Lisbon Holiday

Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, has a style and laidback charm that is all its own. The city is picturesque and full of beautiful buildings, with wide tree-lined streets and a delightful medieval quarter.

Brimming with history, Lisbon has played a major role in the history of world exploration. Positioned on seven low hills beside the pretty river Tagus and on the ocean, it is the largest city in Portugal, with a total population of around 2,665,000. Lisbon is lively and cosmopolitan, but also retains the feel of a much smaller city, despite its size.

The area where modern Lisbon stands has been inhabited since the Neolithic era and ancient dolmens and menhirs can still be seen in the surrounding countryside. Portugal has been held by Celts, Iberians and the Moors and was an important trading post for the Phoenicians, Ancient Greeks and Romans, this makes it a fascinating holiday destination.

In the 16th century, the Portuguese Empire stretched around the world as its fleet travelled to the Americas and Africa. Following a republican coup in 1910, the country was isolated until the Carnation Revolution on April 25th 1974. The city has since raised its profile as the 1994 European Capital of Culture, the site of Expo '98 and the host of the 2004 European Football Championship.

Lisbon is a collection of districts, each with its own style and identity. Belem is home to the Castelo de Sao Jorge, a reminder of Lisbon's auspicious past, which offers stunning views from its ramparts. The nearby Monastery of Jeronimos and its unique Tower of Belem has been designated a Unesco World Heritage site, while the unimposing 16th-century Jesuit church, Igreja de Sao Roque, houses some impressive art and traditional Florentine tiles.

The Fundacao Calouste Gulbenkian has a staggering collection of ancient and modern art and is worthy of a lengthy visit. The National Museum of Ancient Art, housed in a 17th-century palace, also has a magnificent collection and the Museu de Arte Popular exhibits folk art from across Portugal.

The medieval quarter of Alfama, in the shadow of the castle, is a joy to wander round, with its narrow streets and ramshackle houses. The stunning harbour and the city's principal gardens, the Parque Eduardo VII provide relaxed outdoor locations to watch the city go by. A visit to Lisbon should also involve a ride on the city's distinctive wooden trams, with Tram 28 providing one of the best routes through the key sights and districts.

Food in Lisbon is plentiful and there are some excellent seafood restaurants to choose from. The city also has some exquisite pastries in its many Art Nouveau cafes. Portuguese wine is particularly good and has a growing presence on the world stage.

Nightlife in Lisbon is stylish and vibrant, with a number of great clubs and some charming bars. Those looking to party hard during their visit should head for the lively Bairro Alto district, which has the city's greatest concentration of bars, clubs and restaurants. Some venues put on local fado performances; sentimental, mournful romantic songs similar to flamenco.

Along the coast near Lisbon there are a number of excellent Portuguese beach resorts, making it easy to combine both a city and seaside break.

Flights to Lisbon are becoming increasingly cheap and many European travellers are discovering it as a city break destination. Accomodation is plentiful and very reasonable, with some delightful pensions in some of the older buildings, though the summer months tend to be more expensive and much busier.