Lisbon (Lisboa in Portuguese) is an enchanting travel destination. The city is built on seven hills that rise from the north bank of the Tagus (Tejo) River. Its coastal suburbs overlook the sparkling sea. Lisbon is a city of contrasts. Though delightfully informal, it is the political, economic and cultural center of Portugal and has a population in city and suburbs of over two million.
Lisbon boasts one of the finest subway, bus and train systems anywhere, yet the local favorite is the Electrico. This is a system of antique trolley cars built in the style of days gone by. The cars are beautifully lined with wood panels, insulating them from the intense summer heat. One of the most popular trolley lines is number 28 which goes across the entire city, a trip that necessitates rolling around steep turns and up and down hills in roller coaster fashion. Though Electrico operates consistently at a loss, city residents wouldn't hear of discontinuing it!
Sightseeing, surfing, sunbathing, golf, soccer matches, shopping, open air concerts and fado folk music are all part of the charm and vitality of this spirited city. The capital provides ample opportunity for seeing popular celebrations, for shopping, and for enjoying the nightlife along the river banks. Not far from the city lies the town of Sintra.. There, a horse-drawn carriage ride through streets lined with majestic trees and lush vegetation passes by ancient mansions on the way to the Palácio da Pena at the top of the hill. Its fabulous romantic architecture keeps vivid the atmosphere of a truly royal residence.
Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since 1255. It is located on the Atlantic coast in the southwest part of the country. The Tagus River runs through the valley below the hills on which Lisbon is situated. The source of the river lies in Spain, but most of its journey to the sea occurs inside Portugal where it meets the Atlantic ocean. As it approaches Lisbon, the river bed widens to create a green and fertile plain.
The whole green river valley is like a stage setting upon which the deeply-rooted cultural traditions of the people continue to be presented day by day. There is popular music and dance, and horsemen in traditional costume can still be seen rounding up their cattle in rural pastures.
High on a hill is the fortress around which the city originally sprang up, and which is now circled by neighborhoods whose architecture is reminiscent of medieval days. The facades of the houses are adorned with the ornate ceramic tiles that are a still a trademark of area craftsmen.
Dotting the hills can be found the ancient monasteries and convents of the religious orders which stand as witnesses to Portugal's rich historical and cultural traditions. These are lands that were won back from the Moors by the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, and the memory of that era lives on in the ancient castles that loom above Leiria, Tomar, Óbidos or Santarém.
The Atlantic coast, which stretches to the north and west of Lisbon, is of graceful beauty with the landscape swiftly changing from high, sweeping cliffs to beaches of white sand, backed by lagoons.
There is a saying in Portugal "those who haven't seen Lisbon don't know what beauty is!"
Lisbon
