Lisbon is the capital city, and the head of the most developed region of Portugal
, the westernmost country in mainland Europe. Lisbon's position on seven low hills beside a river once lured traders and
settlers, and it's still a stunning site. Add to that its cultural diversity, laid-back feel and architectural time warp, and you have one of the most
enjoyable cities in Europe - and also one of the most economical. Lisbon has a population of around 2.5 million inhabitants.
The city's low skyline, unpretentious atmosphere and pleasant blend of
architectural styles conspire to make it a favourite with many visitors.
Orientation is fairly straightforward - apart from the puff required to
negotiate the hills - with most of the daily activity centred in the lower part
of the city.The charm of the Portuguese capital resides in its strong links to the past;
restored palaces, majestic churches and an imposing hilltop castle reflect the
city's rich cultural heritage.Lisbon is the kind of place where you can sit at street cafes - sampling food
or fado - and watch the world go by. But for the eager there are also plenty of
cultural activities. In addition to architectural masterpieces at Belém, Lisbon
has over 50 museums to visit.
A clear choice for Lisbon's finest attraction is the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos.
Construction began about 1502 and was completed towards the end of the century.
It survived a great earthquake in 1755, and is today the principal remnant of
Manueline architecture found in the city. Nearby is the Torre de Belém, a
Manueline-style tower which stands in the Rio Tejo, and is probably the most
photographed monument in Portugal.
Lisbon has a number of attractive museums, including the Museu Nacional do
Azulejo, which contains superb displays of decorative tiles; the Museu Nacional
de Arte Antiga, which houses the national collection of works by Portuguese
painters; and the immense Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, considered the finest
museum in Portugal, with exhibits of paintings, sculptures, carpets, coins and
ceramics from around the world.
Other places of interest are the districts of Baixa and Alfama. Here you'll
find some of the city's oldest and most rewarding sights: anarchic cobbled
streets, squares and alleys; markets and craftspeople; and colourful buildings
and brooding castles.
Lisbon has a wide range of budget accommodation and cheap eateries, mostly
found in the central parts of the city. Lisbon's nightlife is boisterous, and
includes drinking in bars, raving at discos, bopping to jazz and African rhythms
or puzzling over fado. Local soccer matches and bullfights are the biggest daylight
thrills.
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