Holiday lettings in Lisbon

Dive into Lisbon’s vibrant beating heart with an apartment in the downtown district of Baixa, where the combination of beautiful architecture and excellent bars and restaurants make it the perfect neighbourhood for a city break. Spend an afternoon people-watching in Lisbon’s handsome Pedro IV Square, commonly known as Rossio Square. It has been a meeting place for the city’s inhabitants for hundreds of years and some of its cafes date from the 1700s. Still central, the elegant district of Chiado leads up to stunning views from the old residential area of Bairro Alto. The neighbourhood of São Bento runs alongside, and is a pleasure to explore, with its charming array of antique dealers and book shops. Further out, along the coast to the west (but within easy reach of the centre by tram), lies the port area of Belém: a visitor’s delight, packed full of historical monuments, museums, art galleries and places to eat and drink.

For visitors who are planning on cramming in as much culture as possible, the Lisboa Card is a must. It gives free or discounted entrance to over 80 of Lisbon’s attractions and museums, as well as free public transport, including the four elevadores: the city’s amazing funicular system that saves many an aching leg on the steep hills. The city is a sprawling mixture of charming neighbourhoods, and the winding streets make it easy to lose one's bearings. Head to the narrow streets and colourful buildings of Alfama, the oldest neighbourhood in Lisbon, to soak up the atmosphere and the soft lilting Fado music drifting from the bars. Spend a day in the historically fascinating district of Belém, which contains two UNESCO World Heritage sights: the Jerónimos Monastery and the beautiful Tower of Belém. The latter was originally built to defend the entrance to Lisbon Harbour. Climb to the top for a stunning view of the surrounding area.

Unfairly, Portuguese food tends to get lost next to its Spanish neighbour’s more famous tapas and paella, but Lisbon is rightly gaining a reputation as an eclectic foodie paradise. A favourite amongst locals is the Mercado da Ribeira market, the biggest fresh food market in the city. Its 35 kiosks offer regional delicacies and specialities of all kinds, perfect for snacking and stocking up for picnics. Unsurprisingly, for a city perched on the edge of the Atlantic, fish is a mainstay of Portuguese cuisine. If seafood is your thing, stop off at Cervejaria Ramiro in Intendente (nicknamed “The Seafood Temple”) to enjoy the catch of the day. Don’t forget to stop by a bakery afterwards for a pastel de nata, Lisbon’s famous sweet custard tart. In the evening, head to the Bairro Alto district, traditionally the artists’ quarter. Now its 16th century streets are a maze of quirky bars, alternative shops, and clubs that stay open late into the night.

Lisbon is well served by an extensive public transport network of buses and trams as well as a well-maintained metro system. Visitors will also make good use of the famous funicular lifts and a ferry service connecting the two halves of the city over the Tejo River - make sure to take a ferry to Cacilhas for a lovely view of Lisbon from the water. The ticketing system for buses and metro can be a little complicated, revolving around a rechargeable Viva Viagem card which can be used as a single ticket or day pass, or used for “zapping”, where credit is stored for future use. If you are staying for any length of time, consider instead investing in a Lisboa Card which also offers free entrance and discounts to 80 of the main attractions. The city is too hilly to make renting a bicycle an attractive option for everybody, but for experienced urban cyclists it can be a great way to explore the city.