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There are cities that can only be truly discovered through the feet and as such is Lisbon.
You will not come here only thanks to Israel winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 2018, the trend of issuing the Portuguese passport or the legacy of soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo - but thanks to the special sites, the unusual attractions, the dreamy views and not least - a warm, embracing atmosphere wrapped in joy.
Lisbon is one of a kind. A kind of "strange chicken" in the capitals of Europe, ranging between an intriguing Mediterranean folklore and a legacy of generals, explorers of the world and kings that spread to all the Western continents and especially left its mark on the South American continent.
The city is located on picturesque hills studded with castles and fortresses and borders the sea strip leading to the Atlantic Ocean. Lisbon will allow you Experience a fascinating trip, pleasant, experiential and inexpensive for a few good days at least without leaving the city anywhere else.
This is alongside famous features such as the appearance of the picturesque alleys, the successful bars, the famous Michelin restaurants, the abundance of festivals and of course the ancient Jewish community that survived the famous expulsion in the world.
Although it is part of the European Union, Portugal in general is not considered a country where accommodation is particularly expensive, But comparing the cities of Portugal, Accommodation options in Lisbon As the capital city they are more expensive.
You can reduce costs by staying in "dorms" (a kind of hostel with shared rooms) and choose whether to share your room with other travelers (at an average cost of 10-15 euros per night), or focus on a double room with a private bathroom (at an average cost of 45 euros) in the hot season).
If you choose to stay in more luxurious hotels, in the four and five star segment, you can get successful facilities and very spacious rooms facing the view, with some even located in ancient and mesmerizing palaces that have been converted into lodging sites during the last century. The average price for a couple in these hotels is from 120 euros.
In terms of accommodation areas in Lisbon, there are several main options. The city is built on hills and therefore includes ups and downs, different construction styles, hotels of different sizes and therefore also a relatively flexible price range.
The most successful area for those who want to stay in the center and on the plain is the Baixa area: this is the downtown of Lisbon and it is located exactly "in the heart of things" - in the touristic and ancient area. This means that the sites and attractions around you are within walking distance and without the effort on foot that characterizes other areas.
The Baisha area is very suitable for families with small children, the elderly, those with mobility difficulties or all vacationers who prefer to pamper themselves without unnecessary effort. Naturally, this area is also the most crowded, busy and busy with tourists.
Another option is the areas of Chiado and Bairro Alto which are very well known for their nightlife and therefore also particularly central. Here you will find lively, romantic neighborhoods, full of color and life, lots of restaurants, cafes, pubs and more.
Bairro Alto is an area that is within walking distance of Baisha and therefore does not necessarily require the use of a car or public transportation. Here too, as in Isha, there are several good shopping complexes. It is important to know that both Shiado and Bairro Alto are located at a height and therefore require dealing with uneven walking.
If you are looking for the more local, authentic and pastoral experience, the Alfama area will suit you especially well. This is the old quarter of the city of Lisbon and the real feature of the city life, from colorful laundry on every low window and typical music in the fado (local taverns) to zinjinia liqueur at midday in a tiny alley.
Relatively speaking, the accommodation sites here are cheaper. The area is within walking distance of Baisha but full of stairs, which is less suitable for travelers looking for full accessibility.
Two other areas where you can spend the night are Avenida de Liberdade and Marquis de Pombal square. De Liberdade (also known as: "Lisbon's Champs Elysées") is suitable for those of you who are looking for the perfect and luxurious shopping atmosphere, the dreamy brand boulevards and the proximity to Baixa (the central and touristic area) via a short taxi or metro ride (although it is also possible to reach the place on foot ).
The Marquis Square, which is located at the edge of the Avenida de Liberdade area (and only two kilometers from Rossio Square - the most touristic center in the city) offers comfortable accommodation in terms of prices, a relative minority of tourists and a much more attractive stay in terms of the size of the rooms. However, there are no sites or life in this area Special night.
For hundreds of years, Portugal stood out as the master of the sea and the fingerprint of its food and flavors can be recognized from Europe to America. Portuguese food is based on the local produce: fresh fish from the sea, fine cheeses, satisfying meat dishes in the pot or on the fire and a lot of energy and Mediterranean warmth in the plate.
Portugal's Douro region has hundreds of wineries and fine wines, including the local cherry liqueur Zinjinia that can be ordered at any restaurant in Lisbon. For the non-kosher among you, there is also a variety of seafood and the Francesina sandwiches, which consist of slices of pork, steak and sausage creamed with melted cheese and are considered the country's flagship dish.
Most cafes in the city serve "Pasteis de Nata", the national pastry alongside coffee, the recipe of which (a kind of personal tart cake with puff pastry and pastry cream filling) was developed by the monks of Belem Monastery and has undergone several modern adaptations.
