Lisbon Guide

Lisbon Travel Guide

Lisboa è muito boa!

Lisbon is Europe's Rio, vibrant and exciting, chalk full of laid back charm.Run down back street comfort meets the achingly hip. Great weather, beaches, lush vegetaion and intense nightlife!

Castel de Sào Jorge

The walls of Saint George's Castle, sitting atop a hill guarding the Tagus, date from the Moorish occupation in the 10th century, but the site has been a fortress for centuries, possibly since the 5th century. The moated castle is regarded as the cradle of Lisboa, and today it provides a panoramic view of the River Tagus and the Alfama medieval district, which is spread out below it.

Alfama

The oldest part of Lisboa, the Alfama quarter sprawls down the hillside from below the Castelo de Sao Jorge, retaining much of the traditional colour and atmosphere from the days when it was the ancient seat of the Saracens. Along the narrow cobblestone alleyways are taverns and street markets, interspersed with close-packed houses still occupied by stevedores, fishmongers and sailors. At the edge of the Alfama, Lisboa's renowned flea market, the Feira da Ladra, is held in the Campo de Santa Clara every Tuesday and Saturday.

Sè Cathedral

Although this cathedral in Largo da Se in the Alfama district is not outwardly appealing, it was the first church in Lisboa, built on the site of a Saracen mosque after the city was captured by the Crusaders in the 12th century. Inside, this ancient church features some treasures, like the font where St Anthony of Padua was baptised in 1195, and numerous notable relics, images and icons.

Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Museum

Gulbenkian was an Armenian oil magnate who died in 1955 having put together one of the world's finest private art collections. The collection is now housed in a modern centre where the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation sponsors a host of cultural and performing arts projects, and hosts a rotating exhibition of works by Portuguese and foreign artists. The Gulbenkian collection itself covers Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities, Islamic ceramics and textiles, Syrian treasures, Chinese ceramics, Japanese prints and lacquerware and European medieval illuminated manuscripts.  One of the cities most relaxing parks surrounds the museum.

The Barrio Alto

After stuffing yourself in one of this districts many restaurants ranging from traditional to experimental or browsing in original and independent boutique shops you should stick around and let loose a little. Whether you want to drown your sorrows at the bottom of a bottle while listening to Fado, catch some of the hottest Dj´s bump electronically inspired beats, rock in an indie dive bar, cram into what looks like someone´s living room for live African Brazilian music, read Saramago to the backdrop of Jazz, pose as a mojito and cairpirinha inspector or just sample a little of everything while drinking on the streets with thousands of other revellers then a night out in Bairro Alto is highly recommended. Thursday to Saturday are the most crowded but you will always find people out at night in this area. Cheap beer and no covers guarantee that Lisboa is one of the hottest nightspots of all Europe.

Monument of Discoveries

One of the most famous sights in Lisboa is the imposing monument, situated on the riverbank in the Avenida de Brasilia in the district of Belem, designed to commemorate the Portuguese Age of Discovery. Belem, where the Tagus meets the sea, is the point from which the maritime explorers of yore set forth in their sailing ships to discover the world. The monument was unveiled in 1960 on the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator in 1460, the monarch who was largely responsible for Portugal's role in world exploration during the 15th and 16th centuries. The massive monument takes the form of a caravel with Prince Henry at the prow, backed by images of renowned mariners, royal patrons and others who participated in the golden age of discovery.

Tower of Belem

The famous Tower of Belem is a Unesco World Heritage Site, and is one of Lisboa's most photographed landmarks because of the decoration on its exterior. The outer walls are adorned with a stone-carved rope and beautiful openwork balconies, along with Moorish watchtowers and battlements shaped like shields. The tower was built in the 16th century to serve as a fortress in the middle of the River Tagus.

Parque das Nações

Lisboa's exhibition park was upgraded and renamed for the Expo '98 world exposition, which revitalised the city and brought international tourists and interest flooding in. The site is now worthy of a full day's sightseeing, featuring several attractions, not least of which is the Lisboa Oceanarium with its 15,000 living examples of marine life. The main tank holds enough water to fill four Olympic-sized swimming pools, and is viewed from two floors through curved glass panels that provide a 180-degree view. Another popular diversion is the Virtual Reality Pavilion, which showcases the Portuguese age of discovery. Other attractions include a science centre, cable car, the Vasco da Gama Tower and numerous bars and restaurants offering Portuguese cuisine.

Sintra

In the cool, hilly woodlands of the Serra de Sintra, fairytale Sintra, with its spellbinding palaces and tranquil walks, was once a popular vacation spot for Portugal`s nobility. Historically fascinating-The Iberians worshiped cults here, The Moors built a castle, and after the 1755 earthquake Portugal´s royals sought refuge here. This is a Must see while visiting Lisbon!!

Beaches and Surf

Lisboa is surrounded by many beautiful beaches.  Beaches for catching some rays and serious surfers paradises!