Lisbon Travel Guide

Travel guide to Lisbon, Portugal with comprehensive information about events, shopping, and major Lisbon sporting events to help you enjoy your visit more.

Lisbon Overview

Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal, also being its largest city with a population in the region of 560,000 people. It is situated on the coast with the Atlantic and happens to be the most western city in Europe.

The city has been a major site since at least 1200BC, when the Phoenicians used it as a trading post, and it has played a major role in world events since then, involving the Romans, the Moors, and the French. Today there are still many reminders of these earlier times, with a lot of the architecture in the oldest parts of the city going back to Moorish times, displaying the architecture they brought with them.

During the 16th and 17th centuries Portugal itself was a major power, and Lisbon with its location next to the sea was tremendously powerful and rich owing to its facility for ships to come and go. This wealth built a lot of the city's infrastructure at that time and enabled it to strengthen its position as the biggest and most powerful city in the country.

Thanks to its coastal setting the city boasts some lovely beaches where the hustle and bustle of city life can be left behind, taking time instead to enjoy the lovely warm weather and the lapping waves.

Top Lisbon Attractions

The Alfama District of the city is a wonderful place to see, being the city's oldest and most historical part of Lisbon. Its mix of narrow alleyways and steep stairs, with the buildings looming over the pavements it stems from medieval times and is a great reminder of the past. It is best visited during the daytime, with nightfall bringing out the worst of the area.

Shopping in Lisbon

All the different styles of shops can be found in Lisbon, each with their own distinct areas of the city. Probably the best overall place is the pedestrianised area between Praca do Comercio and Largo S Domingos. Here are some great department stores and lovely shops in a relaxed environment. For those wanting the more exclusive brands the Avenida da Liberdade is the place to be.

Lisbon Sporting Events

Known throughout the world, never mind Portugal, Benfica are a big name in the world of football. Eusebio was their star in the 1960's when they were at their most powerful, but they are still a good side today. The locals see football as much more than a game, it is a religion to some, a passion to others and maybe a way out of poverty for some more.