LISBOA

Lisboa
Lisboa

Lisbon is Portugal's capital city. It is the commercial and industrial centre and also head of Portuguese life in the public administration, financial and intellectual areas as well as in tourism. The city is also an important port of call for the shipping routes or stopover for air routes that connect Europe, Africa and South America. Lisbon's origin is uncertain but it is attributed to the Phoenicians. During the XIXth century the city started to prosper and become the great metropolis we now know. One of the reasons for this was the opening of the Madrid-Lisbon train route as it connected the city to the main European routes.

Places of interest

The first thing that stands out in Lisbon is the spacious Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square) and the Praça Dom Pedro IV, popularly known as the Rossio, which is the Main City's Square. The Rossio Square is connected to the Praça da Figueira and the Praça dos Restauradores (Squares), public spaces with cafés frequented by itinerant musicians, businessmen, salesmen, and street merchants that make of this area a neuralgic point for the daily activity of Lisbon's citizens. On the other hand, the centre of the nightlife is at the Alto Quarter. The Chiado is Lisbon's most elegant commercial area. East of the Baixa, the Castelo de São Jorge (Saint George's Castle), a melancholic reference point for the city. Below is the Alfama Quarter, the most ancient and fascinating one in the city. From the Rossio, main artery of the city, the Avenida da Liberdade, with three lanes, goes North towards the centre's green area, the Eduardo VII Park, entrance to the contemporary Lisbon: Gulbenkian Foundation Museum, the Amoreiras shopping centre, the Oceanario or the residential area of Belem, close to which is the Ancient Art National Museum.

Tours around

Cascais, fishing town, is an important tourism centre that completely changes during the summer months and mainly during weekends. Every Wednesday, on the rua do Mercado, right side of the Avenida 25 do Abril, a lively market is held. There is also bullfighting on Sunday afternoon during the summer at the Praça de Touros (Bullfighting Ring), many of the local people enjoy this activity. The biggest concentration of bars and nightlife (consequently, almost everything that gives charm to Cascais) is found at the rua Frederico Arouca, the main pedestrian street. Also in this area the Fish Market, between the beaches of Ribeira and Rainha, is worth a visit. The old part of town, in the western area of the town, will also surprise us for its beauty with its charming narrow streets close to the Igreja da Assunção (Church). Other musts in this area are the Municipal park of Gandarinha, where the Museum of the Sea and the Famous Boca do Inferno (Hell's Mouth) are located. Here the waves break against the caves in the cliff and there is a beautiful view.

Estoril became famous in the postwar period as the favourite location for the royalty living on the exile and the idle magnates. It nowadays still maintains intact its ambition of being the "Portuguese Riviera", with its magnificent villas and luxury hotels. It is not surprising to see that that the town's tourism is centred in an exclusive golf course and the casinos. An annual Grand Prix is held in Estoril. If it is not possible to enjoy a room with a magnificent view to the sea the best option after a swim in the beautiful beach is a walk along the Maritime Promenade. In 20 minutes you can reach Cascais from Mount Estoril.

Links:

Services Directory

Hotels:

CARLTON PALACE HOTEL *****
Rua Jau 54
Lisboa
213615600
190 rooms

ALTIS PARK HOTEL ****
Avenida Eng. Arantes e Oliveira 9
Lisboa
218434200
300 rooms

HOTEL BRITANIA ****
Rua Rodrigues Sampaio 17
Lisboa
213155016
30 rooms
www.heritage.pt

HOTEL NOVOTEL LISBOA ***
Avenida José Malhoa, lote 1642
Lisboa
217244800
www.novotels.com

Museums:

BELEM CULTURAL CENTRE
(CENTRO CULTURAL DO BELEM)
Praça do Imperio
Lisboa
213612444
Visiting Hours: Monday to Friday: 9-21 h.
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 10-19 h.

ANCIENT ART NATIONAL MUSEUM
(MUSEU NACIONAL DE ARTE ANTIGA)
Rua Janelas Verdes
Lisboa
213912800
Visiting Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 10-18 h.
Tuesdays: 14-18 h.
Closed on Mondays and public holidays.

MODERN ART MUSEUM
(MUSEU DEL CENTRO DE ARTE MODERNA)
Avenida de Berna 45ª
Lisboa
217823000
Visiting Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 10-18 h.
Tuesdays: 14-18 h.
Closed on Mondays and public holidays.

DESIGN MUSEUM
(MUSEU DO DESIGN)
Belem Cultural Centre
Praça do Imperio
Lisboa
Visiting Hours: Every day: 11-19.15 h.
Closed on the 25th December.

CITY MUSEUM
(MUSEU DA CIDADE)
Campo Grande 245
Lisboa
217513200
Visiting Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10-13 h., 14-18 h.
Closed Mondays and public holidays.

Restaurants:

BUFFET DO PLAZA
Adress: Travessa do Salitre 5
Telephone: 213218218

CASA DO LEAO
Adress: Castelo de S. Jorge
Telephone: 218875962

CONSENSO
Adress: Rua da Academia das Ciencias 1-1ª
Telephone: 213431313

PAP´AGORDA
Adress: Rua da Atalaya
Telephone: 213464811

VARANDA
Adress: Av. Fontes pereira de Melo 5
Telephone: 213568815

Transports:

BUS:

The Bus Central Station is located on the Avenida Joao Crisóstomo.
Telephone: 213545775 / 213545439

TRAINS:

The trains coming from Spain arrive at the Santa Apolonia Station.
Telephone: 218884142

TAXIS:

Information: 0612731419

Emergency:


Emergencies 115
Ambulances 213017777