Lisbon City Guide

Lisbon Overview

Lisbon is the city for fado, funiculars, feasting and frolicking.

Lisbon's position on seven low hills beside a river once lured traders and settlers, and it's still a stunning site. Add to that its cultural diversity, laid-back feel and architectural time warp, and you have one of the most enjoyable cities in Europe - and also one of the most economical.

At Lisbon's heart are wide, tree-lined avenues graced by Art Nouveau buildings, mosaic pavements and street cafes. Seen from the river - one of the city's many great viewpoints - Lisbon is an impressionist picture of low-rise ochre and pastel, punctuated by church towers and domes.

Lisbon Photo Gallery

Photographs of Lisbon

Palacio Nacional da Pena: built in fantastical 'Bavarian Portuguese' style

One step from city to beach, Praia da Coceicao

Revellers holding semblance of a giant toilet cleaner at 'Festas dos Santos Populares' (Lisbon Festival)

Lisbon Fast Facts

Facts about Lisbon

Currency in Lisbon

Changing Your Money in Lisbon

Though travellers cheques are easily exchanged, and at rates about 1% better than for cash, they are very poor value in Portugal because additional fees are so high. Banks charge around 12.5% per transaction of any size, and exchange bureaus around 5.00 EUR. Plastic is overall a more sensible alternative and there are Multibancos (ATMs) in all tourist centres of any size where you can withdraw cash from credit and debit accounts. Keeping a small cash stash in US dollars or pounds sterling is a very good idea.

Using a Telephone in Lisbon

Aside from a few assistance numbers, all domestic numbers have nine digits.

On a public phone, it's easiest to call from a card-operated phone (coin-operated telephones have an annoying habit of munching your money). You can also call from booths in Portugal Telecom offices and post offices - pay when your call is finished.

All but local calls are cheaper 21:00 to 09:00 weekdays, all weekend and on holidays.

Using a Mobile Phone in Lisbon

The GSM mobile phone service in Portugal is compatible with networks in Europe and Asia, but not North America or Japan.

Doing Business in Lisbon

Upon arrival at Lisbon Portela Airport, you can find basic facilities including internet, payphone and fax in The Icaro Lounge, Apolo Lounge and Ulisses Lounge, on level 2 of the Arrivals area. Conference and press facilities are also available by contacting Lisbon Airport Public Relations Service (tel: (0)21 841 3500) for further information. The major luxury hotels are very well equipped with business services and conference and meeting rooms.

Industry is concentrated south of the river Tejo, in greater Lisbon.

Media in Lisbon

Major Portuguese-language daily newspapers include Diário de Notícias, Público, and the gossip tabloid Correio da Manhã, which licks all the others for circulation. Portuguese radio and television are dominated by state-run channels, but there are a clutch of local stations.

Periodicals in Lisbon

Radio Stations in Lisbon

Books in Lisbon

Factoids

Dolphins Ahoy

Lisbon is one of the few capital cities that can boast bottle-nose dolphins in its nearby waters.

St Singles

Lisbon's favourite saint is St Anthony. Born a Lisboéta in 1195, Anthony went on to become a Franciscan and performed many miracles. Anthony is the patron saint of single women: girls pray to him for a good husband.