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Núcleo Arqueológico
Under the baixa is the Núcleo Arqueológico, a web of tunnels believed to be the remnants of a Roman spa (or a temple) and probably dating from the 1st century AD. You can descend into the depths via the Banco Comercial Portuguesa on a guided tour run by the Museu da Cidade on Wednesday and Saturday. You'll need to phone ahead to book.
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Oceanário
Europe's largest aquarium, the superb Oceanário has 450 different species from the world's seas, accompanied by loads of fascinating facts to wow your inner anorak (did you know the Pacific covers a third of the world?). Wonderful sea creatures include the 2.5m-wide giant manta, seemingly flying through the water, cuddly sea otters, endearing penguins, 3m-long sharks, plantlike seadragons, and Nemo from Finding Nemo, aka the clown anenome fish. There is disabled access.
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Padrão dos Descobrimentos
The huge limestone Padrão dos Descobrimentos, inaugurated in 1960 on the 500th anniversary of Henry the Navigator's death, is shaped like a stylised caravel, chock-full of Portuguese bigwigs. At the prow is Henry himself; behind him are explorers Vasco da Gama, Diogo Cão and Fernão de Magalhães, poet Luís de Camões, painter Nuno Gonçalves and 27 other good-and-greats.
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Palácio da Assembleia da República
In Largo de São Bento is one of the area's most imposing sights, the Palácio da Assembleia da República, Portugal's parliament, once the enormous 17th-century Benedictine Mosteiro de São Bento. The national assembly has convened here since 1833.
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Panteão Nacional
The huge dome of the Igreja de Santa Engrácia dominates the surrounding scenery. When work began in 1682, it was planned as one of Lisbon's grandest churches. After centuries of dithering and neglect, the sombre, marble edifice was inaugurated in 1966 (when the dome was finally completed) as the Panteão Nacional. It contains chilly marble cenotaphs to historic and literary figures.
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Parque das Nações
On the northeastern riverfront, the Parque das Nações (nas- oish ) was built for Expo 98. The development includes a huge world-of-its-own aquarium, the Oceanário, plus the Pavilhão do Conhecimento, and a landscaped riverside park with restaurants and bars. There's some stunning modern architecture here: the ribbed Death Star structure of Gare do Oriente and the Pavilhão de Portugal by Portugal's leading architect, Álvaro Siza Vieira.
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Parque Eduardo VII
This huge park (named after England's Edward VII, who visited Lisbon in 1903) provides a fine escape, especially in its gorgeous greenhouses estufas (greenhouses), filled with brilliant exotic flowers. The estufa fria (cool greenhouse) and estufa quente (hot greenhouse) were built on an old quarry site; planting began in 1910. There's also an outdoor area, with a large pond. Access is from Rua Castilho on the park's western side. There's a great playground nearby.
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Pavilhão Atlântico
Major sporting events are held here as well as international music acts, from Moby to Madonna. It's Portugal's largest indoor arena.
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Pavilhão do Conhecimento
Lie on a bed of nails or play an invisible harp at the Pavilhão do Conhecimento, with lots of fun exhibits explaining scientific phenomena and pointing out how reality and perception often contradict. There's an indoor playground for three- to six-year olds, a free cybercafé and disabled access.
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Ponte de Vasco da Gama
An extraordinary Expo 98 initiative, this 17,185m (56,380ft) long and 30m (98ft) wide bridge is Europe's longest bridge, with foundations extending 85m (279ft) below sea level. It has also been built to withstand 250kmph winds and an earthquake 4.5 times stronger than the 1755 calamity. Check it out from the fine vantage point of the Teleférico at the park.
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Praça do Comércio
The city's grandest square is Praça do Comércio, an architectural fanfare of Portugal's wealth and might. All visitors arriving by river or sea used to disembark here, and the huge square still feels like the city's portal, with Joaquim Machado de Castro's bronze equestrian statue of Dom José I; the 18th-century, arcaded government ministries along three sides; and Verissimo da Costa's Arco da Victória, the arch opening onto Rua Augusta. The stock exchange was once on the southeastern corner. Before the destructive 1755 earthquake, the praça (town square) was called Terreiro do Paço (Palace Sq), after the royal Palácio da Ribeira that overlooked it until the morning of 1 November 1755. In 1908 the square witnessed the death of the monarchy, when anarchists assassinated Dom Carlos I and his son.
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Praça do Município
Just off the Praça do Comércio's northwestern corner, the smaller Praça do Município is dominated on the eastern side by the 1874 Paços do Concelho (town hall) where the republic was proclaimed from its balcony on 5 October 1910; on the southern side by the former marine arsenal; and centrally a finely carved, 18th-century pelourinho (pillory).
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Praça do Príncipe Real
The Praça do Príncipe Real is a relaxing shady square around which is Lisbon's principal gay district.
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Quinta dos Marquêses da Fronteira
Quinta dos Marquêses da Fronteira is a charming, run-down 17th-century mansion, with tiles covering any space that's not formal Renaissance garden. You must reserve ahead for a tour.
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Rossio & Praça da Figueira
The northernmost boundary of the Baixa is this pair of squares, a meeting place for Lisbon's multicultural population, filled with hustle, bustle, cafés and fountains. You are bound to cross these squares repeatedly during your visit - all roads seem to lead here.
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Torre de Belém
One of Belém's highlights and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this whimsical white Manueline masterpiece was built in 1515 as an offshore watchtower to protect the city's harbour. Designed by Diogo and Francisco Arruda for King Manuel I, it is wonderfully detailed with the flamboyant flourishes and maritime motifs of the Manueline style.
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Torre Vasco da Gama
The 140m-high Torre Vasco da Gama at the Parque das Nações has panoramic views of the park, river and city, and an upmarket restaurant.
