Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and one of the oldest cities in Europe, located on the Tagus River and the Atlantic Ocean coast. With origins in the Neolithic period the city was settled and ruled by the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Visigoth and the Moors, until the new nation of Portugal was founded in the 12th century and Lisbon was set as its capital in the 14th century. Portugal became a global empire in the 15th-16th centuries, the “Age of Discovery”, when Lisbon served as the exit point of the major discoverers of that period. Unfortunately, the city had to be completely rebuilt following a devastating earthquake in 1755.
Lisbon is a trendy city offering rich history architecture and charming culture as fully described in the TheTjoy.com
- Visit districts which were not damaged in the 18th century earthquake, such as the ancient Muslem Alfama District and Bairo Alto District, with their picturesque, narrow cobblestone streets, and 16th century architecture and Iconic attractions related to the “Age of Discovery”.
- Admire attractions including for example the Jeronimos Monastery and the Belem Tower in the Belem District, both presenting prime examples of Manueline, Portuguese late Gothic, architecture. Visit highly decorated churches and enjoy the local vibes in the city’s markets.
- For art lovers, Lisbon offers few unique museums such as the Calouste Gulbenkian museum with its private art collections, and The National Tile Museum presenting the beautiful decorative tiles, Azulejos, which are used to cover the buildings facades throughout town. Visit The National Museum of Ancient Art, The Museum of Contemporary Art, The Coaches Museum, and more.
Belem Tower
Coach Museum
Real Garden
- Built on seven hills the city offers numerous viewpoints, “Miradouros”, enabling to enjoy the overwhelming scenery of the beautiful Medieval Districts, the St. Gorge Castle, the Tegus River, and the Atlantic waterfront. Among the popular viewpoints enjoy Senhora do Monte Viewpoint, Graca Viewpoint, the romantic Sao Pedro de Alcantara Viewpoint, and many others.
- To enjoy the viewpoints and attractions on the city hills take a vintage wooden Tram such as the famous #28 Tram which travels through the city’s major attractions.
- Families visiting Lisbon will enjoy numerous attractions including
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- Riding the vintage Tram
- A day in the beach
- Sailing the Tagus River
- Taking a commuter ferry from Cais do Sodre to Cacilhas for example
- The Oceanarium, one of the largest world Aquariums.
- The Pavilion of Knowledge, a fascinating science and technology museum.
- The Lisbon Zoo
- The Lisbon Cable Car in the impressive Parque das Nacoes
- The early 19th century Tejo Power Station and Museum, and more.
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- Lisbon is heaven for Nightlife entertainment, with its vibrant atmosphere and warm nights.
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- Enjoy the authentic and melancholic local Fado music in the Fado “houses”-bars in the Alfama and Bairo Alto districts and the numerous restaurants, bars and clubs also in the Bairo Alto district.
- Dance in the Alcantara and in the Santos District with their numerous nightclubs.
- The Cais do Sodre in the waterfront offers late night activities especially in the pedestrian “Pink Street”, Rua Nova do Carvalho, Lisbon’s “bar street” and one of the favourite nightlife hangouts in Europe.
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- If you visit Lisbon in June and July you will enjoy an ongoing festival when the streets turn into a big party including parades and night events, especially in the Alfama, Bairro Alto and other districts.
- With more than 300 sunny days Lisbon offers great sandy beaches near to the city center and in its surroundings, beaches for everyone and all preferences, including those that are calm and sandy, windy and perfect for surfing, romantic, and wild, tranquil, and secluded.
Enjoy Carcavelos Beach near the city center, and the beaches of the major coastline regions including
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- Costa da Caparica
- The resort town of Cascais
- The dramatic Sintra-Cascais coastline
- The Arrabida National Park
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St. George Castle
Barrio Alto
Cavalo Beach
Lisbon has a very pleasant weather with 300 sunny days a year, warm summers and mild winters, hence visiting the city is enjoyable all year round. The high traveling season is June through to September when the city tends to be crowded.
TheTjoy.com recommends spending 2-3 days visiting Lisbon, and several additional days in the beach or taking day trips to the nearby beautiful towns.
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- Visit Sintra and its palaces
- The resort town of Cascais, Nazare, Obidos, Fatima, and others.
- Another great option if time allows is to take a longer 2-3 days trip to Porto and the magnificent Douro Valley.
- Another option is to combine a short visit to Lisbon with a beach vacation in Cascais, Sesimbra or in one of the Algarve Region beach resorts.
- A different travel idea would be to combine a visit of Lisbon with traveling in either Madeira and Porto Santo Islands, or in the Azores, Sao Miguel and Pico Islands.
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