Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and also its largest city being located on it West coastal border. Lisbon airport is the only airline destination serving Portugal and as such is a hub of business and commerce. For the tourists visiting Lisbon there is a variety of days out, popular attractions, restaurants, pubs, clubs and shopping opportunities. Examples of the typical days out would include guided tours, zoos, museums, water parks and the traditional visit to the beaches to soak up the sun. Central Lisbon is a hub of activity with outstanding architectural beauty and shopping commerce surrounding this area. A rich, diverse cultural life exists in central Lisbon with a number of scenes including Punk, Gay, Metal, and Reggae to mention a few. In order to get the full value out of a trip to Lisbon it is definitely a case that having a car would make the trip more enjoyable. Car hire from Lisbon airport is possible and cheap through a number of well known European brands including: Europcar, Any Car Hire and Argus Car Hire.
Lisbon Airport information
The main airport is Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS), located 4 miles out of the city center. The airport is composed of two terminals and a free shuttle service runs between them. Inside the airport there are ATMs, Bureau de change and access to the Internet. Throughout the airport terminals there are a number of shops, including duty-free, and a selection of food outlets, including fast food joints, bars and restaurants. For lost property you need to go to the police office to ask for assistance. Disabled facilities include are elevators, ramps, toilets and adapted telephones. cheap car hire in Lisbon is possible from the airport.
Places to visit around Lisbon
Alfama is the oldest quarter in the city. It’s easy to lose yourself in the mass of alleyways which lead to picturesque squares and quaint bars and restaurants. The Castle of Sao Jorge is a Moorish building overlooking the city. You can visit the multimedia shows looking into Lisbon’s history or simply explore the intriguing towers and striking castle walls. The ramparts are a fantastic place to gain an impressive panorama of the city. Lisbon Cathedral can also be found in this area. Built in the middle of the 12th century, this church reflects an amalgamation of Roman, Gothic and Rococo styles.
West of the city is the region of Belém. This is the center of what was the ancient Portuguese Empire. Here you can visit the Centro Cultural Belém, admire the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos constructed in the 1500s, and climb up the magnificent Torre de Belém, built in the 16th century.
Lisbon has many museums. The Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga is popular for those interested in ancient art, whereas the Museu do Azuleju is full of tile mosaics. Parque das Nações is east of the city center and a great place to shop, attend concerts and wander along a selection of beautiful river walks. It’s also home to the Lisbon Oceanarium, which is one of the biggest on earth and contains a huge selection of sea-based species, ranging from marine organisms and fish to birds and mammals.
Parque Eduardo VII is perfect for a relaxing afternoon to enjoy the warm weather. Monsanto Forest Park is a huge expanse of forest and a superb example of the amount of fauna and flora present in the country. A fantastic way to gain a great view of the city is taking a ride up on a funicular or elevador. Alternatively, tram 28 is a popular method of admiring the city and takes you through the center and right up to the Castle of Sao Jorge. As the city is surrounded by seven hills, there are a number of great vantage points from which to gain a bird’s eye impression of Lisbon: from Miradouro Santa Luzia you can admire the River Tagus over the Alfama, from Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara you can see the Castelo de São Jorge over the Baixa and if you make it up Miradouro da Graça you can look out over the Castelo and the Mouraria. car hire in Lisbon is a sure way to explore all these excellent vantage points.
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