The best-selling book “1000 Places to See Before You Die” by author Patricia Schultz inspired countless other copycat “…before you…” publications but it is still the original ultimate “traveler’s life list.” It was first published in 2003 and has recently been updated. A major update is for Portugal and especially Lisbon (“one of Europe’s most alluring capitals”), which now has three “must see” museums. The first book only listed the Gulbenkian but it now highlights “great museums of three collectors.” Those are the Gulbenkian, the Berardo Museum (opened in 2007) and MuDe (design and fashion museum opened in 2009). All three showcase “awe-inspiring gifts” from different collectors (Calouste Gulbenkian, Joe Berardo and Francisco Capelo) who “enriched the city with magnificent museums.”

Another Lisbon addition is Alfama, the “ancient neighborhood where history and Fado live,” and back on the list are Sintra (“the summer resort of palaces and castles”) and Obidos, “the town that belonged to the queens of Portugal.” Other places to see in Portugal “before you die” are the “hilltop castles” in the “ancient border towns” of Estremoz and Marvão, the “open-air museum of Portuguese architecture” that is the city of Evora, the “pleasure palace” of the Buçaco forest, and Madeira, “the pearl of the Atlantic.” New on the list is Porto and the Douro Valley, where “there’s magic in the air.”

After Portugal, you have other 991 places left to see around the world, and many of them are Portuguese-built, from “one of the world’s greatest enclaves of Baroque architecture” that is Brazil’s Ouro Preto to long-forgotten constructions like Ghana’s Elmina Castle.
Perhaps in a future edition the author will also discover Portugal’s Azores, the Coa Valley or the promontory of Sagres, all with a must-feel/must-see mystical atmosphere.

No matter if you choose Lonely Planet, DK Eyewitness Guide or Fodor’s, you won’t be told about these great attractions. But we say you should consider them for your Lisbon itinerary.

MEDEIROS E ALMEIDA MUSEUM
It’s been open for ten years but apparently no travel writer has found out about it. It’s one of Lisbon’s most important art collections which includes a Rembrandt portrait, a Tiepolo painting, magnificent decorative art and sculpting such as a fountain that once stood in the gardens of Versailles.

NECESSIDADES PARK
The former royal palace of Necessidades is now the ministry of foreign affairs and therefore closed to the public, but apparently very few people know that its garden/park is open to everyone. It’s actually undergoing some renovation to turn it into a more popular attraction, and right now you’ll likely have it all for yourself, with a view of 25 de Abril Bridge and rare plants from all over the world.

TOREL GARDEN
Another green space unknown to many is the small garden-viewpoint of Torel. It stands on a hilltop, reached by the landmark Lavra funicular, and offers views of downtown and a terrace café.

PENA CHURCH
Just a short walk down the street from Torel is this apparently ordinary church that hides a surprisingly opulent interior. Its altar and side chapels covered with gold were models for countless other churches in Lisbon and throughout Portugal.

MOINHOS DE SANTANA PARK
Way off the beaten path, this park is found northwest of Ajuda Palace on Rua Tristão Vaz in a residential neighborhood. Still, it’s a place worth finding, as it offers plenty of green space to rest and have a picnic, do some exercise, or simply to take a look at the centuries-old windmills recalling a time when this was not part of a capital city but a rural land.

SANTA CATARINA CHURCH
It’s a mystery why one of the city’s most beautiful and artistic interiors is overlooked by guidebooks, especially when it’s located just steps from Chiado and Bairro Alto. With its monumental gilding, rococo ceiling and organ, it’s actually a Lisbon must-see.

CARDAES CONVENT
With such a nondescript exterior, it’s understandable how it goes unnoticed. It’s a convent still inhabited by Dominican nuns, but a guided tour tells you about its fascinating history dating back to the 17th century and shows you its rich decorative features which includes rare Dutch tiles and a masterpiece baroque altar.

CINEMATECA
Many cities have a museum dedicated to cinema and this is Lisbon’s. But “Cinemateca” is much more than an institution that preserves the art of filmmaking, it’s also a movie theater with daily showing of classic features. They’re presented in their original language, most often with Portuguese subtitles (sometimes in English), and is a great attraction on a rainy day or for a special movie night.

