When in Lisbon
The largest city in Portugal, Lisbon has been the country's capital since its conquest in 1147 taking it from the Moors.
The city and its surrounding area, along the Costa de Lisboa, retains much of its original charm and the Alfama, which is the city's oldest quarter, remains largely unchanged since Medieval times. The imposing St George's Castle is the jewel of this ancient area's crown and is a focal point for the celebrations every June, when the locals come out to hail the saints.
This extensive structure is lit up at night and dominates the Lisbon skyline, looking down protectively over the city below it and out toward the sea. It is one of the many Unesco World heritage sites which are based in Lisbon. Due to the sprawling nature of the castle, visitors are advised to take at least a day of their stay to explore the extensive grounds, both inside and out! And if the historical exhibitions covering the castle get a little too much to take, just sit back and relax, enjoying the fantastic panoramic views of the city and River Tagus.
Lisbon is located on the bank of the Tagus, near the mouth where the river enters the Atlantic Ocean. The city's climate is one of warm winters and cool, fresh summers. It also offers a beautiful stretch of beach, providing visitors with the opportunity to enjoy the best of both a city break and a seaside holiday all in one.
The geography of Lisbon has not changed much over the centuries and its city limits are still largely unchanged from those established when the city was first inhabited. As such, it remains nestled in and around seven hills and some of the roads are so steep that motor vehicles are still unable to negotiate them! In response to this, the people of Lisbon have developed a solution. While San Francisco may be famed for its tram system ferrying people back and forth along its long, straight roads, Lisbon has a funicular railway line which provides a similar service to the people of the city.
Although Lisbon may be a place of great historic importance – the entire city centre is being considered for World Heritage status – there are also some impressive modern architectural wonders in the city. Perhaps the most grandiose of all these are the two bridges built to connect Lisbon with the other side of the River Tagus. The April 25 Bridge was built at the behest of former dictator Salazar and was inaugurated in 1966 as the Salazar Bridge, before being renamed after the date of the country's Carnation Revolution. It was once the longest suspension bridge in Europe and is now complemented by an even longer structure unveiled in 1998 – the massive Vasco de Gama bridge. This remains to this day the longest bridge in Europe, spanning 17.2 kilometres. Both bridges are worth viewing simply because of their scale.
Meanwhile, for those more interested in the shopping and nightlife that the city offers, the 16th Century Bairro Alto quarter provides one of the most picturesque areas to indulge in some retail therapy. A popular nightlife destination, the area also has numerous traditional restaurants and shops and is renowned for the funicular railroad, which takes shoppers and sightseers to some of the highest parts of Lisbon.
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Introduction
