Lisbon is one of the lesser known European capitals but it is among the prettiest and least pretentious of all them. Located around the hillside overlooking the Rio Tejo, she has all the cathedrals and museums which compromise any great capital, but she also has quaint streets and lovely backlanes which showcase the rich culture and ethos of Portugal. An amazing combination of the old and the new, the smaller streets are places where time has stood still, while the Praca Do Comercio is where Lisbon embraces the modern business infrastructure.
What to see:
Cristo Rei, the 100 metres tall Christ statue will remind you of Rio de Janeiro, and it offers you a spectacular view of the city. One of the best ways to see all the attractions of Lisbon is by taking one of the tourist trams around the streets. The leisurely pace will give you a good first hand glimpse of the old and new parts of Lisbon. There are many museums and galleries, the most popular among them being Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga. Most of Lisbon’s Metro can be termed as an art gallery, as many artists display their contemporary art here.
What to eat:
Fresh bread and the local wine at the small patio restaurants known as fadistas, listening to traditional Portuguese music is one of the favourite pastimes of Lisbon residents. Bairro Alto has some of the city’s best restaurants and nightclubs, and you can find revellers here till the wee hours of the morning. A bica coffee accompanied by a pastry is a great way to spend an evening while you watch the sun go down over the sea.
When to go:
Warm summers and mild winters make Lisbon a year round destination for tourists. The best time to visit ids of course is during the winters, since snow and frost are rare and even though there are occasional spells of rain, it is never too cold.