Lisbon- A city with a view

If you have never thought of travelling to the charming city of Lisbon, or indeed anywhere in Portugal, now is the time to go! Having just returned from a weekend break in the charming city of Lisbon, I thought I would share my experiences of travelling to this great, and sometimes forgotten European treasure. Lisbon is one of the prettiest cities in Europe. Located on the shores of the Rio Tejo (River Tagus), the city offers wonderful views from its many winding and cobbled streets. It is not for the faint hearted, as the city lies on several hills, and there is a certain amount of walking to do. A good pair of shoes is therefore in order, but after a hearty breakfast, and if you have a passion for exploring, you will soon come across one of the many beautiful little squares and alleyways that Lisbon has in abundance.

I would suggest a minimum of 3 nights to explore Lisbon. The great thing about the city is that there is so much to do outside the many metropolis! Once you have spent a day exploring the art galleries, museums, shops, cafes and restaurants, there is a wealth of places to visit within an hour of Lisbon city centre. Estoril, Sintra and Cascais are all easily accessible as a day trip .

These towns make an excellent diversion from the main city, and can easily be reached by public transportation. For example, 40 minutes from the centre of Lisbon, you find the charming Town of Cascais. It is a perfect place to explore for the day. Cascais has a maze of alleyways and streets, with any number of shops and restaurants to choose from. If you simply want to relax, there is a great beach as well.

While in Lisbon, I stayed in the charming 3 star Hotel Jorge V. It is located just north of the Bairro Alto, and close to the main metro station “Marques de Pombal”. The hotel is very affordable, and located perfectly for exploring Bairro Alto and the rest of the city.

If you prefer a little more luxury, I have also stayed in the fabulous Ritz Four Seasons Hotel. It offers the most fantastic views over the city¸ spacious and elegantly decorated rooms. It is a true landmark of the city, and offers a fitness centre, spa and very highly rated restaurant.

Getting around in Lisbon is easy. The metro system is not extensive, but serves all the important areas you will need to visit . It takes you to the Expo centre, to the main railways station and the city centre. You can buy a Lisboa Card, which affords you discounts on many sightseeing attractions and gives you free travel on the metro, buses and trams. You can obtain a card from the main tourist information centre. I would also recommend a trip on one of Lisbon’s “Elevadores”. They are 3 furnicular railways offering quick access to the heights of the Bairro Alto and to the eastern side of the Avenida de Liberdade and one giant elevator da Santa Juste.

Eating in Lisbon is fantastic. From fine dining to McDonalds, there is something to please every palate and budget. It is worth taking a train from the Cais do Sodre station in Lisbon to Belem. This is a very pretty area of Lisbon, and has countless restaurants on the waterfront to choose from. From here, you can also view the bridge (reminiscent of the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco), the statue of Christ, and the statue of the great Explorers, for which Lisbon is famous.

If you have never considered Lisbon as a holiday destination...think again. It has everything to offer for a short break, or a longer holiday. Call me to discover for yourself what Portugal can do for you