Lisbon, Portugal

A beautiful Portuguese city sitting atop a series of 7 low-lying hills, Lisbon is a visual masterpiece and a home to extraordinarily friendly people. Lisbon has great cultural diversity, and its historic relics from centuries ago add beautiful nuance to the wide boulevards of Baixa and cobblestone streets of Alfama. You can shop at the swankiest of shops, or stroll around the old districts for a fresh fish sold from front door of a fishermans home. Views from around the city are magnificent, and you can explore the sights during the day, and have a blast at the many bars and clubs dotting the streets of Bairro Alto. Whether you wish to sight-see or embrace the activities and traditions of a different people, Lisbon will dazzle you time and time again.

When to go

Lisbon is the perfect destination for nearly any activity, seasonal or not. You can travel to the outskirts of Lisbon in winter and find great ski conditions, or you can visit Lisbon in the summer when its beaches are crowded with sunbathing locals and tourists alike. Its a beautiful place to be any time of year, but we dont suggest mixing and matching activities with seasons. Plenty of travelers flock to Lisbon in winter to avoid the crowds at the beaches, and, though its plausible to camp out on the sand or even take a stroll along the coast, the water is frigid, and the ocean winds bite hard. Spring and autumn are both low-seasons and are good times to visit the city if you want discounts on nearly everything, but you wont find the heightened excitement in the people as you would during summer.

Getting there and around

Lisbon Airport is an international gateway, per say, but youll find it surprisingly difficult to find a direct flight in if you live in a location other than a major European or North American city. However, at arrival, youll be pleased with its close proximity to the city, and the extensive amount of services available. Though there are numerous transportation services waiting to take travelers into Lisbon, we recommend the bus. Buses are the cheapest, and not all that different in terms of comfort and space than a taxi.

Getting around Lisbon is a different story. The citys public transit system is top-notch and dont be surprised if you find yourself utilizing every single mode at one time or another. A visit to Lisbon must not go by without taking a tram. They may be antiquated, but a tram ride is essential for the well-rounded Lisbon experience. Youve also got trains, buses, three funiculars, and a rapidly expanding underground system.

Attractions

There aren't many standalone attractions throughout the city, but Lisbon is a city that does not need world-class museums or fantastic architectural achievements. Its attractions are its districts.

Visit Alfama, and youll find steep series of cobblestone streets and lots of little wonderful shops and cafes. Stop in and talk to some locals, get acquainted with the side of Lisbon so many travelers pass over, and maybe get a few pointers for traveling the city or recommendations on what to see (maybe something we fail to mention in here). While in the Alfama area, visit the remnants of the 5^th -century Visigoth town wall.

Bairro Alto has all the famous (and infamous) bars and nightclubs in Lisbon, and is also home to the Elevador da Gloria. This structure will give you great views of the city at its viewing deck.

The Baixa district has another tall structure (Elevador de Santa Justa) suited for sight-seeing, but its very reminiscent of the most famous landmark in Paris, the Eiffel Tower (evidently, the architect of the Elevador de Santa Justa was influenced by the work of Gustave Eiffel).

Belem is a fascinating part of town, where you can obtain beautiful riverside views, and see the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, one of the most beautiful Manueline structures in the world. Its intricate decorations with astound you. Belem is also home to the Torre de Belem (a limestone monument), and Centro Cultural de Belem. Across the river youll find the highly-visited Cristo Rei monument.