Boasting springtime temperatures during the winter and cool summers freshened by a breeze blowing in from the Atlantic, Costa de Lisboa, on the southwestern coast, offers a rich and impressively integrated diversity. The capital of Portugal since its conquest from the Moors in 1147, Lisbon is a legendary city with over 20 centuries of History. The Alfama is one of the oldest quarters in Lisboa. Since it largely survived the earthquake of 1755, the area still retains much of its original layout. Adjacent to the Alfama are the likewise old quarters of Castelo and Mouraria, on the western and northern slopes of the hill that is crowned by St. George's Castle. Every year in June, the streets of all three quarters come alive with the feasts in honour of the popular saints. The Graca quarter and the churches of Sao Vicente de Fora and Santa Engracia are within walking distance of this area. Radiant skies brighten the monumental city, with its typical tile covered building facades and narrow Medieval streets, where one can hear the fado being played and sung at night. But Lisbon is also the stage for popular festivities, the place for exquisite shopping, exciting nightlife, and interesting museums, a place from where motorways branch off in different directions. Nearby, Sintra's lush wooded heights and verdant charms invite one to take a ride on a horse-pulled carriage, and gaze at the marvelous manor-houses, located within the grounds of century old farms, as one drives up to Pena Palace, built by Fernando Cobourg Gothas on the ruins of a monastery from the 16th century, the style of the palace is a blend of Gothic, Manueline, and Romantic influences which make for a very explosive combination, and keeps the atmosphere of a royal residence.
To make it a difficult choice for the curious visitor and only slightly farther a field, lie the impressive Mafra Convent, the cosmopolitan seaside resorts on the way to Cascais, the verdant Serra da Arrabida and picturesque Sesimbra, the Sado estuary and the aristocratic farmhouses of Azeitao. Driving south, the ochre and blue unspoiled beaches on the Alentejo coastline open on to a vast Atlantic horizon.
Observing an odyssey of sea creatures in a state-of-the-art aquarium and a breathtaking view from the walls of a millennium-old castle. A seemingly endless modern bridge and tiny turn-of-the-century trams. Climbing picturesque hills by day and bar-hopping through vibrant cobbled lanes at night. Legendary cafes and art nouveau shops. World Heritage monuments and singular museum treasures. Fairytale palaces and sandy beaches nearby. Long dinners and an insatiable appetite for nightlife. Antiquated and trendy; lively and melancholic. All that is Lisbon. A captivating city. A soulful European capital.
Once the launch pad for many of the voyages of discovery (notably Vasco da Gama's epic journey to India), Lisbon was the first true world city, the capital of an empire spreading over all continents, from South America (Brazil) to Asia (Macao, China; Goa, India). It is forever known as the city of the explorers, and you too will be filled with the spirit of discovery as you retrace the footsteps of Prince Henry the Navigator or Ferdinand Magellan.
Explore World Heritage architectural marvels, the Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower, with their intricate carvings showcasing all the glory and excitement of the age, and discover the treasures from the East and the West inside the world-class Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, or the acclaimed Design Museum and the fantastic Berardo Collection of contemporary art.
The city's legendary seven hills will also seduce you into admiring characteristic mosaic pavements and dazzling tiled facades, and will reward you with strategically-placed miradouros or viewpoints offering breathtaking panoramas over the city after a ride on a charming old tram. You'll find yourself wandering through colorful 18th century squares downtown and getting lost in the medieval maze of the Alfama district overlooked by an ancient castle. Follow that with a dive into the spectacular Oceanarium and spend your nights indulging in the city's gastronomic delights, listening to the sounds of Fado, or bar-hopping through the cobbled alleys of the shabby-chic Bairro Alto district.
You're sure to become mesmerized by Lisbon's wonderful mix of the old-fashioned and the hip; of the historic and the modern, but you'll also want to go outside the city to the fairytale town of Sintra and to the cosmopolitan shores of Cascais and Estoril. Whatever you choose to do, you'll find all you need to know here. We present you a variety of restaurants, cafes, and shops, and introduce you to the best of Lisbon's bars, clubs, and much more.
Wondering where to stay? Take a look at our various choices of Lisbon hotels and other accommodation, and take the first step in planning your trip by booking with us! And to start planning your sightseeing, take a look at our Best of Lisbon page for some ideas on what you can not miss in this alluring city. Bem vindo a Lisboa!