Lisbon shines as a seductive capital in the extreme southwest of Europe. Its power of attraction brings to it, each season, new followers to a certified change of scenery thanks to its multiple facets. As the mildness of summer continues on the peninsula, join the fan club quickly, all you need is a little time and above all a good bit of curiosity...

A capital with many cultural treasures

After the Visigoths, the Greeks and the Romans, the Muslims occupied it for more than four centuries. Its castle, the Castelo São Jorge, remains one of the only vestiges of this period. From the 11th century onwards, many religious monuments were erected, telling the story of the meeting of Portuguese architecture and art, but also of the life of a people who had to rebuild, under the impulse of the Marquis of Pombal, the whole lower part of their city, the Baixa, following the terrible earthquake of 1755. Today, with Chiado, it concentrates a majority of traditional businesses. Immortalized in movies by Alain Tanner or Wim Wenders, the Alfama district contributes to give Lisbon its name of white city, a formidable popular labyrinth of steep stairs and tortuous cobblestone alleys, perfumed with grilled sardines and decorated by the linen spread on the windows, to get lost, even with a map.

On the banks of the Tagus River to the west, Belém boasts Unesco World Heritage symbols: the mythical Hieronymite Monastery and the iconic Belém Tower. To the northeast, the Parque das Nações, with its amazing model of responsible urbanism, is a pleasant setting for a stroll, not forgetting to visit the oceanorium, one of the largest in the world. If you only have to visit one museum, the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian will certainly motivate you. Founded by an enlightened patron of the arts, imagine yourself in a veritable Ali Baba's cave for art history lovers

Exceptional walks and views

On its seven hills, Lisbon has many viewpoints to contemplate its beauty and enjoy the outdoors to the fullest. From its miradouros (viewpoints), you can observe the incredible interweaving of architecture and multicolored neighborhoods, the still provincial life of the Lisbon people or the Sea of Straw, the nickname of the Tagus. Put on your sneakers and use the streetcars if you need to gauge the city from the miradouro of Santa Luzia, with a view over the roofs of the Alfama. The one of Graça, one of the highest, will put the castle within reach, the one of Senhora do Monte with its umbrella pines and its old church, will allow you the most distant view. Finally, why not go and meet the local youth at the miradouro of Santa Catarina or the one of São Pedro de Alcântara

An evergreen city

Start the tour at the Jardim do Príncipe Real, as this beautiful park of the Royal Prince, houses a gigantic cypress tree extending its branches over 20 meters in diameter. Nearby, the Botanical Garden of the Faculty of Sciences, created in 1873, is aerated by an extraordinary avenue of palm trees tumbling down to the ghostly theaters of Parque Mayer. This romantic maze of rare exotic plants, at least 2,500 species, is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe! Opposite it, the Jardim do Torel, on a slope of Sant'Ana, accessible by the funicular da Lavra, offers an ideal setting for a little meditative siesta while enjoying unprecedented views. Crowning the Avenida da Liberdade, the local Champs-Élysées, the Eduardo VII Park stands out as an immense perspective, with a magnificent panorama.

To the northwest, the Parque Florestal de Monsanto is a huge green lung with active areas and hiking trails. On the edge of the park, don't miss the Palácio dos Marqueses da Fronteira (dating from the 17th century), an Italian-inspired residence with facades adorned with beautiful azulejos. It is simply one of the most beautiful palaces in the country! In Belém, the Overseas Garden, created at the beginning of the last century, occupies 7 hectares planted with rare African and Asian species. A little higher up, let yourself go into peaceful reverie at the Jardim Botânico de Ajuda

Make way for nature!

Sintra is still the "Eden" that Lord Byron wrote about: elegant, extravagant, secret and discreet at the same time. This entire landscape, classified by Unesco, conceals buildings out of fairy tales, lush forests and parks with various scents. Get your hiking boots on! On the summits, go to the Castle of the Moors for breathtaking views before the culminating Palace da Pena. Further down, in the purest romantic tradition, make way for the Quinta da Regaleira. A building that the great Salvador Dali would not have disowned! Finally, don't miss the Royal Palace of Sintra, built in the 14th century by John I. On the way back, why not prolong the magic with the Palace of Queluz, a real Versailles of Lusitania and the last glitter of the golden age of Portugal..

And long live idleness!

For sunbathing, the Lisbon region is full of beautiful beaches. The Lisbon riviera extends to the west, the most beautiful beaches are the long and relaxed Carcavelos beach and the trendy Tamariz beach in Estoril. This seaside resort with its old-fashioned charm combines golf, a casino, a racetrack and a tennis tournament. While Cascais, a former fishing village with a touch of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, remains a maritime gateway and a must for the local high society. Before reaching Cabo da Roca, the famous Guincho beach is a dream for surfers and surfing enthusiasts. The Lisbon family prefers to go to Costa de Caparica, on the other side of the 25th of April bridge, about ten kilometers from the center, for long stretches of wilderness. On the other side of the Tagus River lies the peninsula to which Setúbal gives its name. To the west, the Arrábida Natural Park has Mediterranean vegetation that plunges into a sublime turquoise blue water. Further on, Sesimbra holds the Fortaleza de São Tiago, a fortress built to protect itself from pirates. This active fishing port, dating from the 15th century, with small boats and trawlers in typical colorful hues, has become a very pleasant seaside resort. Not far away, go to Cabo Espichel, a windswept cape with a torn cliff, which evokes the end of the world. Heading north, happiness awaits you at the exceptional natural setting of the Lagoa de Albufeira, a lagoon sometimes enclosed in the sand

As the Portuguese summer continues, the Lisbon region offers ideal conditions to enjoy the Atlantic coastline and discover the wonders of the Lusitanian capital. Be warned, however: visiting it implies the inevitable promise of a return trip as the destination is so rich!

Smart info

When to visit? Lisbon can be visited regardless of the season. But September is the best time to enjoy the big blue skies and less crowded sites than in July and August.

Getting there. Airfare varies widely, but expect to pay at least €120 for a round trip.

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