LisbonImage:1220083-Travel_Picture-Lisbon.jpg|thumb|Lisbon '''Lisbon''' (''Lisboa'') is the capital of Portugal. ==Understand== Like Rome, Lisbon is built on seven hills. Lisbon's tourist information infrastructure received a shot in the arm in the leadup to EuroCup 2004. The sparkling new '''Lisboa Ask Me Centre''' (''Pç. do Comércio, 21 0312815, open 09:00 - 20:00 daily'') will help you find accommodation and is happy to dispense advice, maps and brochures. Smaller '''Ask Me Lisboa kiosks''' are dotted about the Rossio district and airport and their multilingual staff also have maps and brochures. The '''Lisboa Welcome Card''', which can be purchased from tourist information outlets, offers free use of all public transport in the city and free or reduced price tickets to many museums, galleries and tourist attractions. They can be purchased in 24 hour (adult / child: €13.25 / €5.90), 48 hour (€22.50 / €9.10) and 72 hour (€27.50 / €11.90) denominations. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Portugal's largest international air hub is the '''Aeroporto da Portela''' (''Alameda das Comunidades Portuguesas, Tel: 21 841 35 00, Fax: 21 841 36 75, web: http://www.ana-aeroportos.pt/'') which is linked to the city centre by an Aerobus (line 91) every 20 minutes from 07:00 - 21:00 and bus lines 5, 8, 22, 44, 45, 83. A ticket for the Aerobus is €3,50 and is valid on all public transportation lines for one day. ===By train=== There are two train stations in Lisbon: S. Apolónia and Orient Station ===By car=== ===By bus=== ===By boat=== ==Get around== Lisbon's recently refurbished '''metro system''' (''http://www.metrolisboa.pt'') is quick and efficient. Single trip tickets within Zone 1 (which covers most of the city) cost €0.65, although you can buy a 10 trip card for €6.00. Be sure to check out the public transport one- and multiple-day tickets, as most likely you will save a lot of money using them. Think twice before using a car in the city unless you are prepared to spend hours in traffic jams. Parking in certain areas can also be a pain. ==See== * [http://www.gulbenkian.pt/ The Gulbenkian museum]. Avenida de Berna, 45A, * St Jorge's Castle. Located up the hill, with a great view over the city and the river. If you have the energy, do the way walking from the downtown, going through the fantastic old neighborhood of Alfama. * Santa Justa's Elevator. Located downtown, this elevator design by a disciple of Eifel, connects the downtown to the Trindade, located several meters uphill. * Praça do Comércio. This magnificent plaza, facing the river, is the beginning of Lisboa's downtown. Also known by 'Terreiro do Paço', meaning 'Garden of the Palace', relating to its function before the Great Earthquake of 1755. * Downtown. This part of the city was completely rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. The planned layout, greatly different from what you will see in the more ancient neighborhoods, is a testimony of the Enlightenment ideas. ==Do== Instead of paying for a trip in one of the tourist trams, try line 28. It takes you by many of Lisbon's most famous sites, and although it is overrun with tourists, you still get a flavor of the locals. Go to the castle overlooking Lisbon. Use the funiculars and elevadores. Day passes for public transportation are also valid for those. ==Learn== ==Work== ==Buy== Shops open a little later than other places in Europe, and the lunch breaks can be quite long. They are usually closed on Sundays, but you'll find that some decide to open for a couple of hours. You can buy a '''Lisbon Shopping Card''', which gives you discounts at major stores around the city for a period of 24 hours. ==Eat== If it's traditional Portuguese that you're after, then the area of '''Restauradores''' is the place to go. There, you have plenty of choice, with a street full of restaurants. Try the seafood rice (''arroz de marisco''). Restauradores is a metro stop in the northern part of the city centre. ===Budget=== ===Mid-range=== A bit outside of Lisbon you can only reach it by car: Restaurant PANORAMA Estr. do Guincho 2750-642 CASCAIS Tel: 21487 9458 ===Splurge=== ==Drink== Lisbon is known for its lively night. For going out, try the old neighborhood of Bairro Alto ('high neighborhood'), located in the top of one of the hills, you can get there by subway (Baixa/Chiado station) or by taking the marvelous cablecar from the Restauradores plaza. Its small streets, full of people, are packed with high variety of bars. ==Sleep== If you are in the center, finding a sleeping place should not be a big problem. There are many small, unlisted hostels that will offer you enough comfort, and offer a fair price. Expect to pay between €45 and €60 for a double room. There is a tourist service center in the airport, where the nice ladies will book a room for you. ==Contact== '''Public telephone''' booths are common, as are private '''international call centres'''. Even though, you'll find the phone booths even less generous than slot-machines: many times they'll swallow your change and give you no credit. You're better off purchasing a calling card or using your credit card, although support for this feature is limited and expensive. When looking for a calling card - try kiosks on the street, little shops... - you'll probably be given one from Portugal Telecom (Portugal's monopolist phone company), ask if they have from other providers. Most of the times they are cheaper, you don't have to insert them anywhere (just dial a code!) and it works in every fix phone, even in hotels - and in this case you don't need to pay any phone bill in the hotel. To call an international number, dial 00 and then the country code. '''Internet cafes''' are also abundant in the Rossio and Restauradores districts. Expect to pay between €2 - €3 per hour. ==Stay safe== Although Lisbon is a relatively safe city by European standards, crime rates are on the up. The most common crime against travellers is '''pickpocketing and theft''' from rental cars. Lisbon has also seen some gang related '''nightclub violence''' in recent years. A lot of the '''hash and marijuana''' smuggled into the EU from Morocco is channelled through Lisbon. Chances are you'll be approached at least a few times by shady types offering 'hash' or 'chocolate'. A firm 'no thank-you' should be enough to deter them. ==Cope== ==Get out== Image:1220084-Bel_m-Lisbon.jpg|thumb|Belem tower * Belem boasts a massive statue looking out to sea, representing the Age of Discoveries. Take tram 15 to the west, which follows the coast line. The town has a large monastery and a pretty little white tower (Belem Tower), looking out to sea. * Sintra is a beautiful town a few hours outside Lisbon. * Praia das Maçãs is a small and surprisingly calm seaside resort about 30km to the west. ==External links== *[http://www.atl-turismolisboa.pt/sitemap_uk.htm Turismo de Lisboa] offers a comprehensive overview of the city for visitors, including a zoomable map. fr:Lisbonne WikiPedia:Lisbon {{stub}} First page | Prev | Next | Last page |

Thanks to all the contributors at wikitravel.org.

if you like cool drinks you may be interested in:

The best prices - up to 45% discount - the best brands - Armani, Lacoste, Aquascutum, Evisu, Prada, Burberrys - and the biggest range - new season stock still arriving - all makes the Brown Bag offering exciting

She Desires is the indulgence store for women. Selling everything from home spa products, to chocolate, adult toys and much more, She Desires has everything a woman could desire to pamper, indulge and feel good.

Hope you enjoyed reading about Lisbon

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page - St Augustine

: Home ::