Just a short stroll through the ancient streets of the city will introduce stunning examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Modern and Postmodern architecture, all positioned without rhyme or reason across beautiful boulevards and squares. And as you step through this delightful city, you’ll perhaps notice the absence of cars – creating a wonderfully quiet and relaxed atmosphere.
Modern Lisbon is a beautiful marriage of the old and the new, with Gothic architecture sitting alongside glamorous hotspots. Two and a half millennia of history is ripe for exploration, and no matter which way you turn, you’ll stumble across something astonishing.
A city for foodies, the local culinary offering in Lisbon is on par with any of Europe’s gourmet powerhouses. From the city’s famous pastry, Pastel de Belém, to Bacalhau (salted cod served one of over 350 different ways); the cuisine of Lisbon is steeped in history and tradition, although a new generation of chefs have taken the mantle and are running with it.
And as evening starts to fall in Lisbon, it is time to partake in one of the great local traditions: Ginjinha. This Portuguese liquor, made with sour cherry berries, is the very lifeblood of the city, and can be bought from innumerate small vendors throughout Lisbon. You’ll be amazed as the vendors skilfully pour you a measure from the bottle, depositing a singly cherry into your glass with a flick of the wrist. To drink like a local, sip your measure as you make plans to find the next vendor to repeat the trick.