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IN A NUTSHELL
WHAT: Lisbon.
WHERE: Portugal.
WHY: Architecture, monuments, great food, and great
nighlife, all at a great price.
WHEN: Any time of year.
HOW: International flights into Portela Airport (Lisbon).
IF YOU LIKE THIS... Then you should check out
Valletta. |
Lisbon
is known for its thrilling nightlife, its famed monuments, and its
hills.� Lisbon lies in Central Portugal at the mouth of the
Tagus River.� Since its beginnings as a Phoenician harbor town,
it has been successively ruled by the Romans, Goths, and Moors.�
In 1147, crusader knights led by Alfonso I recaptured Portugal and
it became the nation's capital city in 1255.
Lisbon grew in leaps
and bounds over the next few centuries, especially during the rise
of Portuguese seapower.� The great moments of this seafaring
nation have been captured by the 16th Century monuments at the
UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bel�m, located just west of downtown
Lisbon.
Today's Lisbon bears the marks of the massive earthquake of 1755
(followed by a tsunami and fire), which killed between 60,000 and
90,000 people, and destroyed 85% of the city.�
The city's downtown area, or Baixa, was planned and rebuilt after
the earthquake by the Marquis de Pombal, who emplaced a grid system
to replace the winding old Medieval streets.� This new city of
broad avenues and open plazas (pra�as in Portuguese) is the Lisbon
that we see today.
The one section of the city to survive relatively unscathed was the
Alfama, or Moorish section of town.� This district, occupying
the hill below the Castle of S�o Jorge, retains much of this lost
Medieval flavor, with windy streets and red tiled roofs and Moorish
architecture.
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Lisbon Highlights and Travel Tips |
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BAIXA AND PRA�A DO COMERCIO
Pra�a do Comercio (Commerce Square), on the Tagus
River, is the beginning of Lisbon's Baixa, or downtown
district. |
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BAIRRO ALTO AND
ELEVADOR DE SANTA JUSTA
The Bairro Alto (Upper Quarter) occupies the top of a
steep hill just west of Lisbon's Baixa district.� This
area functions as a residential, shopping, and entertainment
district.�
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ALFAMA AND CASTEL S�O JORGE
The Alfama is the one district of Lisbon to survive the
earthquake of 1755 relatively untouched.� This district
still retains a Moorish flavor, and is topped by the Castel
S�o Jorge (St. George's Castle). |
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TORRE DE
BEL�M & MONOSTEIRO DOS JERONIMOS
This monument-packed neighborhood on the Tagus River,
west of downtown, features a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
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PARQUE DAS NA��ES
The Park of Nations was built for the 1998 World Expo in
Lisbon, and features shops, restaurants, a riverside
pedestrian area, and one of the world's largest aquariums,
the Lisbon Oceanarium. |
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LISBON PANORAMAS
Take a look at our Lisbon Panorama pictures to fully
experience this vibrant and beautiful capital city. |
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MY TRIP TO PORTUGAL
Read what I did to learn from my discoveries...and
mistakes. |
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LISBON AND SINTRA MAPS
Take a look at our maps
to get
acquainted with the city, landmarks, and public
transportation system.
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My Trip to Portugal |
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Hotel: I stayed with some friends at the
Aparthotel VIP Eden,
which is an apartment-type hotel.� Our room included a kitchen
/ living room area, with a mini-fridge, cooking area, and a couch.�
The second room had a double bed, desk and chair.� The
hotel also has a rooftop pool and breakfast area with views of
downtown Lisbon.
I definitely recommend the hotel; not only was it a great deal
to stay in with some friends, but the location is absolutely
fantastic.� It is steps away from the underground metro
station, and a quick walk from the Rossio train station.� In
addition, it lies on the edge of the Baixa downtown pedestrian area,
and across a main street from a row of restaurants and outdoor
cafes.
Transportation: The elevadors/funiculars provide a fantastic way
to get up to the Bairro Alto, which is just uphill from the hotel.�
Be sure to use this cheap transport to get up the hill -- all the
locals do.
Trains are clean, on time, and generally a great way to get
around town and to the outer sites at Bel�m, Parque das Na�oes, and
Sintra.� Transfer from the underground lines to the above
ground trains at the larger stations.
Taxicabs are surprisingly cheap in Lisbon.� The meters go
up slowly and you can get a 15-20 minute ride for a the price of a
few Euro.� I only discovered the cheap cab fares as I was
rushing to get to the airport, and immediately wished that I had
made liberal use of them during my trip.
Lisboa Card: Available at the airport and Turismo de Lisboa
offices, Lisboa Cards area a great deal -- they grant cardholders
free use on nearly all public transportation and discounts at
museums and monuments.� You can buy them in 24, 48, or 72-hour
blocks.� Adult tickets typically cost 12.75, 21.50, and 26.55
Euro for 24, 48, and 72-hour blocks.� Tickets for
children aged 5-11 cost 5.70, 8.55, and 11.40 Euro respectively. |
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Moving to Germany?�
Look at out our tips! |
 Moving
to Germany
Whether you are a member of the US Air
Force, Army, or Navy, check out our guide to moving to Europe.�
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