PASSEIO DAS TÁGIDES
One of the best places for a stroll is the Parque das Nações waterfront. This boardwalk over the river that goes from the Oceanarium to close to the Atlantic Pavilion offers the most picture-perfect views of Lisbon’s most modern landmarks and is one of the city’s most pleasant walks.

ELECTRICITY MUSEUM
With so many museums in the city, very few people would dedicate much time to one about electricity. However, this museum is actually one of Lisbon’s most visited attractions due to its high-profile temporary exhibitions usually related to contemporary art and photography. So although you won’t see it listed on your guidebook, pass by to check out what is happening when you’re in town. It’s located just down the road from the Discoveries Monument.

It already has a museum presenting its history and cultural heritage (the City Museum), but in 2012 Lisbon will have another space dedicated to the celebration of its life as we know it. It will be called “Lisboa Story Center” and will be found in the city’s largest square, Praça do Comercio. It will be just one of several new attractions on that riverfront plaza, which this year already renovated and opened one of its courtyards with new cafés, restaurants and a tourist shop.
The new establishments should be in business by next summer, and will include yet another restaurant, two cafés, a bar, a beer hall, a florist shop, and space for special events.
It will cost a total of 10 million euros and is part of the ongoing riverfront renovation works which is taking longer than expected due to budget cuts and institutional reforms.
As for the “Lisboa Story Center,” it will be ready in October, but no information has been given on how it will complement the exhibits already found in the City Museum. However, previous reports indicated it should be related to “Pombaline Lisbon,” the time when Lisbon rose from the ashes of the 1755 earthquake and built a state-of-the-art downtown. It will focus on the architectural innovation of the area and the rebuilding of the city’s most monumental square.

The word “Baroque” derives from the Portuguese word “barroco.” Portugal is renowned for this architectural style and although Lisbon is characterized by its architectural diversity, it’s essentially a baroque city. That’s because most of it was rebuilt following the earthquake of 1755 and now many of its grandest monuments are filled with baroque splendor. The magnificence of many of the city’s interiors is also the result of the discovery of gold in Brazil, giving Lisbon a profusion of golden decorations. Here we present the 10 baroque attractions you should not miss.

SÃO ROQUE CHURCH
Home to what is said to be “the world’s most expensive chapel,” this deceptively simple church outside has one of the city’s (and Europe’s) richest baroque interiors.

ESTRELA BASILICA
This domed basilica is one of the city’s most monumental churches, covered with marble inside. It includes an impressive baroque nativity scene.

MENINO DE DEUS CHURCH
It’s usually closed, so this church hides one of the city’s most remarkable baroque interiors that mostly survived the 1755 earthquake.

MADRE DE DEUS CHURCH
The church of the convent that’s now home to the Tile Museum is truly magnificent. Covered in gold from floor to ceiling, it also has some outstanding tile panels and paintings.

SANTA CATARINA CHURCH
Also known as Paulistas Church, this is one of Lisbon’s most impressive yet least-known churches, covered with baroque and rococo decorations.

PENA CHURCH
Yet another church with an ordinary façade but with an extraordinary interior, covered in gilt.

SÃO MIGUEL CHURCH
One of the city’s many secrets is this church in the middle of Alfama’s maze of streets. It only opens for mass, revealing a rich baroque interior.

NATIONAL PANTHEON
The resting place of many of Portugal’s leading figures is a domed monument that took centuries to complete.

MARTIRES BASILICA
In addition to a beautiful ceiling painting, the interior of this basilica surprises for the well-preserved baroque details that fill the entire space.

ENCARNAÇÃO CHURCH
Found in the center of Chiado, this church has one of the city’s most elegant interiors, mixing the baroque and the neoclassical styles.

Lisbon is already Western Europe’s least expensive city, but in addition to the lower prices in accommodation and restaurants, you can also save on many of the city’s main attractions. Most of them are always free with the Lisboa Card, and others are free all the time, for everyone. Here are the five where money should be no excuse to miss:

MUSEU BERARDO
This museum has one of Europe’s best modern and contemporary art collections and also presents temporary exhibitions. It’s right next to the city’s must-see monument, the Jeronimos Monastery.

