Posted on Friday, 14 April 2023

Why visit Lisbon?

Europe's most westerly capital boasts an absorbing mixture of architectural styles, off-beat attractions and a pleasant all-year-round climate.

Easier on the pocket than most of the continent's capital cities, in Lisbon you can feast on a fantastic range of seafood, including sardines, crab, shrimp and monkfish - all low on price and high on freshness.

But oddly given all those fresh catches, the city's most popular ocean treat is bacalhau, a dried and salted cod fish, available in a bewildering number of recipes - and also going for a song.

 

The earthquake of 1755

Lisbon's mesmerising architecture can be divided into two categories: before the earthquake - and after it.

On 1 November, 1755, the city was shaken for eight full minutes by a highly destructive quake. Less than an hour later, a tsunami struck, engulfing much of the Portuguese empire's capital.

 

Getting around Lisbon

Taxis are equally economical, allowing you to explore the city's seven famous hills without fretting over the cost.

Public transport is even cheaper, while the city's two elevators allow to you rise several stories without paying a penny (or euro-cent).

On each hill you'll find a miradouros (viewpoint) from which you can take in the city's ravishing vistas while enjoying an energising espresso.

 

Things to see in Lisbon

Belém district

The centrepiece of the imperial Belém district is Torre de Belém, a grand waterside Byzantine and Gothic-styled fortress built in the 15th century.

After exploring the famous tower (6 euros per person), head over to the ornate Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (7 euros), another 15th century wonder, where you can see the tomb of Vasco da Gama, the great explorer who took to the ocean at Belém in 1497, his sights set on the Indian subcontinent.

After all that history, you may be in the market for a carb-hit, in which case one (or five) of the city's famous custard tarts might be in order.

Pop into Pasteis de Belém for some of the very finest.

Tram 28 to Baixa, Chiado & the Alfama neighbourhood

Did we mention Lisbon has trams?

It does, although they are rather old.

One of the best is the rickety, century-old no. 28, which for a mere £2.50 will take you from Praça Luis de Camões in Bairro Alto, through the chic shopping zones of Baixa and Chiado, then slowly but surely up into the exotic Moorish neighbourhood of Alfama.

Here, you can take time to wander around the Romanesque Sé Cathedral, where you'll encounter Gothic tombs and a millennium-old ruined mosque.

Re-board the old 28 and complete your ascent to the city's uppermost point, Castelo.

Time your visit to São Jorge Castle right and you'll be rewarded with spectacular sunset views.

 

Lisbon's hidden gems

The world's smallest bookshop Livraria do Simão

This broom-cupboard sized treasure is home to an astonishing 3,000 books, with many tomes on Portugal's imperial past, alongside collectors' editions of the nation's great writers: Fernando Pessoa and his 70 heteronyms, Saramago, Camões and Eça de Queiroz among them.

This 4m square store is a bibliophile's dream come true.

The Portugal Room at Geographical Society of Lisbon

Another easy-to-miss wonder is the Portugal Room in the Geographical Society of Lisbon.

Two ornate galleries house some of the most important documents and maps of the entire Portuguese-speaking world. It is also home to artefacts owned by explorers Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral.

Visits must be scheduled beforehand.

Menino de Deus Church

Given its unremarkable exterior, it's understandable that few people pop their heads inside the Menino de Deus Church.

But to simply walk past - as so many do - is to miss out on one of the city's most exceptional church interiors.

This rare survivor of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake boasts a treasure trove of gilt carved wood, opulent alters and marbles of grey, yellow and pink.

The vast, intricate ceiling artwork is reward enough for visiting.

Limited opening times, but a number of walking tours feature a presentation here.

 

Evenings in Lisbon

Eating out in Lisbon

A Taberna da Rua das Flores

For dinner, head down to this authentic Lisbon tavern, which serves up a range of traditional Portuguese food in an absorbingly old-style setting.

Don't miss the iscas com elas (marinated liver) or the meia desfeita de bacalhau (classic salted cod with chick peas and a boiled egg).

If you're still hungry, gorge yourself on delicious cheeses and tinned wonders, or some of the innumerable snacks served up by chef Andre Magalhaes.

This well-known eatery fills up quickly, so hot-foot it there as soon as the sun goes down.

Lisbon nightlife

Bairro Alto

While Portugal is a rather traditional country, Bairro Alto proves that even here there is an 'anything goes' atmosphere after dark.

There are no open container laws here, so feel free to potter around the narrow alleyways of the party district with a refreshing Super Bock or Sagres.

You'll find all manner of drinking spots here, from fancy wine bars to student watering holes, raucous LGBT nightspots to sumptuous cocktail lounges.

Where to stay in Lisbon?

Bairro Alto Hotel

Ideal if you're planning a night on the tiles, this stylish hotel is located slap bang in the middle of the Bairro Alto night-life district.

Altis Belém Hotel & Spa

Perched on the banks of the Tagus, this dazzling hotel features white marble bathrooms and a rooftop swimming pool.

Don't miss the superb spa with hammam, pool and Turkish bath.

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