Lisbon
Lisbon is a modern, exciting city which offers something for everyone. Music and food, history and culture, Lisbon has it all, and although it is not among the most famous European cities, it is a wonderful place to escape for a week or two, enjoying real indulgence in a beautiful city, where tourist crowds will not dampen your spirits.
There are a number of things that you can only do on a Lisbon holiday, things that are totally unique to the city, and whether you try them on your first or fiftieth Lisbon holiday, you must try at least once!
The Arcadas do Faia is an essential ‘Lisbon only’ attraction. Fado music is popular throughout the city, but the Arcadas do Faia is where the locals go to enjoy good food, fine music and an excellent atmosphere. The prices are a little above some of the more tourist orientated Fado music halls, but here paying a little extra gets you much, much more. Fado music is hugely atmospheric, with similar routes to sea shanties, but with a more mournful tune.
The Alfama region is another excellent place to find fado music. Even if you are not looking for music, Alfama is an essential region to explore. The tiny cobbled streets are filled with timeless little bars and cafes, as well as a brilliant little train which takes you up the hill through the narrowest of streets.
Art lovers will love the Antiks Picturas, an art gallery showing the best of 20th Century Portuguese art and jewellery. The gallery gives a wonderful insight into Portuguese history as well as the artistic heritage. For more recent art, the nearby Enes Arte Contemporanea is another appealing attraction.
There are actually a huge range of unique, and sometimes bizarre attractions to find on a Lisbon holiday. The Santa Justa Elevator may sound like the last thing you would wish to find on a Lisbon holiday, but it is impossible to ignore. It is one of Lisbon’s favourite monuments, standing 45 metres high offering great views across from Baixa to Bairro Alto. St George’s Castle dominates the skyline, situated dominantly on the highest hill in Lisbon. It is a very impressive monument to the former glory of Lisbon as a world centre and base for many important voyages of discovery around the globe.
After a hard morning exploring, (any excuse!), be sure to have an espresso (bica) in the iconic café, Café a Brasileira. Lisbon is a perfect place to simply sit and watch the world go by, and Café a Brasileira is the best place to do it!
Lisbon Travel Resources
Villa Holidays from LinksBank
1 Comment to “Lisbon”
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By Lisbon Lux, February 11, 2011 @ 12:37 pm
Yes, Lisbon is not “among the most famous European cities” but that’s exactly what makes it so special. The city is still very authentic and not “prettified” just for tourists. And yes, as you say, Alfama is an essential neighborhood to explore. In fact, you can spend an entire day there and explore many places that don’t even come in guidebooks. See this recently-published report on the spots not to miss on this “castle hill”:
http://www.lisbonlux.com/magazine/24-hours-in-lisbons-castle-hill/