The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Lisbon District, Central Portugal

November 10, 2021 Vivienne Hutton

Discover the best top things to do in Lisbon District, Portugal including Praia da ursa, Quinta de Sant'Ana, Museu Nacional do Azulejo, Estufa Fria, Estadio Nacional, Palacio dos Marqueses de Fronteira, Palacio Nacional da Ajuda, Medeiros e Almeida Museum, Rua dos Correeiros Archaeological Nucleus, Convento dos Capuchos.
Restaurants in Lisbon District

1. Praia da ursa

Cabo da Roca, Sintra Portugal http://www.praiadaursa.pt/
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 521 reviews

Praia da ursa

Reviewed By 789stephend - Vancouver, Canada

I found Cabo da Roca to be beautiful and the ocean crashing against the cliffs. There are some hiking trails to explore, well worth the trip out here.

2. Quinta de Sant'Ana

Rua Direita 3, Gradil, Mafra 2665-113 Portugal +351 261 963 550 [email protected] http://www.qsa-wine.com
Excellent
93%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 69 reviews

Quinta de Sant'Ana

Quinta de Sant’Ana is a stunningly beautiful, family-run property, just 30 minutes drive from Lisbon. A unique micro climate of cool nights, misty mornings and hot afternoons, result in fresh mineral white wines and elegant complex reds. Owners James and Ann Frost live on the estate with their seven boys and welcome visitors who wish to taste their wines. Winemaker: Antonio Macanita.

Reviewed By Denatracy

We cannot thank our wedding coordinator Alex and all the staff at Quinta de Sant'Ana enough for making our wedding day so incredibly fantastic. It was like a fairytale dream come true!! The venue itself is literally mind-blowingly beautiful, the food is out of this world and the wine, well, magnificent. All our guests were blown away by the beauty of the venue and level of service they received on the day. John and I cannot thank you enough for how well you looked after us and everyone else. You will always hold a very special place in our hearts and we cannot wait to plan a family reunion to be there again. Thank you so much for giving us the best day we could have ever dreamed of and more!! Dena and John xxx (3/8/19)

3. Museu Nacional do Azulejo

Rua Madre de Deus 4 São João, Lisbon 1900-312 Portugal +351 21 810 0340 [email protected] http://www.museudoazulejo.gov.pt/
Excellent
62%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,198 reviews

Museu Nacional do Azulejo

A must-see for people interested in the history and design of ceramic tiles, this specialty museum houses a splendid collection of decorative tiles dating from the 15th century to the present.

Reviewed By sharonhW264WM - Las Vegas, United States

The amazing museum is located in the former Convent of Madre de Deus (founded in 1509) so the building (the cloister, vestry, upper choir, and St. Anthony’s Chapel) and its original tile work are spectacular examples of 1500’s art and architecture in themselves. In Portugal glazed tiles have been used since the 13th century. Initially tiles displayed plain colors and geometric shapes, but by the 16th century more decorative patterns, based on Hispanic, Moorish, and Islamic knot work and geometric patterns, emerged. These were gradually replaced by European motifs with plant and animal patterns, as well as gothic and romantic motifs. The museum’s collection traces tile development from the second half of the 15th century to present day. It was wonderful to wander from room to room and watch the stylistic changes in the tiles as time progressed. We saw everything from giant religious wall presentations and altarpieces, to fully-tiled rooms and stairwells, to hunting scenes and flowers, to fairytales and legends retold in tiles, to colorful tiled maps of Lisbon. St. Anthony’s Chapel was especially impressive—beautiful barrel-vaulted ceiling with a huge dome, blue and white tiled scenes along the back and side walls, and baroque gilding throughout. This museum is truly one of a kind—a Lisbon must see.

4. Estufa Fria

Parque Eduardo VII Incluir Contacto Telemóvel Ou Telefone, Lisbon 1070-099 Portugal 388 2278 http://estufafria.cm-lisboa.pt/
Excellent
52%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 558 reviews

Estufa Fria

Reviewed By alysonBromsgrove

It is a very reasonable entrance fee. The three greenhouses are very well set out. When we visited it was very quiet and at some points we seemed to have the place to ourselves. I collect cacti so found the one devoted to cacti and succulents amazing. Everything was well labelled. The whole place is beautiful and well worth a visit if you love plants.

5. Estadio Nacional

Complexo Desportivo do Jamor Praça da Maratona, 1495 Cruz Quebrada, Lisbon Portugal 419 7241
Excellent
56%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 90 reviews

Estadio Nacional

Reviewed By Westpassage - Cork, Ireland

Whilst in Lisbon it was wonderful to be able to visit this stadium and see where the Lisbon Lions became immortal. A quick taxi ride from the hotel and we were there. We were allowed wander the stadium at our leisure and soak up the atmosphere. All the while imagining what it would have been like to attend the actual match where history was made. Lovely to see the plaque commemorating the 50th anniversary too. A very special place. And for free!! The security man called a taxi for us and was most helpful.

