What to do in Santa Maria Maior

Activities, attractions and tours

Commerce Square which includes night scenes, a city and street scenes
Commerce Square which includes night scenes, a city and street scenes
Miradouro de Santa Luzia featuring a coastal town, a city and night scenes
Santa Maria Maior which includes landscape views and a city
Rua Augusta Arch featuring street scenes and heritage elements as well as a small group of people

Santa Maria Maior Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Santa Maria Maior has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Santa Maria Maior is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Santa Maria Maior to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Santa Maria Maior Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Santa Maria Maior.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Santa Maria Maior attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Top places to visit

1. Rossio Square

Officially named Praça Dom Pedro IV, this centrally located square is much more commonly known simply as Rossio. Come here at any time of the day to find the square abuzz, as people gather to socialize at cafés around the square’s edge.
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Rossio Square showing a square or plaza and a fountain

2. Castle of São Jorge

The Castle of São Jorge is a huge medieval structure that overlooks the city. Take a guided tour to learn about Lisbon’s past and enjoy views across the capital from the castle’s grounds.
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Castle of Sao Jorge showing views, a city and a castle

3. Santa Justa Elevator

The Santa Justa Elevator connects the hilltop neighborhood Bairro Alto with downtown Baixa. The gothic, iron structure rises up from the neoclassical architecture of downtown. The elevator has been in operation since 1905 and was originally operated by a steam engine. Today it’s powered by an electric engine and is a great way to enjoy views over the city. Visit the elevator’s rooftop café.
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Santa Justa Elevator featuring landscape views, views and a city

4. Commerce Square

Commerce Square, or the Praça do Comércio, is a meeting place for locals and a great spot to bask in the sun along the riverfront. This was the site of the royal palace for many centuries, until the Great Earthquake of 1755. The palace was remodeled into an elaborate stone monument that marks the point of entry to the city. Today the square offers many places to sit and relax in between visits to the surrounding sites of the central Baixa district.
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Commerce Square in Lisbon

5. Lisbon Cathedral

The Lisbon Cathedral (the Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa) is a must-see for lovers of architecture. It is the oldest religious structure in Lisbon and has been modified several times, so it reflects many different architectural styles.
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Lisbon Cathedral featuring a church or cathedral, street scenes and heritage architecture

6. Rua Augusta Arch

Designed to symbolize the city’s recovery from a devastating natural disaster, Rua Augusta Arch is an icon of Lisbon and an important symbol of its resilience. Ride the elevator to the top for panoramas across downtown Lisbon and the River Tagus.
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Rua Augusta Arch featuring street scenes and heritage elements as well as a small group of people

7. Restauradores Square

Restauradores Square is surrounded by buildings of architectural interest, but it is the 98-foot (30-meter) tall obelisk in the center that will immediately attract your eye. Gaze up at the soaring monument and then look around at the other landmarks in the square, including the magnificent Foz Palace, which once served as the chief residence of the Marquis of Foz.
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Restauradores Square featuring a square or plaza, a monument and heritage elements

8. Lisboa Story Centre

Two stylized ravens welcome visitors outside the door of the Lisboa Story Centre. The ravens are the city’s mascots that legend says accompanied the remains of patron St. Vincent on a sea voyage back to Lisbon. Enter the interpretive historical showcase and pick up a multilingual audio guide to learn the progression of events for Europe’s westernmost city.
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Lisboa Story Centre featuring interior views

Recommended things to do in Santa Maria Maior

Number of things to do
1403
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Exciting Free Walking Tour: Explore Iconic Landmarks & Stunning Viewpoints: CA $2
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Santa Maria Maior

Discover the most popular places to visit in Santa Maria Maior

Rossio Square showing street scenes, a square or plaza and heritage elements

Rossio Square

See the people-packed central square whose swirling wave-patterned cobbles are thought to have inspired copycat pavements across the rest of Portugal and beyond.

Rossio Square
Avenida da Liberdade featuring a city and a statue or sculpture

Avenida da Liberdade

You can browse for souvenirs when you visit Avenida da Liberdade, a popular shopping spot in Santo Antonio. Discover the charming cafes in this family-friendly area, or seek out the local tours.

