Lisbon, or Lisboa in Portuguese, is the capital of Portugal with about 3 million inhabitants throughout the region. This city has now become a nest for many Swedes who settled there during part of the year. And given the warm climate and the cool breeze from the Atlantic, this is more than understandable. The city is located with its colorful and slightly worn houses, up on the seven hills and to get here you can either use the apostle horses, a bicycle or take elevators, funicular and trams, many of which start from the junction and the square Rosso. The view at the top of all the city’s hills is unique and can make anyone cringe.
Getting to Lisbon
Getting to Lisbon by air is no art. They run regularly from Sweden’s three largest cities Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö. If you want to take Portugal’s own airline Tap Air, you can go directly from Stockholm to Lisbon.
First to see in Lisbon
According to holidaysort, Lisbon has many small charming places and it is truly a moving city with many nationalities and a strong nightlife. Here you meet both during the day and in the evening to taste the wonderful pasties de nata or eat Bacalhau which is the country’s national dish. Eating out in Lisbon is something everyone does and it is also one of Europe’s cheapest cities.
Here are tips on some of Lisbon’s attractions: First and foremost not to be missed is Bairro Alto where the vibrant nightlife is mixed with shopping and genuine alleys. Here, those who love shoes can botanize for hours, as many of the European leather shoes are actually made in Portugal. This district belongs to the old central parts of Lisbon and is very cute and charming. It is best to get there on foot, but you can also use the old, squeaky trams if you want. Don’t forget to listen to Portugal’s own blues at the many clubs here. It is called Fado and must be experienced on site.
Next in line is the Belém Tower in the district of the same name located in western Lisbon. It is a well-known emanuelin-style monastery, established in the 16th century to draw attention to Vasco da Gama’s famous expedition. A must if you go to Lisbon!
You should also not miss Europe’s longest bridge, the Vasco da Gama bridge that crosses the river Tagus, and when you are still exploring sights, you can take a look at Portugal’s little brother to the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. This slightly smaller statue of the Savior of the World is beautifully situated in the district of Almada.
Lisbon – a cultural treasure
Lisbon also has a powerful culture and a number of museums to explore. Gulbenkian Museum with adjacent park, Museum of Art and Fashion and Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga which has even become a landmark.
Popular seaside resorts near Lisbon
You can not go to Portugal and Lisbon without taking a dip in the cooling water. The Atlantic Ocean is a cold and stormy sea and therefore it does not get as hot during the night on the Portuguese coast as it can get on the shores of the Mediterranean. The most popular seaside resorts around Lisbon are called Estoril and Cascais. If you stay in Estoril after dark, you can also take the opportunity to visit Europe’s largest casino.
A trip to Lisbon is just as good over a weekend as one or two weeks. There is always something to do at a good price and the hospitality is great.
