Lisbon

Set on the north bank of the River Tagus, Lisbon, Portugal’s cosmopolitan Capital has a wealth of delights that other European cities struggle to approach! From historical monuments, to amazing architecture, to panoramic views, to culture, nightlife and shopping this city has something for everyone, and all in a great climate.

Wander the maze of streets in the chic Alfama, Bairro Alto, Chiado and Baixa districts where you will find superb shopping opportunities from Zara to Hermes, pause for a coffee or sample some of the most varied cuisine in all Portugal. Take a tramcar to Belém, home of the traditional Custard Tart, Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, and the magnificent sixteenth century Jerónimos Monastery.

Conveniently located close to, but just far enough from the airport, the sheer number of attractions and great hotels make Lisbon and its surroundings a great place to holiday.
A short journey away are sandy beaches and fishing villages like Sesimbra, the forest of Sintra, with its royal palaces and views over the breathtaking mountains and hills, or just enjoy boat trips along the Tagus and Sado estuaries.
You have a wide range of choices amongst the cosmopolitan holiday resorts of Estoril and Cascais and the rugged coast around Cabo Espichel, the magnificent eighteenth century Queluz Palace and the calm but stunning Arrábida National Park.
Lisbon; an entertaining cultural calendar and a superb variety of modern shopping make this a unique European city.

Praça do Comércio - Commerce Square – (Lisbon)
With the Tagus river on its back, the square once known for Terreiro do Paço da Ribeira, presents itself to the visitor in a square shape, with one of the sides opened. The other three sides, with arcade buildings, end by the river. To the north, you can find the arch of the Augusta Street, inspired on the Paris Triumph Arch. In the centre of the square rises the D. José equestrian statue, surrounded by images that symbolise the victory of Lisbon’s rebuilding, after the earthquake of 1755.
Here, one can find the oldest café of Lisbon, the Martinho da Arcada, from which the presence of Fernando Pessoa is indissociable.

Parque das Nações (Nations Park) – Garcia de Orta Gardens (Lisbon)
In these gardens visitors can appreciate little ecosystems from places like Goa, Africa, Macao, the Azores, Madeira, Cape Verde and S. Tome.

S. Jorge’s Castle Terrace (Lisbon)
According to historic evidences, this was the first natural terrace. Located on top of a hill, the same of S. Jorge Castle, offers the visitors an unique panoramic view over the urbane landscape of Lisbon.

National Coaches Museum (Lisbon)
Considered one of the best of the world on its area, the National Coaches Museum offers the visitors a wide variety of pieces. Cars from the Portuguese Royal House, Gala Coaches from the 16th and 19th centuries, cavalry and shooting harness, uniforms of the Royal House staff, a collection of trumpets and oil paintings of members of the Portuguese Royal Family are some of the things you can see.

Eduardo VII Park (Lisbon)
The Eduardo VII Park is located on top of the Liberdade (Freedom) Avenue and it is, not only an important step on the urbane evolution, but also an excellent place to see the city of Lisbon. Here, one can find lots of attractions, like the Carlos Lopes Pavilion, the Cold Greenhouse, the Club VII (with tennis field, gym, swimming pool and restaurant), without mentioning the natural attractions. The Cold Greenhouse (Estufa Fria) was built in 1930, over an ancient quarry, and tourists from all around the world visit it. It is considered a natural nursery for exotic vegetation from regions like China, Korea, Africa, Australia, Brazil, West Indies, Peru and Mexico. Inside this one there’s the Hot Greenhouse, a glazed greenhouse, that combines plants that need more heat and humidity.

S. Pedro de Alcântara Terrace (Lisbon)
From here one can see the S. Jorge Castle, going through the old Mouraria, the Patriarchal See and the Pombalina Downtown. Further away you can reach the Tagus river and the silhouette of distant lands.

The Jerónimos Monastery (Lisbon)
The Jerónimos Monastery is usually referred as the "jewel" of the Manueline style. This exclusive Portuguese style combines architectonic elements from the final Gothic and from the Renaissance, joining them with a royal and naturalist symbology, that makes it unique and honourable.
This monument, with an over 300 metres façade, obeys to a horizontality principle that gives it a calm and relaxing physiognomy.
Since always connected to the Portuguese Royal House, the Jerónimos Monastery has been internalised as one of the nation symbols. This happens not only because of the Order’s force and the monk’s intellectual production, but also because it is inevitably connected to the Discoveries and because it’s geographic localisation on the capital, near the port. In 1907 it was declared National Monument and in 1984 it was classified "Cultural Patrimony of all Humanity" by UNESCO.

Belém Tower (Lisbon)
Belém Tower was built on the Age of the Discoveries (when defending the city was peremptory) in tribute to the patron saint of the city, S. Vicente.
Its construction finished in 1520 and, as a symbol of the King’s prestige, shows a decoration featuring the Manueline symbology – moorings involving the building and completing it with elegant knots, armillary spheres, Military Order of Christ’s crosses and naturalist elements. From these last ones don’t miss the rhinoceros, the first made of stone in all Europe. Actually, the Belém Tower is a cultural reference, a symbol of the country’s specificness that goes through the privileged dialog with other cultures and civilisations. Guardian of Portuguese Individuality and Universality, has seen this statute confirmed when UNESCO classified it "Cultural Patrimony of all Humanity", in 1983.

Estrela’s Basilica (Lisbon)
The Estrela’s Basilica it’s an 18th century church, with two bell towers, where one can see paintings from Batoni and Pedro Alexandrino.
This church was born from D. Maria’s I devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In 1760, when she got married with the Infant D. Pedro, the princess promised the Blessed Sacrament to build Him a church and a convent to the religious of Santa Teresa Order, if He gave her a baby boy.
This is a neo-classical church, with Baroque echoes in its interior.

Apelação Miller (Loures)
This miller is inserted in a leisure zone and it’s been working for quite some time. On the same place, there’s a house that makes and sells bread. This house, together with the miller, makes the place highly interesting for tourists, because one can witness the encounter between the techniques and traditions of the past.

Cabeço de Montachique Municipal Park (Loures)
This is the ideal place to practice any kind of sports at the same type that you breed in the surrounding nature. Inside the sports facilities, you can find a maintenance course, tennis courses and a football field.
Besides these facilities, the park offers an area for picnics, another one to the practice of traditional games, restaurant, bar and a kinder garden.

Moorish Castle (Sintra)
This castle, built by the Moorish, is located on top of the Sintra Mountain, and walls with many towers surround it. Besides being something amazing for itself, Moorish Castle offers the visitor an excellent panoramic view.

Sintra’s National Palace (Sintra)
Composed by several buildings raised through different ages, this is one of the most important Portuguese models of a style of architecture known as relenga and was, by this reason, declared National Monument.
It’s dominated by two huge chimneys that crown the kitchen being Sintra’s ex-libris.

Cape Roca (Sintra)
This place is known as the most western point in all Europe and is located on the end stream of Sintra’s Mountain. This is where the mountain chains, 150 meters high, ends to give place to the sea.

Pena’s National Palace (Sintra)
This palace remounts to 1839, when the king consort D. Fernando II acquired Our Lady of Pena Hieronymian Monastery ruins to adapt it to a palace. Its architecture, inspired on Bavaria’s palaces, brings together Moorish, Gothic and Manueline influences.

For more information, try Strawberry World's new Guide to Lisbon