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Lisbon is the city for fado, funiculars, feasting and frolicking.
Lisbon's position on seven low hills beside a river once lured traders and settlers, and it's still a stunning site. Add to that its cultural diversity, laid-back feel and architectural time warp, and you have one of the most enjoyable cities in Europe - and also one of the most economical.
At Lisbon's heart are wide, tree-lined avenues graced by Art Nouveau buildings, mosaic pavements and street cafes. Seen from the river - one of the city's many great viewpoints - Lisbon is an impressionist picture of low-rise ochre and pastel, punctuated by church towers and domes.
Lisbon nestles against seven hills on the north side of the Rio Tejo (Tagus River). Many of the city's attractions are within walking distance of each other in the central city area. Charming, medieval Alfama with its maze-like streets sits to the east, crowned by the magnificent Castelo de São Jorge. The Baixa's grid of tidy commercial avenues lies next to it, stretching from the riverfront Praça do Comércio up to the Praça da Figueira. The elegant Chiado shopping area climbs away to the west, while at the top end of the Baixa, the Elevador de Santa Justa sits at the juncture of the Bairro Alto. A traditional residential area, the Bairro Alto (high quarter) is also home to much of Lisbon's nightlife.
A short tram or train ride along the river to the west is Belém, birthplace of Portugal's Age of Discoveries. The Parque das Nações (former World Expo 98 site) is a train ride northeast of the city. Most budget accommodation can be found in the Baixa and Rossio areas. Mid-range and top-end hotels tend to be in the Saldanha, Marquês de Pombal and Avenida da Liberdade districts. Aeroporto de Lisboa is about 4km northeast of the city centre.
