ROSSIO SQUARE
The official name is Dom Pedro IV Square, but everyone knows it as Rossio. It marks the very center of the city, a lively place at any time of the day, with a wave-patterned mosaic pavement that has been reproduced throughout Portugal, in Rio de Janeiro and in Macau.
It was the site of the bonfires of the Inquisition, and in the early 1900s it attracted intellectuals who met at several cafés, such as the Nicola, which still exists. It's also home to the neoclassical theater Dona Maria II, and to a monument to King Pedro IV, standing 27-meters (89ft) high between two monumental baroque fountains.
CHIADO
Lisbon's most elegant and trendiest neighborhood is where everyone meets for coffee, shopping, or before dinner and a night out in neighboring Bairro Alto.
Most of the buildings are from the 1700s, although many were restored in the 1990s by architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, after their destruction by a devastating fire in 1988. It's a neighborhood that flashes back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the "Belle Époque" when writers such as Fernando Pessoa and Eça de Queiroz used to write at the now-historic cafés. It's also the neighborhood of theaters, of charming old bookshops and major international brands, giving it a lively cosmopolitan ambience at any time of the day.
COMMERCE SQUARE
Lisbon's grandest square faces the river, and was originally designed to welcome those arriving in the city by boat.
What you see today is the 18th-century version, as the original square, named "Terreiro do Paço" and home to the royal palace, was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. It was rebuilt with a triumphal arc facing the Tagus, and the surrounding arcaded buildings held government offices for many years.
At the center is a monument to King José I.
The square is also home to the city's oldest café, "Martinha da Arcada", and to the monumental Pousada Hotel.
There is also a tourist office, while across from it is the Lisboa Story Center, which presents the history of the city.
Under the arcades are cafés and restaurants with tables outside.
NATIONS PARK
Eastern Lisbon used to be an ugly industrial area, until it was chosen as the site to host the last world fair of the 20th century, Expo 98. It has since been reborn into a futuristic glass-and-steel district, home to some wonderful examples of modern architecture.
One of them is Oriente Station, a landmark with the signature of Santiago Calatrava, while Pritzker-award winning architect Alvaro Siza Vieira is the man behind the fantastic Pavilhão de Portugal, known for its remarkable undulating roof.
Many of the other constructions have an ocean theme (the twin towers São Gabriel and São Rafael resemble ships and are named after two of Vasco da Gama's vessels), and there is also one of the world's most spectacular aquariums nearby.
Everywhere you turn is a glimpse of the river looking like an ocean crossed by Europe's longest bridge, water volcanos erupting, wave-shaped benches, exotic greenery, public art by Portuguese and international artists, cable cars overlooking it all, and an unashamedly avant-garde side of Lisbon contrasting with its old historic center.
LISBON'S OCEANARIUM (TICKETS INCLUDED)
Not only is this one of the largest aquariums in the world, it's also one of the best designed. Although the over 25,000 sea creatures seem to be swimming together, sharks are separated from smaller defenseless fish by invisible acrylic walls. It's the first aquarium to place all world ocean habitats together, and presents several marine species, from the curious round stingrays to the giant sunfish, seahorses, otters and penguins... In 2017 it inaugurated a new sardine tank.
The main building, rising from the Tagus, was built for the 1998 World Fair, while an annex was inaugurated in 2011 to house sea turtles.
The main attraction is the gigantic tank visible from four different levels, where high-tech displays explain everything in different languages.
VASCO DA GAMA TOWER
Shaped like a sail of Portuguese explorers' ships, this tower actually makes you feel like you're in Dubai and not in Lisbon. It's 145-m (575ft) high, and ten years after opening in 1998 it had a hotel built into it.
Originally built as an observation tower for the World Fair, the top deck is now closed, but there are views of the surrounding Parque das Nações architecture all throughout the hotel.
VASCO DA GAMA SHOPPING MALL
With water flowing over the glass roof, this is the most attractive Lisbon mall.
It's especially popular on weekends when families go to the Oceanarium and other attractions nearby, while teens are the majority whenever there's a concert at Meo Arena.
The multiplex cinema is another attraction, as is the huge Continente hypermarket. Other popular stores include FNAC for books and music, and a large Zara for men and women's fashions.
In total there are over 150 shops plus a food court, as well as a pleasant deck on the upper floor overlooking the waterfront.
LISBON'S CASINO
Lisbon's casino is a younger and more contemporary version of the largest casino in Europe found outside the city in the seaside town of Estoril.
In addition to the gaming tables and slot machines expected at any casino, there is a large minimalist space for eating and drinking.
An auditorium presents major national and international shows, and there are also nightly shows at the rotating "Arena Lounge".
Originally with 800 slot machines and 21 gaming tables, the gambling area was expanded in 2009 and now offers 1100 machines and 28 tables, as well as a gallery space for art exhibitions.
So far the biggest prize received from the machines was 357,993 euros in April 2010.
ALTICE ARENA
This spaceship-looking building is Lisbon's main arena, hosting the city's biggest concerts and events. Built for the World Fair in 1998, it was initially the Atlantic Pavilion, then it was renamed MEO Arena, and became Altice Arena in 2017. It holds up to 15,000 spectators, and has been the venue for the Tennis Masters championships, the MTV European Music Awards, and the Web Summit.
Some of the big rock and pop names that have performed here include Madonna (who filmed her "Reinvention Tour" concert here), Metallica, Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Depeche Mode, among many others.
Check the website for all the upcoming shows.