About Lisbon
Explore Lisbon & Cascais
Overview
Lisbon's iconic square, Terreiro do Paço, is a grand place to begin any tour of the city. Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods, with their pretty pastel-colored buildings and charming cafes, perfect for people watching, are readily accessible via tram. Jerónimos Monastery and the awesome Tower of Belém are two must-see World Heritage Sites. Nature lovers can explore two protected areas, Serra da Arrabida Natural Park, overlooking clear azure seas, and one of the region’s most breathtaking beaches, Portinho da Arrabida, ideal for scuba diving or simply gazing out at the sea. The enchanting Convent of the Capuchos and fairytale-looking Pena Palace, set amid the nearby Sintra Mountains, will simply take your breath away. When Lisbon’s lights come up and the stars start to glimmer, spend a night on the town in the Bairro Alto neighborhood, home to some of the city’s most impressive eateries and vibrant nightlife.
What To Do
Get a grand view of the city and Tagus River from the Moorish hilltop São Jorge Castle or Miradoura das Portas do Sol lookout. Play a round of golf amidst a backdrop of Lisbon’s extraordinary scenery. View the amazing Monument of Discoveries celebrating seafaring explorers from the 15th and 16th centuries, and incredible Belem Tower on the banks of the Tagus River. Visit the renowned Jerónimos Monastery, with its sublime late-Gothic architecture, and the unique archeological museum at the former Carmo Convent. Sit in a café and watch the world go by. Explore the myths and majesty of the exquisite Sintra Mountains and magical town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its fairytale Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, near Lisbon. Take a ferry across the river for some great views of the city. Visit the awesome Praça do Comércio, aka Terreiro do Paço, with its grand statue of Dom José I and lemon-yellow façade, and the Palace of Sintra, a unique World Heritage Site.
When to Go
The sun shines throughout the year in Lisbon. Peak season arrives during the summer and Carnaval time in February or March. Temperatures average 80 F during the warmer months and 55 F in the wintertime. The colder, wetter months are November through February, while summer is driest.
Fast Facts
Monasteries and convents utilized egg whites to starch their clothes, and started baking delightful treats with the leftover egg yolks. Today, the Pasteleria Belém, which creates delicious Portuguese flans, sells up to 20,000 per day. Using their secret recipe, the monks sell their delicacies throughout Lisbon.
Lisbon is believed to be even older than Rome. Phoenicians first settled here around 1200 B.C., utilizing the Tigus River for transportation.
Many legends surround Sintra’s Convent of the Capuchos. One notes that the 4th Viceroy of India, Dom Joao de Castro, fell asleep in the woods surrounding the Sintra Mountains and dreamt that he should build a convent here. His son eventually founded the convent in 1560. Vacationers can now visit this now uninhabited area in the middle of a magical forest.
Travel Tips & Tools
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