Lisbon

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon's unique mixture of tradition and modernity, of small town and metropolis, captivates visitors from near and far. Excellent shopping, ornate architecture, late and safe nightlife, and restaurants with some of Europe’s best fish dishes are just a few of the reasons to visit this magnificent city.

Population:

505,526

Currency:

Euro (EUR) €1 = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

Emergency: 112

Opening Hours:

Shops are generally open between 9:00 - 13:00 and 15:00 - 19:00. Nowadays there are many shops also open during the lunch break.

Newspapers:

Público
Diário de Notícias
Correio da Manhã

The City

Lisbon’s heart lies beside the river, even if the city has grown in all directions. Sit down at a pavement cafe on Rossio Square and you will see the Baiza, the flat city centre that dates from the 18th century, between yourself and the river bank. Look up in one direction and you will see the São Jorge on the top of a hill. Look in the other direction and you will see the ruin of the Carmo Church on another hill. Walk, or take a tram to one of them and you will discover the quarters of old Lisbon, most of them with a magnificent view of the rest of the city and the river.

Wander north from Rossio, you will soon end up on a stately 19th century avenue, in the part of the city which is still called "Avenidas Novas". Further north, the buildings become really new, with the city’s two large football grounds, Luz and Alvalade, and, lastly, the airport which is twenty traffic-jam-free minutes in a car from Rossio. Most of the best sights, restaurants and nightlife are situated along the river. Shopping is good along the Avenidas Novas, but otherwise the rule is to keep close to the river to get the best out of your visit.

Do & See

Most of the best sights, restaurants and nightlife are situated along the river. There are plenty of things to do and see in Lisbon. Below are a few suggestions on how to spend your time here:

Dining

In Lisbon, you can find both modern and sophisticated restaurants as well as simple and very traditional ones. As you can expect, you will find the strongest Portuguese ambience in the simple and traditional places. Small and unpretentious restaurants can be found all over town and do not require booking. At most of the restaurants below, however, it is safest to book a table. Many restaurants are closed on Sundays or Mondays.

Cafés

After a day of sightseeing, a great place sit down is at a pavement café on Rossio Square. From there, you will see the Baixa, the flat city centre that dates from the 18th century, between yourself and the river bank.