Lisbon basks in the sun reflecting off the Tejo River and soon seduces most visitors.
The mixture of history and modernity, of small town and metropolis, of the antiquated
and the shining new is irresistible. Add excellent shopping, late but safe night
life and restaurants with Europe's best fish, and you have the city in
a nutshell.
Lisbon's heart is beside the river, even if the city has grown in all
directions. Sit down at a pavement cafe on Rossio Square and you will see the
Baiza, the flat city centre that dates from the 18th century between yourself
and the river bank. Look up in one direction and you will see the São
Jorge on the top of a hill. Look in the other direction and you will see the
ruin of the Carmo Church on another hill. Walk, or take a tram to one of them
and you will discover the quarters of old Lisbon, most of them with a magnificent
view of the rest of the city and the river. Wander north from Rossio, you will
soon end up on a stately 19th century avenue, in the part of the city which
is still called "Avenidas Novas". Even further north, the buildings
become really new, with the city's two large football grounds, Luz and
Alvalade, and lastly the airport which is twenty traffic jam-free minutes in
a car from Rossi. Most of the best sights, restaurants and nightlife are along
the river. There is good shopping along the Avenidas Novas, but otherwise the
rule is to keep close to the river to get the best out of your visit.
Castelo De São Jorge Castelo de São Jorge is one
of the oldest structures in Lisbon, once a fortress (taken by the Moors in 1147)
and now a
must see landmark with fantastic views over the city.
Mosteiro Dos Jerónimos In Belém, just west
of the city along the river, is Lisbon's and possibly Portugal's
most important historical monument. Here is an opulent church and cloistered
garden built in the elegant Manuelian style at the beginning of the 16th century
when Portugal was a great sea-going power.
Museu Do Azulejo Devoted to the tiles which are so typical
for Portugal, housed in a monastery whose varying building styles and decoration
give a good summary of the country's history.
Fundação Gulbenkian The largest single cultural
institution in Portugal was founded in 1955 when Calouste Gulbenkian, the Armenian
oil millionaire donated his estate to the country that had welcomed him during
World War II.
Parque Das Nações The area where Expo 98 was
held has been successfully transformed into a centre for exhibitions, leisure
and culture. The extensive amount of building since the Expo almost overshadows
pearls such as Siza Vieira's Portugal pavilion and Santiago Calatrava's
adjacent Oriente Station.
Lisbon Restaurants
In Lisbon, you can find both modern and sophisticated restaurants and simple,
traditional ones. In general you will find the strongest Portuguese ambience
in the simple, traditional places. Small, unpretentious restaurants are all over
the place and do not require booking. But at most of the restaurants below, it
is safest to book a table. Many restaurants are closed on Sundays or Mondays.
Lisbon Bars & Nightlife The Bairro Alto is the restaurant
and bar quarter par excellence: many people's evening starts here with
a meal and then a walk from one of the small bars to another. This often goes
on until about two, after which people go to the clubs. Lisbon is a city that
takes its night life seriously. Shortly after midnight, it is best to move
down towards the river and the larger clubs along the Avenida 24 de Julho,
to the Docas area and Alcântara, where the coolest dance floors are never
filled before two in the morning.
Lisbon Cafes If you're tired and in need of a short
break, why not visit one of Lisbon's cafés?
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