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Lisbon
City Guide
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Lisbon City Guide
Lisbon is the larguest and capital city of Portugal. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean coast at the point where the river Tagus flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
Practical Information: -
Official name: Lisboa.
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Capital: Lisbon.
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Language: Portuguese.
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Religion: Portuguese culture is greatly influenced by religion. Although Catholicism predominates, other religions may be freely practiced.
Lisbon Sights and Museums
Torre de Belém: One of Belém's highlights and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this whimsical white Manueline masterpiece was built in 1515 as an offshore watchtower to protect the city's harbour.
Casa dos Bicos: This whimsical 16th-century mansion was one of the few to survive the 1755 earthquake. Built by Afonso de Albuquerque, former viceroy to India, it's known as the House of 'Points' or 'Spikes' because of its diamond-shaped stone façade.
Cemitério dos Ingleses: Across from the Jardim da Estrela, the British Cemetery, founded in 1717, is notable as the burial place of novelist Henry Fielding, best known for Tom Jones. At the far corner is all that remains of Lisbon's old Jewish cemetery.
Gare do Oriente: Fabulous Gare do Oriente station was designed by world-renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The metro station below features azulejo (handpainted tile) works by international artists.
Igreja de Säo Roque: The unremarkable facade of this 16th-century Jesuit church masks the embarrassment of riches inside. The church consists of several chapels, the most notable (and extravagant) being the Capela de Säo Joäo Baptista (Chapel of St John the Baptist). The accompanying museum features religious artefacts.
Lisbon Entertainment
Hot on its heels is the June Festas dos Santos Populares (Festivals of the Popular Saints) - a riot of parades, music, dancing, fireworks, all-night partying and, of course, church services. A celebration of Portugal's proud seafaring history, the Festival dos Oceanos (Oceans Festival) in August encompasses music, tours, food, regattas and parades.
Wine lovers in town in November can have their thirsts sated at the Festival do Vinho (Wine Festival). Other highlights include the 18 concerts of the poetically rhyming Super Bock Super Rock festival in March, the Festival de Cinema Gay e Lésbico in late September and an international marathon every November.
Fado aficionados should visit in February, when the Festival das Músicas e dos Portos (Harbour and Music Festival) showcases the country's melancholic folksinging tradition.
Lisbon Transports
How to get there by coach: The major long-distance bus terminal is Arco do Cego. From here the big carriers run frequent services to almost every major town in Portugal.
By road: Of over 30 roads crossing the Portugal- Spain border, the best and biggest do so near Valença do Minho (E01/A3), Chaves (N532), Bragança (E82/IP4), Guarda/Vilar Formoso (E80/IP5), Elvas (E90/A6/IP7), Serpa (N260) and Vila Real de Santo António (E1/IP1). There are no longer any border controls.
By rail: CP - Ferrocarriles Portugueses.
By air: Aeroporto de Lisboa (Aeroporto da Portela) is about 4km northeast of the centre.
Buses, trams, elevadors (funicular trams) and the Santa Justa elevator are operated by Carris. Lisbon's metro (website) consists of four lines. The metro is supplemented by five suburban train lines, four operated by Caminhos de Ferros Portugueses and the other line run by Fertagus.
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