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City view of Lisbon. A bridge in the background.
City view of Lisbon. A bridge in the background.

Lisbon

Published: 13 October 2022, 10:00

City of light

Trams that wind through narrow streets, individually painted tiles on the house fronts and the sounds of fado in the evening – welcome to Lisbon! The Portuguese capital is a gem that should be on everyone’s bucket list. 290 days of sunshine a year are another argument that should help all those still sitting on the fence – Lisbon is not called the “City of Light” for nothing. Exploring the city on foot and discovering the many beautiful viewpoints that offer a wonderful view over the city’s hills is especially worthwhile.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: - 1 hour
  • Population: 545,923 
  • Official language: Portuguese
  • Currency: Euro (EUR)

 

10 pictures, 10 places

The equestrian statue on the Praça do Comércio
The equestrian statue of King José I towers above the Praça do Comércio. © Yasonya / Adobe Stock
Funicular railway in a narrow street
A ride on the Elevador de Bica funicular provides relief for tired feet. The tram is also a popular motif for holiday snapshots. © antonel / Adobe Stock
Statue of Jesus over the hills of Lisbon
This statue of Jesus from 1959 is an expression of gratitude to God that Portugal was spared from the Second World War. © Mariia Korneeva / Adobe Stock
The Torre de Belém on the banks of the Tagus
It once welcomed arriving ships and today the Torre de Belém is a monument and one of the city’s most important landmarks. © Westend61 / Adobe Stocknd61 / Adobe Stock
The MAAT’s modern outer facade
The MAAT (Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia), a museum of contemporary art, architecture and technology is located between the Tagus and the old town of Belém. © eskystudio / Adobe Stock
View over Lisbon’s old town
The Miradouro de Santa Luzia is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Alfama district. © Альбина Саженюк / Adobe Stock
Cacti and other plants at the Jardim Botânico
The Jardim Botânico (botanical garden), is a tranquil oasis in the middle of the city. © Studio Barcelona / Adobe Stock
The Elevador de Santa Justa lift
The 45-metre-high, neo-Gothic Elevador de Santa Justa connects the lower city with the upper city. © rh2010 / Adobe Stock
View of Rua Augusta from above
The 550-metre-long Rua Augusta shopping street and promenade in the heart of the city is the ideal place to go on a big shopping spree. © Noppasinw / Adobe Stock
The colourful palace in Sintra
Just 25 kilometres from Lisbon, the town of Sintra is perfect for a day trip. The beautiful Palácio da Pena is open to visitors. © dudlajzov / Adobe Stock

Oh, Lisbon is so delicious!

Due to its close proximity to the coast, fish and seafood can be found on every menu in Lisbon. You should definitely try the Bacalhau à Brás with cod, potatoes and egg – this Lisbon dish is famous even beyond the country’s borders. Thankfully, this soul food is offered in almost every restaurant with local cuisine, sometimes interpreted in a modern way for more up-market cuisine. Grilled sardines, which can also be taken home preserved in a can, are another highlight of Lisbon’s cuisine. Your culinary to-do list has to include pastel de nata tarts filled with custard... tasty and irresistible!

Culinary Lisbon in 5 pictures

Puff pastry tarts
Pastel de nata taste best warm and sprinkled with cinnamon. The delicious egg custard puff pastry tarts will make your trip to Lisbon complete. © grinchh / Adobe Stock
Freshly brewed espresso
“Uma Bica, faz favor” – This is how the locals order their espresso. Good to know: coffee is usually cheaper at the counter than at the table. © dusanpetkovic1 / Adobe Stock
Bachalhau à Brás served on a plate
The dish Bacalhau à Brás, which consists of cod, eggs and potatoes, is typical of Lisbon and real soul food. © 3dts / Adobe Stock
A plate of grilled sardines, potatoes and salad
Grilled sardines are also a classic of Lisbon cuisine. They are served with potatoes or a bread roll. © Diane / Adobe Stock
Caldo Verde stew served in a bowl with bread
If you want something heartier, order a Caldo Verde – a cabbage, onion, potato and chorizo stew © Sebastiana Raw / Adobe Stock

Lisbon from BER

Aircraft shortly before touching down on the runway

TAP

Ryanair

Humberto Delgado Airport Lisbon

5 tips for...

1. Start the day with a Galão, a Portuguese latte

2. Wander the historic district of Alfama 

3. Go (window) shopping on the Rua Augusta shopping street

4. Enjoy a view of the city from one of the numerous viewpoints (miradouros)

5. Listen to fado in a street bar in the evening

1. Hire a bike and cycle along the banks of the Tagus to Belém

2. Cross over to Almada by ferry and hike up to the Christo Rei statue

3. Walk across the 18th century aqueduct Aqueduto das Águas Livres

4. Join a Tagus sailboat tour

5. Climb the city hills on an e-bike

1. Find out more about the life and work of Fernando Pessoa in the author’s former home

2. Head to the Palácio Nacional de Mafra monastery, the setting for José Saramago’s most famous novel, “The Memorial” (1982)

3. Visit the Fundação José Saramago exhibition, which has several floors dedicated to the life and work of the winner of the Nobel Prize for literature.

4. Get inspired at the café “A Brasileira”, where Portuguese authors Fernando Pessoa, Aquilino Ribeiro and Alfredo Pimenta met and shared ideas.

5. Browse in the Bertrand bookshop – the world’s oldest bookshop still in existence (opened in 1732)!

Copyright title:© SeanPavonePhoto / stock.adobe.com

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