Lisbon is a beautiful city with a long and interesting history. The capital of Portugal, it lies on the Tagus river and is framed by verdant hills. First settled three thousand years ago, the city has had rulers from many lands and cultures evidence of which is seen in the varying styles of architecture. Although the earthquake of 1755 was devastating, much of the old city with its with its wonderful buildings survived. As there is so much to see, if this is your first visit a Lisboa Card is recommended. You can then take any tram, bus or metro and it also gives free or reduced admission into many of the attractions. Your break here can be as relaxing or as active as you wish. If you have children there are a number of family attractions to keep them occupied. To get an overall impression of the city, take the the old yellow tram, number twenty-eight which transports you around all the main sights.
There are several 'must see' attractions that include the following; the sixteenth century Jeronimos Monastery with its beautifully ornate cloisters and church and the resting place of the explorer Vasco de Gama; the Belem Tower, built in the sixteenth century to guard the harbour; St. Georges Castle which suffered damage in the earthquake but still has eighteen towers which give great views over the city; the San Roque church, especially the Chapel of St. John, said to be the most expensive chapel in the world with its fine mozaics that look like paintings; the Rossio Square with its neoclassical National Theatre and its baroque fountains; the Calouste Gulbenkian museum with its old masters; the modern art collection in the Bernado Museum; the list could go on and on. There are also many restful parks and gardens. Family attractions include the zoo and aquarium, the science and the puppet museums. The popular hippotrip takes you on an amphibious vehicle which shows you the main places of interest before it enters the river by the Belem Tower.
Lisbon has a range of accommodation with hotels and apartments having tariffs to suit most budgets. Its large number of restaurants cater for even the most pernickety of palates and local wines are inexpensive. The Bairro Alto area and the Rue das Portas de Santo Antao are filled with popular eateries. Lisbon nightlife is a vibrant affair with many lively pubs and clubs. If you enjoy shopping you'll be delighted by the boutiques, specialist shops and the markets.
While Lisbon city bargain breaks are at their peak of popularity from early spring through the summer and into late autumn, they can be enjoyed at any time of year as there are no extremes of winter weather. A number of regional airports have direct flights to the city. To discover if your local airport offers city breaks to Lisbon use the Cheekytrip web site.
If you are looking for a cheap Lisbon city break, you need look no further. Cheekytrip is a price comparison site with access to deals from over three dozen holiday companies all of whom are competing for your booking. Such competition leads to great bargains and with one quick search we'll find you the Lisbon city break that offers the best value for money. All you need do is enter your point of departure, your dates and destination. Since offers change on a daily basis, to avoid disappointment book today.