If you are thinking of traveling to Lisbon, Portugal, you are in the right place. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal. Lisbon is one of the rare cities with 2 sides of the world like Istanbul. It is the 11th most populous city in the European Union. More than 500 thousand people live in the city center, but together with the surrounding districts, the total population of Lisbon reaches 3 million. 27% of the Portuguese population lives in Lisbon alone.
Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport is the transit point for more than 20 million passengers a year. After Rome, Barcelona, Athens, Madrid and Milan, Lisbon is the city that attracts the most tourists in Europe.
The human history of Lisbon, one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, dates back to 1200 BC. The ancient name of Lisbon, which was under the rule of the Phoenicians at that time, is mentioned as Ulyssippo or Olisippo in historical documents. Archaeological studies around Lisbon Cathedral and Sao Jorge Castle have unearthed the remains of the Phoenicians.
The Phoenicians used the port of Lisbon for trade. The dominance of the Romans in the city lasted for two centuries and in this period the name of the city was Felicitas Julia. Lisbon has gained importance especially since 60 BC, when Julius Caesar came to power. The Moros, a North African Muslim civilization, took over Lisbon in the 8th century AD and held it for 450 years.
In 1147, the Christian Portuguese took back their country, and therefore Lisbon, from the Muslims. By conquering their country, the Portuguese would inspire the “Reconquista” movement that would take place in Spain approximately 350 years from now. But Portugal’s problems do not end there. Because in 1383, the King of Portugal died without leaving a male heir.
The King of Spain claims the throne of Portugal and war begins between the two countries. Finally, Portugal gained its independence with Joao I, who was proclaimed king of Portugal. Moreover, in 1373 Portugal entered into an alliance with England. Today, the alliance and diplomatic friendship between the two countries still continues.
Where Is Lisbon?
Let us share with you some of the things you need to know when traveling to Lisbon. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, which has a coast on the Atlantic Ocean. Portugal shares the Iberian Peninsula with its only neighbor, Spain. The Tagus River, the longest river of the Iberian Peninsula, passes through Lisbon and empties into the Atlantic Ocean.
When To Go To Lisbon?
Lisbon; It is a Portuguese city under the influence of the Mediterranean climate. Typically, winters are wet and warm, and summers are dry and hot. However, the fact that it has a coast to the ocean makes the air of Lisbon softer than any other Mediterranean city. At least 4 months of the year (June-July-August-September) summer weather is experienced in Lisbon.
The air temperature exceeds 35 degrees. Therefore, during this period, the city becomes lively and full of activities. Festivals are held almost every week in the city on the occasion of religious and national holidays. You should go to Lisbon during these months to attend street festivities, concerts and festivals. However, April, May and October are also quite fun in Lisbon.
The weather is at least 15 degrees Celsius and it rarely rains except in April. Of course, this means that Lisbon is very crowded in the above-mentioned months because tourists from all over the world come to Lisbon. In January-February-March and November-December, the temperature is at most 15 degrees, but it’s still bad to go to Lisbon. no idea. Moreover, the city will be quieter and less crowded.
Trip To Lisbon
Even if Milan is the capital of fashion, it is as important for Italy as Rome in the field of fashion. Therefore, textile products are among the most preferred. Especially bags, specially designed products, original leather designs are the most suitable alternatives for shopping lovers. Home to famous world brands, Rome has many alternatives for souvenirs that fit your budget. Apart from textile products, you can also buy antiques and handicrafts.
You will be amazed by each of the places we will recommend you to visit in Lisbon in this article. You will personally see how valuable and historically rich a European city Lisbon is. Every touristic address we recommend you go to will fascinate you, even weeks after your Lisbon trip, you will not be able to get out of the magic.
Lisbon Cathedral
The Lisbon Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of St. Mary and known as “Sé” among the people, is the oldest church in Lisbon. Multiple architectural styles coexist in the cathedral, which was built in Lisbon by the order of King Alfonso I in order to recapture Portugal by the Christians in 1147. As a matter of fact, additions and restorations have been made to this cathedral with the architecture that has been the fashion of every age since 1147.
This is why the Lisbon Cathedral, where Romanesque, gothic, baroque, neo-classical and rococo architectures are seen together, is considered one of the most special places of worship in the world. For this reason, it is one of the historical buildings that tourists want to see the most. Lisbon Cathedral has been on the list of national monuments of Portugal since 1910.
Gulbenkian Museum
The Gulbenkian Museum, located on Lisbon’s Avenida de Berna, or Berna Boulevard, was opened in memory of Calouste Gulbenkian, one of the wealthiest people who lived in the 20th century. Born in the Ottoman Empire in 1869, Gulbenkian made a fortune from the oil business in the Middle East. He spent the last years of his life in Portugal. There are 2 sections in the museum, which can be visited between 10:00-17:45 every day except Tuesdays.
