Lisbon City Breaks

As European capital cities go Lisbon is as understated as it is elegant. Should a beauty contest of European cities ever be held, the Portuguese capital would be assured of its place on the podium. Built on many more hills than Rome along one bank of the River Tagus and with the Atlantic Ocean firmly in its sights, the combination of mountain, ocean and city makes Lisbon holidays immediately likeable and enchantingly attractive.

Although a modern cosmopolitan capital, Lisbon likes to wear its heritage on its sleeve creating an entertaining marriage of past and present. The catastrophic earthquake of 1755 might well have denied the city a plethora of world class palaces, churches and monuments, but this is more than compensated for by a graceful charm and easygoing friendliness. Alfama is the city’s bustling medieval quarter, Belem the cultural heart and museum district and Bairro da Lapa it’s most elegant residential neighbourhood and for those looking for something more classical on Lisbon holidays, this area is well worth a visit. Baixa is the area in which to shop and the Parque das Nacoes houses a high-tech entertainment park and the world’s largest and finest aquarium, Oceanario de Lisboa.  City breaks to Lisbon or for a longer stay this fascinating and elegant destination has plenty to offer.

Fantastic by both day and night holidays to Lisbon can be filled with sightseeing or lounging at a cafe or dining at a traditional Portuguese restaurant, or what we highly recommend is a combination of them all. Visit the Castelo de Sao Jorge located at the top at the top of Lisbon’s highest hill, with fabulous gardens and wonderful views it is a perfect place to visit on Lisbon holidays. Equally for those seeking more classical Lisbon, the districts of Alfama and Belem are ideal places to visit with their medieval architecture and cobbled winding streets, it is a wonderful place to explore and discover hidden gems on city breaks to Lisbon. Baxia boasts bustling squares and is the centre for shopping in Lisbon and the neighbouring district of Bairro Alto is the centre of the city’s nightlife.

Lisbon by Day

There is a wealth of things to do in Lisbon that will ensure you experience all that this vibrant city has to offer. Drive through one of the main avenues of the city to the very heart of Lisbon at Rossio square. Take in Alfama, the oldest and the most picturesque quarter of the city, with a stop for wine tasting before crossing the Tagus to explore the many delights and panoramic vistas of Belem. There's also a unique opportunity to visit the church of St.Jerome Monastery, a masterpiece of the Manuelin style.

Lisbon by Night

Enjoy panoramic views of many of Lisbon’s most famous monuments – The Belem Tower, the Monastery of St Jerome, the Lisbon Bridge and the Cristo Rei. Then dine at a typical Portuguese restaurant with traditional plaintive Fado music and folklore.

Castello de Sao Jorge

One of the few survivors of the earthquake the Castelo de Sao Jorge - St George's Castle - stands atop Lisbon's highest hill. The castle lays strong claim to being Lisbon's most splendid monument. The gardens within its Moorish walls are populated with walkways, terraces, fountains and peacocks. The views from the ramparts, of Lisbon's oldest and most picturesque neighbourhood, Alfama, are simply stunning.

Alfama

The city’s medieval quarter is a labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets and steep crooked alleyways and a throwback to a time when the city was home to the Moors, for visitors it is amongst the most popular things to do in Lisbon. The area stretches from the Castelo de Sao Jorge in the north to the River Tagus in the south. Having retained much of its ancient character Alfama is the place to eat in local cafes (at local prices), wander amongst the antique and bric-a-brac emporia and lose yourself in the twice-weekly flea market. Alfama is also the place to be during the Saints' festivals of June. Plaintive and haunting Fado music spills out onto the tiny streets and there are numerous panoramas offering stunning views of the city and the river estuary.

Parque das Nacoes

Since hosting the World expo Exhibition in 1998 this former industrial area has become home to a high-tech entertainment park, a pristine shopping mall, futuristic railway station and the striking, white Vasco da Gama bridge extending for 11 miles over the River Tagus. The latest arrival to Parque das Nacoes, Nations Park, is the Oceanario de Lisboa, which, with more than 10,000 samples of marine life, lays claim to being the largest and finest aquarium in the world.

Belem

Located to the west of the city, Belem is Lisbon's cultural heart and its primary monumental and museum district. It is the area from which many ships set sail to discover the new world and the Tower of Belem, an UNESCO world heritage site, stands proud, commemorating these ancient expeditions. It is also home to Lisbon's most impressive religious monument, the Jeronimos Monastery, as well as museums of Popular Art, Archaeology and Naval Achievement, the Planetarium and the unmissable Ajuda Palace.

Bairro da Lapa

Lisbon's most elegant residential neighbourhood, Bairro da Lapa, is home to foreign embassies, expensive town houses, intimate hotels and also Portugal's largest museum, the National Museum of Ancient Art. A large handsomely designed palace, the museum is home to several masterpieces of international renown and houses an extensive collection of Flemish, Dutch, German, French, English, Spanish and Italian art from the fourteenth to nineteenth centuries.

Baixa & Bairro Alto

The central district of Baixa is Lisbon's traditional shopping centre with bustling squares and busy cafes. Bairro Alto is a hilly area full of picturesque old houses best reached by an eccentric yellow funicular trolley, although locals tend to tire of waiting for the funicular and tackle the steep hill on foot. Bairro Alto is also the capital's nightlife centre.

Cascais

For those still looking for things to do in Lisbon, Cascais is located in the greater Lisbon area on the Estoril Coast. This fantastic beach town can be reached by either car or a 40 minute train journey from Lisbon. Cascais is one of the most luxurious areas on the Portuguese coast and its gorgeous beaches, lavish beach-front restaurants and stylish shops make for a great day-trip.