Lisbon

Bordering the Tagus River, Praça do Comércio is ideal for getting your bearings. Lined with classic mustard-yellow buildings and arcaded galleries, it illuminates the river. Just a short walk away, Cais do Sodré station buzzes with trains heading to the Belém district in seven minutes. It’s neither quite Lisbon nor the suburbs; a place whose mere mention evokes the golden age of great discoveries.

From Belém, Vasco da Gama set sail for the Indies; Magellan began his circumnavigation of the globe. Everywhere, navigators built masterpieces with the riches brought back from the antipodes. At the river's mouth, the old Belém Tower stands as a symbol. Climbing its steep staircase to the terrace is a journey in itself, allowing you to admire a city that never ceased to look towards the New World while remaining one of Europe's most authentic capitals.

For Lisbon, affectionately called "the bride of the Tagus," has turned its "archaic" traits into an asset, offering bohemian strolls between bustling alleys and flower-filled squares. The azulejos (decorative ceramic tiles) adorning the facades and the black-and-white pavements decorating the sidewalks serve as a guide to the "miradouros," these viewpoints revealing romantic vistas over the city's rooftops. Our favorites? The viewpoints at São Pedro de Alcântara, Graça, and Senhora do Monte.

Alfama is the most picturesque of neighborhoods, the soul of Lisbon with its maze of alleys and old fishermen's houses housing shops from another era… What a contrast to the Baixa district with its neoclassical decor; a result of the earthquake that destroyed Lisbon in 1755. Under the guidance of the Marquis of Pombal, chic facades and perfectly proportioned squares were rebuilt, such as Praça Dom Pedro IV (or Rossio).

At sunset, the bustling bars echo the fado singers and more modern tunes animating Bairro Alto, another neighborhood built on a hillside. By day, it seems almost sleepy; even though its colorful facades hide artist boutiques and designer workshops. At night, revelers crowd its cobbled streets until they're weary…

To the east of the city, the cables and the long silhouette (13 km!) of the Vasco da Gama Bridge illustrate Lisbon's renewal. The capital entered the 21st century with the 1998 Expo. For the occasion, daringly designed buildings sprang up; such as the Oriente train station, a vast glass nave designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

On the other side, looking towards the setting sun, another bridge draws the eye—this one suspended! Inaugurated in 1966, the 25th of April Bridge gives Lisbon a slight San Francisco feel. At its base, the Santo Amaro Docks host bars and restaurants. Alternatively, you might prefer the nearby LX Factory, an industrial complex converted into vintage shops and trendy spots, which has become the paradise of Lisbon’s hip youth…

Sites and monuments

• São Jorge Castle, with its crenelated walls, perched on the highest hill in the city.
• The 12th century Sé Patriarchal Cathedral, which looks like a Romanesque fortress.
• The Santa Justa Lift (1903), to admire the roofs of the city. 
• The Monastery of Sao-Vicente-de-Fora, which overlooks the Alfama district.
• Carmo Convent, a 14th century church destroyed by the 1755 earthquake (open nave)
• Park of the Nations and its modern pavilions inherited from the 1998 Universal Exhibition
• The richly decorated Belém Tower, built in 1515, formerly the Tagus "control tower".
• Jéronimos Monastery, built in the 16th century (in Belém), with its monumental nave and lace-like stone carvings.
• 25th April suspension bridge where you can visit one of the pillars and the deck.
• The Avenida da Liberdade (one of the most expensive shopping streets in Europe) 

Parks

• Edouardo VII Park, with its formal gardens and greenhouses with rich tropical plants
• The banks of the Tagus River from the Plaza del Commercio, redesigned as a pleasant walk. 
• Monsanto's floral park which stretches over 900 hectares and hosts concerts in the summer. 
• The Gulbenkian Foundation Park (decorative art collections) and its Botanical Garden 
• The green spaces of the Park of the Nations dedicated to botanical discoveries

Museums

• Lisboa Story Center, whose modern technology tells the story of Lisbon
• National Museum of Ancient Arts and its collection of Portuguese art, in a 17th century palace
• Museum of the Orient dedicated to Asian arts in a rehabilitated warehouse on the banks of the Tagus River.
• Pavilion of Knowledge (Science Museum) with interactive events, in a modern pavilion of the 1998 World Expo.
• National Coach Museum (in Belém), shared between the former Royal Riding School and a modern building
• MAAT (architecture, technologies), in a contemporary building on the banks of the Tagus river.
• Berardo Museum (in Belém), which exhibits the works of 20th century painters, from Picasso to Soulages.  
• Viniportugal dedicated to the wines of Portugal, with tasting of the best nectars.

• Take the train from Rossio station to Sintra (40 min). Nestled in the mountains, the resort town (listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) dazzles with its eclectic, exuberant villas and lush green parks, including Montserrat.   
• Head to Estoril (from the Cais do Sodré train station). Famous for its Formula 1 circuit and its casino immortalized by James Bond, the seaside resort (20 km from Lisbon) has some beautiful beaches. Combine your visit with the nearby port of Cascais, with its white streets and lively terraces.

Dishes

• Bacalhau (cod) - dried or salted, boiled or roasted, is part of Portugal. There are said to be as many ways to cook it as there are days in the year!
• Caldo verde - a potato and cabbage soup with slices of sausage added to it.
• Frango piri-piri - grilled chicken, coated with a sauce of olive oil and chilli peppers
• Feijoada - the "Portuguese cassoulet", made from pork and black beans

Desserts

• Queijo da Serra - the most famous Portuguese cheese made from sheep's milk
• Pastel de nata - the dessert of Lisbon, a delicious flan in puff pastry, sprinkled with sugar or cinnamon.

Drinks*

• Wines, produced in the north of Portugal (around Porto) but also in Alentejo, an agricultural region south of Lisbon.
• Ginja, the local aperitif made from morello cherries to be tasted in the "ginjinhas".  
• Sagres, the most famous Portuguese beer, blond or red.

*alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation