patron saint) and other treasures. The cathedral also houses a small museum.

Fragata D Fernando Il e Gloria (The D Fernando Il e Gloria Frigate)
This new attraction harks back to Lisbon’s long and grand maritime past. The old sailing frigate is moored along the quayside, east of the city centre. Today, the three-mast ship functions as a living museum, shedding light on life on the high seas centuries ago.