Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal, with a population of 552.300 inhabitants in a territory of 453 km². It’s a municipality (city hall) and it’s divided into 7 parishes (Sé, Alfama, Madragoa, Marvila, Ribeira, Lapa and Belem).
The city is located in central Portugal, at the mouth of the Tagus River (25 km) where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Lisbon has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and very warm summers. It’s one of the most popular destinations for tourists from around Europe. Remember that when you visit Lisbon, you may need to get a Lisbon Airport Covid test either when you arrive or before onward travel.
The city was declared World Heritage by UNESCO because of its cultural and architectural relevance in 1987. It’s one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, with a history spanning over 2000 years.
It was also European Capital of Culture in 1994, due to the extensive cultural programme that took place during the year. Lisbon is home to many museums, theatres, restaurants and shops. You can catch a tram up the steep streets or just walk around and explore the alleys that make up this vibrant capital.
A visit to Lisbon should include a Lisbon photographer and a ride on one of Lisbon’s famous trams. The oldest existing public transportation system in the world! They are eco-friendly, clean and very cheap. You can buy your tickets at any newsstand or at the tram stop.
Lisbon is a city full of contradictions: it has an active nightlife, but can also be considered one of the most peaceful cities in Europe . Lisbon is called “the city that doesn’t sleep” because there are many things to do during the day and until late hours of the night, with hundreds of thousands of people wandering the streets.
You can take a walk down memory lane by visiting some of Lisbon’s museums: National Museum, Archaeological Museum, Modern Art Museum, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation or the Jewish Quarter’s Synagogue. You should also visit Belém Tower (it’s possible to climb all the way until the top and enjoy a beautiful view of the city), Jeronimos Monastery (a must-see monument) or St. George’s Castle (where every day there is a medieval market re-enacted).
For those who love street art, Lisbon offers some amazing pieces: you can see many murals on buildings around Bairro Alto, where people are very open-minded and relaxed. Lisbon is also known for its graffiti art due to the influence of Portuguese artist Vhils that started in 2010 with a wall located near Graça church.
Your final destination should be the Castelo de São Jorge (St. George’s Castle), built on top of an isolated rocky hill. The panorama offers breathtaking views of the city andTagus River . It’s a site that needs to be visited at least once in your life!