Lisbon Travel Guide

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal situated on seven hills at the wide mouth of the river Tagus (Tejo) where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. A port city, an economic centre, a cultural powerhouse and a thriving mix of Portugal's rich history and vivid contemporary culture, Lisbon enchants travellers with its white bleached limestone buildings, intimate alleyways, and an easy going charm that makes it a popular year round destination. Lisbon is also the capital of the Lisbon Region, comprising many other splendid tourist destinations such as the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sintra, the seaside resorts of Estoril and Cascais, or Almada famous for its hilltop Cristo Rei statue, all of which are connected with Lisbon by excellent public transportation links. Like Istanbul, Amman, Rome, and San Francisco, Lisbon is built on seven hills. Numerous slopes and few really flat areas is one of Lisbon's trademarks. This is also a city of enchanting contrasts: The elegant squares, broad avenues and rectangular layout of the lower areas quickly gives way to the hilly, narrow, winding and unpredictable streets of districts such as Alfama and Bairro Alto. The spacious layout and monumental buildings of Belem is surprising contrast to the cramped streets of Alfama og Bairro Alto. The elegant dining rooms and smart rooftop bars of expensive hotels seems like a different world compared to the excellent restaurants disguised behind an inconspicuous facade in a modest Bairro Alto street. Quality patisseries and restaurants thrive side by side with late night bars and noisy discos. The old, tiny squeaky trams (one of the city's trademarks) is no less of a contrast to the efficient metro network. Lisbon enjoys a Subtropical-Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and very warm summers. Strongly influenced by the Gulf Stream it is one of the mildest climates in Europe. Among all the metropolises in Europe, here are the warmest winters on the continent, with average temperatures above 15.2 C (59.4 F) during the day and 8.9 C (48.0 F) at night in the period from December to February. Snow and frost are unknown. The typical summer's season lasts about 6 months, from May to October, with an average temperature of 25 C (77 F) during the day and 16.2 C (61.2 F) at night, although also in November, March and April sometimes there are temperature above 20 C (68.0 F) with an average temperature of 18.5 C (65 F) during the day and 11.2 C (52.2 F) at night. Rain occurs mainly in winter, the summer is very dry. Lisbon is very close to the ocean and that brings windy and fast-changing weather, so you'd better bring a jacket or an umbrella with you, at least in winter, spring and autumn. It is often said that Lisbon lacks a defined "downtown," but tourists will find most of their points of interest in relatively compact area centred around the vast Praca do Comercio, facing the river. This is the starting point of the pedestrianized grid of Baixa (lower town), which immediately borders other historic quarters of Alfama, Chiado and Bairro Alto. Further northwest from Baixa stretches Avenida da Liberdade, a broad boulevard resplendent in leafy trees, chic hotels and upmarket shops, terminating at the circular Praca de Marques de Pombal. The financial centre, however, is further removed (hence the notion of "no downtown") up north towards the hills, and not directly connected to the historic districts. Lisbon travel guide Lisbon travel book Lisbon Portugal travel guide Lisbon guidebook"