Lisbon hotels

Lisbon hotels

? Need Lisbon hotels

Luscious Lisbon

People always seem to forget about Portugal. Stuck on the side of Spain like some sort of geopolitical afterthought, it’s a bit like Canada is to the US, or New Zealand to Australia or Wales to England – the constant bridesmaid to its larger, better-known and internationally more popular neighbour.

But just as bridesmaids can provide the best fun at a wedding – and on a wedding night! – so Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, can show you what you’ve been missing by spending all your time on the other part of the Iberian Peninsula.

From the grandeur of Belem where monuments seemingly occur on every corner to the ancient narrow lanes of Baixa to the pumping dance scene in the hills of Bairro Alto, Lisbon is a city that enchants with its diversity and acceptance of the old and the new. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, it’s easy to see why the population of Lisbon is so obsessed with the sea and its exploration. With glorious beaches on the coast and the unbelievably magical Sintra, with its Moorish castle and trendy inhabitants just a short drive away, Lisbon really is Portugal’s crowning glory.

Lisbon provides all the best elements of Europe, and yet somehow offers a completely unique experience. Happy to thrive on its history and embrace tomorrow at the same time, Lisbon is the perfect blend of tradition and innovation. The Ponte Vasco de Gama is the longest bridge in Europe and proof that Lisbon is a city that is experiencing a new Renaissance, thriving where others are failing, and well worth visiting.

Lisbon's Top 10

10. Feira Popular This amusement park is not a cookie cutter of its Western counterparts but maintains its local flavour with a fairground atmosphere.

5. MuDe – Design and Fashion Museum Comprising over 1200 pieces of high fashion and over 1000 pieces of earth-shattering design. If you read Vogue, this museum is for you.

9. Jardim Botanico Arguably the most beautiful garden open to the public in Lisbon.

4. Gulbenkian Museum An enormous collection, collated over 40 years, of ancient art in the form of paintings, murals and sculptures.

8. Arcadeas da Faia Specialising in the best Portuguese cuisine, opening late night and closing early morning – this is for the night owls with a hunger.

3. Berardo Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Home of one of the world’s largest and best modern art collections, including Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso.

7. Oceanarium Named after Portugal’s most famous explorer and dedicated entirely to sea life, it features over 4000 specimens and 200 live examples.

2. Belem Tower Originally a fortress to defend Lisbon harbour, its famous white wall has become an icon of both old and new Lisbon.

6. . St. Georges Castle Iconic Lisbon landmark, the current building dates from the middle ages. Fascinating history and wonderful views.

1. Jeronimos Monastery A World Heritage monument and the final resting place of Vasco De Gama. Jeronimos’ spires have been carefully hand-sculpted over 500 years ago and it seems otherworldly in its perfection.

Lisbon History

St George’s Castle (Castelo de São Jorge) – A trip to this ancient, commanding castle is a favourite tourist activity and offers great views.

Lisbon Cathedral (Sé Catedral de Lisboa) – The oldest church in Lisbon and features Romanesque, gothic and baroque architecture styles.

Torre de Belém – This ancient monument is one of the main historical attractions in Belém and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Discoveries Monument (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) – This impressive monument at the river’s edge commemorates 33 explorers representing the Age of Discovery.

Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) – This grand masterpiece of Manueline-style architecture was built in the 1500s and is where the Lisbon Treaty was signed.

Lisbon Art & Culture

National Museum of Ancient Art – This museum is dedicated to the understanding of Portuguese artistic development before the nineteenth century.

Teatro Nacional da Sao Carlos – This opera house, located in the historical district, opened in 1793.

Anthony of Lisbon – The city holds a holiday every June 13 to celebrate its patron saint.

Belem Cultural Center – Containing more than 140,000 square meters of meeting space, this conference center hosts artistic and cultural venues year round.

Gulbenkian Foundation – Aiming to support the arts, science and works of charity, this organization was founded in 1956.

read more :  http://www.hotelclub.com/hotels/Portugal/Lisbon.hd31882/

Posted in: sujet en anglais