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-fifteenth century; it was rebuilt in the 1940s. Within the castle, tourists can visit multimedia presentations or just wander around the walls and towers and gardens. In summer there are frequent festivals in the castle grounds.

Transport: Tram 12 or 28; or bus 37.
Opening hours: Daily summer 0900-2100; winter 0900-1800.
Admission: Free.
Tram 28

The legendary Tram 28 is a tourist attraction in itself. Vintage trams still ply the well worn route from the city center on sea level, right up through the jumble of streets towards the heights of St. George Castle. 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.

One of the city's most famous sights is more impressive on the outside than on the inside. This white stone tower, built in the early-sixteenth century to defend the river, was the last thing that the seafaring adventurers saw before setting out on their epic adventures. It is an excellent example of the Manueline style of architecture, with fanciful naval themes. A gangway leads to the very average museum within the tower.

Avenida de Brasília
Transport: Tram 15; or bus 27, 28, 29, 43, 49 or 51; or train to Belém station.
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1700.
Admission: Esc400.

This sixteenth-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.

Praça do Império
Transport: Tram 15; or bus 27, 28, 29, 43, 49, 51 or 112; or train to Belém station.
Opening hours: Oct-Apr Tues-Sun 1000-1700; May-Sep Tues-Sun 1000-1830.
Admission: Esc400 (admission to the church is free).

The former Expo98 site has been converted into a mixed-use area, with a collage of housing, tourist attractions and a wide walkway on the Rio Tejo. 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, is one of the city's most popular attractions. The waterside cable car connects the tower and oceanarium and offers excellent views over the site. The Atlantico Pavilion holds regular music concerts and sports events.

Transport: Rail/metro/bus to Estação do Oriente station.
Opening hours: (Torre Vasco da Gama) daily 1000-2000; (Oceanário) daily 1000-1800 (until 1900 in summer); (cable car) Mon-Fri 1000-2000 and Sat and Sun 1000-2130.
Admission: (Torre Vasco da Gama) Esc500; (Oceanário) Esc1500; (cable car) Esc500 one way.

This is a treasure house of art covering almost every significant epoch. Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Islamic and Oriental art comprise half the exhibition rooms; the rest is devoted to European art from medieval times to the early twentieth century. The sequence continues with the foundation's Centro de Arte Moderna, which is part of the same complex.

Avenida de Berna 45
Transport: Metro São Sebastião or Praça de Espanha.
Opening hours: Tues 1400-1800 and Wed-Sun 1000-1800 (Museu
Admission: Esc500; free Sunday (concessions available).

This modern complex houses the Museu do Design as well as performance and exhibition spaces. The museum features twentieth-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.

Praça do Império
Transport: Tram 15 or 17; or bus 27, 28, 29, 43, 49 or 51; or train to Belém station.
Opening hours: Daily 1300-1930.
Admission: Esc500 (basic ticket).

Essentially Portugal's national gallery, the museum's collections of painting and sculpture date from the twelfth century and include a wide range of works by Portuguese and international artists.

Rua das Janelas Verdes 9
Transport: Tram 15 or 18; or bus 27, 40, 49, 51 or 60.
Opening hours: Tues 1400-1800 and Wed-Sun 1000-1800.
Admission: Esc500; Sun free until 1400.

Built in the twelfth 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 thirteenth century and the Baroque sacristy houses the remains of St Anthony (Lisbon's patron saint) and other treasures.

Rua do Castelo / Largo da Sé
Transport: Tram 28; or bus 37.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0830-1800 (cathedral); Mon-Sun 1000-1300 and 1400-1700 (museum/treasury).
Admission: Free (cathedral); Esc400 (museum/treasury).

With its seven hills, Lisbon offers a number of places to see and see from. The Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, at the top of the Elevador de Glória funicular, offers views over the Baixa and across to the Castelo de São Jorge. It is worth getting off tram 28 to see the view over the Alfama and the Rio Tejo from the Miradouro Santa Luzia and Miradouro das Portas do Sol. Further along tram 28's route, up the hill, is the Miradouro da Graça, which overlooks the Mouraria and the Castelo.

The Elevador de Santa Justa is another great vantage point. Located at the end of Rua Santa Justa, it costs the same as other forms of public transit and is free with travel passes; although not with the Lisboa Card.