What to do in Santa Maria Maior

Activities, attractions and tours

A brightly lit historic building with classical architecture, tram tracks, and a busy street scene at night.
A coastal cityscape with historic buildings and a prominent cathedral.
A densely packed urban area with red-tiled rooftops and white buildings, likely a historic city center.
A grand archway with statues and inscriptions, flanked by yellow buildings.
A densely packed urban street with red-tiled roofs, historic buildings, and a busy pedestrian area.

Santa Maria Maior Tourist Attractions & Activities

If you’re searching for an exciting holiday, count on Expedia.com.au to help you find interesting attractions, enlightening experiences, and tons of other fun things to do in Santa Maria Maior . From first-rate tours to incredible deals on sightseeing trips – our extensive selection of local things to do and places to visit is just a few clicks away.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re travelling alone, alongside your main squeeze, or with your favourite friends or family members, Expedia has the inside scoop on what to see and do while in this corner of the world. And our search tool makes it simple to score the best deals around. So regardless of if you are on a tight budget or prefer to spare no expense, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for by browsing over activities in Santa Maria Maior, Lisbon District.

The intuitive booking system here on Expedia.com.au makes planning your holiday easier—and more affordable—than ever before. And not only can you discover all the best Santa Maria Maior attractions from , but you can also book flights, hire cars, and reserve hotel rooms all in just a few moments. A world of wonder awaits you and your travelling companions. Count on Expedia.com.au to help you plan the holiday of your dreams, and you’ll have the time of your life.

Activities

Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour with Optional Bus Tour Combos

Lisbon Hop-On Hop-Off Packs

AU$46
per adult
Lisbon Hop-On Hop-Off Packs
Castle in Lisbon

Day Trip to Sintra & Cascais with Admission to Pena Palace and Garden Walk

AU$130
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Day Trip to Sintra & Cascais with Admission to Pena Palace and Garden Walk
Belem Tower

Tour Lisbon: Belém Tower, the Cathedral & Parque das Nações

AU$125
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Tour Lisbon: Belém Tower, the Cathedral & Parque das Nações
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Tramcar Tours

Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Tramcar Tours

AU$62
per adult
82% of travellers recommend
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Tramcar Tours
Tastes & Traditions of Lisbon Food Tour

Tastes & Traditions of Lisbon Food Tour

AU$116
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Tastes & Traditions of Lisbon Food Tour
The remarkable Pena Palace

Sintra-Cascais-Pena Palace 8-People Small Group Tour from Lisbon

AU$114
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Sintra-Cascais-Pena Palace 8-People Small Group Tour from Lisbon
Sintra, Pena Palace and Cascais Full Day Tour from Lisbon

Sintra, Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira & Cascais Group Tour

AU$109
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Sintra, Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira & Cascais Group Tour
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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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A plaza with patterned pavement, a fountain, and historic buildings in the background.

2. 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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A historic bridge with ornate metalwork and a view of a cityscape with red-tiled roofs.

3. Commerce Square

Equally popular with locals and visitors to Lisbon, Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio) is the ideal place to meet up with friends or begin your day with a coffee. For centuries Commerce Square was the site of the royal palace until the building was badly damaged in the Great Earthquake of 1755. Remodelling saw the palace converted into an enormous stone monument that signified the entrance to the city. Visit the square to relax with a drink as you explore the central Baixa district of Lisbon.
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A plaza with a statue, a large archway, and yellow buildings.

4. 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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A grand archway with intricate carvings and columns, flanked by buildings with balconies and windows.

5. Lisbon Cathedral

Those intrigued by architecture will love Lisbon Cathedral (Se), the oldest religious building in Lisbon. Due to several modifications over the centuries the Lisbon Cathedral today features diverse architectural styles.
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A historic building with ornate architecture, a clock tower, and a tram in the foreground.

6. Castle of São Jorge

The Castle of São Jorge is a medieval fortress that dominates the skyline of Lisbon from its vantage point on a hill. Discover the Castle of São Jorge and its fascinating history by embarking on a guided tour. Explore its labyrinthine interior and sprawling gardens.
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A historic stone fortress overlooking a cityscape with red-roofed buildings.

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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A cobblestone plaza with a central monument, surrounded by historic buildings and a clear blue sky.

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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A museum wall with historical maps and artifacts.

9. Miradouro de Santa Luzia

The Miradouro de Santa Luzia (Saint Lucia’s Viewpoint) in Lisbon’s Alfama district is possibly one of the best places to be in the city on a sunny day, particularly a hot one. Enjoy the view as breezes come over the Tagus River and rush up to this vantage point. Shady trellises and bougainvillea shaped into tree forms provide protection from intense sunlight.
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A historic cityscape with prominent churches and colorful buildings.

Recommended things to do in Santa Maria Maior

Number of things to do
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
:
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Santa Maria Maior

Stay near popular Santa Maria Maior attractions

A plaza with patterned pavement, a fountain, and historic buildings in the background.

Rossio Square

9.0/10 (18,398 reviews)
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.
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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

A coastal cityscape with colorful buildings and a prominent white dome structure.

Lisbon

A coastal cityscape with terracotta-roofed buildings, a prominent white church, and a view of the sea and distant city lights.

Lisbon District

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 holiday 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.