lisbon, the pride of the Portuguese

Lisbon (Lisboa) is the largest city of Portugal, its size, its political importance and economic activity: it is the capital! Located on the mouth of the Tagus, close to the Atlantic coast, the city enjoys a privileged location and a unique setting. The historic center is spread over seven hills on which neighborhoods fit together: each has a character of its own, giving Lisbon multifaceted.

Cultural and alive, Lisbon is also not excessive, thereby soaking up the atmosphere of the city in a few days, strolling from neighborhood to neighborhood, day and night. Three or four days will discover the great 'essential' Lisbon's, but do not hesitate to linger more, search the city in more detail, or explore the region envorronnante, easily accessible and full of promise ..




walk Lisboan 

Come and enjoy the relaxed lifestyle of Lisbon, listen to Fado, discover Portuguese cuisine, stroll the streets, on the banks of the Tagus River and visit the architectural heritage of the city.

Start your visit at the central Baixa (completely rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake), take the Avenida da Liberdade to the Praça do Comércio passing Praça Don Pedro IV, Praça da Figueira and Praça dos Restauradores.

Admire the Tagus river before ascending to Bairro Alto. Take the elevator of Santa Justa, visit the church of Carmo and the Mirador de Santa Catarina. Enter the shops and take the time with a drink in a tiny neighborhood bar.

On the other side of downtown, get lost in the winding streets of Alafama with picturesque houses, visit the Sé Cathedral, climb to the viewpoint of Santa Luzia, climb the walls of the Sao Jorge Castle, discover the monastery Sao Vicente de Fora, the da Graça church, the house-museum of Fado ... all without forgetting to take the scenic tram No. 28.

  In the north of Lisbon, lie the great avenues of Lisbon, where the Avenida da Liberdade, a broad boulevard full of chic hotels and upscale shopping. Go to the garden and the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum through the Eduardo VII Park.

Finally, do not forget to go to Belém to visit the back Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower ... two of the most emblematic monuments of Lisbon. You can also visit the Belém Cultural Centre, the Museum of Ancient Art and the Museum of carriages.

Lisbon, cultural and living 

In Lisbon, the year was marked by various cultural events:

In March, thousands of participants across the bridge April 25 at the Lisbon Half Marathon with thousands of participants from all over the world. Followers of athletics from all walks together through the Vasco da Gama Bridge.

Then came the month of June, with its succession of festivities taking place in this case in old neighborhoods like Castelo, Mouraria, Alfama and Madragoa which are decorated with arches of flowers. In every street, groups of neighbors and associations improvised stalls selling grilled sardines, drinking and dancing to the Pimba, typical Portuguese music.

Night of Santo António, on the evening of June 13, is the climax of the festivities. Hundreds of thousands of people make this day the biggest party in Portugal. By early evening, traditional groups parade in Avenida da Liberdade neighborhood where each competes to win the award for best choreography. The festivities will subside until the second day when the tip. A wave of people rushed to the old neighborhoods to continue and finish the celebration.

In summer, there are music festivals for all tastes, one of the most important is the Rock in Rio Lisboa is offered a platform for musicians in which they are given the opportunity to perform before the public. In the process, it is a time of discovery of new talent and new trends.

In the fall takes place DocLisboa festival and the Film Festival Gay and Lesbian Lisbon.

Cuisine and restaurants and Lisbon 

In Lisbon, thanks to the proximity of the ocean, we enjoy the products of the sea. Fish of all kinds as well as seafood whose freshness is guaranteed. Hard to resist the sardines that burn before the taverns, directly across the street! The restaurants also serve Lisbon more land dishes, meat, vegetables ... the portions are generous and you often spring-fed!

Local dishes are Peixinhos da horta and pataniscas bacalhau. The pastel de nata is in turn a Portuguese dessert enjoyed. As condiments and spices, Portuguese specialties are flavored, among others, piri piri, laurel, paprika, olive oil and salt.

Most restaurants in Lisbon are small, family and pretty cheap. For best value choose the dish of the day is usually a good choice. For traditional Portuguese cuisine head to the Chiado or about Bairo Alto. The tourist traps are mainly in the area of ​​Baixa. For more sophisticated and more expensive places, towards the Lapa district, not far from the bridge April 25.

Finally do not forget to try a restaurant where we play Fado, very friendly but always a little more expensive.

Useful Information

A Short History of Lisbon 

Lisbon was the capital of a vast colonial empire in the fifteenth century from Africa, Asia and America. The Lisbon's architecture was so inspired by discoveries around the globe, creating the Manueline style.

This style was born during the reign of King Manuel 1, hence its name. It is characterized by a bustling carved motifs and influences intermingled, as a symbol of the Portuguese maritime explorations of the time and discoveries that came from it. Two great masterpieces of Manueline art are in Lisbon: Torre Belém and the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos.

After decolonization, Portugal lost speed and closed in on itself, especially during the Salazar dictatorship that lasted until 1975 It was only after this period that Portugal entered a growth phase economic and cultural, which will culminate in 1994 with the appointment of Lisbon as European capital of Culture; an event that endowed Lisbon a more dynamic cultural infrastructure.

Climate and geography 

Lisbon has an oceanic climate with mild, wet winters and hot summers. It is also one of the mildest climates in Europe.

It is relatively cheap, but in winter the frequent rain was accompanied by strong gusts from the ocean. Allow umbrella, at least in winter, spring and autumn.

A weekend in Lisbon 

Partly built on hills to the mouth of the Tagus, Lisbon is discovered mainly on foot, which allows its relatively small size, although a small tour aboard one of its famous trams to the sometimes steep hills good help to move from neighborhood to neighborhood, while enjoying a touch of quaint.

The different areas of Lisbon are also a treat for the ride, between the small winding streets and taverns where the smells of grills out, the GameCafé in the streets, old houses, neighborhoods for shopping and those where one goes out at night, walking by the sea, etc.

Lisbon is ideal for such a short stay city break: a return of 3 or 4 days, made ​​possible by a short flight time, many low cost links, and a cost of living there even moderate ...



Go out in Lisbon? 

Lisbon is known for its vibrant nightlife. Come out strolling in the old Bairro Alto to drink caipirinha or ginjinha. The streets are full of people, especially on weekends, the bars close at 3:00.

The celebration then continues in night clubs near the river or castle in neighborhoods Docas Santos or Alcântara.

Hotels in Lisbon: the corners to sleep 

Decent in the center of Lisbon housing should not pose much problem, all budgets should be able to navigate. Thus, all over town, hostels or pensions really cheap will delight budget.

Many hotels are concentrated in the historic center of Lisbon, Baixa, around the Praça Rosso and from the train station nearby. This close to the center position allows to stay close to several important historic sites in the city as well as many restaurants, cafes, shops, etc. Some posh hotels, but also addresses affordable pensions are present in the neighborhood.

If you want more nightlife, head to the Bairro Alto which has few hotels; lively with bars and clubs district, located in the center at that.

The Alfama is an area full of charm perched on a hill, a few hotels but nice pensions, at reasonable prices, to enjoy a very nice setting.

Then come more outlying areas traveling up north of the historic center, near the Marques de Pombal or along the Almirante Reis Avenue, a wide range of hotels, pensions but also hostels / good hostels market are available, a little further away from the center of course, but with the metro and bus services to the center and the main attractions is trouble free.

Advice for travelers to Lisbon 

A good plan if you want to visit many museums in Lisbon, "Lisboa Card" can be purchased from tourist information points. It includes free and unlimited use of all public transport as well as free or discounted entry to many museums. It may be valid for 24 hours, 48 hours or 72 hours.

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