About Lisbon
Lisbon is Europe's second-oldest capital after Athens. It was home to many of the world's great explorers such as Vasco da Gama, Magellan and Prince Henry the Navigator. This helped it to become the first true globalised city, the capital of an empire spread across continents from South America to Asia.
The former launchpad for many of the world's greatest voyages, it is now one of Europe's most soulful, captivating and picturesque capitals.
Lisbon’s natural harbour has attracted different civilizations throughout history. This is reflected in its architecture and culture which remind us of Phoenicians, Celts, Romans, Visigoths and Moors. Built on a series of hills with scenic views from every angle, it is a city of the oceans and the only European capital where the sun sets over the sea. It is close to sandy beaches and has one of the world's largest state-of-the-art aquariums.
Nearby, there are numerous World Heritage monuments and unique museum collections, from international design and contemporary art, to treasures from when the East met the West, and the ancient art of tile painting and gilding.
Lisbon is also one of Europe’s most romantic capitals, with a real fairytale castle in Sintra, just minutes from the city centre.
Tourist information
There are tourist information desks in Praça do Comércio – the Lisbon Welcome Centre – and in the pedestrian zone of Rua Augusta.
You can get more information on the Visit Lisboa website or from the Lisbon Tourism Office on (+351) 808 296 296.
You can also find information about Lisbon and its events on Lonely Planet.