Legendary Lisbon

Lisbon, also known as Lisboa, is the capital and largest city of Portugal. A legendary city with over 20 centuries of history, boasting springtime temperatures during the winter and cool summers freshened by a breeze blowing in from the Atlantic, Costa de Lisboa, on the south western coast, offers a rich and impressively integrated diversity. Lisbon is the westernmost large city located in Europe, as well as its westernmost capital city. It lies in the western Iberian Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus River, northwest of Cape Spartel in Africa. It is recognised as an alpha city due to its importance as a major economic centre on the continent because of its growing importance in finance, media, commerce entertainment, arts, tourism, education and trade. Gothic cathedrals, majestic monasteries and quaint museums are all part of the colourful cityscape, but the real delights of discovery lie in wandering the narrow lanes of Lisbon’s lovely backstreets. While history is very much alive in centuries-old Lisbon, its spirit is undeniably youthful. The Lisbon experience encompasses so many things, from enjoying a fresh pastry and bica (espresso) on a petite leafy plaza to window-shopping in elegant Chiado. It’s mingling with Lisboêtas at a neighbourhood festival or watching the sunset from the old Moorish castle.

 

 

Some General Information

Country : Portugal

Official Language : Portuguese

Religion : Roman Catholicism

Currency : Euro

Time Zone : + 0 Hours GMT. If it is Western European Summer Time it becomes +1 Hour GMT. (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October)

Temperature : Portugal lies in temperate zone that's why unexpected weather changes are rare. To sum up the climate in one word: Sunny. June to September sees an average temperature of above 30 C° during this period. The perfect time for lying on the beach and sunbathing. Rainy season is the period from November to March. From January to March everyone who travels Portugal can enjoy ski season. February is considered to be the best month of ski season. The weather is both quite rainy and chilly during the winter months.

Sightseeing : Lisbon’s biggest attraction is the city itself. A city that is not spruced up for the tourist to see, but an authentic place that stands out in such an increasingly homogeneous world. Although it boasts a range of must-see sights, its biggest pleasures are its streetlife and setting, admired from a pavement cafe, from the top of a hilltop miradouro, or simply by wandering around the atmospheric old quarters. Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, St. George’s castle, Gulbenkian museum, Oceanarium, day trip to Sintra, Tile museum, Coaches museum, Berardo museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Ancient Art museum are some of the must visits, though there are many more sights.

 

Getting There

Lisbon Portela Airport ( LIS )

Aeroporto de Lisboa or Aeroporto da Portela as it is known in Portuguese is about 4km northeast of the centre. It is the main international gateway to Portugal and a major European hub. It is one of the largest airports in Southern Europe. There are 2 terminals and a free shuttle service operates between the 2. The Icaro Lounge, Apolo Lounge and Ulisses Lounge, on level 2 of the Arrivals area, can provide basic facilities including Internet, payphone and fax. A conference room is also available. For disabled passengers, there are ramps, lifts, specially adapted telephones and toilets. Wheelchairs can be provided by airlines and airline staff can also help wheelchair passengers through customs and immigration; passengers should request any special assistance upon booking a ticket. Disabled car parking spaces are available. There are two lifts to take passengers to different levels. Facilities include a bank and a post office in the Departures area and bureaux de change in the Departures and Arrivals areas. ATMs and Internet access points are available throughout the airport. There is a wide range of restaurants, snack bars, cafés and fast-food outlets in the Departures area. There are many shops including a duty free shop. They have left luggage facilites too. An insurance desk is located at the check-in area. There are baby care areas, a first aid room in the Arrivals area, and showers at the Departures boarding lounge. There are no hotels at the airport.

Address: Alameda das Comunidades Portuguesas, 1700-111 Lisbon, Portugal. Telephone : (21) 841 3500.

Website : www.ana-aeroportos.pt

 

Tourist Information

For tourist information, the Welcome Centre de Lisboa (Lisbon Welcome Centre) is a good place to pick up leaflets and a range of tourism advice. This is also where you can purchase a moneysaving 'Lisboa Card', although this is only really worthwhile if you intend to sightsee in a big way. Located in the heart of the city in old quarter of Baixa, the center has an "ASK ME" tourist information desk; a gourmet restaurants named "Terreiro do Paço"; a café called "Espaço Contínuo" and an art gallery. Artesanato do Tejo handicraft shop offers paintings, ceramics, fire arts, woven pieces, lace, CDs and books on Lisbon, Portuguese gastronomy and tourist guides. Address is Praça do Comércio Loja 1 r/c- Loja 2- 1º, it is open from 9.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. and the telephone numbers are +351 21 031 28 10 / 15.

There are information counters in the Arrivals and Departures halls and a tourist information counter in the Arrivals hall of the Portugal Airport. They are open from 8.00 am till midnight and the telephone number is +351 21 845 06 60.

 

Travel Tips

1. Explore Lisbon at street level, with a motorcycle sidecar tour of the city. Zoom along 14th-century cobblestone roads. See castles, monuments and monasteries. Experience the kind of amazing places a car simply can't take you.

2. Most museums are closed on Mondays, and Sundays are very quiet (many shops and restaurants close). So plan the days of your stay accordingly.

3. Lisbon has a low crime rate, but take care, as you would in any large city. Most crime against foreigners involves car break-ins, pickpocketing or bag-snatching. Use a money­belt and keep valuables hidden. Late at night (especially on weekends), avoid walking alone through the Bairro Alto, Alfama and Cais do Sodré districts; take a taxi. Parks and gardens are best avoided after sunset.