Lisbon
City
Portugal is situated
in the most western part of Europe. It covers an area of 92,000
square kilometres 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
Amongst
the Museums
- The National Ancient Art Museum
- The Modern Art Centre Museum
- The Chiado Museum
- The Water Museum
- The Electricity Museum
- The Gulbenkian Museum
- The National Tile Museum
- The House – Museum of the “Medeiros e Almeida” Foundation
- St. Anthony Museum
- The Folk Art Museum
- The Maritime Museum
- The National Coach Museum
- The Music Museum
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 € 25,00 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.
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)
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