Lisbon: five must-see attractions

Article Written By: bythesea

Portugal's capital city is one of Europe's tourism hotspots. With a whole range of exciting sights to check out it's hard for visitors to know what to cram in to a short city break. You've got enough on your plate to worry about - booking the right hotel, buying foreign currency, purchasing holiday insurance - so rather than spend hours researching which parts of the city to take in during your trip, take a look at the following list outlining five of Lisbon's most impressive attractions.

Gulbenkian Museum

Experience some culture at the Gulbenkian Museum - or Museu Calouste Gulbenkian - which houses a large collection of ancient art including stunning examples of Persian art, Egyptian sculptures and paintings by artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens and Renoir among many, many more. For those with more contemporary tastes, the museum also contains a small selection of modern art. Add to that the two concert halls that stage regular music and ballet performances and you've got somewhere that offers something for everyone. The Gulbenkian Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5.45pm.

Lisbon Oceanarium

Featuring a 5,000 square-metre tank, the Oceanand#225;rio de Lisboa is a truly stunning attraction. The main tank utilises four huge acrylic windows at the side, giving the illusion that the tank stretches far off into the horizon. The building opened in 1998 and has been attracting an average of one million visitors per year ever since. Breathtaking and educational, the Oceanarium is an absolute must. It's open year-round; summer opening times being 10am - 8pm, with last entry taking place at 7pm.

Monument to the Discoveries

A 52-metre high landmark of distinctive design, the Monument to the Discoveries - or Padrand#227;o dos Descobrimentos - is a tribute to 33 Portuguese who made a significant contribution to the Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries. Honouring historical greats from disciplines such as science, art, cartography and exploration, the monument was originally built as part of the Portuguese World Fair in 1940 - however, perishable materials were used so it underwent rebuilding work in 1960 using concrete to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the Navigator.

Belem Tower

Belem Tower, or the Tower of St Vincent as it is also known. The UNESCO World Heritage Site played a huge role in a number of Portuguese maritime discoveries during the aforementioned Age of Discovery. Built in the sixteenth century from limestone by order of King John II, the tower had two purposes: to act as a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon and to be a vital part of the country's defence system at the mouth of the Tagus.

St George's Castle

Castelo de Sao Jorge dates back as far as 500 AD and as such is an interesting site for anyone with an interest in history. It also acts, however, as a magnificent platform for stunning panoramic views of the Tagus and the Alfarma medieval district below. Visitors are able to climb the ramparts for the perfect opportunity to capture memorable holiday snaps, while an impressive multimedia show offers up a potted history of both the castle itself and Lisbon as a whole.

About the Author

Before travelling abroad, make sure you look into holiday insurance http://www.insurewithease.com

You Can Link Directly to "Lisbon: five must-see attractions" by using the url:
http://www.allbestarticles.com//travel/destination/lisbon-five-must-see-attractions.html

This Article Has Been Published on Fri, 28 May 2010 and Read 110 Times

Find All Best Articles at http://www.allbestarticles.com

Rating: Not yet rated

Comments

No comments posted.

Add Comment

You do not have permission to comment. If you log in, you may be able to comment.

Related information on Destination

Vietnam a Country of Fast and Slow
Goa an Awesome Destination for the Tourists
Peaceful Ibiza The perfect Winter Sun Destination
Plan an Unforgettable Holiday in Ibiza
Alleppey International Tourist Multipurpose Backwater Hub of Kerala
Kite Surfing in Ibiza
Eating in Ibiza
Where is Andorra?
Top 5 beach holiday destinations in Toronto
Exploring the Culture of Tuscany
Different Places to Visit in Hamilton, New Zealand
Choose a Cyprus Hotel in Pissouri Bay to have a delightful getaway!
A Man's Guide to a Dublin Stag Party
Try Limasssol If You Are Considering A Cyprus Holiday
Ibiza as a Holiday and Home Destination
Enjoy A Memorable Holiday In The Vibrant City Jaipur
Things to Gain at Dharamsala
Goa – Miles of Beaches and Oodles of Fun
Top Tourist Destinations in Singapore
Visit City Palace - Get the Taste of the Royal Life
Place To Visit In Barcelona
Visit scotland and have a great holiday
Things to Do In Edinburgh
Top 5 Asian Holiday Destinations
Things to do in Berlin