It is highly recommended to buy it at the local bakeries when it is hot from the oven. The average price of the pastry is 1.10 euros.
Foodie lovers will find in Lisbon the famous TimeOut market, which includes hundreds of stalls in a huge, covered area and will provide a taste of all the foods of the city and the country. The flavors of the market embrace the local history and offer among the multitude of busy stalls also 24 restaurants built in the perimeter ring of the complex and eight reputed bars that also operate at night.
And for dessert on the issue of food in Lisbon, we should also talk about one particularly well-known restaurant called O Melhor Bolo De Chocolate Do Mundo, where there is the chocolate cake defined as the best chocolate cake in the world and in fact, on the menu there is only this cake in several versions and flavors and the tourists make a pilgrimage to it from all over the world.
as a city Full of attractions, replete with a magnificent heritage and rich in architecture, Lisbon offers two sites designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites: Belem Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. The construction itself in Lisbon offers layers of historical architectural styles from Gothic and Baroque, through traditional Portuguese to fine postmodern in a variety of impressive monuments , which means that in the city every stone, every alley and every building, are necessarily worthwhile and very interesting to visit. It is desirable to add to the atmosphere the local energy and the vibrant colorful appearance that make Lisbon a delightful and addictive experience.
The São Jorge Fortress was built in the 11th century and is located on the highest hill within the old quarter of Lisbon. From here there is a dreamy view of the whole city and befitting an ancient and impressive fortress, you will also find guided tours, cultural events, a quality cafe and many performances. There are also night tours where you can watch the coolest inhabitants of the place - thousands of bats.
Cost for an adult: 8.5 euros. There are discounts for families with two or more children, for students and seniors.
The famous Belem Tower was built in the 16th century as a 35-meter-high watchtower designed to protect the Tagus River, which is within the borders of Lisbon. The decorated facade of the tower is considered a breathtaking sight and its interior floors (five in number) were used for the king's residence, for storing ammunition and for a perfect view of the river and the Belem district. The tower also houses 16 cannons and a set of small watchtowers as well as statues of animals.
Entrance fee: 6 euros.
Vasco da Gama, the famous Portuguese sailor used to pray here and like him a number of other great sailors who prayed before traveling around the world. The monastery was a school and an orphanage in the past and it is very worthwhile to visit it, due to the great beauty and the stories.
Entrance fee: 10 euros.
It is an impressive string bridge with a length of over 17 km, spanning the Tagus River from the north of Lisbon to the city of Alcochet. The bridge is considered the longest in Europe and one of the most sophisticated in the entire world. Travelers who reach the bridge in winter will be rewarded with misty mornings that create an amazing illusion of a departing bridge out of the clouds
The oldest district in Lisbon includes a number of very important sites and buildings where you will enjoy a large selection of entertainment places, restaurants and bars. This is also the location of the Jewish quarter and this is where applications are received from those of you who wish to issue a Portuguese passport. The Jewish community in Lisbon is one of two huge communities living in Portugal (the other and smaller one is Porto) and it is worth visiting, touring the local synagogue and experiencing the special charm, which some say is a kind of cross between Florentine and Neve Tzedek.
A must for lovers of shopping, creativity and inspiration! In an abandoned industrial complex from the 19th century you will find a huge alternative arena for international and local creators from every possible art field: street theater, music, poetry, pantomime, graffiti, fashion, plastic art, advertising, special products and more. There are frequent parties and live performances, cultural events and more. There are also plenty of boutique shops for designer clothes, organic cosmetics, books and more.
In Lisbon there are several magical and green parks, with this one being the most famous among them. The PFM includes a lot of sports alongside the well-kept nature where it offers skateboarding complexes, bike paths, extreme climbing walls and lots of space for picnics. There are also several restaurants.
Another option for lovers of urban nature is the "Promenade of Nations", which is next to the Oceanarium of Lisbon. Here you will find plenty of pleasant cafes, an amazing eucalyptus grove, ancient trees and also a number of unique animals.
An ancient and magical district that is the bastion of Lisbon's nightlife. The district houses over 250 different bars, some of which open from noon and it is very worthwhile to go to them in the early evening to earn drinks and cocktails at attractive prices at sunset. If you're already here, you shouldn't miss the lively fado clubs, which are local taverns that focus on rich Portuguese folklore over love songs and guitar. Most of them also serve traditional food.
Kashkaish It is a coastal town near Lisbon that also stands out as a destination in its own right. This is the place where the locals escape from the city life and are drawn to the sunny beaches, the worlds of surfing and fishing, the dreamy landscape, the multitude of fine fish restaurants and of course the perfect treat for the stomach and back.
A must stop for those looking for souvenirs, special gifts and rare finds. The local flea market "Feira de Ladera" located in the Santa Clara square, has been operating since the 13th century and offers a huge variety of products from all periods: old books, souvenirs from the Portuguese army and the centuries of wars, rare records, coins, furniture, household goods and textiles, clothes And the hand is still tilted. The days of market activity are Tuesday and Saturday from the early morning until the afternoon.
