Standing on the Almada river side and overlooking the whole stretch of a bustling city with its arm wide open, the Cristo Rei monument greets every visitors to a landmark that is definitely a must-stop in Europe. Welcome to Lisbon!
Tauted as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, there is no denying the charm of Lisbon, or Lisboa as the Portuguese would call it, when it comes to attracting flocks of tourists to Portugal, where the city is the reigning capital, the queen city of art and culture, as well as the princess of cosmopolitan Europe.
Lisbon’s 84.8 square kilometers of city area alone makes for a grand vacation destination in Portugal, combining awe-inspiring legacies as well as mesmerizing human feats of the modern world. Lisbon is a showcase of architectural wonders where major architectural periods are represented by an array of structures featuring Romanesque, Baroque, Gothic, and Modern styles.
Meantime, modern avenues, like the Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo, Avenida da Liberdade (Liberty Avenue) and Avenida da República (Republic Avenue) are intersected with centuries-old streets that have survived the test of time, such as those found in Alfama, the city’s oldest part. Nostalgic tripping in Lisbon begins here, with old trams, old alleys and the Castelo de S. Jorge, a historical structure dating back to 1143.
At night, visitors can troop to Barrio Alto, known for its exciting nightlife with rows and rows of bars, restaurants and clubs. During the day, downtown area is busy with shopping and retail activities. Liberty Avenue in the Baixa is dotted by expensive haute couture shops like Louis Vuitton, Armani and Trussardi.
Another city attraction is the area of Belem, which boasts of historical monuments and landmarks, such as the Torre de Belem, the taking off point for many 14th- and 15th-century Portuguese exhibitions, the Museu Berardo in the Centro Cultural de Belem, where great masters like Picasso, Warhol, Pollock and Dali display their masterpieces.
Visitors can roam around Lisbon with help from the Underground Network, the speed rail stations which are also a venue in showcasing artworks like paintings and sculpture by emerging Lisbon artists.