Travel to Lisbon

Travel to Lisbon

Situated on the Atlantic coast, Lisbon is the westernmost capital of Europe. The city also lies alongside the River Tagus, making it a great port city as well as lending it a fantastic seafood-based cuisine.

The city itself is a noted trading port and, most famously, it was the departure point for many travellers during the Age of Discovery. The famous Belem Tower sits at the edge of the Atlantic, and visitors here can view what would have been the last glimpse of land as explorers, such as Vasco da Gama, sailed off on their adventures.

Transportation to Lisbon

The well-equipped Portela International Airport is located right in the city, with an urban infrastructure having been built around it. It lies about seven kilometres north of the city centre and provides all the customary facilities and amenities of an airport of its size. The major gateway to Portugal, the airport manages daily flight services between several major European cities as well as regular flights to international destinations in America, Asia and Australia.

Bus and rail services to Lisbon are also reliable, with train travel being faster andmore comfortable. Both modes of transport are accessible from major cities in Europe, with frequent connectionsto Madrid and Paris.

What to see

Lisbon will keep visitors captive, as the Portuguese capital is well-steeped in history and rich in culture. Historic sites reveal some of the history of Lisbon, with architectural landmarks dating back to the 12th century and Portugals time as a colonial and seafaring power.

Hieronimite Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is famous for its architecturalimportance. Meanwhile, the site of Expo 98, which
waschosentoholdthisimportantWorld Fairin commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gamas famous voyage to India, is now a major park that encompasses myriad choices for leisure, shopping and dining as well as venues for performances and one of Europes largest aquariums.

Daytrips

Lisbon and its surrounding areas are wonderful to drive around, with spectacular scenery and impressive sights along the River Tagus and the surrounding beach towns and resorts. Water sports and typical beach relaxation is available at seaside resort towns such as Cascais and Estoril, which offer picturesque seaside comfort as well as one of the largest casinos in Europe. If you want to practice your swing there are some splendid golf courses located along the River Tagus. Alternatively, the Sintra Mountains feature great terrain for mountain biking and horseback riding.

Activities and leisure

Lisbon offers an exciting nightlife and music scene that may be an endurance test for some, and the capital also hosts several extravagant and unique annual festivals. After dinner, party at one of the many popular nightclubs or order a jug of wine and take in some traditional music at one of the many fado houses. Bars rarely close before 02:00 and nightclubs often stay open until the sun comes up.

Gamblers may wish to take a trip out to Estoril Casino, an enormous complex in the nearby resort town of the same name. The sports-minded should look into the football matches of the major clubs - Benfica and Sporting, or time their visit so that they can enjoy the citys internationally renowned half-marathons.

Safety issues

In general, Lisbon is a safe city to visit. However, like other major cities, pick-pocketing and bag-snatching can be problematic. Always try to remain alert for possible dangers. Crowds invite pick-pockets, and the well-travelled tourist areas and even public modes of transport are prime hunting grounds for these thieves. We strongly advise you take out travel insurance for yourself and your family.