Official Language:
Portuguese
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Currency:
EUR
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Population:
Approximately 1,000,000 people call Lisbon home.
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Lisbon Portugal: Summers are hot and humid, ranging between 75-85°F/24-29°C. Winters are mild and the highs generally climb into the 60s°F/16°C.
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Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and cruise visitors will discover it is a fun and lively city with distinctive character and charm.
Cruise ships dock at the Port of Lisbon, located on Rua da Junqueira 94. Convenient road and highway links and efficient bus and taxi services are waiting to take you to your destination.
Some attractions that add to this cities' fame are the 12th century cathedral, the 1.5 mile long Salazar suspension bridge over the Tagus, the Moorish Belem Tower and the old Moorish Alfama quarter. Lisbon also has a sculpture of the Christos, from which the more famous statue in Rio de Janeiro was copied.
Shipping and commerce are still a very important part of life in Lisbon. Lisbon happens to be the largest city and main port of Lisbon. Today the city is busy and some sections of town are crowded at times. The new construction of modern buildings and businesses are helping to revive the sagging economy. However, in spite of the modern influences and inevitable change, here the old world lingers as if the city is not willing to give up its traditional ways. Lisbon is a town of balconies and vistas, where people still hang their laundry out to dry on lines strung between buildings. Here the varinas (fish sellers) carry their wares in baskets on their heads, and people grill sardines on the streets. Here the people, architecture, and even the music reflect a romantic vision of the way life used to be.
The best way to see central Lisbon is on foot (in combination with various forms of public transportation). It's a small city by any standard, and most of the points of interest are contained within the well-defined older quarters. A stroll through the Baixa-the gridded 18th-century downtown shopping area-can take less than a half hour; from there you can walk to the Bairro Alto to the west or the Alfama to the east. The latter two areas are the most interesting of the old-town quarters. A 30-minute walk north up the central Avenida da Liberdade takes you to the large Parque Eduardo VII; the Gulbenkian Foundation is about 15 minutes away.
If you plan to walk the city, it's important to remember that Lisbon is hilly and has cobblestone sidewalks that can make walking tiring (especially in the hot summer), even when you wear comfortable shoes. At some point you'll probably want to use the public-transportation system, if only to sample the old trams and funicular railways and elevators that link sections of the city.
Avoid traveling on public transportation during rush hours, especially on the metro, which gets jammed. Also, be aware that pickpockets ply their trade on crowded trains, buses, and trams.
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Attractions |
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The best way to see Lisbon is to grab a guidebook and a walking map and take a taxi and venture out on your own. Enjoy the Barrio Alto a favorite adventure ride on the Glória funicular, one of the old-fashioned streetcars. Cruise line excursions will provide passengers with city highlights. You can also arrange an independent tour at one of the hotels. Rental cars are not recommended due to the heavy traffic and lack of parking. Taxis are available by the ride (metered) or for half a day or the whole day for exploring the city—negotiate the rate before you head out.
Some of the most famous sites in Lisbon are the Belém Tower, built in the 16th century, the Manueline style Jerónimos Monastery, the Maritime and National Archaeological Museums, the Monument to the Discoveries, the House of Facets and the Roman arches of the aqueduct spanning the Alcântara Valley. The Alfama district rises from the Tagus and marches up the hill capped by St. George’s Castle, which overlooks the city with spectacular views and fine gardens within.
Shopping
Shop for Portuguese tiles and crafts which are sold everywhere, but the downtown shopping district on Rua Augusta is the place to find quality merchandise. Check the jewelry stores on this pedestrian street for delicate filigree jewelry, either in 19 carat gold, sterling silver, or vermeil. Renowned Madeira tablecloths and delicately embroidered linen shawls are a find at Madeira House on Rua Augusta. Famous port wines are available in many shops but the best selection and prices are at the Instituto do Vinho do Porto stores (there is a handy store at the airport for last-minute purchases). Shops close from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, at which point you can head for the upscale Amoreiras or Colombo Malls. Check with the locals for the location and days that the many open-air markets are open.
St. George's Castle
Built in the 12th century to house the Moorish monarchs, this castle later served as the residence of the Portuguese royalty. Thanks to the big earthquake, unfortunately, all that's left today are a few walls, ramparts, and towers. It's a bit of a hike to get up here, but it's well worth the effort for the fantastic views over the Alfama and the Tagus River. Nobody lives in the castle now except for a few rare, white peacocks that like to roam around the grounds. Just below the castle, you'll find the Church of St. Vincent-Outside-the-Walls, which guards the remains of St. Vincent.
Church of St. Vincent-Outside-the-Walls
Legend has it that the saint’s remains were brought to the city in a ship guided by two ravens. These birds are depicted on the Lisbon coat of arms. The “Thieves Market” is purported to be the one for real bargains.
National Museum of Ancient Art
Ancient art makes up a large part of the collection here but you'll also find some modern Portuguese art dating mainly from the 15th to the 19th centuries. The museum is located in the beautiful 17th century palace of the Count of Alvor, also briefly home to Pombal. It features wooden sculptures, porcelain, gold, drawings, etchings, and paintings by Portugal's finest artists including Frei Carlos and Domingos de Sequeira (a sort of Portuguese Goya of the 19th century).
