Lisbon

Hello everyone!

I'm going to talk about the wonderful city of Lisbon, the western capital of Europe. In general, I consider this a unique city because it's a modern and cosmopolitan city, but at the same time it kept its traditional and typical Portuguese environment of the neighbourhood that characterised Lisbon. There is a lot to say about Lisbon, as well as places to know - and the truth is that it's a mystic city that makes everyone falls in love with it.

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Weather:

Despite the weather being quite mild (annual temperature is around 17º C), I advise you to avoid the winter because the probability of is higher, however, Lisbon is beautiful during Christmas time with all the city lights.

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Transport:

To go to Lisbon by plane is a great option since Lisbon Airport has good accessibility (just 7 km distance from the center). There are two bus connections from the airport to the city center (91 Aerobus and 96 Aeroshuttle). You can purchase the ticket on the bus (€3) and during that day it's valid for all the Carris transports. If you arrive by bus or by train, the best way is to leave at the station of "Santa Apolónia" or the one in "Gare do Oriente", both are the most important road and rail stations in the city. They are terminal and also interface stations, which means there are always direct connections available by bus or by subway to the city center. Going by taxi is another option, but it can be more expensive.

The best way to move around the city is by subway (Lisbon's subway: Website - working hours from 6:30 am. until 1 am. ) or by bus (Carris Website). For those who prefer a more calm and more touristic ride through the city, you also have the tram or the traditional lifts. If you're an Erasmus student, I advise to sign up for the "Lisboa Viva", a card that offers you discounts in the transports, check their Website. If you want to go out, Carris also has a night bus system, with different nine routes. And for Friday, Saturday nights and Public Holidays, there is another route service available.

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Monuments/ Architecture:

• In the area of Chiado you can see the Convent of Carmo, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, or you can just go for a coffee (a common habit for the Portuguese) in the Brasileira coffee shop that has a famous statue of the iconic poet Fernando Pessoa.



Convent of Carmo.



Brasileira coffee shop.

• The Santa Justa Lift, in Baixa (downtown), a reference place in Lisbon. If you climb its tower you will find a wonderful view to Rossio, Baixa and to the St. Jorge Castle (a must see monument).



Santa Justa Lift.



St. Jorge Castle.

• In the sublime National Pantheon, or Santa Engrácia Church, is the place where many important personalities of Portugal, like Almeida Garrett (writer), Amália Rodrigues (Fado's singer), Teófilo Braga and Sidónio Pais (both previous Presidents), among others, were buried- Furthermore, this place also has an outstanding view.



National Pantheon.

• Belém - In here definitely it is worth seeing the majestic Jerónimos Monastery, the Discoveries Monument, the Belém Tower and the Cultural Center of Belém, and if you still have time, visit the surrounding gardens. And of course you can not forget to visit the renowned "Pasteis de Belém" (check the Gastronomy title).



Jerónimos Monastery.

• Park of Nations - after being the stage for the Expo 98, the Park of Nations became a really welcoming place to visit. Here there is a cable car that transports the visitors from one side of the park until the opposite shore, in the meantime you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Tagus River and the city.



Park of Nations.

• Lisbon Oceanarium, one of the biggest aquariums in the world.



Lisbon Oceanarium.

• Vasco da Gama Tower and the Pavilion of Knowledge (a modern museum of Science and Technology) are other places that I also advise you to visit.



Vasco da Gama Tower.

For those of you who are music lovers, it's important to highlight the majestic Atlantic Pavilion, which is a space where different concerts take place and host national and international artists. Getting to the place is really easy because is close to the station of "Gare do Oriente", besides it has a big shopping centre, the "Vasco da Gama".

Food:

The different restaurants and taverns have a wide variety of appetisers and typical dishes, like "pataniscas" (a kind of cod fritters), the snails, the cooked beans (we call it "favas", a type of beans), you can taste them in different places of the city, and also you can try the more than thousand codfish recipes that we have. Don't forget the mandatory visit to the coffee shop/ factory of the famous "Pasteis de Belém", so you can try the most emblematic sweat of Lisbon (Pastel de Belém), whose recipe remains a secret since 1837.

Pastel de Nata.

Prices:

If you're coming from countries like Italy, France or Spain, you will find Portugal a really cheap country. For example, the price of the meals can vary a lot, depending on each restaurant you're going to, but the most affordable ones have a price range between €5 and €8. As a student a good option are the university canteens, whose average price is €2. 50, including soup, bread, the main dish, water or juice and a dessert. The only thing that can be a bit expensive is the accommodation, because if you want to stay in a good area, the lowest price that you can get (without expenses) is for sure €180.

Shopping:

For those who like to spend time shopping, you can do it in "Baixa" (downtown), this is one of the most old shopping areas in Lisbon. But if you prefer, you can also go to one of the shopping centre in the city. I would highlight "Colombo" (next to Benfica's stadium, it's the biggest in the Iberian Peninsula), the Amoreiras Shopping Centre or even the El Corte Inglés.

Colombo.

Going out:

In my opinion, the most known area to go out in Lisbon is Bairro Alto, which is full of bars. There is a bar, called "Bar Mezcal" that is where all the Erasmus students gather together, and has really good caipirinhas. Then, talking about clubs, I'd recommend you "Lux" and "Docks Club", the average ticket entrance is €12, but it's worth it.

Bairro Alto.

Culture and Traditions:

• Popular Festivities - For those of you who want to know the traditions and at the same time like parties, I advise you to stay in Lisbon during June because is the month of the Popular Saints. The most famous is Saint Antony (13th of June). Every year on this day, more than fifteen couples get married, all at the same time, and they call it the "Marriage of the Saint Antony". In the streets you can see flags and colourful balloons, festive music, you can feel the smell of grilled sardines, basil (but don't touch it, because it will die! ) and the famous popular parades (a parade with people from each neighbourhood dancing at the sound of happy music, and representing a specific theme. )
• Fado - Lastly, you can not skip a visit to the neighbourhood of Alfama, the most typical neighbourhood in the city, really known for its Fado Houses that is the typical Portuguese music. Etymologically the word comes from Latin, "fatum", and it means destiny, that refers to nostalgia, with a sad and melancholic rhythm, and eminently nostalgic. When it's sung live, you will feel shivers and it's really touchy, even to foreigners can't understand a word. The most famous singers are: Amália Rodrigues (deceased), Dulce Pontes, Mariza (check this link to listen one of her songs), Ana Moura, among others. People say that Lisbon without Fado wouldn't have a soul-



Fado.



Amália Rodrigues.

In conclusio, I add belowtwo YouTube videos links about Erasmus students in Lisbon, that in my opinion proves what can be your experience:

Erasmus Student.

Erasmus Spirit of Lisbon.