Lisbon enjoys one of the most dramatic settings of any European capital, clinging to a series of steep hillsides at the estuary of the River Tagus.
Perched above the old Moorish quarter of Alfama, characterised by twisting, cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, is the magnificent Castle of São Jorge. The Graça quarter and the churches of São Vicente de Fora and Santa Engrácia are within walking.
Lisbon Cathedral dates from the same period as the castle and was an important element in the fortifications. The downtown Baixa district was built on a grid formation following the devastating earthquake in 1755. Today, it is one of Lisbon's best areas for shopping (especially crafts - gold, silver and jewellery), sloping down towards the River Tagus. An antiquated elevator operates between Baixa and the aptly named Bairro Alto (Upper Town).
The city, with its typical tile covered building façades and narrow Medieval streets and where one can hear the fado being played and sung at night, is also a place for exquisite shopping, exciting nightlife, and numerous museums.
The exhibition grounds of 'Expo '98' are now the Park of Nations including the second largest Oceanarium in the world, a Virtual Reality Pavilion, and the 850m Vasco da Gama Tower. The fin-de-siècle glories of the Chiado quarter, traditional haunt of artists and writers, are now re-emerging after a fire in 1988 which destroyed large parts of the city. Also worth seeing is the 2.5km long suspension bridge over the River Tagus which is overlooked by a towering statue of Christ.
- Castle de Sao Jorge ~ Founded in the 12th century, its 10 towers crown the hill where the original colony was situated in Phoenician times.
- Bairro Alto (Upper Town) ~ Where Fado, the traditional folk music of Lisbon, originates.
- Park of Nations ~ Home to the second largest Oceanarium in the world, a Virtual Reality Pavilion, and the 850m Vasco da Gama Tower.
- Belem ~ riverside suburb where the ships of Vasco da Gama, Àlvares Cabral and other famous explorers were launched in the 15th and 16th centuries.
- Torre de Belém ~ Strikingly beautiful prison tower, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Feira Popular ~ Open air activity park, including fairground attractions, exhibitions, music, games stalls and dodgems.
- Museu da Cidade ~ Documents, prints and illustrations depicting the history of the city of Lisbon, from pre-history to the creation of the Portuguese republic in 1910.
- Museu dos Coches ~ Collection of 16th-19th century royal horse-drawn carriages, including the clothing and uniforms of the drivers, harnesses and hunting saddles. The only museum of its kind in Europe.
- Museu Taurino ~ Nearly 80,000 exhibits relating to the history of bullfighting in Portugal.
- Jardim Zoológico ~ This zoo has more than 370 species of animals from all over the world and is internationally recognized for its ability to rear animals in danger of extinction.
