Lisbon Airport Description

The Lisbon Airport, providing service to the capital of Portugal, is the busiest and most important airport in the country.

The principal point of entry for travellers arriving in Portugal, the airport has done much to promote economic development, not only for the city but also for the Greater Lisbon area.

In order to meet the needs that increasing numbers of passengers and air traffic has brought about, the airport has invested in the modernisation and improvement of services on offer.

Truly, there are so many reasons for you to pay a visit to our City of Seven Hills, so do come and enjoy one of Europe’s most splendid and historical capital cities.

Lisbon Airport Facilities

Coffee Shops
Snack Bars
Restaurants
ATM
Baggage Protection
Banking and Insurance
Currency Exchange
Internet Access
Massage Service
Pharmacy
Photo Machine
Post Office
Vending Machines

Lisbon Airport Car Hire Accesses

If you plan arriving at the airport using your own vehicle, you may use one of the following motorways, depending on your point of origin. Listed below are rudimentary directions taking you to the “2ª Circular /Segunda Circular”, the Lisbon ring road that leads to the airport.

From the North: Take the A1 Motorway (from Oporto to Lisbon) to the 2ª Circular;

From the Torres Vedras area: Take the A8 Motorway to the CRIL (IC-17) to the 2ª Circular;

From the South (crossing the Tagus River): Take the Vasco da Gama Bridge to the 2ª Circular or take the 25 de Abril Bridge to the Eixo Norte/Sul (North/South Axis) to the 2ª Circular;

From Cascais/Estoril: Take the A5 Motorway to the CRIL (IC-17) to the 2ª Circular;

From Sintra/Amadora: Take the IC-19 to the 2ª Circular (entering from the south) or take the IC-19 to the IC-17 to the 2ª Circular (entering from the north);

Assistance for Passengers with Reduced Mobility

The Lisbon Airport has ramps, lifts/elevators and toilet facilities adapted for passengers with reduced mobility. With previous notification, the airlines can arrange for special assistance for such travellers.

Discover Lisbon with Car Rental

A city of contrasts and surprises, Lisbon embraces the various cultures that the Portuguese have made contact with over the centuries and whose renown they have helped to spread all over the world.

A city on the banks of a great river, with an unequalled quality of light and luminescence, this is a place that is worth discovering. This is a starting-off point for fascinating cultural and artistic journeys that will take you off into any number of regions, rich with traditions, lovely landscapes and monuments.

The historical city centre of Lisbon is considered to be one of the richest and most ancient in Europe, the guardian of monuments from various centuries, many of which have been classified by UNESCO as world heritage sites.

The Portuguese are a warm-hearted and welcoming people, and Lisbon residents (lisboetas) are by nature and by tradition open to new things and lively good times. Their arms are open in friendliness and hospitality to those who come to visit.

Lisbon Airport Contacts

Lisbon Airport
Alameda das Comunidades Portuguesas
1700-111 Lisboa
Portugal
Telephone (+351) 218 413 500
Fax: (+351) 218 413 675
lisbon.airport@ana.pt

Places to Visit in Lisbon

If you have little time and wish to gain an idea of what Lisbon has to offer, we suggest a visit to the Historical Centre. Lisbon Car Rental is recommended.

Descend the Avenida da Liberdade on foot. It is a large 19thC boulevard. Or take public transport to the Baixa (Lower Town) and discover the historical centre of the city. If you are using a car to get around, look for the Restauradores or Martim Moniz car parks.

First stop – Praça dos Restauradores (square). Observe the neo-classical architecture of the Palácio Foz and the modernist façade of the former Eden cinema.

Rossio Square
Second stop – Rossio, the most popular square of Lisbon that has recently been renovated. Of particular interest are the statue of Dom Pedro IV in the middle, the National Theatre (19thC, neo-classical) and the Pombaline façades (18thC).

In the Pombaline Baixa (Lower Town), walk through the grid of streets and admire the façades of the buildings built following the earthquake of 1755

Third stop – climb the Colina do Castelo (Castle Hill) and on the Encosta da Sé (Cathedral Hillside) discover the Igreja de Santo António (Church of St. Anthony; a baroque building of the 18thC). Just above it is the Sé de Lisboa (mediaeval Romanesque and Gothic cathedral) in whose cloister one can observe vestiges of the city from the Roman and Visigothic periods.

Fourth stop – at the Miradouro de Santa Luzia (viewing point) admire the old houses. Then climb up to the Castelo by passing through the urban mesh surrounding the fortress. From here one can discover and take in one of the most magnificent views in Lisbon. You may wish to take some photographs.

Fifth stop – Descend by way of the narrow streets of the Alfama quarter, one of the most characteristic areas in the city that dates from the mediaeval period and age of the Discoveries. Should you so wish, you may visit the Casa de Fado e da Guitarra Portuguesa (House of Fado and the Portuguese Guitar).

Take the opportunity to have lunch in one of the traditional restaurants and taste some of the specialities of Lisbon's gastronomy.
Sixth stop – After the repast and still on foot, follow to the Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square), formerly the Terreiro do Paço (Palace Square), where you will find the equestrian statue of King Dom José I.

