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Lisbon
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Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, has had a great many setbacks in the past, such as the earthquake of 1755 and the great fire of 1988. But it has never given in to fate and has always rebuilt itself. The city is no longer the unknown quantity it was, and the World Exhibition of 1998 and World Cup football finals of 2004 have been instrumental in this. Thanks to these two events Lisbon has been given a few touch-ups here and there and now sparkles like never before.
Lisbon is the city of the Fado, a very melancholic song. Portugal was also the cradle of the explorations, and the evidence of this is inescapable in the capital. The Belém area has all the best-known places of interest dating from this period of Portuguese history. Lisbon is a city of hills. This gives an abundance of 'miradouros', or vantage points, but it also results in odd forms of transport, such as an age-old elevator, and extremely steep streets with cog rail trams. If you fancy an historic tram journey you really must take a seat on tram 28.
Thanks to Expo '98 a neglected area of the port underwent a transformation. Unlike many other countries where the World Exhibition grounds have been left deserted and without a purpose, they have created a lively area and shopping centre in Lisbon. The grounds are now home to huge attractions like the Oceanario aquarium, and there is plenty of entertainment in the evenings in countless restaurants and bars.
By now we probably won’t have to convince you that Lisbon is a modern and lively city offering everything the tourist might want: museums, attractions, monuments, extraordinary city centres, shopping streets, cultural activities, evening entertainment, ... We give an overview of the most important places of interest on the next page.
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Read more: (soon online)
> Not-to-be-missed on a visit to Lisbon
> Places of interest in Lisbon
> Practical tips for your visit to Lisbon
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Picture: © Josefuente | Dreamstime.com
Text: GVDV - © AT-Europe bvba
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Reviews
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Lisbon tours
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If you come to Lisbon for short trip and you want to see the most attractive places recommended by your travel guides, you should not miss one of Hop on Hop off tours by yellow open-top double-decker buses operated by Carristur. For a reasonable price and with ticket valid for 24h you can see the best places of Lisbon, interrupt your journey and continue anytime you want to. Moreover, the tour is accompanied by audio guide, so you will learn about the history and culture of this extraordinary city and country in one of eight available languages. The ticket can be also used on the public transport network of Carris (buses, trams, funiculars).
If you want to see the steep and narrow streets of Alfama and other picturesque parts of Lisbon, I would recommend you to take one of the historical red trams leaving from Praca do Comercio. You will avoid the crowds normally experienced in the famous public tram 28 as well as pickpockets and will be able to listen to the commentary provided either by audio guide or a professional guide- interpreter. The price is higher but it's worth the comfort and atmoshpere. You will really enjoy it.
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Walk along the line of tram 28
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While travelling guides go into raptures over a trip with tram 28, I would not recommend it. The tram does not stop at the best places, is usually crammed and does not have panoramic windows (if you do it anyway, stay on the right side). By foot it’s a nice walk with the cathedral on the way and many points of views. The higher you climb the better it feels. A very nice experience when the weather is nice.
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Combine a trip to Lisbon with a beach vacation
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Actually, we’re a bit disappointed that we haven’t done it ourselves, but we didn’t know it beforehand. Lisbon is located not far away from Estoril, a well-know beach resort. The public transportation brings you there in no time. You can even visit Lisbon from one of the beach resorts. Another tip: you can find the busses to Estoril in the harbour and you can’t buy the tickets on the bus. You have to buy them from the kiosk and there they hardly understand English.
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