Terreiro do Paco (or Palace Square) was the site of the royal palace until an earthquake destroyed it in 1755. After the royal family moved to another residence, the riverfront square continued to serve as a bustling welcome area to all arriving by boats. Today, Praca do Comercio (Commerce Square, as it is now known) still feels like a gateway to the city, and its opulent setting, replete with ornate arcades and statues, is an ideal start for all visiting Lisbon.

Coffeehouses have long been cultural institutions in Portugal, and Café Martinho da Arcada, founded in 1782, is the oldest coffeehouse in Lisbon. It was a favorite haunt of writer Fernando Pessoa, and continues to be a bustling place in which to savor a great coffee and atmosphere under the colonnades of Praca do Comercio.

Also known as Praça Dom Pedro IV, Rossio Square is well known as Lisbon's heart, where people depart from or arrive to Manueline Rossio train station, sip espresso at alfresco cafes, or simply sit and take in the fountains, stunning architecture, and activity around them.

For more than 75 years, Gambrinus has been serving authentic Portuguese cuisine, maintaining a combination of great food, wine, and service. At this Lisbon mainstay, you'll find very fresh seafood and an array of Portuguese specialities like Fish Stew or Partridge Pie, plus a few French classics, including Chateaubriand and Crepes Suzette.

Posh Chiado is the neighborhood where hip 'Alfacinhas' (or Lisboners) go to see and be seen. The historic district is a web of fashionable streets, lined with chic boutiques and trendy coffeehouses. Here you can browse old books, shop for high-end baubles, or enjoy a leisurely dinner.

Lisbon's oldest district, Alfama is a maze of medieval and Moorish alleys that are best explored by simply wandering — and getting lost. This is one of the city's most authentic neighborhoods, and here you'll find little pocket parks, hidden nooks, and magnificent views.

An icon of the city and the heart of Alfama, Castelo de Sao Jorge is a stunning structure, the oldest parts of which date to the 6th century. It was the Moorish royal residence until Afonso Henriques, Portugal's first king, captured it during the crusades in 1147.

The Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora is one of the most majestic churches in Portugal. Its collection of baroque tiles (around 100,000 in total) is the largest on record, and a series of 38 of them, around the cloisters, tell the story of La Fontaine Fables. Many of the Portuguese kings are also buried here.

Bica do Sapato is a swanky hip restaurant with a superb location next to the Tagus River and Santa Apolónia train station. Here, trendy Lisboners enjoy sushi or traditional Portuguese fare in posh environs.

A dramatic, moody music, Fado is integral to Portuguese culture, and the Fado Museum explores its history. Originally rooted in marginal social contexts, Fado became ubiquitous — sung at bullfights, in gardens, at parties and festivals. The museum not only traces the history of the music, but documents its place in society and the stories of the artists involved, through art, artifacts, musical scores, and more.

Built in the 16th century to commemorate Vasco da Gama's trip to India, the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is a stunning structure. Its maritime motifs reflect its purpose, as well as the fact that it was once home to the monks of the Order of Saint Jerome, who prayed for the king's soul and gave guidance to sailors. Today, da Gama's tomb is here, as is that of the poet Luis Vaz de Camões.

Originally built in 1559, the pale pink Palacio de Belem is the official residence of Portugal's president. While the exterior is somewhat underwhelming, visitors can enjoy its richly furnished halls and lush gardens on Saturdays, and the Presidency Museum, which explores the history of the presidents as well as national symbols, is also well-worth exploring.

Housed in an 18th-century riding school that is part of Belem Palace, Museu Nacional dos Coches contains one of the most impressive collections of horse carriages in the world. These ornate and magnificent specimens hail from different dynasties of the Portuguese Royal family, as well as from other European royal families. It is as fascinating to see their gilded wonder as it is to learn where they have journeyed to — on embassy to Louis XIV in France, on state visits by Queen Elizabeth II of Britain...

Situated along a small marina below the famous Salazar Bridge, the docks of Santo Amara welcome visitors to a selection of seaside restaurants housed in former warehouses. Featuring various types of cuisine, the restaurants are all atmospheric, and some have outdoor seating.

Housed in a 19th-century industrial park, LX Factory is now a hip hub for arts, fashion, music, and more. Also known as 'Creative Island,' it's a place where creative minds mix, mingle, and inspire — and anyone so inclined can wander among them to shop, nibble, and soak up the atmosphere.

Winding up the mountain, historic Bairro Alto is bohemian and hip. By day, it feels rather sleepy, but things liven up when the sun goes down on this nightlife hub.