In the first part, you can visit the personal collections of Gulbenkian’s works of art collected from all over the world, while in the second part, you can see the modern works of art. There are more than 3,000 works of art in the museum. A trip to Lisbon is never unthinkable without visiting the Gulbenkian Museum. Gulbenkian Museum, one of the few museums in Europe, was opened just after Gulbenkian’s death to show the value he attached to art to future generations.
Belem Tower
The Belém Tower, which was started to be built in 1515, has a symbolic meaning for Portugal because it was built during the Geographical Discoveries period, when Portugal lived its Golden Age. Indeed, the Belém Tower is located in the Port of Lisbon, where ships sail to the ocean to discover new lands. In the architecture of the tower, besides the architecture of the Muslims of North African origin who once ruled Portugal, the Portuguese Manueline decorations are also clearly seen.
The symbol of Lisbon soon became the Belém Tower and remains so today. The famous Lisbon earthquake of 1755 negatively affected every building in Lisbon, as well as damaged the Belém Tower. Although it is approximately 2.5 km from the city center, you should definitely go to see the Belém Tower. You should go to the top of the tower and watch the view to the fullest.
Jeronimos Monastery
While you are away from the city center and visiting Belém, we recommend you to visit the Jeronimos Monastery, which is right next to it. The monastery, which was started to be built in 1501, was completed exactly a century later. It is known that the Portuguese King Manuel of the period transferred 5% of the income from Africa and the Middle East to the construction of the monastery and thus the monastery was completed.
The Monastery, which has Portuguese-specific Manueline decorations, entered the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. The Lisbon Treaty, one of the milestones of the European Union, was signed in 2007 in the monastery building. The tomb of the world-famous explorer Vasco de Gama is located here. Today, part of the monastery building houses the Maritime Museum and the other part houses the Archaeological Museum.
Visiting hours of both the monastery and the museums vary. However, with a combined ticket, it is possible to visit all parts of the monastery in the same day, with economy.
Lisbon Fado Museum
The music of passion, love, separation and ultimately lonely women Fado is the most important part of Portuguese culture. That is why the Fado Museum was opened in Lisbon in 1998. You can find everything from Fado instruments to original copies of compositions, photographs of Fado musicians from the past to the present, and rehearsal rooms at the Fado Museum.
Moreover, lessons are given in this museum for amateurs who want to sing Fado. There are two types of exhibitions, permanent and temporary, that can be visited in the museum. The museum also organizes events with the participation of fado artists on special occasions. The entrance fee is 5 Euro per person and it can be visited every day of the year between 10:00 and 18:00, except for holidays. If you take the metro, you can easily reach the museum by getting off at the Santa Apolónia stop.
Rossio Square
IV. Rossio Square, also known as Pedro Square, has been one of the most important squares in Lisbon since the Middle Ages. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the square was the meeting and market place of the common people of Lisbon. It is a kind of gathering place for the non-noble class. For centuries, this square has been the scene of protests and demonstrations as well as hosting entertainment and festivities, concerts and banquets. In the middle of the square, King of Portugal IV. Pedro monument.
This monument was made in 1874. In 1887, a train station was built in Rossio. II. The Maria Theater and the construction of public parks to the north of the square attracted the attention of the nobility to Rossio in the 19th century. Estaus Palace is also located in Rossio. Today, tourists as well as Lisbon residents show interest in Rossio Square. Indeed, there are many pleasant cafes and restaurants in the square.
Ancient Art Museum
You can easily reach the Ancient Art Museum, which is considered one of the most important museums in Europe, located in the Chiado region of Lisbon, by taking the tram number 25. The museum, where you can see unique works of art from the 14th to the 20th centuries and the collections that once belonged to the Portuguese Royal Family, is also home to the most important oil paintings made in Portuguese history. Moreover, in the museum, you will be able to see works representing Portuguese explorers’ landing in Japan in the 16th century.
These works are quite impressive because they reflect how Japanese painters viewed Portuguese sailors. The unique porcelain sets brought from China and exhibited in this museum are also fascinating.
Fronteira Palace
The Palácio Dos Marqueses De Fronteira, or Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira, is one of Lisbon’s most ostentatious palaces. Located in the Benfica area to the northwest of the city, the palace was built in 1640. The beauty of each room in the palace, which has the typical exterior and interior architectural features of the 17th and 18th centuries, should be seen in person. In the same period, large grass gardens, which are considered as an indicator of wealth, and eye-catching fountains fascinate its visitors.
The oil paintings and sculptures inside the palace are as valuable as an art museum. Busts of former Portuguese kings can also be seen in the palace. Since the palace is now a private property, it can only be visited with a tourist guide and reservations must be made at least 1-2 days in advance. It should be noted that the tour is carried out only in the morning hours. Unfortunately, there are no public transportation services to Benfica, it can only be reached by taxi.
