Trips to Lisboa Region

Located on the southwestern Atlantic coast and spread along the mouth of the Tagus River, the city offers endless possibilities both day and night. Its three neighborhoods are perfect for exploring on your own. The center consists of three areas with distinct characters. At its heart is Lisbon's "downtown," known as Baixa, an area dating back to the 19th century around Rossio and east of Praça do Comércio. Baixa was constructed after the great earthquake of 1755, which devastated much of the old center of Lisbon.

To the east lies Alfama, with its winding and steep labyrinthine streets below the Castelo de São Jorge. Alfama is the oldest district that survived the earthquake and has preserved its fascinating old quarters, with houses that sometimes seem to stay upright thanks to all the washing lines. Among the cobblestone streets, you will find a flurry of shops, bars, cellar taverns, and open-air restaurants. In Alfama, life is relaxed, where the most exerting activity might be playing board games in the shade of the trees.

West of Baixa, on another hill, is the district of Bairro Alto. A charming area with small shops and simple restaurants. Here you'll find the typical Fado music, performed in many of the bars and restaurants. The modern business district Chiado is also located in Bairro Alto.

To the west of Lisbon lies Belém. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it was the launching point for voyages that ventured into then-mythical realms. Vasco da Gama returned to Belém, where he is also buried, after his historic voyage to India. Today, the district is a green suburban area filled with memories from the Age of Discovery. The Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower, and the Monument to the Discoveries, along with many restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, have transformed the former harbor area of Belém into the district of discovery, both day and night.

Lisbon is the only European capital on the Atlantic Ocean. This naturally means that many restaurants specialize in seafood. The climate is pleasant year-round, making the typically hot summer days in other major European cities enjoyable in Lisbon, especially when the Atlantic breeze whispers, "come and visit me."