Lisbon

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St George's Castle, Lisbon

Introducing Lisbon

Spread across steep hillsides that overlook the Rio Tejo, Lisbon offers all the delights you’d expect of Portugal’s star attraction, yet with half the fuss of other European capitals. Gothic cathedrals, majestic monasteries and quaint museums are all part of the colourful cityscape, but the real delights of discovery lie in wandering the narrow lanes of Lisbon’s lovely backstreets.

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As bright yellow trams wind their way through curvy tree-lined streets, Lisboêtas stroll through the old quarters, much as they’ve done for centuries. Village-life gossip in old Alfama is exchanged at the public baths or over fresh bread and wine at tiny patio restaurants as fadistas (proponents of fado, Portugal’s traditional melancholic singing) perform in the background.

Meanwhile, in other parts of town, visitors and locals chase the ghosts of Pessoa in warmly lit 1930s-era cafés or walk along the seaside that once saw the celebrated return of Vasco da Gama. Yet, while history is very much alive in centuries-old Lisbon, its spirit is undeniably youthful.

In the hilltop district of Bairro Alto, dozens of restaurants and bars line the narrow streets, with jazz, reggae, electronica and fado filling the air and revellers partying until dawn. Nightclubs scattered all over town make fine use of old spaces, whether on riverside docks or tucked away in 18th-century mansions.

The Lisbon experience encompasses so many things, from enjoying a fresh pastry and bica (espresso) on a petite leafy plaza to window-shopping in elegant Chiado. It’s mingling with Lisboêtas at a neighbourhood festival or watching the sunset from the old Moorish castle.

Just outside Lisbon, there’s more to explore: the magical setting of Sintra, glorious beaches and traditional fishing villages.

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Tips & articles

  1. The rebirth of Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré

    20 March 2012

    For years, riverside Cais do Sodré was one of Lisbon‘s seediest neighbourhoods. Its backstreets were the haunt of whisky-slugging sailors...

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  2. Ask Lonely Planet: where can I spend New Year in the sun?

    21 November 2011

    Lonely Planet’s experts are always eager to inspire a travel adventure. In this extract from December’s Lonely Planet Magazine, our...

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Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. newfoundland2 avatar
    Re: Lisbon in June

    by newfoundland2 27 May 2012

    Try not to go to Sintra on a weekend, if possible. If you are in Lisbon on the night of June 12, Lisbon (especially the Alfama area)…
  2. anillos_de_saturno avatar
    RE: Travelling from Santiago de Compostela to Lisbon cheaply?

    by anillos_de_saturno 27 May 2012

    You can also take a bus from Santiago de Compostela to Vigo. It costs 8 EUR. Bus company: Monbús. BTW, Why don't you stop in Porto before…
  3. neckervd avatar
    RE: Travelling from Santiago de Compostela to Lisbon cheaply?

    by neckervd 27 May 2012

    The train from Santiago to Vigo costs 10 EUR the bus from Vigo to Valenca costs 5 EUR the bus from Valenca to Lisboa costs 22 EUR …

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