Lisbon

Travel Guide
Chiado which includes a city and railway items
Lisbon is the westernmost capital of mainland Europe and one of the oldest cities in the world. Visitors throng to Lisbon for its Mediterranean climate, good food, great wines, vibrant nightlife and ancient history.

History

The strategic location of Lisbon at the mouth of the Tagus River has contributed to the city’s importance as a centre of trade between the Mediterranean Sea and northern Europe. It was originally settled by the Celts and subsequently captured by the Carthaginians, Romans, Suebi, Visigoths, and Moors. Christian crusaders later captured the city, forming the long-term Portuguese Royal Family.

Lisbon flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries during the Portuguese Age of Discovery, which lead to the accumulation of great wealth and power. The 1755 Lisbon earthquake destroyed much of Lisbon and further disaster fell in 1807 when Napoleon’s forces occupied Lisbon. However, the city slowly rebuilt over the 19th Century.

In 1910, the Republicans established the Portuguese Republic with the Estado Novo regime, the longest-living dictatorship in Western Europe ruled by Salazar. It was deposed by the 1974 by the Carnation Revolution and Portugal joined the European Community in 1986. Recent improvements to the metro system and the revival of older buildings in the city have transformed Lisbon into one of the trendiest cities in Europe.

Landmarks

Lisbon and nearby Sintra have three sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, in Lisbon and Palácio da Pena in Sintra.

Belém was where Portuguese explorers set off from on their voyages of discovery. Belém Tower is a fortified lighthouse, which stands on a little island on the right hand side of the Tagus. It was originally intended to guard the entrance to the port against invasion or pirate raids, but today it offers incredible views over the city.

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is a monastery with amazing stonework and burial place of the greatest Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama. Sintra is a beautiful dreamy town dotted with tourist hotspots and historic attractions, such as the grand Palácio da Pena: a fairytale-like castle that sits atop a mighty hill, offering incredible views over the town below.

The heart of the city of Lisbon is Baixa. This historic district was constructed after the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. Its most notable feature is the Rua Augusta Arch, a triumphal arch designed as a gateway to the city. An elevator, located inside the arch, takes you to a vantage point that offers beautiful views over downtown, the Praça do Comércio and the Tagus River.

Lisbon's castle, Castelo de São Jorge, is an incredible piece of architecture that stands on top of the city's highest hill. Not only does it offer cultural and historical significance, but also provides beautiful views of the city and river, making it a fun trip for history-buffs and lay folk alike.

If you’re a fan of modern architecture, pay a visit to Parque das Nações: the newest district in Lisbon. Check out the Orient Railway Station, a truly eye-catching building and one of the main transportation centres of Lisbon. Here you can also find one of the world's longest bridges, the stunning Vasco da Gama Bridge.

Shopping, Restaurants and Nighlife

If it’s shopping you crave then pay Chiado a visit, Lisbon’s traditional shopping area. Here you can buy clothes from trendy designer boutiques, as well as books, crafts and pottery. You will also find plenty of coffee shops and restaurants serving traditional cakes such as ‘Pastéis de Nata’ and typical cod fish dishes called ’Bacalhau’.

As you can probably see, there’s never a dull moment in Lisbon.

Where to stay in Lisbon

Varandas de Lisboa
Varandas de Lisboa
4 out of 5
Rua dos Bacalhoeiros 8, Lisbon, Lisboa, 1100-070
The price is ₹6,302 per night from 17 Apr to 18 Apr
₹6,302
per night
17 Apr - 18 Apr
Stay at this 4-star guesthouse in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping and concierge services. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9/10 Wonderful! (320 reviews)
"Lovely hotel right by the water in Lisbon. Very close to all area attractions. Highly recommend!"

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2023

Varandas de Lisboa
Tivoli Oriente
Tivoli Oriente
4 out of 5
Av. D. João II, n.º 27, Parque das Nações, Lisbon, 1990-083
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹12,016 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
₹12,016
per night
9 Apr - 10 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 bars/lounges and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the comfy beds in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (999 reviews)
"A lovely hotel with a convenient central location."

Reviewed on 31 Mar 2023

Tivoli Oriente
Hotel Star Inn Lisbon Aeroporto
Hotel Star Inn Lisbon Aeroporto
3 out of 5
Aeroporto Internacional Lisboa, Rua C-2, Lisbon, 1749-125
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹12,184 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
₹12,184
per night
9 Apr - 10 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the WiFi and the bar in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,832 reviews)
"One night stay, all very good."

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2023

Hotel Star Inn Lisbon Aeroporto
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Lisbon Serviced Apartments Santos
Lisbon Serviced Apartments Santos
4 out of 5
Calçada Marquês de Abrantes, nº 24, Lisbon, Lisbon, 1200-267
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping and a flat-screen TV. Our guests praise the convenient parking in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (262 reviews)
"Husband and I enjoyed our apartment. Stayed 8 nights on 1st floor B side. Had everything we needed. Dishwasher was easy to operate. Microwave instruction manual in cupboard if find tricky. Apartment was only noticeably noisy outside on weekends when trying to sleep like 10:30-11:30 but settled down. ..."

Reviewed on 30 Mar 2023

Lisbon Serviced Apartments Santos
Upon Lisbon Prime Residences
Upon Lisbon Prime Residences
4 out of 5
Rua Luciana Stegagno Picchio, 12, Lisbon, Lisbon, 1549-023
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast. Our guests praise the restaurant and the comfy ...
9/10 Wonderful! (618 reviews)
"Excellent roof top pool. I used it every day. It’s a short taxi ride from airport & centre if Lisbon. I would highly recommend."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2023

Upon Lisbon Prime Residences
Residentas Arco do Bandeira
Residentas Arco do Bandeira
3 out of 5
226 Rua dos Sapateiros, Lisbon, 1100-581
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Lisbon. Enjoy free WiFi, a Smart TV and cable TV. Popular attractions Rossio Square and Santa Justa Elevator are located nearby. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (115 reviews)
Recommended
"Absolutely the perfect central location on a less than busy street. Plenty of restaurants, shops and grocery stores within 10 min walk. Immaculately maintained apartment with quality appliances. There are a couple unavoidable steps and a tiny elevator that would make the use of a wheelchair difficult. ..."

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2023

Residentas Arco do Bandeira
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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