Cristo Rei Statue
One of the most important structures that has become an icon in Lisbon is Hz. It is the statue of Jesus. Hz. It is believed that Jesus blessed and embraced the city of Lisbon with open arms. You can watch the magnificent view of Lisbon by climbing the Christ Statue, which was prepared to celebrate the end of World War II and give thanks to God. All Christian tourists also visit the statue to pray and seek God’s help. The gigantic Hz. Inspired by the statue of Jesus, this statue is 82 meters high.
Transportation In Lisbon
When you travel to Lisbon, you should also know how to get there. The yellow trams are the most popular means of public transportation, which can be seen in all photographs and representative pictures of Lisbon, adding a completely different atmosphere to the city. You will definitely see these cute yellow trams on the narrow and hilly streets of Lisbon. A total of 58 trams are in service in the city, and most of them are in vintage style. These trams have been in service in Lisbon since 1872.
The metro network, which has been used since 1959, is not very developed, but it can make it easier for you to get around the city. There is also a well-developed bus network in Lisbon. If you want to travel by seeing the city rather than walking without seeing anything underground, you can take the buses. You can buy your ticket from the bus driver without having to go to the box office.
In this case, only cash payment is accepted. However, as you can see in our article “Places to visit in Lisbon”, some touristic points of Lisbon can only be reached by taxi. Whichever means of public transport you use, Lisbon is not a complicated city for tourists.
Lisbon Cuisine
Your trip to Lisbon continues, if you can’t decide what to eat, then it’s time to talk about what to eat in Lisbon. Portuguese cuisine is not very famous in Europe or around the world. Portuguese cuisine is not as well known as French or Spanish cuisine. However, this does not change the fact that Portuguese dishes are very tasty. If you want to leave the safe harbor and make a change while you are in Lisbon, you should definitely eat Portuguese food. These diverse dishes are basically just rice and potatoes. No meal in Portugal would be complete without stew, grilled meat or fish.
Sardines and wild boar stew cooked on the barbecue are indispensable for the Portuguese. Bacalhau, salted, dried marinade is the cornerstone of Portuguese cooking. In our article, we will introduce you to the dishes you can eat in Lisbon with their original names. Bacalhau com Natas is made from marinated fish, onions and plenty of cream. Brás à bacalhau is made from fried potatoes, onions and scrambled eggs.
Francesinha is a delicious huge sandwich consisting of a mixture of ham, sausages and other types of meat, tomato sauce and beer sauce, covered with melted cheese. It is eaten with french fries. Cozido à Portuguesa is a stew dish that is mixed with any kind of meat you can think of, such as steak, pork, sausages, and boiled vegetables and potatoes. It is not served without pouring olive oil on it.
You should definitely try Pastel de Nata, a type of pie with custard, after your meal. Bola de Berlim, on the other hand, is a ring dessert filled with egg yolk, covered with cream, prepared by frying and coated with sugar. Mule is a great summer drink made from gin, ginger beer and lime. Finally, do not leave Lisbon without drinking Galao, a Portuguese coffee.
Shopping In Lisbon
Wouldn’t you like to beautify your Lisbon trip with shopping? In Lisbon, which is known as the cheapest capital of Europe, you can buy products that are affordable and that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. You will see the value of the word “Vintage”, which means timeless, old and not outdated, in Lisbon. Because the people of Lisbon value the centuries-old shops and the old goods sold in these shops. You should not leave Lisbon without visiting the boutique shops with “antique” scent and buying at least one vintage product.
All kinds of products from ancient times, from decorative products to shoes, from gramophones to bags, are sold in these shops. You will be able to see this type of shops especially in Baixa. Accessories and clothing products of Portuguese designers are mostly found in stores in Bairro Alto.
Lisbon’s most important market is Feira da Ladra, also known as “The Thieves’ Market”, and this market has been established for 1000 years. Lisbon residents and tourists alike never cease to be interested in this famous market. You can find everything from handcrafted clothes to sofa and sofa sets to antiques at the Thieves’ Market, which is set up every Tuesday and Saturday between 06.00 – 13.00. In the LX Market, which is open from noon to 22.00 on Sundays, local manufacturers put their products on sale.
You can also find second-hand goods here. Those looking for more upscale shopping should head to the Chiado neighborhood and Avenida da Liberdade. You can find soaps, perfumes, kitchen utensils, CDs or 45s and second-hand books at the A Vida Portuguesa market in Chiado and the Loja Portugueza market in Baixa. Don’t forget to buy candles from Casa das Velas do Loreto, which was opened in 1789, and hats from Chapelaria Azevedo, which was opened in 1886.
