Lisbon, Portugal

Portugal’s capital Lisbon – known as Europe’s ‘smallest capital’, which has a population of 10,000,000 – was once described as ‘the eighth wonder of the world’!



And its environs were even referred to as ‘The Seven Hills of Lisbon’ – whereas, in reality, it is claimed that Lisbon now features as many as two dozen hills!

It has also been called ‘one of the greatest maritime centres in history’, exotic treasures from Asia having been brought back to the city following Vasco da Gama’s exploratory journey to India in the sixteenth century.

And Vasco da Gama’s achievements received national acclaim with the official opening of The Vasco da Gama Bridge, which spans the River Tagus, Lisbon’s twenty mile long waterfront. The spectacular event known as ‘EXPO’ 98 was also staged in Lisbon to mark the 500th Anniversary of Vasco da Gama’s trip to India.

Famous monuments to celebrate the achievements were also erected in the city by King Manuel, whose reign in the sixteenth century, spanned 26 years. The most famous of these monuments is the sixteenth century fortress known as ‘Torre de Belem’.

Lisbon is now described as a ‘cosmopolitan city’, and it is said that since joining the European Common Market, it has become considerably more sophisticated. In fact, it is claimed that Lisbon is the capital of ‘one of the fastest-growing countries in Europe’.

Its main industries now incorporate clothing, shoes, textiles, china and earthenware goods. In fact, Lisbon’s main street, the Avenida da Liberdade, is said to be reminiscent of Paris!

Getting to Lisbon has never been easier. A flight from London to the Portuguese capital’s airport takes just two and a half hours.

It is, of course, possible to undertake the journey by train, travelling by Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, and then taking another train from Gare Montparnasse to the French/Spanish border where one changes trains and then continues the final part of the journey to Lisbon’s main railway station. However, this is a journey that can take the best part of two days, and would entail the reservation of an overnight ‘couchette.

Lisbon can be visited too as an ‘excursion destination’ from The Algarve. Daily coach services leave The Algarve for Lisbon, and the journey is a five hour trip.

It is also possible to make the journey by air, with the ‘flying time’ from Faro Airport to Lisbon Airport being only forty minutes.

Lisbon has a wide variety of hotel accommodation with prices ranging from ‘The Very Expensive’, to ‘Expensive’, ‘Moderate’, and ‘Inexpensive’. Considered to be one of the city’s best known hotels is the five- star deluxe ‘Four Seasons Hotel Ritz’. Situated within the centre of Lisbon this hotel comes within the ‘Very Expensive’ category. Comprising ten floors, it was built by the dictator Salazar in the 1950s – and is said to ‘reflect the nobility and charm of historic Portugal’. Perched high on one of Lisbon’s hills, its rooms not only have balconies overlooking the city, but the building itself also commands vistas of EduardoVII Park, St. George’s Castle, the Old Town, and the Tagus River. And its facilities include an indoor swimming pool, a spa, and a fitness centre.

Claimed to be a popular hotel with British visitors is ‘York House’, which comes under the ‘Moderate’ price category. A converted 17th century convent, York House also stands on a hillside overlooking the Tagus River, but is some distance away from the main traffic area, and is surrounded by a picturesque garden. It is claimed that its aura of peace and tranquillity also attracts artists, writers, poets, diplomats and professors.

Lisbon is a city of monuments, museums, mosaic pavements, spectacular architecture and bustling shopping areas. And its myriad hills and long waterfront greatly contribute to the city’s charms. It was in the Belem area that Portugal’s exploration of the seas began, and with the ‘Torre de Belem’ being the city’s most famous monument, the district has come to symbolise ‘The Age of Discoveries’. Here too stands the modern ‘Monument to the Discoveries’ where many explorers, primarily Vasco da Gama, have been immortalized in stone. This particular memorial was unveiled in 1960. The ‘Museu de Arte Popular’ can also be located on the waterfront. And near this museum is one of Lisbon’s largest religious monuments, namely ‘Mosteirodos Jeronimos’ (Jeronimos Monastery). Here too stands a building known as the ‘Museu National dos Coches’ (National Coach Museum), which houses numerous ceremonial coaches and carriages spanning several centuries. Another museum that can be located in the near vicinity is ‘Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga’ (National Museum of Ancient Art).

Lisbon would appear to be dotted with museums of every kind, and these include the ‘Museu da Fundacao Calouste Gulbenian’, ‘Museu da Marinha (Maritime Museum), ‘Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga’ (National Museum of Ancient Art), ‘Museu Militar’ (Military Museum), and ‘Museu Arqueologico’ (Archaeology Museum) – to name but a few!

Buildings of every kind abound in Lisbon. And despite the ‘Great Earthquake of 1755’ that devastated the city, the combination of ‘pre-earthquake’ buildings and ‘post earthquake’ buildings now blend together in perfect harmony. As a result Lisbon is often referred to by travellers as ‘one of the most beautiful cities on earth’.

From the many hills that comprise the city there are many excellent spots that command fabulous views and these are known as ‘Miradouros’. One summit in particular is the ‘Miradouro de Sao Pedro de Alcantara’, which can be reached by funicular railway, which is known as Elevador de Gloria. The ‘Elevador de Santa Justa’, likewise, is an impressive cast iron building that houses a lift that links one from one area of Lisbon to another.

Lisbon’s magnificent castle ‘Castelo de Sao Jorge’ (St. George’s Castle) is another ‘must-see’ edifice. Perched high on one of the city’s hills, its ramparts surround a picturesque park that’s inhabited by numerous bird-life species such as peacocks, pheasants, pelicans, and even ravens – the latter allegedly being Lisbon’s chosen symbols. Furthermore, due to its elevated location, the castle also offers unsurpassable panoramic views of the city.

Restaurants of every kind abound in all corners of Lisbon, with seafood dishes such as fish and shellfish being firm favourites. And there is no better way to end a day of enjoyable sightseeing than to sit in a comfortable restaurant, imbibing local wine and indulging in the exotic fare that is always on offer………

Roberta Crookes has worked as a newspaper journalist throughout most of her life, writing news stories, editorial features, advertisement supplements, and reviews. And in the course of her work she has interviewed many famous people from all walks of life. She has also managed to combine parallel careers in both journalism and acting, and, being Welsh speaking from North Wales, her main television featured parts have been Welsh language roles with BBC Wales.