3-star Hotel / Parador

Lisboa is a city of legends and mysteries. The story has it that it began thousands of years ago when Homer's Ulysses arrived, winning the heart of a goddess, the sole inhabitant of a vast plain.On his departure, she pursued him in the form of a serpent. Unsuccessful, she died of a broken heart and turned into stone, her coils forming the seven hills which make up Lisboa as we know it today. The city has certainly been host to many civilizations from the Phoenicians on, all leaving their mark. It has suffered and miraculously survived devastating earthquakes and fires, revolutions and coups and a dictatorship.

One may wonder how it is still intact, but here it is in all its glory - a city of distinctive neighbourhoods from old town Baixa and Rossio to Moorish Alfama to elegant Chiado.

With vintage trams, quirky funiculars and street lifts, hilltop miradors with spectacular views, picturesque peaceful squares, grand avenues and plazas, Roman ruins, World Heritage Belem, ornate churches around almost every corner and outstanding museums and art galleries it is this intriguing medley which makes it so magical.

Sunny street cafes, tempting cake shops, dark and exciting Fado bars, bohemian hangouts, riverside clubs, waterfront restaurants and street parties going on till dawn, there is something for everyone.

And the culinary scene is buzzing too - top quality, fresh ingredients including the best fish in the world and exotic spices, in the hands of new-generation chefs producing tastes and flavours which will tickle anyone's palate! And the Portuguese wine ..well, like Vasco de Gama, you are on a journey of great discovery!
 

• Jump on the vintage tram 28 from Campo de Ourique or Martim Moniz for a fascinating journey to C11th Castelo de Sao Jorge. Perched high above Lisbon, explore its ramparts and take in the incredible views of the city and the Rio Tejo.
• Stroll down from Castelo de Sao Jorge through the atmospheric and picturesque, cobbled lanes of Alfama, Lisbon's oldest and most traditional quarter - with traces of the Romans and Moors and home to seafarers and to Fado! Visit the magnificent C12th Se (cathedral) the churches of Sao Antonio and Sao Vicente de Fora and the Museu do Fado.
• Visit the majestic seafront square, Praca do Comercio, once the main gateway to Lisbon and admire the elaborate Arco da Victoria, built to celebrate the reconstruction of the city following the earthquake in 175Get the full story and more at the Lisbon Story Centre here.
• Take the E15 tram from Praca do Comercio to Belem to the Unesco World Heritage stunning Manueline Mosteiro dos Jeronimos and the Torre de Belem. Sample Lisbon's famous custard tarts "pasteis de nata" and if time permits take in the Museu Coleccao Berado for contemporary art at its best and Museo Nacional dos Coches with Cinderella like coaches! Join a sunset cruise to admire the city sights.
• Wander round the elegant Chiado district with its old world cafes and trendy boutiques and designer shops blending in with the historical sights of Convento do Carmo and Igreja Sao Roque and their fantastic museums.Get a great view of Castelo Sao Jorge from here from the Mirador Pedro de Alcantara.
• Enjoy the buzz at one of the cafes on the Pracas de Dom Pedro 1V and Figueira in the Rossio district and don't miss the amazing neo-Manueline Rossio train station or Lisbon's oldest cake shop "Confeitaria Nacional".
• Take the vintage Elevador da Gloria, from Praca dos Restauradores up to party loving, bohemian Bairro Alto, quiet in the day, but oh so alive at night!
• Treat yourself to an evening of Fado at Sr. Vinho in the Lapa district, a club owned by Fado star, Maria da Fe. First rate performers. For a very special, but not expensive meal, dine first at nearby Clube de Journalistas.
• Escape the crowds at Lisbon's greenest and most peaceful squares - Praca do Principe, Praca das Flores, Praca da Alegria..
• Get your fix of art at the amazing museums Museu Calouste Gulbenkien, Centro de Arte Moderna and Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga.
• Go shopping in elegant Avenida da Liberdade or bustling Baixa. Take in the most popular and authentic flea market "Feira da Ladra" in Alfama. (Tuesdays and Saturdays).
• Feast your way around Lisbon from freshly grilled sardines at the numerous tascas and tavernas all over the city, to delectable seafood at one of the beer halls in Cacilhas across the river or famous Cervejaria Ramiro in town to atmospheric Cafe Buenos Aires in Chiado to Michelin star Belcanto.
• Catch the train from Rossio station to nearby fairy tale Sintra, a magical place with lush forests and turreted palaces, at one time a royal retreat.
• Bus or train it to Cascais, one time a fishing port, now a popular resort, but still with charm with small museums, pretty gardens and plenty of fish restaurants.