No, this is not a hoax, but a real adventure worth checking out. In the city of Lisbon, there are several hair salons with a cool vintage concept, with old chairs and a corresponding design, including a bar that operates right inside the hair salon.
The Love Pension is a building from the 18th century that was used as a brothel in the past and now offers a vintage-looking bar in a cabaret style, which includes many lively features such as furniture and pictures from the past, music in the spirit of the time and a dance floor. The place shows quite good versatility in its musical concept nights and the feeling is that of a dim pub on the one hand and a saloon from the past on the other.
As a city built on many hills, there are travelers who will need a car to move between the different areas or to cross the city and go on day trips in the immediate area. But for those of you planning a trip to Lisbon only, Car Rental is considered less recommended. Entry will not be allowed to the tourist areas and the old quarters and parking must be done in nearby and expensive parking lots.
It is recommended to check with your hotel regarding possible parking spaces and the hotel's proximity to tourist sites and public transportation. For a trip to the city they mainly used the tram system and buses and left the car for the days of the trip outside of Lisbon. One should pay attention to the phenomenon of taxi drivers in the city who tend to "jump" prices when they spot a confused and tired tourist, although in general the Portuguese are a kind, respectful and fair people. Demand the activation of a meter at the beginning of the trip and help the reception staff at the hotel to get a realistic travel price range in relation to your planned travel destination.
Since the tourist season in Portugal is in the summer months, most flights from Israel operate mainly in this season. in the rest of the year The flights to Lisbon are not regular and it is recommended to compare flight prices in the major search engines in relation to the travel dates. As a warm country with a very comfortable climate, the 5-hour flight to Lisbon will provide you with a comfortable and smooth flight without problematic topographical conditions and the direct flights to it are usually made with El Al or TAP, Portugal's international airline.
However, the prices of flights to Portugal compared to other European countries are not among the cheapest. The costs of direct flights in the winter season are 450-600 dollars for a single one-way ticket, but due to the high frequency of flights in the summer, the prices drop significantly to the range of 200-300 dollars. The rates for the flight in the middle seasons are about 350-500 dollars per ticket.
The good news in terms of flights to Lisbon are the low-cost companies, primarily Wise Air and EasyJet, which offer discounted flights under restricted conditions (no luggage or meals) and at lower prices. Tap Portugal also offers a number of discounted routes throughout the year, where in most cases you can purchase a "combined" ticket with a direct one-way arrival and a connection on a return flight.
The connections option is the cheapest throughout the year and through it you can fly with any other European airline to the local capital and from there to Lisbon. This lengthens the road but provides a meeting with another capital city (sometimes the wait in the field is over 5 hours and can even reach ten hours) and the cheapest.
Portugal is considered one of the hottest countries in Europe and its climate is relatively similar to that of Israel. The Portuguese summer is accompanied by high humidity and high temperatures (35-40 degrees) and will therefore be suitable for mountain trips, alongside a stay at the beaches. At the same time, the ends of the season will provide a more convenient option for hiking and may be more attractive to those who are looking to tour the city and not necessarily vacation in it. The Portuguese winter officially starts in November and lasts until March and is accompanied by a lot of rain, with snowy mountain places. The good news is that the temperatures in Lisbon very rarely drop below 5 degrees, so even in winter the city is still attractive to visit, so that every traveler can choose the season that is best for him.
Another way to choose the best arrival dates is through the special city events throughout the year:
In the month of February, a famous carnival takes place all over the country and is accompanied by huge colorful parades, fairs and an atmosphere in the style of the carnival in Rio. Lisbon is considered one of the biggest festival centers and there are several huge events with the participation of famous stars.
In March, a half-marathon is held from the north end of the city to the south. Another half marathon is held in September.
On April 25.4, the Civil Liberties Day (a kind of independence day) is celebrated and is accompanied by huge celebrations. Some businesses and websites may be closed on this day.
International Workers' Day is celebrated on May 1.5 and is considered a public holiday throughout the country.
Portugal Day was celebrated on June 10.6.
During the month of June, the National Agricultural Fair takes place and it lasts until the end of September. As the festivities begin, traditional bullfights take place. In the Portuguese tradition by the way and unlike the Spanish, the bull is not killed, but participation should be considered mainly in accordance with the age of the children.
During the month of July, the Colete Encarnado festival is celebrated in the nearby town of Vila Franca de Xira (about 30 minutes by car) where it is customary to release the bulls around the alleys.
During the summer months, the pride event takes place in Lisbon. The date varies slightly from year to year.
During the middle of July and for five weeks, the Estoril Music Festival takes place, which includes several very large concerts in Lisbon.
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