|
Lisbon City
Portugal is situated in the most western part of Europe. It covers an area of 92,000 square
kilometers and has a population of 10 million people. It was founded as an independent kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula more than eight centuries ago. Lisbon is the capital of the country. The history of the city goes back to the time of the Phoenicians, then the Greeks and after them the Romans. After the fall of the Roman Empire came the Barbarian invasions and in the eighth century, the Arabs started to invade the country. In 1147 the first king of Portugal won the city from the Moors with the help of the Crusaders, after a four-month siege. Since then, Lisbon has continued to grow and develop, all the time celebrating its rich cultural diversity. Nowadays it is a modern city with a wealth of historic monuments and museums, a warm and friendly atmosphere, moderate climate and full of hospitality. It is well worth a visit.
What to see
Lisbon offers its visitors an endless selection of things to see and do. Both the lovers of daytime outings and those who prefer nightlife will be spoilt for choice.
Within a wide choice of places that visitor cannot fail to visit we suggest:
- The historical quarters:
Alfama, Castelo and Mouraria
Bairro Alto, Chiado and Bica
Baixa and Rua Augusta
- The Belém Tower
- The Jerónimos Monastery
- The Discoveries Monument
- The São Jorge Castle
- The Lisbon Cathedral
- The ruins of Carmo Convent
- The Santa Justa Elevator
Around Lisbon
- Estoril and Cascais (famous beach resorts)
- Sintra (World Heritage site)
- Arrabida, Setúbal and Sesimbra (across the bridge)
- Obidos, Alcobaça and Batalha
Where and what to eat
Lisboa is the ideal destination for good food lovers. Visitors will find restaurants with typical food and excellent service, where prices may vary between € 20,00 and 35,00.
Because of its location by the sea, Lisboa and its surroundings are ideal to try delicious fish dishes. “Bacalhau” (dried, salted cod) is a famous Portuguese dish.
Cakes and deserts are also very good. The “Pasteis de Belém” in particular are a must. Made from a special recipe that belonged to a friar from the “Mosteiro dos Jerónimos”, they have been a delight to Portuguese taste buds for over 160 years.
Lisbon Nightlife
Lisbon's nightlife is considered one of the most vibrant in Europe.
On any night of the week visitors can drink until dawn, find dance music to suit, see a live band or enjoy a late-night meal.
The city has an interesting variety of restaurants and bars to offer in the most popular areas like the Bairro Alto and Docas waterfront district.
Nights out in Lisbon normally last until the next morning, given that most bars don't close before 2 am and discos are open until 6 am or later.
The Bairro Alto has always been a popular place to go at night. This ancient quarter has cultivated its own unique style over the years, distinguishing it from other night-life zones around the city.
Besides an abundance of bars and clubs, the Bairro Alto offers a wide selection of typical Portuguese and international restaurants.
Better known as the Docas, the zona ribeirinha (waterfront area) has recently evolved into one of the liveliest night-life districts in Lisbon. The many restaurants, bars, street cafés and discos by the river make for a memorable night in the Portuguese capital.
But Lisbon’s night-life isn’t confined to the city, it stretches all the way along the Costa do Estoril. Claimed to be the largest of its kind in Europe, the famous Estoril Casino offers first-class entertainment and a wide range of gaming options throughout the night.
After dinner, visitors can take a stroll through the ancient districts of Alfama and Bairro Alto, where there are plenty of bars, night-clubs and fado houses.
There’s more fado to be found in Alcântara, a vibrant district in the south-western part of the city where sailors are said to have started this tradition several centuries ago.
Those looking for a fashionable discotheque should try along the Avenida 24 de Julho after midnight; that’s where the young Lisboetans prefer to hang out.
They can also be found in the new Docas riverside areas of Santo Amaro and Alcântara, a recently-renovated strip of bars, restaurants and night-clubs.
Alternatively, Lisbon is well-known for its rich cultural calendar with regular first-class ballet, opera and concerts happening throughout the year, mostly at the city’s top venues such as Belém Cultural Centre, the Gulbenkian and
Culturgest.
This is a list of links to Websites with information about Lisbon and Portugal.
General Information about Portugal
www.portugal.org
Portugal virtual
www.portugalvirtual.pt
Portugal - golf courses
www.portugalgolf.pt/menu.htm
Portugal - lodging in manor houses - a wonderful experience
www.pousadasofportugal.com
Portugal - arts and traditions
www.visitportugal.com
Lisbon Tourism official website
www.atl-turismolisboa.pt
Lisbon - transportation
www.metrolisboa.pt
(includes other transport sites in Portugal and Lisbon)
|
