Visiting Lisbon - Visit Portugal`s Capital - Lisboa
Where and how to travel?
Every time you think about your next travel outside your country you start by searching for the ideal destination, the way to get there, where to stay, where to eat and how much all of this will cost you.
And normally the best solution is talking with some travel agency and choose from several programs which usually only takes you to the major cities and show you some monuments, shops, restaurants and that´s it...
If you really want to visit smaller cities or understand how those people live and get to know their culture you may as well forget about traveling programs and start to organize your own trip.
If you decide travel to Portugal and you do not want to bother with arrangements or choosing where to go or where to stay then it is certain that you will visit Lisbon.
And I am sure you will love it!
History of Lisbon city
Lisbon's history dates back to 300,000 years ago.
Nevertheless it only emerged as a nation state in the early 12th century.
A few years ago archaeological ruins from ancient Lisbon were found and this discoveries have ranked it as one of the world's longest established cities.
As the legend tells, it is a city founded and named by Ulysses as Ulissipo or Olissopo, which has its origins in the Phoenician words "Allis Ubbo" meaning "enchanting port".
How Lisbon got its name according to legend
Through centuries Lisbon was a battlefield for Phoenicians, Greeks and Carthaginians, however it was Romans who began their two-century reign in Lisbon in 205 BC.
During Romans occupation period Lisbon became one of the most significant cities in Iberian Peninsula and renamed Felicitas Julia.
During 714 AC, the Moors arrived to Iberian Peninsula and resisted against Christian attacks for 400 years.
When Portugal finally recaptured the city it took one more century to repel all the Moors from the peninsula.
The 15th century was marked by the departure for the Portuguese Discoveries. An era during which Portugal enjoyed abundant wealth and prosperity through its newly discovered off shore colonies in Atlantic islands, the shores of Africa, the Americas and Asia.
Vasco da Gama's famous discovery of the sea route to India distinguished this century. Moreover, during this period many architectural attractions of the city were built, such as Mosteiro dos Jerónimos designed in Manueline architectural style and Torre de Belém, both classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
Unfortunately this era did not take long. The earthquake of 1755 destroyed nearly the entire city which was rebuilt by the Marquês de Pombal. Who thus created the Baixa Pombalina which was a commercial area that still attains attraction. In the 19th and 20th centuries the city has spread progressively to the North and areas such as the Avenidas Novas (New Avenues) were added.
Today it is a city full of contrasts offering a great deal to discover and surprise. Lisbon still maintain the marks of its early history along with a rich cultural mix of immigrants from former colonies. It is one of the most beautiful capitals of Europe if you ask me.
Places you will see when you visit Lisbon
Lisbon seen by an American
Portugal, Lisbon, Sintra, Fado, Madredeus, Beautiful
This great video was made by Joe during his four day vacations in Lisbon and Sintra. By his own words: "What a nice time, and what a beautiful city."
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It was not bad at all!
You are right, Lisbon it is a beautiful city with lots of history and friendly peoples but that do not mean that you have seen Portugal.
In fact beside being a small country Portugal has so much to see and learn that even after 37 years of living here I still found incredible places to visit outside Lisbon.
And because I have lived in Lisbon until 28 years of age and have traveled a lot in the mean while, I can tell you that I found much more rewarding to travel by myself without knowing where I am going and who am I going to meet next.
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Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2009 ranked Lisbon as one of the 10 best cities in the world to visit during 2009!
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I hope you all enjoyed this journey and wish you pleasant and safe flights.