Avenida da Liberdade
Campo Grande which includes a pond and a park

Campo Grande

You can learn about the history of Alvalade with a stop at Campo Grande. While in this family-friendly area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

Campo Grande
Belem Tower featuring a bridge, a sunset and general coastal views

Belém Tower

Lisbon constructed a fortification along a waterway to defend its riches. Now access the structure from the shore for lovely views.

Belém Tower
Lisbon City Center showing a monument and a statue or sculpture

Marquis of Pombal Square

Learn about the local history of Lisbon when you spend time at Marquis of Pombal Square. Stroll along the riverfront or experience the fascinating museums in this vibrant area.

Marquis of Pombal Square
Castle of Sao Jorge showing views, a city and a castle

Castle of São Jorge

This medieval fortress offers insight into Lisbon’s long history as well as stunning views of the city and river below.

Castle of São Jorge
Lisbon Oceanarium featuring interior views and marine life as well as a small group of people

Lisbon Oceanarium

Enjoy an underwater adventure at one of the world’s largest and most diverse aquariums right on Lisbon’s beautiful waterfront.

Lisbon Oceanarium
Carcavelos beach in Lisbon, Portugal

Carcavelos Beach

If a restful vacation is part of your travel plans, Carcavelos Beach might be the perfect place to seek out during your trip to Carcavelos. Amble around the area's seaside, or seek out its surfing spots.

Carcavelos Beach
Santa Justa Elevator featuring nightlife, night scenes and outdoor eating

Santa Justa Elevator

Ride the elevator designed in the 19th century to connect the districts of hilltop Bairro Alto and downtown Baixa. Enjoy views from the café atop the gothic lift.

Santa Justa Elevator

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Santa Maria Maior

Alfama Lisbon Cityscape

Lisbon

Miradouro de Santa Luzia featuring a coastal town and a lake or waterhole

Lisbon District

Amoreiras Shopping Center featuring a city and landscape views

Campo de Ourique

Arroios

Arroios

The Museu Nacional do Azulejo is one of the most important Portuguese museums, for its unique collection - the Azulejo (tile), an artistic expression which differentiates the Portuguese culture. #Portugal #museum #BVSBlue

Penha de Franca

Parliament featuring heritage architecture, street scenes and a city

Misericórdia

Santo Antonio which includes a river or creek, outdoor eating and street scenes

Santo Antonio

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Maria Maior worth visiting?
Providing a blend of history and culture, there are many things to do in Santa Maria Maior. When you're here, visit Castle of São Jorge, a major attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Santa Maria Maior?
Once you've visited major attractions like Castle of São Jorge, spend some time exploring the shopping and dining scene in Santa Maria Maior.
What is the top tourist attraction in Santa Maria Maior?
The top tourist attraction near Santa Maria Maior is Castle of São Jorge, so don't forget to include it on your sightseeing itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Santa Maria Maior?
With a three-day vacation in Santa Maria Maior, you'll easily be able to enjoy the area's many awesome sights, including Castle of São Jorge and Lisbon Cathedral.
Is Santa Maria Maior a walkable neighbourhood?
It's easy to explore Santa Maria Maior by foot, with top attractions like Castle of São Jorge and Lisbon Cathedral just a short walk away. Well-known neighbourhoods like Baixa and Santo Antonio are also located only 0.32 kilometres and 2 kilometres from the centre of Santa Maria Maior, so you can keep your adventure going — no wheels required.
What are some activities to do in Santa Maria Maior with kids?
Whether you're travelling with tiny adventurers or thrill-loving teens, an itinerary filled with cool activities takes your trip to the next level. Browse our ideas for what to do in Santa Maria Maior with kids.

What to do in Santa Maria Maior for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food lover or fan of nature, there are loads of things to do in Santa Maria Maior for adults including Campo Pequeno Bullring.
Are there free things to do in Santa Maria Maior?
You won't have to hunt high and low for free things to do in Santa Maria Maior. Just ask a local tour guide and they'll share their recommendations for places you can enjoy at zero cost. A good free option to explore is Lisbon Cathedral.

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