MUDE – DESIGN & FASHION MUSEUM
With a permanent collection of fashion and design by many of the world’s leading designers, this will become one of Lisbon‘s main attractions in the next couple of years. At the moment only a couple of the floors of the building are open to the public, and only part of the collection is on display, but it’s enough to make a visit worthwhile, especially when it’s free.

ROMAN THEATER MUSEUM
This tiny museum is for history buffs or for those wanting to know more about Lisbon’s Roman past. It’s next to the archaeological ruins of a Roman theater and shows pieces found on the site along with multimedia displays explaining the Roman times in the city.

CATHEDRAL
Most cathedrals around Europe now charge admission, but not in Lisbon. You can visit the rather gloomy interior of this 12th-century monument for free, there is only admission charge for the cloisters and the treasury.

BASILICA DA ESTRELA
It’s one of the city’s biggest monuments and most tourists pass by during their journey on the famous tram 28. Everyone’s free to see the grand marble interior, including a royal tomb and a monumental nativity scene by one of Portugal’s all-time best sculptors.

Based on official reports and semi-official numbers, these are Lisbon’s 10-most visited attractions. Some are understandably so, others less worthy of a visit than a few sites missing from the list.

1. JERONIMOS MONASTERY
This World Heritage Site is Lisbon’s most important monument and naturally receives the most visitors. The church is free and is extraordinarily ornate, but the real attraction are the cloisters.

2. OCEANARIUM
Attracting over one million visitors every year, this is one of the world’s largest aquariums and it just got bigger with a new extension this year, guaranteeing even more people through its doors for temporary exhibitions.

3. CASTLE OF ST. GEORGE
Locals and tourists (close to a million of them) flock to this ancient hilltop monument every year. It’s seen from almost anywhere in the city, so it constantly invites you to its ramparts.

4. BERARDO MUSEUM
Apparently everyone thinks “It’s free, so why not go inside?” The reward is one of Europe’s most important modern art collections and it’s now visited more than other famous European museums such as Bilbao’s Guggenheim.

5. TOWER OF BELEM
Leaving Lisbon without seeing Belém Tower is like going to Paris and not seeing Eiffel’s. The city icon is on the riverfront almost by the Atlantic, but it’s a pilgrimage everyone must make.

6. DISCOVERIES MONUMENT
This one is almost inevitable: It’s found halfway between the Tower of Belém and the monastery and is featured on almost every postcard and guidebook of the city. The colossal images of Portugal’s famous explorers also make it a must-stop for photos.

7. SANTA JUSTA ELEVATOR
The ride only lasts a few seconds, but the real attraction are the views at the top of this towering elevator with an Eiffel Tower-like structure.

8. CARRIAGES MUSEUM
This is Portugal’s most-visited national museum and the reason is that everyone is told that it has the world’s largest and best collection of royal carriages. It’s like entering a Cinderella world that attracts visitors of all ages, making it a perfect family attraction.

9. ANCIENT ART MUSEUM
The number of visitors has risen every year and that is due to a few important temporary exhibitions that have led many to discover its noteworthy permanent collection, in large part related to Portugal’s Age of Discovery.

10. CATHEDRAL
Everyone who visits Lisbon will at least pass by on their way to the castle on tram 28. Many end up going inside, and although it’s far from being one of Lisbon’s most beautiful churches, it is its oldest and it is the cathedral.

Most people remember that the Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach Japan and have colonies in China and India, but what’s often forgotten is that they were also the first ones to reach another Asian location — Thailand. That happened exactly 500 years ago this month and until late 2011 there will be a permanent reminder of that in Lisbon’s Belém district.
That will be a Thai pavilion made of teak (hard timber), built in Bangkok to be shipped and assembled in Lisbon. The exact location will be the gardens by the Jeronimos Monastery, it will be 22 feet high (close to seven meters), and will have Portuguese and Thai motifs. It will present exhibitions and musical shows throughout the year, and may also include a tea room. The name of the monument will be “Sala Thai,” using a word that arrived in Thailand with the Portuguese (in both countries “sala” is a living space within a building).
It will be open to the public before the end of this year but the official inauguration will be in early 2012. Although the king of Thailand apparently won’t be able to attend, he’ll send one of his daughters. The princess will therefore be the guest of honor for an event that will not only unveil a new attraction in Lisbon but also remember the first contact Thailand made with Westerners. Among the interesting results of this cultural exchange was the introduction of sweets, pastries and desserts in Thai cuisine, using eggs for the first time and incorporating sugary traditions from Portugal.
In the meantime, those interested in the Europe-meets-Asia art and culture can visit the Orient Museum in Lisbon.

