Lisbon Travel Guide
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is a labyrinth of cobbled streets and open-aired piazzas. Cafés and restaurants are in abundance, while bustling markets sell a range of items from crafts to sweets and beautiful hilly suburbs sit along the River Tejo. Some exquisite art, sculptures, ceramics and artefacts from around the world can be viewed in the many museums and galleries throughout the city.
Situated on the highest hill of the city, St George's Castle (Castelo de Sao Jorge) is a grand display of medieval architecture. From here, panoramic views of the city can be seen, with the castle's dominating presence on top of the hill. The castle underwent major renovations in 1940 when it was restored for use as a tourist attraction.
Tourist Attractions Around Lisbon
The Alfama district is the oldest area of the city, truly fascinating with its narrow and winding cobbled streets. Walking through Alfama is like walking back into Lisbon in the 1700s. After the great earthquake in 1755 the area demolished but fortunately for history's sake it was rebuilt by the locals and is today one of the most charming areas of Lisbon.
Nations Park, which was built primarily for Expo '98, is now the new upmarket area, where you can see live concerts, go shopping, enjoy some of the city's best restaurants or have a drink in one of the area's trendy bars. There is also a cable car ride, virtual reality exhibit, oceanarium and knowledge pavilion. The area is aimed at providing something for everyone, when it be a family day out or a romantic dinner for two.
Transportation Around Lisbon
Access to Lisbon is easy through great connections by road, sea, air and rail. Lisbon International airport, located only four miles from the city, services daily flights from most major cities in the world. International trains come in everyday from Paris and Madrid. Driving to Lisbon is possible but there is a serious lack of road safety so be careful if you plan to hire a car.
With Lisbon being a busy and popular tourist destination it attracts many petty thieves. Always take care of your belongings especially when in transit, as bag snatching and pick-pocketing are very common. It is strongly advised that you purchase travel insurance to cover any unfortunate problems that may occur.
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