Lisboa en Tranvía

Si quiere conocer todos los rincones y las callejuelas de Lisboa, sin cansarse subiendo y bajando las siete colinas de la ciudad, acepte nuestra sugerencia: coja el tranvía 28, que le llevara por los locales más interesantes de patrimonio histórico de Lisboa.Saliendo de Martim Moniz, el 28 se dirige al barrio de Graça, en dirección a la Iglesia de “San Vicente de Fuera”, que merece una visita por su imponencia y por sus azulejos. Detrás de la iglesia, esta el Campo de Santa Clara, donde los martes y los sábados hay un mercadillo “Feira da Ladra”, en el que todo se compra y se vende.El tranvía continúa por Alfama, pasando por algunas de las calles y las placetas más pitorescas de las zonas medievales de Lisboa, como la Rua das Escolas Gerais, el Largo das Portas do Sol, bonito mirador sobre el río y más arriba, el Castillo de San Jorge. Bajando en dirección a la Baixa, el 28 pasa por la Catedral de Lisboa, de austera fachada románica y por la Iglesia de San Antonio, el santo predilecto de la ciudad.

En el descenso por la transitada Rua da Conceição, merece la pena bajarse en plena Baixa Pombalina, proyectada por el Marquês de Pombal tras el terremoto de 1755. El tranvía subirá por la elegante colina de Chiado, parando casi en la puerta de la conocida pastelería “A Brasileira”, en el Largo de Chiado, donde la estatua del poeta Fernando Pessoa espera su compañía. En todo el recorrido merece la pena prestar atención a la arquitectura de los edificios, a los azulejos que forran las fachadas y en los frisos Arte Nuevo, junto a los tejados. Camino de Estrela, no se pierda el edificio de la Asamblea de la República, antiguo convento de San Benedicto, en el alto de la gran escalinata.¿Entiende ahora por que este tranvía es conocido como el tranvía de los turistas?

Saber más en: Visit Lisboa

Things to see and do with kids in Lisbon

Lisbon has many things for kids on holiday to see and do, ranging from museums and planetariums to zoos and aquariums. There are also great shopping centres and amusement parks for families to enjoy while on holiday in Lisbon. Another plus is that the weather in Portugal is warm most of the year, and the local culture is family-oriented so the people are welcoming to kids.

Parque das Nacoes

Lisbon's exhibition park was upgraded and renamed for the Expo '98 world exposition, which revitalised the city and brought international tourists and interest flooding in. The site is now worthy of a full day's sightseeing, featuring several attractions, not least of which is the Lisbon Oceanarium with its 15,000 living examples of marine life. The main tank holds enough water to fill four Olympic-sized swimming pools, and is viewed from two floors through curved glass panels that provide a 180-degree view. Another popular diversion is the Virtual Reality Pavilion, which showcases the Portuguese age of discovery. Other attractions include a science centre, cable car, the Vasco da Gama Tower and numerous bars and restaurants offering Portuguese cuisine.
Address: Avenue D. João II, Lote E-mail: info@parquedasnacoes.pt Website: http://www.parquedasnacoes.pt/ Telephone: 218 919 333 Transport: Buses, trains and the metro go to Oriente Station Opening Time: Oceanarium: daily 10am to 8pm (until 7pm in winter)

Oceanario de Lisboa (Lisbon Oceanarium)

Marketed as the second best aquarium in the world, the world-class Lisbon Oceanarium is the most impressive achievement of EXPO '98, which used to be an abandoned waterfront. The centrepiece of the stone and glass building is the 1.3-million gallon (5-million litre) holding tank and the Oceanarium consists of four distinct ecosystems that replicate the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Antarctic oceans, each featuring the aboveground birds, amphibians, and reptiles associated with those waters. Otters splash and dive in the warmer Pacific waters, while penguins shuffle around in their tuxedos in the Antarctic section. This attraction is one that the Portuguese nation is proud of and is an absolute must-see for the whole family.
Address: Esplanada d. Carlos I. Website: http://www.oceanario.pt/ Telephone: 21 891 7002 Opening time: Daily, 10am to 8pm (summer) and 10am to 7pm (winter) Admission: €12 (adults) and €6 (children under 12). Concessions available.

Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum

With such maritime icons as Vasco de Gama and Bartolomeu Dias, its no wonder that Portugal's Maritime Museum is one of the best in Europe, evoking a sense of what it was like when the victorious Portuguese dominated the high seas. Visitors can marvel at the hundreds of models of 15th- to 19th-century sailing ships, merchant marine vessels, fishing boats and pleasure boats as well as a full range of Portuguese naval uniforms, including one worn at a Mozambique military outpost in 1896.
Address: Praça do ImpérioTelephone: 21 362 0019 Opening time: 10am to 5pm (October to April) and 10am to 6pm (May to September); closed Mondays. Admission: €4 (adult) and €2 (6 - 18 years), free for children under 6. Concessions available.

Colombo Amusement Park

Kids will love the indoor amusement park at the Colombo Shopping Centre, happily entertained by taking rides on the roller coaster, playing video games, going bowling and racing go-carts. The centre also boasts a vast selection of cinemas, restaurants and shops for families to enjoy together.
Address: Centro Colombo, Lusíada Avenue.

