Lisbon

Lisbon is a city built on seven hills, where there are plenty of bleached limestone buildings and nice beaches. Part of the Iberian peninsula, Lisbon is the capital of Portugal which has turned into one of the most charming, relaxing places to be in Europe.

The Challenges that Lisbon Faced as a Country

The Lisbon that can be seen today, however, has not been like that without challenges. More than a decade ago, the city was dubbed as the “Poor Man of Europe”. If its neighboring European cities have a reputation of being plush, romantic vacation destinations, Lisbon was so far behind.

It had an image of being a city which is in a shambles, with the people poverty-stricken. Fortunately, the World Expo held in Portugal in 1998 has put renovations and city additions into action. To get the city back in tip top shape, new constructions were made such as the building of the River Tagus and the development of the World Expo site in Parque das Nacoes.

Such developments, when combined with the natural friendliness of the people, the dynamic nightlife and the natural splendor of the city – has brought back the beauty that is all Lisbon’s own.

Lisbon as it Again Bloomed into a Golden City

Today, plenty of holiday makers from all parts of the world flock to Lisbon to discover more about this European city. Some of the modern highlights include its having a historic downtown, a couple of mega-casinos, a mouth watering local cuisine, museums, art galleries and beaches.

No matter what type of tourist attraction it is that you are looking for, you are bound to find it in Lisbon. As far as the climate is concerned, winters are mild rather than harsh. As a result, there are plenty of days in the year that you will get to enjoy a temperate climate in the city.

Now, what are some of the most famous neighborhoods in Lisbon? First, you can take a stroll along the historic streets of Chiado where you can people watch while sipping a cup of coffee. Head uphill to Bairro Alto and you’ll get to see Lisbon’s lively nightclub district.

Belem is a neighborhood where there are plenty of historic monuments and tourist sites, including the Belem Tower, the Jeronimos Monastery, the Coach Museum, the Belem Cultural Center and the Statue to Alfonso de Albuquerque.

For those who would like to commune with nature, you can go to the Lisbon Botanical Garden, venture out to Jardim Botanico where having a picnic is a must, or go to the Parque das Nacoes. If shopping is part of your travel itinerary, check out the shops in Baixa, Chiado or the Avenida da Liberdade.
Another item to include in your to-do-list is climbing one of the seven hills: Penha de Franca, Senhora do Monte, Graca, Sao Jorge, Sao Pedro Alcantara, Esterla or Santa Catarina. On top of these hills, you can have a breathtaking panoramic view of Lisbon.

Despite the challenges that the city had to face in the past, Lisbon has again bloomed into the charming, tourist-friendly place that it is today – so you should definitely pay it a visit when travelling to Europe.