Lively and dynamic city, sunny climate, Mediterranean atmosphere, rich heritage, low cost of living… Discover Lisbon!
Only two and a half hours from Paris by plane, Lisbon is one of our closest European destinations to France. We wanted to introduce you to this new Come & Go training destination with a travel and discovery article… Read to the end and let yourself be convinced! For a weekend or an internship, Lisbon has many surprises in store for you. The Portuguese capital is constantly considered one of the best cities in the world: even the Lonely Planet guides have ranked it in the top 10 of the best cities in the world. What is more surprising, however, is that Lisbon remains one of the least visited capitals in Europe. However, this is changing very quickly, as more and more visitors are discovering the attractions of Portugal. Discover Lisbon with Come & Go!
The best districts of the city to discover Lisbon
Alfama-district
The Alfama district is one of the lungs of downtown Lisbon. It is also one of the most picturesque and typical districts of the city. It is located between Saint George\’s Castle – Castelo São Jorge – and the banks of the Tagus River and is famous for its great concentration of fado bars, restaurants and historical buildings. Distinguished by its narrow streets, this neighborhood is very pedestrianized and hosts one of the biggest events in the city in June: the week of the Festas dos Santos Populares (Feasts of the Popular Saints), from the 12th to the 20th of June.
Not to be missed: St. George\’s Castle is located in the freguesia de Castelo de Lisbon in Portugal. Human occupation of the castle hill dates back at least to the VIIIᵉ century BC, while the first fortifications built date back to the Iᵉʳ century BC. It is located in a dominant position on the highest hill in the historic centre, giving visitors one of the most beautiful views of the city and the estuary.
The Bairro Alto and Chiado districts
The Bairro Alto and Chiado districts are also very famous. Old houses and small shops in the background, the districts are home to a large number of bars, fado houses, and restaurants. You will find there a resolutely young, festive and bobo population. These districts are very lively at sunset and all night long.
Not to be missed: The Santa Justa Elevator, also known as Elevador do Carmo, is a lift built in the historic centre of the city of Lisbon. It connects the Baixa pombalina to the Bairro Alto.
The mythic tramway of Lisbon
In the centre of Lisbon you will find various very old trams. The tramway N°28 is the most famous and has been elected the best tramway in the world, both for its design and for the circuit it makes within the city. This tram passes through all parts of the historical center of Lisbon (Castelo, Alfama, Baixa Chiado, Bairro Alto, Estrela) and in the typical district of Amalfa. It is possible to see a lot of monuments and beautiful places just by taking this tram. you will sometimes find the driver getting out of the vehicle to check whether the tram is passing on a narrow path or to make a lane change. Tramway 28E sometimes includes a few little adventures.
What to eat in Lisbon
As you know if you read our blog, food has an important place in our discovery articles. Indeed, we think that a country (or a town) is characterised by monuments, heritage, landscapes, but also a gastronomic identity. Here is what you absolutely must taste during a stay in Lisbon :
Bacalhau
It is absolutely necessary to taste a dish cooked with cod. It\’s the national dish! It is said that the Portuguese have 365 ways of cooking this dish. We find for example bacalhau com natas (cod gratin with cream) or bacalhau pastéis (cod fritters). Another simple and delicious dish is called bacalhau Lagareiro. It is a codfish baked in the oven with olive oil, garlic and potatoes. It is up to you to choose which sauce you will enjoy this salty fish in. In any case, you won\’t be disappointed!
Arroz de marisco
Seafood rice is a traditional Portuguese dish. It includes shrimps, lobsters, mussels, clams and other tasty shellfish. Generally, seafood broth is used to cook the rice. Olive oil, garlic, onion and tomato can be added. The good local seafood and the soft texture of the rice will delight your taste buds.
Porto
A Portuguese speciality, port is called by the Portuguese \”vinho do porto ». It is a more alcoholic wine than a traditional wine. And above all it is a wine with a high sugar content. It is a wine that comes from the Port and Douro region, but can be easily tasted in Lisbon in most bars, restaurants, and wine cellars.
Sardinhas grelhadas
The Portuguese love grilled meat and fish! Typical dishes include grilled sardines and carapaus assados. As for the meat, we will eat, among other things, very good beef ribs and frango assado (grilled chicken) to fall on the floor.
Pastéis or Pastel de Nata
The terraces are always full of people having coffee with this pastry and all the bakeries are full of this delicious speciality. It is a kind of warm flan pastry with vanilla and lemon juice.
The « miradouros »
The city of Lisbon, also called the city of 7 hills, offers different places and different districts that are at different heights. This means that there are a lot of viewpoints. They are called \”miradouros\” by the Portuguese, to enjoy a diving view of one of the districts below the city.
Here are a few viewpoints that you must see: miradouro de Graça, miradouro das portas do sol, miradouro do castelo Sao Jorge, miradouro de Santa Catarina and miradouro do parque Edouardo VII.
Ponte 25 abril
It doesn\’t look like it, and even so, that famous red steel bridge in Lisbon is only 50 years old. Today the bridge is one of the most representative emblems of Lisbon.
Indeed, it was built under the decision of former Portuguese dictator Salazar in 1960.
It connects the capital of Portugal, Lisbon, with the city of Almada, across the Tejo River. The bridge, formerly known as the Salazar Bridge, was built by an American company in collaboration with Portuguese companies, since the task was so huge. You can observe it from the bank, drive over it by car, or watch it from the river by boat…
All you need to do now is to check our \”internships\” section and prepare your next trip. Maybe in the amazing city of Lisbon…
If you want to save time and book an excursion, an activity or a guided tour in Lisbon, we recommend Civitatis , a site specialized in online reservations.