Beach culture – why not have both?

Lisbon by Briony Key

Lisbon by Briony Key

Beach culture – why not have both?

Portuguese capital has it all

Portuguese capital has it all

Portuguese capital has it all

YOU might think it an impossible mission to find a city-break destination that combines culture with the option of a beach.

Add to this a people who enjoy a relaxed lifestyle yet will happily party all night and you will discover a destination which has something to offer everyone.

Unique mixture

Situated on the southwestern edge of Europe, Portugal’s capital Lisbon offers a unique mix of cultural, leisure and business opportunities.

This maritime city boasts attractive historic areas, including the Castelo, or castledistrict, whose hilly base offers an ideal site for photos of the capital.

History lovers will also enjoy the Baixa Pombalina, Mouraria, Madragoa and Alfama districts and revel in the range of museums on offer.

Also a great place to visit is the National Azulejo Museum, which includes an astonishing collection of horse-drawn coaches, housed in a16th-century convent.

Meanwhile, buildings such as the Jeronimos Monastery and Belem Tower keep the cameras clicking.

Lisboa Card

Anyone interested in visiting a number of attractions should invest in a Lisboa Card, which offers a cost-saving incentive to see the sites.

These include the Oceanarium – the largest aquarium in Europe.

Built for Expo ’98, the attraction is part of the Parque Das Nacoes, a new part of the city offering ideal facilities for families.

If you want something a little more relaxing, try one of the city walks – a great way to discover more of the capital’s districts. Lisbon can also provide respite from city life. The stylish summer seaside town of Cascais, with its fine beaches and historic cobbled streets, can be reached by a cruise along the Lisbon coast or by rail.

Shopping opportunities

For shoppers, the streets of Baixa and Chiado, Avenida de Roma, Avenida Joao XX1, Campo de Ourique and several shopping centres, especially Amoreiras and Colombo, offer plenty of opportunities to pick up top fashion at a fraction of the cost in the UK.

Must-sees for theatre lovers include the Dona Maria II Theatre and the Sao Carlso National Theatre.

And if it’s nightlife you’re after, the new dockside area offers plenty of opportunities to club it until dawn.

Efficient transport allows you to tour the city by tram, while the metro system runs as far as the coast.

And a late-night cab won’t put too great a strain on the pocket.

Lisbon: plenty of opportunities to pick up the latest fashions

Castelo de Sao Jorge, Lisbon: a great spot to take photographs of the capital

What to do

Flea market: Lisbon’s Feira da Ladra (ThievesMarket) attracts crowds looking for second-hand bargains. The market runs every Tuesday and Saturday from sunrise until noon.

The Centro Cultural de Belem: Belem Cultural Centre plays a major role in national cultural life. Event programmes are available.

Culturgest: manages and promotes cultural, artistic and scientific events with the emphasis on exhibitions, music, dance and theatre.

Coliseu dos Recreios: Lisbon’s most traditional concert house.

S Carlos National Theatre: features a programme of opera.

Lisbon

Getting there: TAP Air Portugal operates a thrice-daily summer service from Heathrow to Lisbon and daily flight from Gatwick. From October 24 to March 2001, the service will be twice daily from Heathrow and daily from Gatwick. British Airways, GB Airways, Portugalia and Go also operate to Lisbon.

Time: there is no time difference between Lisbon and the UK.

Climate: summer 30C, winter 15C.

Exchange rate: £1=325 escudos.

Operators: include Caravela, British Airways Holidays, Cresta, Crystal, Travelscene,Sovereign and Thomson.

Contact: ICEP Portuguese Trade and Tourism Office, 2nd Floor, 22-25a Sackville Street, London, W1X 2LY. Tel: 020-7494 1441. Fax: 020-7494 1868.

other information: go to the Web site: www.ati-turismolisboa.pt