The light that reveals Lisbon

THE LIGHT THAT REVEALS LISBON...

 

Is it your first time in the city, or have you already become a Lisboner in body and soul? Either way, you'll need to return again and again to truly get to know the corners of the Portuguese capital. This guide is proof of that: there’s always a flavor left to taste, a view from a viewpoint to appreciate, a street yet to be explored... Curious? Don’t wait any longer – come and discover the unique charm that this city holds.

It is worth discovering Lisbon in its unique light... A light that impresses those that visit it and brings the city's architecture alive. There are over 3300 hours of sunshine here each year!
Nowadays the past is mixed with a modern, vibrant and bold culture. It is easy to wander the streets and alleyways and find all sorts of signs of artistic expression. But also indoors, the city's theatres have a full and varied programme throughout the year and even if you don't go to see a show, it's worth taking a look at many of them just to appreciate their historical and architectural value. Lisbon is also now an essential stop for the biggest international artists and in the summer the festivals fill the city with music.

With the low cost of living, especially for foreigners, it is easy to buy everything in Lisbon, from the most traditional products in Baixa Pombalina to really creative objects from shops in the Bairro Alto and Chiado for example. For big international brands it's no coincidence that the Avenida da Liberdade is one of the world's most expensive places.

Whilst exploring and trying to get to know the city, dress comfortably because in order to really feel the city's soul a bit of physical exertion is needed... Lisbon is about the visible details and the more hidden ones.
Looking out on Lisbon across the Tagus is a unique visual experience. Several companies provide this service with boat trips leaving from Belém, Cais do Sodré, Terreiro do Paço, Cascais or Estoril.

And as the sun sets the city doesn't sleep. To see why Lisbon has some of the most famous night life in Europe, you just need to visit some of the places in Bairro Alto, Bica, Príncipe Real, Cais do Sodré, Belém and Docas or Avenida 24 de Julho. The real night owls will see the light appear in the city again. Another day and the sun rises over Lisbon again.

‘Petiscos’, wine, ‘pastéis’… and fado!

Visiting Lisbon to sample its food is not a bad idea! Between visiting the Belém Tower, CCB or Jerónimos monastery why resist the famous ‘Pastéis de Belém’? Just one isn't enough! Don't forget to put lots of icing sugar and cinnamon on them. And now keep walking and enjoy watching the sunset over São Jorge castle.

Some of the most important European chefs create true works of art in the city, but for the full experience you must also visit the tiny bars or ‘tascas’. In some of them they sing fado, and all of them serve Portuguese style ‘petiscos’. It's hard to choose: a rich fish soup, stuffed eggs, ‘peixinhos da horta’ (tempura green beans), ‘fava-rica’ (broad beans cooked in garlic), Codfish ‘à Brás’, fried codfish, ‘meia-desfeita’ (a cod and chickpea dish), baked hake Lisbon style, clams in white wine, grilled sardines, beef steak in cream sauce or steak Cafe, Portuguese marinated liver, cows hoof served with chickpeas, Convento de Alcântara style partridge,
All served with a good Portuguese wine, of course!