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Lisbon
Trip Planning & Itineraries
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Lisbon's position on seven low hills beside a river once lured traders and settlers, and it's still a stunning site. Add to that its cultural diversity, laid-back feel and architectural time warp, and you have one of the most enjoyable cities in Europe - and also one of the most economical.
At its heart are wide, tree-lined avenues graced by Art Nouveau buildings, mosaic pavements and street cafes. Seen from the river - one of the city's many great viewpoints - Lisbon is an impressionist picture of low-rise ochre and pastel, punctuated by church towers and domes.
Best of Lisbon: Top 3 Must-Do Experiences
Best of Lisbon: Suggested Itineraries
Where the Atlantic Ocean meets Europe, Lisbon sparkles with sun, sea and white limestone buildings. Situated over a series of hills, this is a city for wandering old, narrow streets and discovering bars and cafes to while away hours staring at the view - no need to feel like a tourist, all Lisboetas do it. These days, Lisbon is a thriving part of modern Europe, the locals work hard and relax with gusto. Jazz and fado singing are popular, as is wine and tapas in small cafes lined with the trademark azulejo or tiles.
Day 1: History, hills and local flavour
At one end of the flat, old shopping district of Baxia lies Rossio, the square where the 1974 military coup, the Carnation Revolution, ended 48 years of dictatorship in Portugal. Here the flower sellers of the square put red carnations into soldiers' rifle barrels to celebrate the relatively bloodless victory. To the north-west is the wide Avenue da Liberdade, but head south into the Baixa district and wander the elegant old shopping streets. Don't forget to look up and admire the elegant buildings with their tiled facades. At the other end of Baixa, you reach Praca do Comercio, a large square these days filled with trams and buses but once the palace gardens before the 1755 earthquake. Stop and have a coffee in one of the elegant arched cafes, watch the people go by, gaze over towards the river Tagus, and think of the famous writers who sat here also, such as Fernando Pessao.
Now it's time to tackle those hills. To the east above Baixa perches Castelo de Sao Jorge, high on the hilltop. Wander up here via the old Moorish streets of the Alfama district. Or, if hills are not your thing, catch a funicular. There are terrific views from up here. A little further east, in the Campo de Santa Clara is a good flea market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
In the other direction you'll find the lively Barrio Alto. A pragmatic and unique way of rising from Baixa to Bairro Alto high above is via the Santa Justa's Elevator. Part of the local metro system, this lift whisks you upwards in moments. Wander through elegant Chiado district and into the narrow streets of Bairro Alta. This is a great place for finding small, family run cafes serving local specials; the seafood is particularly good. Look for a queue outside and join it - you'll be rewarded when you get one of the in-demand tables. There are also great shops in the area and good nightlife.Day 2: Museums, Jeronimos Monastery and the River Tagus
Lisbon grew around its harbor and the River Tagus. The western waterfront area of Belem is essential to visit. Full of museums, including a Naval Museum, an Archaelogical Museum and an modern cultural center, it is an historical and cultural hub of the city. Head for the wonderful Torre de Belem, a World Heritage fort dating from 1520. Once in the middle of the river, it is now easily accessible from the park lining the river bank. Don't forget to look for the stone carved rhinoceros reputed to have inspired Durer's famous drawing. From the gleaming tower, look up the river towards Ponte 25 de Abril, the wonderful suspension bridge spanning the river. On the hilltop opposite Lisbon city stands the imposing Cristo Rei statue, echoing that of Rio. It's worth crossing the river by ferry or bridge to climb to the observation tower at the top for amazing views.
But back in Belem, do not miss one of Lisbon's most famous buildings: Jeronimos Monastery. A masterpiece of late Gothic architecture; the church is famous for the almost mystical light that floods in. Nearby is a treat for the senses of a different kind: the Pasteis de Belem where the delicious Portugese Tart originated. Definitely try one. The eastern riverfront has a very different feel. Once heavily industrial, by the late 20th century it was a bit of a wasteland. Then it was completely redeveloped for the 1998 World Expo. Today it is worth visiting for the modern architecture and also for Oceanario, the world's second largest aquarium. The surrounding Parque do Tejo is also a legacy of the Expo, a huge, quiet riverside park where you can hire bikes, sit in cafes or just sit and gaze in awe at the six mile wide River Tagus and watch the ships go by.
Not far from Lisbon is Sintra, a town described by Lord Byron as paradise. In 1995 it became a UNESCO World Heritage site for it's Romantic architecture and has wonderful lush gardens as well as sumptuous turreted buildings. It was also the location of the only European airport to offer flights to both London and Berlin during World War II as Portugal stayed neutral, making Lisbon a place of spies and intrigue - and an inspiration for James Bond creator Ian Fleming. There are also wonderful beaches just outside Lisbon, on the Sunny Coast or Portuguese Riviera. Visit Estoril, home to Europe's biggest casino - an inspiration for Casino Royale - also the Bay of Cascais and the wild waves of Boca do Inferno.
Another place with a fascinating history is Fatima. A small unknown village until three children claimed to see the Virgin Mary in a field in 1917. The Pope accepted the claim and the place became a major site of pilgrimage. Nearby are other pretty villages such as the medieval Obidos, and Batalha with its World Heritage-listed monastery.
If you like wine, head for a day in UNESCO World Heritage listed Evora, the Bucelas region or Azeitao.
Best of Lisbon: Top 3 Jazz Clubs
Best of Lisbon: Top 3 Hotels
If you're looking for more choices than those above, check out these options for self catered Lisbon holiday homes.
Lisbon Music & Dance
Carnaval - Mardi Gras with rosary beads - sees normally reserved Lisboêtas indulge in some revelry before they start fasting for Lent. Hot on its heels is the June Festas dos Santos Populares (Festivals of the Popular Saints) - a riot of parades, music, dancing, fireworks, all-night partying and, of course, church services.
Fado aficionados should visit in February, when the Festival das Músicas e dos Portos (Harbor and Music Festival) showcases the country's melancholic folksinging tradition.
- Plan Lisbon vacations on Yahoo! Travel
- Lisbon hotels, Portugal from PlanetWare
- Accommodation deals in Lisbon at HotelsCombined.com
- Lisbon trip planner & travel guide from NileGuide
- English-language news from The Portugal News
