Lisbon, Portugal — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Lisbon
Perched on the coast of Portugal and steeped in a rich and diverse marine history, it's no wonder that many of Lisbon's attractions are of the aquatic variety. Visitors will have a grand time exploring the many sights this exciting city has to offer. Visit the Lisbon Oceanarium, which is marketed as the second best aquarium in the world and boasting a 1.3-million gallon (5-million liter) and a wonderful array of marine life, or for a slightly more historical look at the sea, the Maritime Museum is one of Europe's best and a must for history buffs. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Tower of Belem, stroll through the streets of the charming Alfama, Lisbon's old qaurter, visit the Castelo de Sao Jorge and take a stroll through the Jeronimos Monastery, a World Heritage Site and the resting place of Vasco de Gama. Visitors wanting to see the sights in Lisbon should look into purchasing a Lisboa Card, which grants the bearer free admission or 50% on admission fees to most attractions as well as free access to public transport. The card costs EUR15, is valid for 24 hours and is available from tourist offices throughout the city.
Shopping in Lisbon
Shopping in Lisbon is an all-day affair with plenty of major shopping malls, including two of Europe's largest, namely Centro Colombo and the Amoreiras Shopping Center. Some of Lisbon's smaller independent shops can be found downtown in the Baixa quarter and strolling through these streets, visitors can marvel at the unique exteriors of shops such as Luvaria Ulises and Ourivesaria Aliança.
The most famous market in Lisbon has to be the Feira da Ladra, which is held every Tuesday and Saturday on the Campo de Santa Clara. Here bargain hunters can sift through clothing, hand-made goods, CDs, books, antiques, furniture, second-hand wares and other bric-a-brac. It's a must when shopping in Lisbon but tourists should beware of pickpockets.
Shops in Lisbon are generally open from 9am to 1pm and 3pm to 7pm from Monday to Friday while on Saturdays shopping hours are from 9am to 7pm and many of the larger shopping malls stay open till midnight.
Visitors should look into obtaining a Lisboa Shopping Card, which is available from tourist offices and provides discounts for tourists at more than 200 participating stores.
There is a sales tax of 19% included in general prices and part of this tax can be reclaimed by non-EU visitors when leaving the EU. Visitors wanting to reclaim this tax should ask for a refund check at the point of purchase for more expensive buys. This is then stamped by a customs official on departure and is only offered by participating stores in Lisbon.
Lisbon Nightlife
Lisbon has a very active nightlife, offering everything from clubs and bars to traditional Fado music, international concerts and fantastic theater. The Bairro Alto area is the epicenter of the city's nightlife but there are various other party and entertainment destinations. The guide Follow Me Lisboalists all the major events and venues in the city. Start the evening with cocktails in a café in the Chiado square, before going to Bairro Alto's Bedroom, Pavilhão Chinês or Clube da Esquina. These venues can be followed by pre-dawn partying and relaxing at the docks of Alcântara and in the Santos district; Op Art is one of the favored bars. Lux, another popular club in the area, is part-owned by actor John Malkovich. Classical music can be enjoyed at venues including the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and Culturgest, while theaters such as Dona Maria II National Theater offer contemporary works and classical plays; there is good opera at São Carlos Theater. Fado is popular in Alfama and Lapa, the best venue being Senhor Vinho. Concerts are held at Atlantic Pavillion and Coliseu dos Recreios, featuring international bands and artists.
Attractions for Kids
Lisbon has many things for kids on vacation to see and do, ranging from museums and planetariums to zoos and aquariums. There are also great shopping centers and amusement parks for families to enjoy while on vacation 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.
