4 Best Sights in Avenidas Novas, Lisbon

Set in lovely gardens, this magnificent museum houses the treasures collected by Armenian oil magnate Calouste Gulbenkian. The main collection (undergoing refurbishment until July 2026) is split in two; one part is devoted to Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Islamic, and Asian art, and the other to European acquisitions. A walk through the gardens, where there's a café with a pleasant terrace, leads to the Modern Collection (open during refurbishment), where the 9,000 pieces from the 20th and 21st centuries include sculptures, paintings, and photographs. English-language notes are available throughout, and you should plan to spend at least two hours here. 

This gallery is one of the few dating back to before the 1974 revolution, presenting some of the best contemporary Portuguese artists from the 20th and 21st centuries. You may find works by big names like Paula Rego and Maria Helena Vieira da Silva together with pieces by emerging artists.

It takes a full day to explore this deservedly popular and well-maintained zoo, which is home to more than 3,000 animals from more than 330 species. The grounds are huge, but you can leap aboard a cable car to whiz from one attraction to another. If you don't have a head for heights, a miniature train (extra fee) trundles around the gardens. You'll also find a petting zoo; twice-daily animal shows featuring parrots, pelicans, dolphins, sea lions, reptiles, or lemurs; and a few cafés and picnic areas.

Way off the beaten path and far from the city center, this palace by the modern district of Benfica and on the edge of Parque Florestal de Monsanto is one of Lisbon’s most beautiful buildings. Built in 1670, it’s known for some of the finest examples of Portuguese tile panels, both inside the palace and outside around the garden. It's tricky to reach by public transportation, but a taxi from the Jardim Zoológico metro stop, about a mile away, will be quick and inexpensive.