Lisbon

It is the capital of Portugal and undoubtfully one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Surrounded by river Tagus, it is a place that tourists must visit. Portugal has a strong and remarkable history and Lisbon is an example of that.

Lisbon has a great Atlantic climate with influence of the Mediterranean, which means that we have warm temperatures and are happy to see the sunshine often, even in the Winter.

Walking around Lisbon we are able to find a lot of romantic signs, the neighbourhoods Alfama, Bairro Alto, Chiado and Belém are a byword of that. Besides that Lisbon has a fantastic shopping area – Baixa (Downtown) – where you can find a great variety of shops as well as experience the Lisbon atmosphere. In Baixa you find the Elevador de Santa Justa (Santa Justa Lift), designed by Gustave Eiffel, which is a place that tourists usually look for. This area has been totally destroyed by an earthquake in 1755, which shocked Lisbon. Later has been rebuilt by Marquês de Pombal in a neo-classic style. To honour his attitude a statue has been tied up at the top of Avenida da Liberdade ( Liberty Avenue), which is considered one of Lisbon’s most beautiful squares, as it enjoys a great view to the Tagus river.

Alfama, where Castelo de S. Jorge (St. George's Castle) can be found, is a real maze of narrow streets characteristic of the Moorish time, as well as of the middle age. Alfama is the birthplace of Lisbon's Fado.

The Fado represents the Portuguese traditional song; it is lyric, sad and it is played by the Portuguese guitar.

Fado is such a typical song that anyone who comes to Lisbon, shouldn’t leave without experience in their hearts the effects of such a melody.

In Belém a beautiful shore line area can be found with magnificent ancient buildings, as the earthquake had less impact in this area, for example: the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (built between 1502 and 1560, the Torre de Belém (1516), the Palácio de Belém (1700), which is the official home of the Republic’s President. In 1990, it was opened also in this neighbourhood the Cultural Centre of Belém, which is a very important cultural place to Portugal.

Lisbon had the opportunity to receive the Expo 98 and was also happy to organize the UEFA Euro 2004.

Lisbon is a city of contrasts and constant movement, which pleases traditionalists and modernists at the same time. Lisbon smells to culture and has in its most humble corners a look through the Past and History. Anyone who once comes to Lisbon will certainly come back!