Nightlife In Lisbon
The Portuguese know their taste and how to have fun. Moreover, their eating and drinking culture is at a very advanced level like all Mediterranean people. This means that your trip to Lisbon will be as enjoyable at night as it is during the day. If you try a different place in Lisbon every night, you can be much more experienced about Lisbon’s nightlife. We have written the most important restaurants, bars and nightclubs of the city for you.
We will of course start our Lisbon evenings with a nice meal. For this, you can go to the Mercado da Ribeira Market. Yes, you didn’t read it wrong. Actually, this was a market place, but since 2014 it is a closed area with 35 different restaurants. At noon and in the evening, you can enjoy the most delicious Portuguese dishes in one of the restaurants here. Moreover, it is open until 02:00 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Ramiro is one of the institutionalized restaurants in Lisbon. You can taste the best seafood here. It might be a good idea to go to Tágide Wine and Tapas Bar in Chiado for an afternoon snack. Of course, you can also go in the evening. Again, we recommend Alma Restaurant in Chiado. If you want to dine against the magnificent view of Lisbon, you can take the ferry that runs until 01.30 at night and go to Atira-te ao Rio in Cacilhas. To talk about Bairro Alto, the restaurant you should definitely visit is Taberna da Rua das Flores tavern.
We recommend making a reservation a few days in advance. Because you may not be able to find a table after 6 pm. Apart from local dishes, you can also eat Portuguese sushi here. Finally, we suggest you go to Darwin Café, which is right next to the Belém Tower. It will fascinate you with its modern interior decoration, magnificent view and of course its food.
You’ve had your dinner, now it’s time to have fun. You can spend a quiet night with a few glasses of Fado songs and thus relieve the tiredness of visiting the city all day. Apart from that, you may also want to go to one of the clubs that are open until the morning hours and dance. There are suitable venues in Lisbon for both plans. Located on Rua Nova do Carvalho Street, the Music Box offers a live music option for those who want to dance. The most important feature of the nightclub named Lux in Infante Dom Henrique is that it has a huge dance floor.
Majong in Bairro Alto is also one of the best clubs you can go to in Lisbon. Keep in mind that Lisbon is not one of the safest cities in the world, and it’s best to get back to your hotel before it’s too late.
We have saved the most important evening activity for Portugal for last. You can’t go to listen to Fado while you’re in Lisbon, right? We can count Mesa de Frades, Adega Machado, Senhor Vinho, Parreirinha de Alfama, Bela, Tasca do Chico, A Baiuca, Clube de Fado as Lisbon’s best Fado venues. Moreover, you can enjoy Portuguese dishes and appetizers while listening to Fado in these places.
We are sure that you will spend quality time in Lisbon every evening. Because Lisbon is a city that adds so much culturally to everyone who visits it, so Lisbon evenings will have a different meaning for you. When you travel to Lisbon, do not leave without tasting the nightlife!
Festivals In Lisbon
Summer in Lisbon means fun because most of the festivals and various events take place in the summer. If you want to enjoy the warm weather in Lisbon, besides exploring the city, having fun at festivals, the following article is for you:
Lisbon Festivals: Festas de Lisboa, or Lisbon Festivals, is a festival organized throughout the month of June. Theatrical performances, cinema screenings, folkloric entertainments, music concerts and concerts, which are generally organized in the open spaces and squares of Lisbon, are held throughout Lisbon. st. Anthony, St. John and St. Carnivals held on the days of St. Peter, on the other hand, take the fun of the Lisbon Festival to another dimension.
Caixa Alfama: Caixa Alfama is the most important music festival held in Lisbon on 15-16 September 2017. You will be filled with music among the unique historical buildings of Alfamo, the oldest neighborhood of Lisbon. You will be immersed in a brand new culture when you see the art of musicians from all over the country in person. You will be able to listen to a wide variety of music genres.
Lisbon Winter Festival: Finally, we must say that you can spend quality time in Lisbon not only in summer but also in winter. The Gulbenkian Foundation, a non-governmental organization that takes important steps for the cultural and artistic life of Lisbon, organizes theater performances, classical music concerts, and Arabic song performances in December or January every year. Moreover, the Gulbenkian Foundation Orchestra and Chorus also take the stage at this festival. We recommend that you do not miss it.
Lisbon Public Holidays
- 1 January: New year
- April 14: Good Friday
- 25 April: Freedom Day (National Holiday)
- May 1: Labor Day
- 10 June: National Day
- June 13: St. Anthony’s Day
- October 5: The day when the Virgin Mary is believed to have ascended to Heaven without dying
- December 1: Independence Day
- December 8: Miraculously, the Virgin Mary the day she was believed to be pregnant with Jesus
- December 25: Christmas
Pratical Information For Lisbon
- Fire Brigade: 112
- Police: 112
- Ambulance: 112
