Less than an hour from Praia D’El Rey and Europe’s westernmost capital, Lisbon is a world class city combining magnificent cultural heritage with the pace and excitement of 21st century living.

Set on seven hills along the Tagus river, the charm of Lisbon lies in its historical attractions including grand palaces, magnificent churches and the impressive Castelo de São Jorge.

The best way to discover Lisbon is to meander around its narrow streets and hilly avenues. Lisbon’s network of vintage trams are a great way to get around town and Lisbon also boasts a number of ‘miradouros’ where visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the city and the Tejo river.

[tabs] [tab title=”Culture and History” icon=”icon-key”] Had enough of sightseeing? Time for a little retail therapy. Lisbon has it all, from the largest shopping mall in the Iberian Peninsula (the Colombo Centro Comercial in Carnide) and boutique stores in Bairro Alto, to a host of excellent markets selling books, antiques and local produce. Lisbon’s nightlife is definitely not to be missed. From dusk to dawn, visitors can drink and dine at lively restaurants in the old quarter before moving on to a Fado house to hear traditional Portuguese music. Then head to some of the best clubs in Europe before finishing the night at one of the open-air cafes by the riverfront.[/tab] [tab title=”Sports e Nature” icon=”icon-leaf”]For those wanting a taste of nature, the charming village of Sintra is set in lush hills 30 minutes from Lisbon. A UNESCO listed World Heritage site, Sintra is home to the fairytale Palacio de Pena (Pena Palace) and the 8th century Moorish Castle, as well as a number of grandiose estates and gardens. A wealth of festivals and events occur almost every week in Lisbon, including ‘Santos Populares’ in June, when the streets come alive in honour of the patron saint of Lisbon, St. Anthony. During the summer, Lisbon also hosts a number of fantastic outdoor music festivals.[/tab] [tab title=”Gastronomy” icon=”icon-food”]At its heart are wide, tree-lined avenues graced by Art Nouveau buildings, beautifully tiled buildings, mosaic pavements and sidewalk cafés serving a delectable range of pastries and cakes. Along the riverfront to the west of the city centre, Belém is host to some of Lisbon’s best-loved cultural attractions, including the striking Jeronimos Monastery, Belém Tower and Monument to the Discoveries. Don’t forget to visit the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém, which famously serves the best ‘Pasteis de Belém’ in town.[/tab] [/tabs]