Website: http://www.colombo.pt/Telephone: 217 11 36 36

Vasco da Gama Aquarium

The Vasco da Gama Aquarium is a great attraction for children in Lisbon. This aquarium is home to cute little seals with ears (otariids), which all kids will love to see. As well as its wonderful collection of live fish and sea life, there are also preserved water birds, fish and mammals from King Carlos' oceanographic expeditions on display.
Address: Rua Direita do Dafundo Website: aquariovgama.marinha.pt Telephone: 214 196 337Opening time: Daily 10am to 6pmAdmission: €3 (adult), €1.50 (6-17), free for children under 6

Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium

Older kids are enthralled by a visit to the Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium. Here they are invited to explore the universe and its bounty of astronomical wonders. The planetarium hosts astronomical shows daily, offering an entertaining and educational experience for young minds.
Address: Praça do Império, BelémTelephone: 213 620 002 Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pmAdmission: €4 (adults), €2 (10-18s), free for children 6-9. Children under 6 only admitted on Sunday mornings.

To know more about kids visiting Lisbon

Lisbon´s Carnival

The Rio Carnival may be the most famous in the world but it all started here in Portugal's capital. Even though today the Brazilian infused mega-carnival on the other side receives most of the international attention, the Lisbon Carnival, a celebration of the end of winter, is still a major event on the city's calendar.

The entrudo is the highlight of the festival, closing on the last day, and processions of floats make their way down the colourful streets while jugglers and masked celebrators join in the cacophony of music and cheering. The focal point of the festival is in Parque Nações but parties are celebrated all along the coast.

Venue: Parque Nações
Date: 12 to 13 February 2011



To know more about: Carnival

TERRACE & TRADTIONAL CAFES

City ViewsIn Lisboa, the fresh air, the beauty of the landscape, temperate climate and local friendliness come together in harmony. Scattered all over town, there are many esplanades where one can talk, study, make out or simply do nothing. Come and discover these peaceful meeting points.

Baixa's TraditionTo better view the river, why not descend the hill to the Baixa. There one finds many typical Lisboa esplanades, the muse of many intellectuals. The nest of poets, writers, singers and other artists, in the Baixa one feels the weight of tradition.

ModernityThe climb may be strenuous, but when one reaches the end of the Rua do Carmo, the sight will be well worthwhile. Here you will see the new Chiado, built after the fire that destroyed this part of town in the eighties. With Siza Vieira as the man in charge, it has been reborn in the best possible taste.

The Tejo mirrorNight and day…always by the Tejo river. Here one finds some of the finest esplanades of Lisboa. We start with Spazio Evazione, next to the Museu da Electricidade (Electricity Museum), which is open from midday to one in the morning. It is three metres away from the river, and houses a restaurant and newspaper stand. There are many tables of different colours, sun umbrellas, fresh drinks and cool ice-creams.

To know more about: Visit Lisbon

Lisboa is the ideal destination to celebrate with your loved one the most romantic day of the year

Tips for an unfortable Valentine´s day in Lisbon

Lisboa is the ideal destination to celebrate with your loved one the most romantic day of the year: Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14. The nooks and alleys of the Portuguese capital's historic neighborhoods, the riverfront and hilltop belvederes offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city and river are just some of the perfect settings to date, whilst strolling around Lisboa.To make the most of this trip for two, you can choose, for example, a limousine ride by contacting Jetlimo (tel. 218 459 370, mail@jetlimo.pt), which offers car rentals with driver.Another suggestion is to use the Shuttle Voucher, a prepaid shuttle service offering luxury cars driven by professional drivers with tourism training. Available at Lisboa tourist offices, the Shuttle Voucher is valid from 7:00 am to 24:00, seven days a week.

Another option is a boat ride along the river with the city as its backdrop. "Lisboa Vista do Tejo" (tel. 213 913 030; http://www.lvt.pt/ ) offers a cruise-tour from Belem Tower to Terreiro do Paço, Tuesday to Sunday, with departures from the Cais da Princesa at 1:30pm and 4pm and riverside port at Cais do Sodre at 11:30am and 2:45pm. The company also offers a more sophisticated program, which includes a cruise, dinner and live music. This cruise departs every week from Alcantara Dock (loading and unloading zone), for a cruise from Belém Tower to Nations' Park.Similarly Transtejo (tel. 218 824 671 / 75) operates daily tours upriver to Nations' Park, returning to Belem Tower. Departures from riverside port at Terreiro do Paço at 3pm, and Cais do Sodre riverside port at 4:30pm.If you are looking for a more personalized cruise, Marlin Boat Tours (tel. 919 275 509) offers a wide range of tours: dinner on a sailing boat and sail along the river among other daily events, with prior booking.

A unique sailing experience on a large saling boat is offered by "Leão Holandês" (tel. 917 862 663 / 917 862 673; gesink@netc.pt ) with its exclusive cruises on the Tagus around Lisboa or even as far as Cascais.For magical tours around the Lisbon Coast, Cascais and Sesimbra try Veltagus (tel. 212 439 081; info@veltagus.com ) aboard its sailing boat Prince Perfeito. However, if you really wish to take your soulmate on a trip to the heavens, you can literally do so by flying over the Lisboa region aboard a light aircraft with Nimbus Air (tel. 214 446 117; mailto:general@airnimbus.en), located at Cascais Municipal Aerodrome.

To know more: Visit Lisbon