Lisbon, Portugal
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
The factual bit:
Lisbon, Portugals capital city has it's earliest proven history dating back to the 3rd century. Located by the sea the city developed as a port with excellent defences. In 1755 the down was destroyed by an earthquake, after the earthquake the king issued instructions to "Close the port, bury the dead, feed the hungry and rebuild the city". As a result Lisbon was rebuilt in a planned manner and is Europe's earliest example of Neo-classical planning Since 1st January the currency used is the Euro. The Language is Portugese. Lisbon has an excellent public transport system.
The interesting bit:
Lisbon is a beautiful city. The people are very laid back. The cost of living is very low and the city's fish restaurants are excellent. Lisbon's Expo 98 park is home to europes largest aquarium. The hills around lisbon have fernicular trams so that you don't need to walk up the hills and the nightlife is fantastic. The city is a fantastic place to take a partner for a weekend being inexpensive, beautiful, lively and in the same timezone as the UK. English is a common second language and if you go out to a cafe, bar or restaurant definately try the Green Wine (a delicious wine that the portugese, quite writly think is fantastic) and of course a bottle or two of Port.
Accomodation:
There are many types of accommodation pensions are some of the cheapest try to get a place near the Avenue de Liberte as this is good and central. Best to try and book somewhere before arriving if you get in late as some of the pensions can be a bit dodgy. If interrailing in the summer a number of people sleep in the station which is located near the water, the floors are hard and you take your chances but not too bad if you arrive on a very early train. The Tivoli Jardim Hotel is a good yet inexpensive four star.
Enjoy.
Lisbon, Portugals capital city has it's earliest proven history dating back to the 3rd century. Located by the sea the city developed as a port with excellent defences. In 1755 the down was destroyed by an earthquake, after the earthquake the king issued instructions to "Close the port, bury the dead, feed the hungry and rebuild the city". As a result Lisbon was rebuilt in a planned manner and is Europe's earliest example of Neo-classical planning Since 1st January the currency used is the Euro. The Language is Portugese. Lisbon has an excellent public transport system.
The interesting bit:
Lisbon is a beautiful city. The people are very laid back. The cost of living is very low and the city's fish restaurants are excellent. Lisbon's Expo 98 park is home to europes largest aquarium. The hills around lisbon have fernicular trams so that you don't need to walk up the hills and the nightlife is fantastic. The city is a fantastic place to take a partner for a weekend being inexpensive, beautiful, lively and in the same timezone as the UK. English is a common second language and if you go out to a cafe, bar or restaurant definately try the Green Wine (a delicious wine that the portugese, quite writly think is fantastic) and of course a bottle or two of Port.
Accomodation:
There are many types of accommodation pensions are some of the cheapest try to get a place near the Avenue de Liberte as this is good and central. Best to try and book somewhere before arriving if you get in late as some of the pensions can be a bit dodgy. If interrailing in the summer a number of people sleep in the station which is located near the water, the floors are hard and you take your chances but not too bad if you arrive on a very early train. The Tivoli Jardim Hotel is a good yet inexpensive four star.
Enjoy.