April 25th Bridge (a.k.a. The Vasco da Gama Bridge)
Built to commemorate the Portuguese Revolution in 1974, this is the third longest suspension bridge in Europe. From here you'll have a great view of the entire city as well as the statue of Christ the King, honoring Portugal's survival of World War II through non-involvement.
Sintra
Northwest of Lisbon you'll find this beautiful, hilltop village. It's not hard to imagine why this has been a vacation destination for nobility since the 14th century, and has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Towering above the village is the Pena Palace, a colorful, romantic castle, commissioned by a Bavarian prince in the middle of the 19th century. Taking a walk halfway down this hill, you'll find the ruins of an 8th century Moorish castle fortress. The town itself is quaint and attractive and is dominated by the National Palace with its two striking white chimneys.
Cascais
This scenic village west of Lisbon is one of a series of coastal towns that comprise the Portuguese Riviera. Here you'll find the summer home of King Luís I, and some fantastic beaches.
Queluz
Most people come to this fairytale village to see the 18th century Royal Palace, which includes a Chapel, Music Room, Throne Room, Pavilion, and an incredible garden featuring Baroque fountains and statues. Some compare its opulence and design to the Versailles Palace in France.
Baixa
One of Lisbon's main shopping and banking districts. Features small craft shops, shoe stores, jewelry shops, and delicatessens
Amoreiras
In addition to shops selling clothes, shoes, food, crystal, ceramics, and jewelry, here you can also find a hairdresser and a movie theater.
Feira da Ladra
This is a giant flea market held on Tuesday mornings and all day Saturday in the Largo de Santa Clara behind the Church of São Vicente.
Beaches
The most popular beaches are in Cascais and Estoril (once known as the “Resort of Kings”). The beaches down south in Costa da Caparica, a favorite of Lisbonites.
LISBON CITY DISTRICTS
Cidade Baixa (Lower City)
This is the rationally designed, grid-like section of Lisbon built by Pombal after the great earthquake of 1755. It includes the official entrance to the city, the grand, arcaded Commerce Square (also called "Black Horse Square"), which is accessed from the water by a broad, marble staircase. Here you'll find the bronze statue of King Joseph I on horseback surrounded by 18th century buildings of sea green and white. At the center of the Baixa, you'll find the busiest part of town, which is Rossio Square. Amid the mass of cars, street vendors, and restaurants, look for the statue of Pombal - the mastermind behind this section of the city.
Bairro Alto(Upper District)
You guessed it, this part of town is located along the side of a steep hill. It dates from the 17th century and is characterized by straight, narrow, steeply inclined streets. The roads are so precipitous that there are stairs, cable cars, and even an elevator to make the going easier for pedestrians. The elevator was designed by the famous French engineer, Gustav Eiffel, builder of the Eiffel Tower.
The Alfama
This old Moorish quarter is located along the river and is one of the few sections of Lisbon that was not completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1755. Under the watchful protection of the Castle of St. George, these narrow cobblestone streets are a jumble of homes and shops where you can sample the city's famous sardines, getting the true flavor of working class Lisbon.
Belém District
"Belém," Portuguese for "Bethlehem," is the original port of Lisbon, from which the explorers launched their voyages of discovery. Located about 20 minutes from the center of Lisbon, the most popular sites here are the Belém Tower, the Jerónimos Monastery, the Coach Museum, the Monument of Discoveries, and of course, the tasty Belém cakes.
Monument of Discoveries
This monument was erected in 1960 to commemorate the great sacrifices made by the Portuguese people during the Age of Discovery. It forms roughly the shape of a ship's prow, and features a series of famous explorers, soldiers, sailors, priests, and weeping women, headed up by Henry the Navigator.
Tower of Belém
Located on the banks of the Tagus River, this 16th century tower is a tribute to Portugal's famous explorers, and a beacon of homecoming for sailors. Originally built as a fortress and lookout point, this five story high building has also served as a prison, and of course, a tourist attraction. The structure is sturdy yet elegant, exhibiting a variety of architectural influences including Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance, and Manueline.
Jerónimos Monastery
Henry the Navigator built a small monastery on this site in the 15th century, which was later replaced by a grander version in the 16th century by King Manuel I. Since the building was financed largely by profits from the spice trade, you'll see a maritime motif in much of the sculptural work. It took nearly a century to complete, employing four different architects, and a variety of architectural styles, yet somehow the building maintains a sense of graceful composition. Portugal's most famous poet, Camoães, and explorer Vasco da Gama, are buried here. In the western end of the monastery, you'll find the Maritime Museum, which describes Portugal's naval and maritime history through a collection of boats, paintings, drawings, photographs, and models.
Coach Museum
You're not likely to find a collection like this anywhere else in the world. Housed in what was formerly a riding school for the royal family, these magnificently carved and gilded carriages exhibit the wealth and extravagance of Portugal's aristocracy during the Age of Discovery.
SPORTS & ACTIVITIES
Golfing
Lisbon offers more than 50 top rated courses located in a variety of landscapes by the sea, next to mountains, or near lakes. Portugal also features one of Europe's largest and best golf academies run by Tiger Woods' coach, Buck Harmon.
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More Information |
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Web: http://www.explore-lisbon.com/
Web: http://www.cityguide.travel-guides.com/cities/lis/cityoverview.asp
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