6. Palacio dos Marqueses de Fronteira

Largo Sao Domingos de Benfica 1 Fronteira Palace, Lisbon 1500-554 Portugal +351 21 778 4599 [email protected] http://www.fronteira-alorna.pt
Excellent
60%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
5%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 416 reviews

Palacio dos Marqueses de Fronteira

Seventeenth Century Palace placed in an ancient Quinta de Recreio (recreation farm) which includes a formal garden, an informal garden and woods. The exterior and interiors of the Palace are decorated with the largest and best collection of Portuguese seventeenth-century "azulejos" (decorative tiles) still in their original location known today. The gardens are decorated with fountains, statues and other constructions from the seventeenth century, which are refreshing and make the walk through the premises a continuous delight. Although this is an inhabited Palace still today, visitors are welcome to take guided tours of the inside and enjoy visiting some of the most beautiful rooms, the Library, the terrace with "azulejo" panels representing the Liberal Arts, and the Chapel. The fact that this is an inhabited living space is part of its very special atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy a souvenir shop managed by the Association of the Friends of the Fronteira Palace.

Reviewed By eddg2019

Since it is located in the district of Benfica, some distance from central Lisbon, it can be a bit daunting to reach the Palácio. It is possible to take the blue line Metro and get off at the Jardim Zoológico stop and then walk a mile. However, it is much easier to take a taxi or, better yet, an Uber. The palace is located at Largo São Domingos de Benfica. Note: Even with GPS, drivers sometimes have difficulty finding the Palácio Fronteira. Do not get out of the vehicle unless you actually see the palace. It is well worth the effort to reach Palácio da Fronteira. The gardens contain incredible examples of Portuguese tiles, as well as statues, topiaries, a wide variety of plants, and a pool with ducks and black swans. The interiors of the palace are decorated with the largest and best collection of Portuguese seventeenth-century decorative tiles still in their original location. The gardens can be visited on one’s own, but the palace can only be seen on a guided tour, which should be booked in advance. If you are lucky (as I was) you may be accompanied on your tour by one of the palace’s six cats. That is assuming one of them deigns to honor you with its presence. There seems to be conflicting information concerning times for tours so it is best to have your hotel call for you in advance and make a reservation. Get the combination ticket that includes both the palace and the gardens. Allow yourself time to linger in the gardens. You won’t regret it.

7. Palacio Nacional da Ajuda

Largo da Ajuda, Lisbon 1300-018 Portugal +351 21 363 7095 [email protected] http://www.palacioajuda.pt
Excellent
64%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,295 reviews

Palacio Nacional da Ajuda

This is a collection of decorative arts including furniture, tapestries and statues in an unfinished palace.

Reviewed By nobukof347 - Yao, Japan

This palace is about 10-15 minute walk from Mosteiro dos jeronimos. There were a few tourists in the palace when I visited it. Although it is still used, visitors can see inside the palace and are allowed to take pictures. The inside of the palace is gorgeous and can imagine how royal family or people in high classes lived. This palace is on the uphill but not so steep. It is interesting to look around the buildings with tile walls. A Botanical Garden is nearby the palace.

8. Medeiros e Almeida Museum

Rua Rosa Araujo 41, Lisbon 1250-194 Portugal +351 21 354 7892 [email protected] http://www.casa-museumedeirosealmeida.pt/
Excellent
72%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 206 reviews

Medeiros e Almeida Museum

This is a 25-room collection of 17th to 20th century arts, originally amassed by a private collector. A true find.

Reviewed By Lina2012 - Lithuania, null

a wonderful place to visit, loved it! Veery original. Located in beautiful surroundings near Avenida Liberdade.

9. Rua dos Correeiros Archaeological Nucleus

Rua dos Correeiros 15 23, Lisbon 1100-161 Portugal +351 21 113 1004 [email protected] http://ind.millenniumbcp.pt/pt/Institucional/fundacao/Pages/fundacao_NARC.aspx
Excellent
68%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 108 reviews

Rua dos Correeiros Archaeological Nucleus

This place is temporarily closed

10. Convento dos Capuchos

Rua de Sao Pedro Parques de Sintra, Colares 2705-157 Portugal +351 21 923 7300 [email protected] http://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-and-monuments/convent-of-the-capuchos/description/
Excellent
59%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 558 reviews

Convento dos Capuchos

The "Capuchos Convent" or "Cork Convent" was established in 1560 by Dom Alvaro de Castro, Counsellor of State to King Sebastiao, with the name Convento de Santa Cruz da Serra de Sintra. It is noteworthy for the extreme poverty of its construction, which represents the ideal of the Order of St. Francis of Assisi, and for the extensive use of cork in the protection and decoration of its small spaces.

Reviewed By Margo7850p

An authentic monastery built in the heart of the Sintra Nature Park. The Convent of the Capuchos is a historical convent consisting of small quarters and public spaces located in the civil parish of Sao Pedro de Penaferrim, in the municipality of Sintra. Poverty was the central notion which ruled the construction of the Convent of the Capuchos. Fascinating to see how they lived in such simplicity. The site is located in the rural part of Sintra, along the northeastern flank of the Sintra Mountains, approximately 325 metres above sea level, in a location marked by dense vegetation and accentuated slopes. The minimalist convent was erected in perfect harmony with its surroundings, implanted in the rocks and boulders that formed this part of the Sintra Mountains. A good place to enjoy nature and see how the Franciscans lived in the 16th century without wealth. A quiet place with peace and greenery all around. Really interesting place, away from the main tourist routes. Not many tourists, peace and contemplative mood. Beautiful garden, pleasant walk. In place routes thought out for tourists - with lighting inside the buildings. There are parking, toilets and places for a rest. A beautiful drive there. Though all drives in this area mean narrow, winding, mountain roads.

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