Lisbon ( Lisboa ). A voyage to Lisbon - Portugal, West Europe

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a class="pin toggleMap closed" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/portugal/lisbon#" id="pinToggleMap" style="display: block;"><span class="showMapText"></span></a> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS7ugb7dRudmmunDG4YwTiCCLmUarixAYZ_7Wilkm_TYCRAYTpEGKYLgozPEaPs57xtfPp8IoQF7lcQyZCEvhOUUMIcAvnT2IUdoFUK3KxUWAx96tj8vPj1lj6Rsx9me2T7dic_M8UeBs/s1600/Portugal+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS7ugb7dRudmmunDG4YwTiCCLmUarixAYZ_7Wilkm_TYCRAYTpEGKYLgozPEaPs57xtfPp8IoQF7lcQyZCEvhOUUMIcAvnT2IUdoFUK3KxUWAx96tj8vPj1lj6Rsx9me2T7dic_M8UeBs/s640/Portugal+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdrdhjBZb9Y/UkSmuh4xFII/AAAAAAAA4Bs/ITtbqTJRBnk/s1600/Portugal+50+Lisbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IdrdhjBZb9Y/UkSmuh4xFII/AAAAAAAA4Bs/ITtbqTJRBnk/s640/Portugal+50+Lisbon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFjjMIEV-6rOeXVsWNgC_7G_ikm5rj4vQhYBvdrXEf7vdLVQJmSoGW0mhgtBZVoOKtL9BaWxvWvVWEbqJpgvn2IiELpm-7qStsjbMQMful9FEzxCK7so-mbjeMrqDaOWGtK1Fum2phUqj/s1600/Portugal+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFjjMIEV-6rOeXVsWNgC_7G_ikm5rj4vQhYBvdrXEf7vdLVQJmSoGW0mhgtBZVoOKtL9BaWxvWvVWEbqJpgvn2IiELpm-7qStsjbMQMful9FEzxCK7so-mbjeMrqDaOWGtK1Fum2phUqj/s320/Portugal+10.jpg" width="320" /></a>Spread across steep hillsides that overlook the Rio Tejo, Lisbon offers all the delights you’d expect of <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=360356">Portugal</a>’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. <br />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 <i>fadistas </i>(proponents of <i>fado, </i><a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=360356">Portugal</a>’s traditional melancholic singing) perform in the background. <br />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. <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0PdZwvAQbg/TzQZuTF42VI/AAAAAAAACRg/XagAiIfxXSU/s1600/Lisbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0PdZwvAQbg/TzQZuTF42VI/AAAAAAAACRg/XagAiIfxXSU/s320/Lisbon.jpg" width="320" /></a>In the hilltop district of Bairro Alto, dozens of restaurants and bars line the narrow streets, with jazz, reggae, electronica and <i>fado </i>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. <br />The Lisbon experience encompasses so many things, from enjoying a fresh pastry and <i>bica </i>(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. <br />Just outside Lisbon, there’s more to explore: the magical setting of <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=360369">Sintra</a>, glorious beaches and traditional fishing villages.<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><b>Ready to go?</b><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N0UpThQsOJc/TzQZtju6IKI/AAAAAAAACRY/jz9b6sphGBg/s1600/Lisbon+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N0UpThQsOJc/TzQZtju6IKI/AAAAAAAACRY/jz9b6sphGBg/s320/Lisbon+8.jpg" width="320" /></a>These tours & activities make it easy:<br /><ul class="inBody"><li>Get the best introduction to Lisbon aboard <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/portugal/lisbon/activities/hop-on-hop/lisbon-hop-on?lpaffil=fbta1">the hop-on hop-off bus</a></li><li>Take a day trip to <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/portugal/lisbon/activities/day-trips/obidos-nazare-fatima?lpaffil=fbta1">the sanctuary of 'Our Lady' at Fatima</a></li><li>Immerse yourself in <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/portugal/lisbon/activities/day-trips/sintra-day-trip?lpaffil=fbta1">the beauty of Sintra</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a class="pin toggleMap closed" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/portugal/lisbon#" id="pinToggleMap" style="display: block;"><span class="showMapText">Show in Lonely Planet</span></a></li><div class="relatedLinks clearfix"><h3 class="themeHeading"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SgIxRrI92BU/TzQZsyHtyOI/AAAAAAAACRI/lZOs9bv0un4/s1600/Lisbon+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SgIxRrI92BU/TzQZsyHtyOI/AAAAAAAACRI/lZOs9bv0un4/s320/Lisbon+6.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a> More about Lisbon </h3><ul><li> <a class="linkChevron" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/portugal/lisbon/places">Places in Lisbon <span class="bottom"></span> </a> </li><li> <a class="linkChevron" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/portugal/lisbon/transport/getting-there-away">Getting there & around <span class="bottom"></span> </a> </li><li> <a class="linkChevron" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/portugal/lisbon/practical-information/money-costs">Practical information <span class="bottom"></span> </a> </li><li> <a class="linkChevron" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/portugal/lisbon/history">History <span class="bottom"></span> </a> </li><li> <a class="linkChevron" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/portugal/lisbon/travel-tips-and-articles">Tips & articles <span class="bottom"></span> </a> </li><li><a class="linkChevron" href="http://hotels.lonelyplanet.com/hotel/?RegionId=414">Hotels</a></li></ul></div><div class="relatedLinks clearfix"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5TSjDcWbQY8/TzQZtCdc9ZI/AAAAAAAACRQ/3Lo5_0M5F9E/s1600/Lisbon+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5TSjDcWbQY8/TzQZtCdc9ZI/AAAAAAAACRQ/3Lo5_0M5F9E/s320/Lisbon+7.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><h3 class="themeHeading"> Make it happen</h3><ul><li><a class="linkChevron" href="http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/shopSearch?q=lisbon%5E2+or+Portugal">Shop for travel guides</a></li><li><a class="linkChevron" href="http://hotels.lonelyplanet.com/hotel/?RegionId=414">Search hotels</a></li><li><a class="linkChevron" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/bookings/flights.do">Cheap flights</a></li><li><a class="linkChevron" href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/bookings/insurance.do">Travel insurance</a></li></ul></div></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--WxZ576dld4/TzQZr4KqY3I/AAAAAAAACRE/1WHcSDkfScY/s1600/Lisbon+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="419" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--WxZ576dld4/TzQZr4KqY3I/AAAAAAAACRE/1WHcSDkfScY/s640/Lisbon+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="mpuWrapper " id="mpuSponsorLrg"><div class="mpuInner"><div class="adContainer" id="adContainer_mpuSponsorLrg"><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/click;h=v8/3c16/0/0/%2a/b;44306;0-0;0;56529921;33734-479/303;0/0/0;;%7Eokv=;ctt=europe;cnty=portugal;dest=lisbon;tnm=overview;tnm=sponsor-large;rsi=J08781_10159;rsi=J08781_10291;rsi=J08781_10287;rsi=J08781_10052;rsi=J08781_10205;%7Esscs=%3f" target="_top"><img alt="Click here to find out more!" border="0" src="http://s0.2mdn.net/viewad/817-grey.gif" /></a> </div></div></div></div>

Lisbon ( Lisboa ). A voyage to Lisbon - Portugal, West Europe

Spread across steep hillsides that overlook the Rio Tejo, Lisbon offers all the delights you’...

Read more »