About Lisbon

Lisbon is known as the White City, thanks to its unusual luminosity. The light, the atmosphere and the climate offer marvellous walks all over the city. Lisbon's beauty extends beyond its many impressive monuments, to include a vibrant atmosphere and wealth of cultural and entertainment opportunities.

With a thousand years of history, Lisbon is full of monuments of great importance that reflect some of the key moments in Portugal's history. Situated mostly in the centre of Lisbon, the historical neighbourhoods are essential destinations for visitors to the Portuguese capital. They call to be explored for their culture, their history, their architecture, their people or simply for a relaxed stroll.

The Bairro Alto is one of the most characteristic and attractive neighbourhoods in the city. Typical and popular, the Bairro Alto has a traditional style, modern shops and many bars. Its grid of streets is quiet during the day, but is transformed at night into the city's vibrant nightlife quarter. Behind colourful and graffiti-ridden façades is a variety of excellent traditional and international restaurants, a multitude of sleek bars and stylish alternative fashion shops that stay open until late at night.

Lisbon's most monumental and historical area is Belem. Right on the river bank, the Belem Tower (Torre de Belém) was built in 1515 as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisbon's harbour. Today, the Tower is a monument to Portugal's Age of Discovery, UNESCO has it listed as a World Heritage monument and it serves as the symbol of the EWMA 2008 Conference. The exterior of the tower is covered with abundant decoration, its facades showing Arabic and Venetian influences on the balconies and verandas, contrasting with the interior, which is a lot more austere in its decoration.

Walking around Lisbon, you will also discover one of the most original elements of the city: the "calçada portuguesa" - the traditional black and white stone mosaic pavements. To really appreciate Lisbon, you have to look at the ground; some of the pavements are veritable works of art.

When talking of cultural expressions, it is impossible to avoid Fado, the traditional form of song famous in the cities of Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra, which expresses longing and melancholy. In Lisbon, there are numerous Fado houses, mainly in the popular neighbourhoods of Bairro Alto and Alfama. From the most formal, where the emotional force of this unique form of music generates emotional appreciation among the public, to the most informal, where everybody sings spontaneously.

At the Nation's Park (Parque das Nações) located in the eastern part of Lisbon, you will find an extensive cultural, entertainment, residential and corporate complex, which has become a key example of integrated modern life. Besides the gardens alongside the river, you will find unique facilities, such as the Atlantic Pavillion (Pavilhão Atlântico), where many concerts and major international sports events are held. The Oceanarium (Oceanário de Lisboa) is also not to be missed; dazzling young and old alike with the diversity of its fauna. Finally, it is a fantastic experience to take a ride on the cable car, which offers wonderful views of the city and landscape along its one kilometre circuit.