6 Historical Treasures To Discover In Lisbon

As one of Europe’s oldest cities, Lisbon is filled with many archaeological treasures. Portugal’s capital has experienced many artistic, architectural, and population changes over its nearly 3,000-year-old history. The result is a plethora of hidden gems that have been unearthed over the years.

1. The Roman Galleries

In the center of downtown Lisbon (on Rua da Conceição), visitors can walk beneath the street and visit ancient Roman tunnels. Discovered nearly 20 years after the 1755 Great Lisbon earthquake, the tunnels are believed to date back to the first century A.D. Though they aren’t long (a walk-through takes about 20 minutes), they are somber and possibly frightening to anyone who is afraid of the dark. Their intended purpose may be less scary; the Portuguese government believes they were used as storage and as underground infrastructure. If this exploration sounds appealing, we recommend contacting the Lisbon Tourism Office for tour dates and times, as the tunnels are not always open to the public.

Rua da Conceição, Lisbon

2. Sé de Lisboa, Lisbon’s Medieval Cathedral

Cathedral, Church, Mosque

The Lisbon Cathedral in Alfama was built in the 12th century. It is the oldest church in the city and has towers, gilded features, and a rose window that attracts many visitors. Admission to the church is free but a €2.50 fee is required to walk through the cloisters, which are open from 10AM to 5PM. Roman, Arabic, and Medieval structures are found in these ancient walkways, which may have once belonged to a mosque that existed where the cathedral now stands.

3. Museu do Teatro Romano

Museum

While strolling on Alfama’s winding roads, you may come across a red wall surrounding the Museum of the Roman Theatre and its amphitheatre next door. This edifice dates back to the first century B.C. and was discovered in the late 18th century. In addition to the amphitheatre, visitors can see columns and sculptures. Archaeological research shows the Roman Theatre’s guests may have been able to see the Tagus River from their seats. Admission to the museum is free.

5. The National Azulejo Museum

Museum, Art Gallery

A chapel inside the Madre de Deus Convent/ National Azulejo Museum

In the National Azulejo Museum, a visitor can see both colorful ceramic tiles and a beautiful Baroque-style chapel in one visit. The National Azulejo Museum is built within a 16th-century convent, in a remote part of the city tourists often miss. It is the only museum in Portugal dedicated to azulejos, ceramic tiles which hold significant meaning in Portuguese culture. Both convent and chapel on the site are historical buildings that were renovated after the earthquake in 1755.

6. Campo das Cebolas

Park, Ruins, Shop, Train Station

While walking parallel to the Tagus River in Alfama, heading away from the Santa Apolónia train station, visitors will notice a fenced area under construction called Campo das Cebolas. Some of the ruins discovered in this location—soon to be a small park and parking lot—will be moved to museums in other parts of the city. One of the most interesting artifacts unearthed from the site is a small centuries-old boat. Access to the site is not permitted but visitors can walk around the fence, perhaps while enjoying a gelado (ice cream) from a nearby shop.

Campo das Cebolas, 1100-279 Lisbon

Peering into the Largo das Cebolas excavation site © Nina Santos

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.