A little further on and also deserving of attention is the Praça do Município (Municipality Square) in which rises the Pelourinho (column symbolising judicial power) and the Paços do Concelho (a 19thC palace where the Municipal Council exercises its functions).

Seventh stop – Now climb up to the Chiado quarter and visit the bookshops and cafés that are much visited by writers and artists. Be sure to see the Brasileira and the Café no Chiado where you can drink a traditional bica (expresso coffee) accompanied by a no less famous pastel de nata (cream tart) and rest a little.
Nearby, look for the Teatro de São Carlos (Opera House) and the Museu do Chiado (Contemporary Art Museum).

Eighth stop – Bairro Alto (Upper Town), a 16thC urban development from the time of the Discoveries, famous for its art galleries, antique shops, ateliers and fashion boutiques of some of the most renowned Portuguese clothes designers.
The Igreja de São Roque (a 16thC church with a baroque interior) and its notable Museu de Arte Sacra (Religious Art Museum) and many other equally interesting churches warrant a quick glance. The architecture of the quarter, with its traditional facades, is worthy of some attention.

Ninth stop – Nearly at the end of the tour, climb up to the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara (viewing point) where you can obtain another beautiful panoramic view of the old city.

Before going to have dinner in one of the many restaurants in the area, have a Port wine aperitif in the Solar do Vinho do Porto.
If you like to listen to Fado, the traditional singing of Lisbon, choose one of the Casas de Fado of the Bairro Alto, where you can also dine.
End the day at the Docas – the former industrial port area of the Alcântara quarter – where the old warehouses have been transformed into cafés, restaurants, bars and discotheques.

Maps
Our publication - "Your Guide" - distributed free of charge at Lisbon Airport contains other suggestions of tours you can do in and around the city.

> Sightseeing Tours
Coach tours that pass by or stop at the main monuments and points of interest of Lisbon.

Operators

Carris tours
tel. (+351) 213 582 334
Departures: Praça do Comércio

City line
tel. (+351) 213 191 090
Departures: Marquês de Pombal

Cityrama regular tours
tel. (+351) 213 864 322
Departures: Marquês de Pombal

Gray line
tel. (+351) 213 864 322
Departures: Marquês de Pombal

> Sightseeing Trams
Hills and Discoveries Tours
The first visits the historical area of Lisbon, allowing one to experience the traditional quarters of Alfama, Graça, Baixa, Estrela and Sétima Colina. The second visits the Belém quarter. Both tours take 1½ hours. Departures are from Praça do Comércio. Recorded commentary in several languages.

> Monuments: the Basics
Aqueduto das Águas Livres (Free Waters' Aqueduct)
With an imposing structure of 35 arches, this is considered to be one of the most impressive monuments of Lisbon. The first water ran through it in 1748.

Basílica da Estrela (Estrela Basilica)
It's the most imposing 18thC monument in the city.
Well preserved, it's worth a visit specially by those who appreciate baroque style and sacred art.
Largo da Estrela

Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George's Castle)
The castle, with 10 square towers, served as a royal residence after the conquest of Lisbon to the Moors in 1147.
One can still find the ruins of the former royal palace, although the castle and walls were successively altered over the centuries. Nowadays it's one of the best belvederes of the city.
Costa do Castelo

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Hieronymite Monastery)
It was classified a "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO. Begun in 1501, it took approximately a century to build. The façade of the limestone building exceeds 300 metres in length. Perhaps the most remarkable monument of Lisbon.
Praça do Império

Sé Patriarcal (Patriarchal Cathedral)
Built on the ruins of the Moslem mosque in the 12th century. All over the centuries, several architectural styles have been added.
Largo da Sé, Alfama

Torre de Belém (Belem Tower)
Built in 1520 to serve as a fortress to defend the Tagus river bar, the tower became one of the most significant symbols of Lisbon. It presents eastern elements.
Avenida da Índia

> Museums and Exhibition Centres
Centro Cultural de Belém (Belem Cultural Centre)
Modern architecture: exhibitions and variety of performing arts.
Praça do Império

Museu Calouste Gulbenkian (Calouste Gulbenkian Museum)
Collections of classical Greek and Roman art, Middle and Far Eastern art. European collections of paintings, sculptures, textiles, furniture and jewellery.
Avenida de Berna, 45

Museu da Cidade (City Museum)
Exhibition on Lisbon, from the pre-historic era to the present day, showing the historical and architectural evolution of the city.
Palácio Pimenta, Campo Grande, 245

Museu da Ciência (Science Museum)
Divided into 4 thematic branches: the longer historical and interactive exhibition, the Polytechnic chemistry laboratory, the experimental chemistry laboratory, and the Planetarium.
R. Escola Politécnica, 58

Museu da Electricidade (Electricity Museum)
Presents the workings of the city's former electrical power supply. Permanent exhibition: "Everyday Electricity and Modernisation".
Avenida de Brasília, Central Tejo

Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum)
Collections of historic maps, ships and maritime gear, including models of ships from the period of the Discoveries until the present day. Nearby, you can visit the Planetarium.
Praça do Império

Museu Militar de Lisboa (Lisbon Military Museum)
Exhibition of weaponry and Portuguese military history from the 16thC until the Colonial War. Pay special attention to the beautiful painted ceilings.
Largo Museu da Artilharia

Museu Nacional de Arqueologia (National Archaeological Museum)
Archaeological collection from the pre-historic to the mediaeval and Moslem eras. Ethnographical, coin and jewellery collections and items of Egyptian arts.
Praça do Império

Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (National Museum of Ancient Art)
Portuguese and international plastic and decorative arts, with works from the 12th to the 19th centuries, that include paintings, illuminated manuscripts, drawings, sculptures, jewellery, furniture and tapestry.
Rua das Janelas Verdes, 9

Museu Nacional do Azulejo (National Glazed Tile Museum)
Collection of "azulejos" (glazed tiles) dating from the 15thC to the present day.
Rua Madre de Deus, 4

Museu Nacional dos Coches (National Coach Museum)
Exhibition of vehicles from the 17th to the 19thC, together with accessories, harnesses and uniforms.
Praça Afonso Albuquerque

> Lisbon Zoo
Located in the center of the city for 120 years, the Lisbon Zoo is an important park where education and amusement is encouraged. The Zoo has one of the best zoological collections in the world (almost 2000 animals of 400 species) and offers a whole set of atractions where our visitors can have a lot of funny and relaxing moments, but, above all, they leave with the sense of a day well spent.
Atractions: Dolphins Bay, Rainbow Park, Cable Car, Reptile House, Children's Farm, Sea-Lions Feeding and Presentation of Birds and Reptiles = all in a Single Ticket!
Estrada de Benfica 158-160, district of Sete Rios
www.zoo.pt / gav@zoolisboa.pt

> Oceanário de Lisboa (Lisbon Oceanarium)
The largest oceanarium in Europe, it is installed in the Parque das Nações (Nations Park). It displays marine fauna from the five oceans, in conditions that recreate the original environments.
Parque das Nações

> Parque das Nações (Nations Park)
Here took place the last world exhibition of the 20thC and millennium in 1998. Today it is occupied by pavilions, staging events and exhibitions, urban art and open spaces. The highlights go to the Oceanarium, one of the world's largest, where rare aquatic species are to be found living in natural environments.

Other highlights of the park:
FIL – Feira Internacional de Lisboa where professional thematic fairs take place.
Gare do Oriente – a symbol of the architecture of the Park.
Torre Vasco da Gama and Teleférico, from which one can enjoy a superb view of Lisbon, the Tagus and both river banks.

> Gardens
The gardens of Lisbon make the city a pleasant place.
As of the 18thC there emerged many country and manor houses with important gardens.

The taste for exotic trees and plants during the centuries of the Discoveries led to the creation of numerous botanical gardens and the so-called specific gardens, that bring together collections of tropical and subtropical plants.

Green areas can be found in the most varied parts of Lisbon. Sometimes they constitute isolated islands in the agglomeration of houses, and sometimes they are enclosed gardens with gates and roadways.

Jardim Botânico da Ajuda (Ajuda Botanical Gardens)
Calçada da Ajuda

Jardim Botânico da Faculdade de Ciências (The Science Faculty Botanical Gardens)
Rua da Escola Politécnica, 56/58

Jardim do Campo Grande (Campo Grande Gardens)
Campo Grande

Jardim da Estrela (Estrela Gardens)
Praça da Estrela, Lapa

Jardim Estufa Fria (The Greenhouse Gardens)
Parque Eduardo VII

Jardim da Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian (Gulbenkian Foundation Garden)
Avenida de Berna

Jardins de Belém (Belém Gardens)
Belém

Jardins do Parque das Nações (Nations' Park Gardens)
Parque das Nações

> Belvederes
The geomorphological aspects of the city of Lisbon surprise the visitor with magnificent panoramic views, in which the contrast of light on the hills and the Tagus undergoes constant renewal.

The elements are very diverse, from the beauty of the old houses on the hillsides, to the green spots of gardens and parks, passing to the bustle of the riverside traffic and the riverboats, until the view loses itself in the outline of the mountains and river.

There are many viewing points in Lisbon, most of them gardened, from which one can appreciate the whole of the city.

Aqueduto das Águas Livres (Free Waters' Aqueduct)
Mãe d' Água das Amoreiras

Cristo Rei (Christ the King - National Sanctuary)
(Santuário Nacional) - Alto do Pragal, Almada

Elevador de Sta. Justa (Santa Justa Lift)
Rua do Carmo

Graça
Largo da Graça

Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument to the Discoveries)
Avenida de Brasília

S. Pedro de Alcântara
Rua São Pedro de Alcântara

Santa Luzia
Largo das Portas do Sol

Torre Vasco da Gama (Vasco da Gama Tower)
Parque das Nações