Lonely Planet Pocket Lisbon (Travel Guide)

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If you have enough time and want to taste the most authentic custard tart, you need to stop at Pastéis de Belém, located only a few meters from the Jerónimos Monastery. A tasty Lisbon travel tip. Because all tourists go there, it’s always very crowded. Since I’m not a fan of huge lines I skipped that part and bought some in a different place and it tasted good as well. You should definitely try these Portuguese pastries on your Lisbon trip. Essential pre-departure information including Portugal entry requirements, getting around, health information, travelling with children, sports and outdoor activities, food and drink, festivals, culture and etiquette, shopping, tips for travellers with disabilities and more. Lisbon is a year-round destination, with warm summers and mild winters. Hot summer temperatures are cooled off by the Atlantic breeze, while in winter they never reach the freezing point. Although it’s known as a sunny city and for being the European capital with the mildest winters, it can also rain for days between November and April. Weather at that time of the year is quite unpredictable, but in the spring there may be downpours for one hour followed by clear skies and sun. Because many of Lisbon’s top attractions are outdoors (the viewpoints, beaches, and even the palace-hopping in Sintra), visiting in the wettest months may not be a good idea. The high tourist season is between June and early September, so the prices of accommodation go up at that time. Late May and mid-September may be the best times to visit, as temperatures are mild, it’s good enough for days at the beach, and the crowds are fewer. If you must visit in the summer, make sure you book accommodation well in advance. Detailed description of entertainment, shopping, nightlife, festivals and events, and children's activities. Natal/Christmas (December) The build-up to Christmas begins in early December with Europe’s tallest Christmas tree filling the centre of Praça da Comércio. Distinctive hooped bolo-rei (dried-fruit “king cake”) appear in shops and pastelarias.

A balmy climate invites the people of Lisbon to enjoy their nights on the streets. No weekend in the city is complete without bar-hopping in the neighborhoods of Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré -- everyone buys a drink inside and stays chatting by the door or on the street, before moving to another bar to repeat the dose. For surfers it’s best to go in wintertime (great waves), budget travelers probably like January and February (cheapest months). Beach lovers and worshipers of sun and warm weather should travel to Lisbon during July to September; these are the hottest months, but because of summer holidays also the most expensive ones.West of the Bairro Alto sits the leafy district of Estrela, best known for its gardens and enormous basílica. To the south are the sumptuous mansions and grand embassy buildings of Lapa, Lisbon’s diplomatic quarter. It’s also home to the superb Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Portugal’s national gallery. Down below, on the riverfront, the regenerated district of Santos is known as “the design district”, with chic shops and bars.

There are several key attractions beyond the centre. The fantastic art collection of the Museu Gulbenkian is just north of the park – a must see when you visit Lisbon – and the Museu de Arte Antiga is west of the centre. Belém, 6km to the west, is the suburb from which Portugal’s great navigators set sail: the sublime Mosteiro dos Jerónimos is one of several monasteries built here to celebrate their achievements. While in Belém you must also set aside plenty of time for the modern art of the Berardo Collection.The valley between these hills makes up the Baixa, or lower town. This neat grid of grand eighteenth-century buildings was erected on the rubble of the earthquake which flattened much of the city in 1755. It’s a planned commercial district rebuilt around the historic squares of Praça do Comércio, on the riverfront, and the broad Rossio, or Praça Dom Pedro IV, the city’s main square since medieval times. After MAAT I would suggest visiting Village Underground and LX Factory. Apparently this place can’t be found in a Lisbon travel guide yet as the majority of the tourists did not yet discover it. There weren’t many people at the time we arrived. You can go there by tram or by foot (a 20-minute walk from MAAT). With the city set across seven hills, there is no shortage of viewpoints, or miradouros from which to take in awe-inspiring views. Listen to the sounds of guitar strumming from New Age hippies at the Miradouro de Santa Catarina, while enjoying spectacular views over the city and river. Or head to the Miradouro da Graça for sunset and a sundowner. In a superb mansion, this hotel blends traditional and contemporary style. Though the dining area/bar is small (and the gym/plunge pool even smaller), the spruce rooms more than compensate. They include tiled bathrooms, retro taps and great cityscapes from those on the top floor. There are also some of the best Lisbon restaurants in this area and for our Sushi lovers I would like to mention that this hotel has its own trendy sushi restaurant called ‘Confraria LX’.

Extensive recommendations for accommodation, restaurants, shops and leisure activities for all budgets At the end of Rua Augusta, you’ll reach Rossio Square; a lively iconic square with two beautiful baroque fountains in literally the center of Lisbon (Rossio neighborhood) where people sit and relax or enjoy the many cozy outdoor terraces of the restaurants and cafés. This is a Lisbon must see! Right next to this square you will find Praça da Figueira, another nice square that is home to Lisbon’s oldest patisserie (Confeitaria Nacional), hotels and cafés. Did you know that the original recipe of the famous Portuguese pastries pastel da nata (custard tart) was invented by the monks of the Jerónimos Monastery to sell them at a shop next to a sugar cane factory? The secret recipe is at least 180 years old and known by only a few. Today Pastéis de Belém is widely recognized as the patisserie to sample the authentic custard tart in Lisbon and sells thousands of pastéis de nata every day.High above the river, the Miradouro de Santa Catarina has spectacular views over the city and river. There’s a drinks kiosk, some tables and chairs – and new-age types strumming guitars. Chiado

If you are travelling for business, consider a base in the Parque das Nações district, which contains many modern hotels and is close to the airport. The most enjoyable way to approach the southern bank of the Rio Tejo is to take the ferry from Lisbon’s Cais do Sodré to the little port of Cacilhas. The blustery ride grants wonderful views of the city, as well as of the Ponte 25 de Abril. But it’s the line of seafood restaurants along the riverfront that attracts most Lisboetas to make the crossing. Lisbon’s events calendar Lisbon has several districts that are especially popular among tourists. These are the historical and cultural centers of the city. Namely Belem, Bairro Alto, Alfama, Estrela, Chiado, Sao Bento, and Baixa are the places where tourists spend most of their time. City’s important artifacts, buildings, museums, and attractions are mostly concentrated in these neighborhoods. All guides published from January 2021 are printed on paper from responsible sources verified to meet FSC’s strict environmental and social standards After lunch, continue your walk to Elevador de Santa Justa (Santa Justa Lift), also known as Elevador do Carmo. An apprentice of Gustav Eiffel built the 45-meter high lift in 1902 to connect lower Bairro Alto to the upper Largo do Carmo (Carmo Square). This also explains the structure’s similarities to Paris’ Eiffel Tower.The other chapters follow in a similar style, giving a clear overview of what the city has to offer. Heavy on images, and light on info, those who don’t mind a little additional research will feel at home with this book. This is an excellent introduction to Fado, traditional folk music of Portugal, and worth seeing before you visit a fado house.