Lisbon’s most surprisingly little-visited attractions are its green spaces (parks and gardens), but one you should not miss is the greenhouse of Edward VII Park. It underwent a major 1.8-million-euro renovation in the last two years and reopened just a few weeks ago. One reason why you should not overlook it in your sightseeing itinerary is because your hotel will very likely be located nearby — it’s found right in the center of the city’s main hotel district — but above all, it’s worth a stop for its wonderful collection of plants from all over the world.
You’ll feel transported to a magical wonderland created in 1933 with species from Portugal’s colonies in Asia, Africa and South America (Brazil), while others were brought from diverse locations like Australia, Mexico and Peru.
Although it’s known as “Estufa Fria” (cold greenhouse), it includes a “estufa quente” (hot greenhouse) which feels like a sauna as soon as you enter. It’s home to tropical plants and several cacti, and is perhaps the most fascinating section of the park.
Throughout the entire greenhouse (cold and hot), you’ll also see small ponds, tiny waterfalls and statues dotted around.

Medeiros e Almeida Museum
It’s celebrating its 10th anniversary on June 1st with free admission, but despite being open for a decade, only a couple of guidebooks have found it. So it remains one of Lisbon’s least-known attractions, even when holding one of its most important private collections of art. From paintings to decorative art, this is an extraordinary collection that could complement a visit to the Gulbenkian Museum.

Chiado Museum
Also celebrating a birthday, but this one with an extra zero, is the National Museum of Contemporary Art. Better known as the Chiado Museum, it is found in a very small space for such a large collection, so only part of it is on display in temporary exhibitions. Finally, at 100 years old, it will apparently expand at the end of the year. The building next to it will be vacant and the process of incorporating it into the museum will begin.

Monsanto Park
Very few know it, but Lisbon has one of the largest urban parks in the world. It’s a protected forest that’s been cleaned up in the last few years, and in addition to outdoor activities, it’s also been used as a stage for concerts. This June, on Sundays, you’ll be able to catch free concerts, part of the annual OutJazz festival that takes place in several parts of the city.

The Greenhouse
It was closed for almost two years for restoration works, and just reopened last month. This greenhouse in Edward VII Park is a wonderland of hundreds of species of plants from around the world, and with a certain magical atmosphere to relax in the middle of the city.

Sky Bar
It’s only open in the summer, and it’s now back for another season of cocktails overlooking the city. Found at the top of the Tivoli Lisboa Hotel in Avenida da Liberdade, this rooftop terrace is perfect to admire Lisbon after a day of sightseeing, and having a drink before or after dinner.

It’s one of Lisbon’s most-visited attractions and one of the world’s biggest aquariums — and it just got bigger. A recently-inaugurated 4.8-million-euro extension added space for temporary exhibitions (at the moment you can see sea turtles), a new auditorium and a new restaurant.
It reinforces the mega-aquarium‘s mission to alert its nearly 1-million visitors each year to near-extinct species and a cleaner environment, while also providing other services such as family-friendly programs in the auditorium and extra space to relax with a meal.
The new all-white restaurant is open from 10AM to 7PM and serves a kid-friendly menu: pastas, hamburgers, soups, salads, snacks.
The Oceanarium is one of only a couple of attractions in the city that never close. It’s open throughout the year, even on Christmas day. It’s an especially good destination to include in your itinerary if you’re in the city on a Monday when most of the museums and monuments are closed. It’s also perhaps the attraction most enjoyed by all age groups, and the Lisboa Card gives you reduced admission.