Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, has become an increasingly popular place to visit in recent years, with a warm Mediterranean climate in spite of its place facing the Atlantic Ocean. Full of bleached white limestone buildings and intimate alleyways, Lisbon's mix of traditional architecture and contemporary culture makes it the perfect place for a family holiday.

It is one of Europe's most soulful, captivating and picturesque capitals, built on a series of hills with scenic vistas from every angle.

Lisbon is the city of the oceans. It is the only European capital with sunsets on the sea so close to sandy beaches, and has one of the world's largest state-of-the-art aquariums.

It’s a lively but serene and melancholic place with an insatiable appetite for long dinners, coffee breaks and nightlife.

Attractions

Oceanario de Lisboa: With over one million visitors per year, the Oceanário welcomes the largest number of patrons anywhere in the country. While walking through impressive and unforgettable exhibits, visitors are encouraged to learn fascinating things about the oceans and, more importantly, how to make decisions in their daily lives that actively promote the conservation of nature.

Alfama: Alfama is Lisbon's most emblematic quarter and one of the most rewarding for walkers and photographers thanks to its medieval alleys and outstanding views.  Because its foundation is dense bedrock, it survived the 1755 earthquake, and a walk through this old-fashioned residential neighbourhood is now a step back in time. It is a village within a city still made up of narrow streets, tiny squares, churches, and whitewashed houses with tile panels and wrought-iron balconies adorned with pots of flowers, drying laundry, and caged birds.

Lisbon Zoo: At Lisbon Zoo, you will travel around the world without leaving Lisbon. Go to California and kiss a sea lion, pass through Cuba and feel the skin of a snake, and be sure to go sailing in the ocean to watch the dolphins. In the African route, meet the gorillas and chimpanzees. Visit the elephants and the giraffes in the savannah. Watch the pelicans feeding between Africa and Asia. Hide in the forest to observe the okapis and explore Madagascar to find lemurs. Back to Portugal, visit the Children's Farm and learn all about domestic animals.

Stadium tour: Estádio da Luz, officially named Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, was built to provide Benfica with a new and modern home, and to serve as the playing venue for the Euro 2004 final. Estádio da Luz got built in place of the old Estádio da Luz. Construction works started in 2002, and in March 2003 Benfica played their last game at the partly demolished old stadium. The new stadium opened on the 25th of October 2003 with a match between Benfica and Uruguayan side Club Nacional.

Weather

When you are talking about weather, Lisbon has some of the mildest compared to any other European capital city. Despite being located on the Atlantic Ocean, the climate is similar to that of Mediterranean coastlines. Summer temperatures are warm and sometimes hot, while winters are mild and damp. Lisbon sees a lot of sunshine (over 3300 hrs per year) and about 100 days of rain a year.

For up to date weather in Lisbon visit our partner site World Weather Online.

Culture

The city of Lisbon is rich in architecture; Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Modern and Postmodern constructions can be found all over Lisbon. The city is also crossed by historical boulevards and monuments along the main thoroughfares, particularly in the upper districts.

Ideal for…?

If you are a person that loves their cultural places, then Lisbon is ideal for you. With many historical places to visit, you will never be unsure of where to visit next.

Also, families could really benefit from the cultural side of Lisbon. It’s a once of a lifetime trip to see one of the biggest aquariums in the world with the biggest selection of fish.