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 Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Santa Maria Maior has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Santa Maria Maior, 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 to Santa Maria Maior 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.

Places of interest in Santa Maria Maior

Santa Maria Maior is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Santa Maria Maior, and make it a breeze to explore Santa Maria Maior and 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 holiday 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 to Santa Maria Maior, 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 in Santa Maria Maior.

Santa Maria Maior attractions

Santa Maria Maior 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 in Santa Maria Maior to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Santa Maria Maior.

Looking for things to do in Santa Maria Maior 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 of Santa Maria Maior 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. Happy trails!

Things to do

Castle in Lisbon

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

£69
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Day Trip to Sintra & Cascais with Admission to Pena Palace and Garden Walk
Small Group Tour to Sintra, Pena Palace, Cabo Roca and Cascais

Small Group Tour to Sintra, Pena Palace, Cabo Roca and Cascais

£60
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Small Group Tour to Sintra, Pena Palace, Cabo Roca and Cascais
City Sightseeing Lisbon Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

City Sightseeing Lisbon Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Optional Extras

£33
per adult
City Sightseeing Lisbon Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Optional Extras
The remarkable Pena Palace

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

£60
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
Sintra-Cascais-Pena Palace 8-People Small Group Tour from Lisbon
Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour with Optional Bus Tour Combos

Lisbon Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Combos

£24
per adult
Lisbon Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Combos
Sintra, Pena Palace and Cascais Full Day Tour from Lisbon

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

£58
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Sintra, Pena Palace, Quinta da Regaleira & Cascais Group Tour
Belem Tower

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

£66
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Tour Lisbon: Belém Tower, the Cathedral & Parque das Nações
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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

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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A plaza with a statue, a large archway, and yellow buildings.

4. 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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A historic stone fortress overlooking a cityscape with red-roofed buildings.

5. Lisbon Cathedral

Building started on Sé Cathedral around 1147 on the remains of an old mosque, and was not completed till the first few decades of the 12th century. At the same time, Afonso Henriques brought the remains of St. Vincent of Saragossa back from the Algarve to be consecrated in the Cathedral. Around 1470, the Cathedral was further embellished with a large painted altarpiece called the S. Vincent Panels. In the 17th Century, a vestry in Mannerist style was built towards the south end of the cathedral. In the 18th Century, the Gothic chapel was redesigned in the Baroque style. However, the great earthquake of 1755 damaged the Cathedral, completely destroying the Chapel.
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A historic building with ornate architecture, a clock tower, and a tram in the foreground.

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

7. 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.

8. 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.

Recommended things to do in Santa Maria Maior

Number of things to do
1582
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
From Lisbon: Tomar and Templar Convent of Christ with Lunch: £1
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.
See properties

 

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 bicycle on a patterned cobblestone pavement.

Estrela

A city street with a green bike lane, parked cars, and a yellow bus.

Arroios

A kitchen with blue and gold tiles, hanging pots, and a copper distillation apparatus.

Penha de Franca

A narrow street with tram tracks, buildings with balconies, and laundry hanging outside.

Misericórdia

A riverside promenade with cafes, trees, and buildings.

Santo Antonio

A historic cathedral with two prominent towers and a dome, set against a sunset sky.

São Vicente

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 kms (0.20 miles) and 2 kms (1 mile) 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.