Lisbon
Lisbon is the 'golden city' capital of Portugal and in recent years has reclaimed it's place as one of the most beautiful cities in southern Europe. After slumbering for decades, the city's modern, vibrant and cosmopolitan identity is today much similar to that which it enjoyed in the 15th and 16th centuries during the age of the great discoverers, when Lisbon was the centre of trade with the East and the starting point for maritime exploration of the globe.
In the 90's Lisbon saw some improvements in architecture and attractions due to the restoration of the city, with an impressive blend of old and new combined to bring the city back to it's former glory. Infrastructure has also been improved, with additions like the impressive Vasco da Gama Bridge across the River Tagus, which links the city's airport to a network of national motorways and has facilitated access to other parts of Portugal. There is also a new showcase railway hub, the Gare de Oriente, which is the pride of a new modern suburb on the east bank of the Tagus, called Santiago Calatrava, linking Lisbon to the rest of Europe.
The city of Lisbon has many new attractions to enthral visitors to its sun kissed streets and despite the new developments the city retains its historical charm as the new Lisbon has been blended well with the older historical Lisbon. The delightful, picturesque medieval section of Alfama skirts the city's Sao Jorge castle, and historic wooden trams ply noisily up and down steep hills past art deco cafes and mosaic-decorated pavements. Many of the relics of the city's golden age were destroyed in an earthquake in 1755, but some survived and are popular tourist attractions, complemented now by modern sights, like the futuristic Oceanarium.
The city is within easy distance of several spectacular beaches, including Estorial Cascais and Costa da Caparica and the lush forest areas of Sintra, which offer the chance to explore the ancient Mafra monastery. The mood of Lisbon is light and bright, confident, fresh and avante garde, ready to welcome the world to the doorstep as one of the great capitals of Europe.
Castelo de Sao Jorge
The Castelo de Sao Jorge is an ancient castle in the name of St George, with fortified walls and an impressive moat, which dates back as far as the fifth century, and then the Moors occupied the castle in the tenth century. The moated castle is regarded as the cradle of Lisbon, and today it provides a panoramic view of the River Tagus and the Alfama medieval district, which is spread out below it. Visitors can walk the esplanades and climb the ramparts. A multimedia show is available during the day which brings alive the history of Lisbon. The castle grounds are planted with olive, pine and cork trees and provide a pleasant spot to relax.
Telephone: 21 887 7244; Transport: Bus 37 or tram 12; Opening time: Daily 9am to 9pm (April to September), and 9am to 6pm (October to March); Admission: Free
Alfama
The Alfama quarter is the oldest section of Lisbon and is located on the hillside beneath the Castelo de Sao Jorge and the quarter is incredibly atmospheric, with a rich history dating back to the ancient Saracens. Along the narrow cobblestone alleyways are taverns and street markets, interspersed with close-packed houses still occupied by stevedores, fishmongers and sailors. At the edge of the Alfama, Lisbon's renowned flea market, the Feira da Ladra, is held in the Campo de Santa Clara every Tuesday and Saturday. The Alfama is also full of historic buildings and churches, which are well worth exploring. Some of the buildings display fading coats of arms, which bear testimony to the fact that the Alfama was once home to aristocrats. At night the Alfama takes on a more mysterious aspect with street lanterns throwing shadows on the medieval walls, and it is advisable to avoid the area after dark in favour of the Bairro Alto café and nightclub district.
Monument to the Discoveries
The monument of the Discoveries is one of the most famed sights Lisbon has to offer. Located in the Belem district on the riverbanks of the Avenida de Brasilia, it was originally built to commemorate Portugal's Age of Discovery. Belem, where the Tagus meets the sea, is the point from which the maritime explorers of yore set forth in their sailing ships to discover the world. The monument was unveiled in 1960 on the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator in 1460, the monarch who was largely responsible for Portugal's role in world exploration during the 15th and 16th centuries. The massive monument takes the form of a caravel with Prince Henry at the prow, backed by images of renowned mariners, royal patrons and others who participated in the golden age of discovery.
Telephone: 21 303 1950; Transport: Bus 27, 28, 43 or 49; Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am to 5pm (September to June), 9.30am to 9pm (July and August); Admission: €1.90
Tower of Belem
Lisbon's most photographed landmark is the Tower of Belem, which is mainly due to the intricate decoration on its exterior. The outer walls are adorned with a stone-carved rope and beautiful openwork balconies, along with Moorish watchtowers and battlements shaped like shields. The tower was built in the 16th century to serve as a fortress in the middle of the River Tagus.
Parque das Nacoes
The Parque das Nacoes is Lisbon's main exhibition park, which was upgraded and renamed in the 90's and helped to revitalise the city and bring international tourists back to the Portuguese capital. The site is now worthy of a full day's sightseeing, featuring several attractions, not least of which is the Lisbon Oceanarium with its 15,000 living examples of marine life. The main tank holds enough water to fill four Olympic-sized swimming pools, and is viewed from two floors through curved glass panels that provide a 180-degree view. Another popular diversion is the Virtual Reality Pavilion, which showcases the Portuguese age of discovery. Other attractions include a science centre, cable car, the Vasco da Gama Tower and numerous bars and restaurants offering Portuguese cuisine.
Address: Avenue D. João II, Lote; Telephone: 21 891 9333 or 21 891 9898; Website: www.parquedasnacoes.pt; Transport: Buses, trains and the metro go to Oriente Station; Opening time: Oceanarium: daily 10am to 8pm (until 7pm in winter); Admission: Oceanarium: €10 (adults), €5 (children 4-12)
