Lisbon & Surrounds Region Suggested Trips

Boasting springtime temperatures during the winter and cool summers freshened by a breeze blowing in from the Atlantic, Costa de Lisboa, on the southwestern coast, offers a rich and impressively integrated diversity. The capital of Portugal since its conquest from the Moors in 1147, Lisbon is a legendary city with over 20 centuries of History. The Alfama is one of the oldest quarters in Lisboa. Since it largely survived the earthquake of 1755, the area still retains much of its original layout. Adjacent to the Alfama are the likewise old quarters of Castelo and Mouraria, on the western and northern slopes of the hill that is crowned by St. George's Castle. Every year in June, the streets of all three quarters come alive with the feasts in honour of the popular saints. The Graça quarter and the churches of São Vicente de Fora and Santa Engrácia are within walking distance of this area. Radiant skies brighten the monumental city, with its typical tile covered building façades and narrow Medieval streets, where one can hear the fado being played and sung at night. But Lisbon is also the stage for popular festivities, the place for exquisite shopping , exciting nightlife , and interesting museums , a place from where motorways branch off in different directions.

I, being a spanish speaker, assumed that all Lisbon citizens would know the language. This is the case for older folks, whom I was able to communicate with speaking spanish and they speaking back to me in Portuguese. However, most young people speak English very well and not very fond of Spaniards. I started using it more sparingly in Lisbon....In any case, Lisbon men are far less aggressive at the night/club scene than men in many Spanish cities, which was refreshing...

Si vous allez à Lisbonne, il vous faudra utiliser les transport en commun car il est impensable d'y rouler en voiture. Tous les transport en commun appartiennent à la société Carris, on peut donc, à l'achat d'une carte valable pour toute la journée, utiliser librement les bus, tram, téléphériques et métro. Pour les amateurs de marche, vous allez être servis. Personnellement j'ai fait la plupart des déplacements à pieds sauf celui à la tour de Bélem qui se trouve assez éloignée du centre de Lisbonne.

Make sure you visit the Estufa Fria, lovely tropical greenhouses in Parque Eduardo VII. If you are around on a weekend, make sure you venture into Bairro Alto for a drink in the steep cobbled streets that are lined with bars, and look out for the wandering vegie-burger seller on Rua Da Rosa, for a better after-drink meal than a kebab! Wander around Alfama, for pictures of beautiful traditional houses with laundry hanging off the balconies.

go all the way up the hill to the pena castle. it's a real fairytale castle with great views of the land and ocean :) also, don't forget to eat queijadas :) a local sweet