Urban Caddie
The picturesque city of Lisbon is widely considered one of Europe's best destinations
The Heart Of The Country
LISBON REGION
LISBON GOLF
Golf Courses on the Lisbon Coast
Portugal is famous for its golf courses, and there are twelve highly rated examples in the Lisbon area. Many of the best ones are between Estoril and Sintra, and many of the better local hotels (likeLawrence's Hotel, Sintra) can organize golfing packages on request.
Larger hotels and the golf courses themselves can supply golf passes, at around €200 for five rounds. This works out cheaper than paying for individual rounds, which start at around €50, though if you play during the week or late afternoon prices are often reduced.
Late October or early November welcomes golfers to Estoril's major courses for its International Golf Week. Perhaps the most famous course is at the upmarket Penha Longa Golf Club in a former monastic estate, designed by Robert Trent Jones and that has hosted the Portuguese Open.
LISBON REGION
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Lisbon, the capital of Portugal also has to be its star player. It has all the things a big city can offer, it is steeped in history, being the oldest city in western Europe, but is also super modern and cosmopolitan. It has a certain old-style charm mixed with contemporary features, such as the old tram system bustling ravers to far-out electronic music clubs, which seem to be everywhere and go on all night. Since it is on the west coast of Portugal, pretty much in the middle, there are some great waves cutting along the coast and into the small bay that protects it from the elements. This is a pretty rare feature for a city of its size. This city is so charming and friendly that it attracts so many different types of traveller, there is something for everyone. From the museum and culture fan, to the surfer and sailing lot, to the all-out partiers looking for a big weekend away. Lisbon has a great transport system too, so it is really simple to get around and sample its many delights. With nearby Estoril and Cascais, beach bums will be excited to get on some of the nicest beaches in Europe.
Top 10 Lisbon Museums
1. Calouste Gulbenkian Museum - Treasures from the East and the West.
2. Berardo Museum - World-class collection of modern art
3. Ancient Art Museum - Fascinating Oriental and European art.
4. Design Museum - One of the world's leading design collections.
5. The Tile Museum - An ancient art form in a lavish old convent.
6. Orient Museum - Lisbon in Asia. Asia in Lisbon.
7. Coaches Museum - The world's largest collection of magnificent royal coaches.
8. Maritime Museum - The story of Portugal's pioneering role in world exploration.
9. Chiado Museum - Portuguese contemporary art.
10. Medeiros e Almeida Museum - Outstanding private collection of fine arts.
MORE:
Modern Art Center - Collection of 20th century Portuguese and British art
Archaeology Museum - Archaeological finds from over the centuries.
The City Museum - The story of Lisbon's long history.
Decorative Arts Museum - A captivating decorative arts collection.
Anastácio Gonçalves Museum - A phenomenal personal decorative arts collection.
Arpad Szenes - Vieira da Silva Museum - The gallery of two great 20th-century artists.
Interactive Science Museum - Scientific exhibits with cutting-edge technology.
Carmo Church's Archeological Museum - Fascinating archaeological finds.
São Roque Church's Sacred Art Museum - Ecclesiastical treasures.
The Aqueduct and Mãe de Agua Water Museum - An indestructible feat of engineering.
Saint Anthony Church and Museum - Saint Anthony's life story in his birthplace.
Fado Museum - The story of the national music.
Military Museum - A testament to the country's battles.
The Roman Theater and Museum - Archaeological finds of an ancient Roman theater.
Marionette Museum - Lovely collection of puppets from around the world.
NEIGHBORHOODS
-Baixa (Downtown)
-Bairro Alto & Chiado
-Belem
-Alfama
-Parque das Nações
-Uptown
CASTLES & FORTRESSES
-Saint George's Castle
-Belem Tower
PALACES
-Ajuda Palace
-Fronteira Palace
-Belem Palace
-São Bento Palace
MUSEUMS
SEE ALL LISBON MUSEUMS»
HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE
-Discoveries Monument
-Santa Justa Elevator
-Rossio Station
-Casa dos Bicos
-25th of April Bridge
-Monument to Christ
-São Carlos Theater
-The Aqueduct
-Campo Pequeno
-Roman Theater Ruins
MODERN ARCHITECTURE
-Vasco da Gama Bridge
-Vasco da Gama Tower
-Oriente Station
-Portugal Pavilion
-Atlantic Pavilion
-Belem Cultural Center
-Lisbon Casino
-Oceanarium
MAIN STREETS & SQUARES
-Comercio Square
-Rossio Square
-Rua Augusta
-Municipal Square
-Camões Square
-Figueira Square
-Rua Portas Santo Antão
-Restauradores Square
-Avenida da Liberdade
-Marquês de Pombal Square
CHURCHES
-Jeronimos Monastery
-Carmo Convent
-São Roque Church
-Estrela Basilica
-The Cathedral
-São Vicente de Fora Monastery
-National Pantheon
-Saint Anthony Church
-Graça Church
-Conceição Velha Church
-São Domingos Church
-Memoria Church
PARKS & GARDENS
-Edward VII Park
-Tropical Garden
-Miradouro São Pedro Alcântara
-Miradouro de Santa Catarina
-Botanical Garden
-Estrela Gardens
-Ajuda Botanical Garden
-Principe Real
-Santa Luzia
-Portas do Sol
-Docas
Best viewpoints of Lisbon
- Senhora do Monte,
- Lady of Grace
- Sao Jorge's Castle
- Santa Luzia, Portas do Sol
- St. Peter of Alcantra
- Santa Justa Elevator
- Arc of Augusta Street
- Santa Catarina
- Eduardo VII Park
- Largo Academy of Fine Arts
- Collection
- Discoveries
- King Christ
- Tejo
- St. Stephen
- Carmo Terraces
- Grace Around the Garden
- Monte Agudo
- Wide Needs
- Chão do Loureiro
- Rochado Conde Obidos
- Calçada do Duque
- Help Botanical Garden
- Belém Tower
- Monastery of São Vicente de Fora
- National Pantheon, Santo Amaro
- Amphitheater Keil do Amaral
- Estrela Basilica
Local Information
Notable landmark: Ponte Vasco de Gama, named after the famous Portuguese explorer, is the longest bridge in Europe at a total of 17.2 km long. It traverses the Tagus river.
Nearest beaches/spots
Estoril (20 mins), Cascais (30 mins), and Guincho (40 mins)
Surf skills: Great for surfing in winter, and great for kitesurfing in summer. This part of the world is a classic wave zone.
Region is famous for
Lisbon is strangely famous for its street art, with some of the world’s best plying their trade here. Check out the Saldanha area for some massive scale art.
Food & Drinks
The most famous food here has to be the pastries, but the humble tinned sardine has become a fashionable tapas treat. For drink, try the Ginjinha (cherry liquor) for a delicious but strong sipping tipple.
Most popular Beer: Sagres, but check out the Museu da Cerveja (beer museum) for more inspiration.
Local restaurants & bars: Everything from traditional Portuguese, to French, Italian, Thai, everything you would expect from a major city.
Nightlife
Bars & Pubs : A Paródia, Matiz Pombalina Bar, Cinco Lounge, A Ginjinha
Restaurants : BA Wine Bar do Bairro Alto, Belcanto
Night Clubs : Bairrazza Bairro Alto, Clube do Fado
Geek fact
Lisbon’s Santa Engrácia church has the longest construction time of all churches – it started in the 17th century and only in 1966 was the last dome completed.
‘THERE IS NO DESTINATION AS ROMANTIC AS SINTRA, THE FAIRYTALE TOWN SET IN THE VERDANT HILLS JUST WEST OF LISBON’
Other flavors of Portugal