Though it hasn't quite got the instantly recognisable monuments of other capital cities such as the Eiffel Tower in Rome, Big Ben in London or the Colosseum in Rome, it's somewhere which is packed with nostalgia, tiled streets, great cuisine and it isn't a particularly expensive place.
I went here on a five-day break in December 2017 and, even though Christmas was just around the corner, the weather was absolutely perfect - warm, but not sweltering, with sunset occurring in the late afternoon after 5.00pm.
Baixa-Chiado is probably the most convenient location to stay as it's within walking distance of many monuments. Where I stayed was (literally) just around the corner from the Elevador de Santa Justa - an old-fashioned lift with a viewing platform at the top that offers a birds-eye view of the city below. Interestingly, though you can join a long queue and pay just to go up the lift, it actually comes under 'public transport' as it connects a street at ground level with one higher up, so it'll be covered by an all-day ticket (costing €5). If you're already at the top, you can wander onto the viewing platform, free-of-charge anyway!
Next to the Elevador de Santa Justa is the 'Igreja do Carmo' - an old church which saw it's roof collapse during an infamous earthquake which destroyed most of the city over 250 years ago.
Only a short walk away (at ground level) through the main pedestrianised streets which house dozens of bars, restaurants and souvenir shops is the iconic riverfront square Praça do Comércio. Here, you'll find the triumphant arch 'Arco de Rua Augusta' and it's a great place to wander around, chill-out and enjoy the sunset. The seafront offers a glimpse of the '25 de Abril Bridge' in the distance and the 'Christ the Redemeer' statue in the background beyond it.
There's numerous other great bits of culture in Lisbon including the rickety, old-fashioned yellow trams which clatter their way through the city's narrow streets. A trip on the Number 28 tram (which is again covered by the aforementioned all-day travel ticket) spans 2-3 kilometres and passes many more sights which are worth seeing.
Amongst the sights elsewhere is Belem - a district quite a few miles to the west of the city which is packed with great scenery and landmarks including the Belem Tower, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Padrão dos Descobrimentos and many others. Make sure you visit this place... you won't be disappointed!
To the North-East of Lisbon is the Airport, where you'll most probably arrive/depart, and also Oriente Station with it's iconic roof. The station is situated in a riverfront location called Parque das Nacoes which has been developed in recent years to one of the largest aquariums in the world, a cable car, as well as many modern-looking business premises.
If you get bored of Lisbon (not that it's actually possible) then there are several day trips that you can enjoy to more beautiful places such as Cascais, Estoril or Sintra! And, yes, public transport is very, very cheap and affordable.
Sports fans might want to know that Lisbon is home to three teams who compete in Portugal's top division. Benfica are the most well-known (and most successful), Sporting Lisbon is where Cristiano Ronaldo began his career before he became super-famous, and the other is Belenenses - a team who've enjoyed differing fortunes in recent seasons. Although Belenenses used to play at the Estadio Do Restelo, due to a political dispute, they now play their games a few miles away at the much-unloved Estadio Nacional - which is a pain in the backside to get to by public transport and has barely seen any development since Celtic won the European Cup there way back in 1967.
Finally, it's impossible not to mention a bit of Lisbon's cuisine. It's called a Pastel de Nata and originated in one of the monasteries in Belem. Try it, enjoy it, and you'll be hooked in absolutely no time.
Next to the Elevador de Santa Justa is the 'Igreja do Carmo' - an old church which saw it's roof collapse during an infamous earthquake which destroyed most of the city over 250 years ago.
Only a short walk away (at ground level) through the main pedestrianised streets which house dozens of bars, restaurants and souvenir shops is the iconic riverfront square Praça do Comércio. Here, you'll find the triumphant arch 'Arco de Rua Augusta' and it's a great place to wander around, chill-out and enjoy the sunset. The seafront offers a glimpse of the '25 de Abril Bridge' in the distance and the 'Christ the Redemeer' statue in the background beyond it.
There's numerous other great bits of culture in Lisbon including the rickety, old-fashioned yellow trams which clatter their way through the city's narrow streets. A trip on the Number 28 tram (which is again covered by the aforementioned all-day travel ticket) spans 2-3 kilometres and passes many more sights which are worth seeing.
Amongst the sights elsewhere is Belem - a district quite a few miles to the west of the city which is packed with great scenery and landmarks including the Belem Tower, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, Padrão dos Descobrimentos and many others. Make sure you visit this place... you won't be disappointed!
To the North-East of Lisbon is the Airport, where you'll most probably arrive/depart, and also Oriente Station with it's iconic roof. The station is situated in a riverfront location called Parque das Nacoes which has been developed in recent years to one of the largest aquariums in the world, a cable car, as well as many modern-looking business premises.
If you get bored of Lisbon (not that it's actually possible) then there are several day trips that you can enjoy to more beautiful places such as Cascais, Estoril or Sintra! And, yes, public transport is very, very cheap and affordable.
Sports fans might want to know that Lisbon is home to three teams who compete in Portugal's top division. Benfica are the most well-known (and most successful), Sporting Lisbon is where Cristiano Ronaldo began his career before he became super-famous, and the other is Belenenses - a team who've enjoyed differing fortunes in recent seasons. Although Belenenses used to play at the Estadio Do Restelo, due to a political dispute, they now play their games a few miles away at the much-unloved Estadio Nacional - which is a pain in the backside to get to by public transport and has barely seen any development since Celtic won the European Cup there way back in 1967.
Finally, it's impossible not to mention a bit of Lisbon's cuisine. It's called a Pastel de Nata and originated in one of the monasteries in Belem. Try it, enjoy it, and you'll be hooked in absolutely no time.
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