Lisbon Hotels

How did Lisbon gain back its winsome reputation? Visit the Vasco de Gama bridge and you'll see how. This amazing feat in engineering linked the airport to national roads and other sections of Portugal. Another icing on the cake for Lisbon is the sleek Gare do Oriente rail station which connects the country to the rest of Europe.

Lisbon has other charms to show apart from these fine achievements. Medieval towns, old buildings showing maritime history and of course, the beaches. All these and more are waiting to be explored in Lisbon.

Attractions

The streets of Lisbon make wonderful walking itineraries as the sights along the way demonstrate the diverse culture of the people. The architecture is definitely impressive!

Starting from the riverfront to the main avenue of Avenida de Liberdade is the heart of the city called Baix, the seat of commercialism in Lisbon. Most of the shopping can be done here as the long avenue is filled to the brim with all sorts of cafes and souvenir shops. While resting in any of the charming squares, you can watch street performers or tottering trams around the area.

Bairro Alto is an arty precinct because of its cosmopolitan buzz. Here you will find shops, boutiques and bars filled with character! There is a multicultural feeling in the atmosphere as cafes and restaurants are frequented by artists and intellects. Nightlife, needless to say, is a definite must-see! Historic features include Sao Roque and Carmo Church, two of Lisbon's beautiful cathedrals. The same bohemian vibe can be observed at neigbouring Chiado district. But the presence of high-end designer shops, classy theatres and jewelry stores add elegance to the air.

To relive the glories of the legendary seafarers who sailed from Lisbon onto greater lands, one must visit Belem. Ferdinand Magellan, Prince Henry the Navigator and even Christopher Columbus set sail from this port to embark on their historical journeys. Highlights include Belem Tower, Design Museum, Jeronimos Monastery, Ajuda Palace and those delectable local custard tarts, an institution in itself since 1841 in Lisbon.

Medieval churches, lots of them, can be seen at Alfama district. Some of the old castles dating back from the Roman period have been turned into hotels. And lastly, the local traditional music known as Fado flourishes among those who keep it alive here in this quarter.

More modern sights such as condominiums, financial institutions and large shopping malls are in uptown Lisbon where the business district is. In the nearby suburb of Benfica stands Fronteira Palace, delighting visitors with its amazing gardens and exquisite art pieces inside the estate.

Going on a futuristic route, Parques das Nacoes area is an exhibition site which gained fame during World Expo in 1998. The list of attractions including Vasco de Gama bridge, Oriente station and Oceanarium, all sleek and ultra-modern, are a far cry from those seen in the older sections of Lisbon. It just shows how multifaceted this city is.

Events

Lisbon's Carnival held on February is the grand opening salvo for Lisbon's yearly events. As any Latin city in the continent, the carnival here also runs at a frenzied pace with streetdancing, concerts, plays and food stalls set up and drinking binges until the break of dawn. In March and September, runners prepare for the Half-Marathon covering major areas in Lisbon.

Then as summer starts, the Lisbon Pride Month makes it a more sizzling affair with its wild parties and flamboyant finale parade. The city toasts to great music when Estoril Musical Festival presents five weeks of concerts and special performances for the public. The major activities are held in Lisbon. Also in June, a big religious event in honor of three saints, John, Anthony and Peter, brings out a wave of wining, dining, street dances and fireworks not only in Lisbon but in the whole of Portugal. And then, the port city gets busy for the Tall Ships Race when all of Europe participates in this historic race from July to August. Sailing fans stare in awe at the sight of these magnificent boats as if coming alive from a pirate movie!

A parade of beauties gets underway during Moda Lisboa in October as forecasts for fashion trends are presented by local designers. Lastly, Lisbon celebrates the end of the year with Noite Magica with festivities centered around Torre de Belem.

Climate

• Winter (December to March) ; windy with some rainy days

• Spring (March to May) 5-20°C; generally mild

• Summer (June to August) 15-32°C; weather is pleasant but temperatures tend to touch on 40s towards the end of summer

• Fall (September to November) 5-25°C; chill in the air, frequent rainfall