Lisbon Introduction

City Introduction

(Image source: Turismo de Lisboa)

With its rich aromas and flavours, Lisbon has a gastronomic tradition quite unlike any other. Mouth-watering fish and fresh seafood, but also plenty of meat dishes and unique savoury snacks, await you at your table. There is always a wine – another key facet of Lisbon's identity – that is just right to accompany each traditional dish, either made from the original recipe or reinvented by a new generation of chefs who have transformed them into gourmet delights.

Intense, surprising, famous for its hospitality, Lisbon also has much to offer on the cultural front. It has a uniquely rich history, starting from the legend that the city was founded by the Greek hero Ulysses. The city is sprinkled with numerous reminders of the Roman occupation and, in the 15th century, it was from here that the caravels set sail on their voyages of discovery. You can find traces of antiquity all over the city. It would be hard to miss the innumerable monuments that bear witness to its history. Lisbon culture doesn't just live off the past, though. Contemporary art and design have a prominent place in the city's museums.

Night life in Lisbon is also something very special. In fact, when the sun goes down, the city takes on a new life. The streets fill in such famous neighbourhoods as the Bairro Alto, Bica or Cais do Sodré and there is such a wide variety of bars and discos that everyone will be able to find something to their taste.

Natural Environment

Lisbon is situated at the mouth of the Tagus River and is the westernmost capital of a mainland European country. The westernmost part of Lisbon is occupied by the Parque Florestal de Monsanto (English: Monsanto Forest Park), a 10 k㎡ urban park, one of the largest in Europe.

Climate

In Lisbon winters are mild and summers are hot, though moderated by its location near the sea. During spring and autumn there are usually sunny days with mild temperatures.