Day 1 — Lisbon
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is a fascinating and vibrant city that offers a unique combination of history, culture and natural beauty. Situated on the banks of the Tagus River, it has for centuries turned its gaze towards the Atlantic Ocean, which has marked the historical and cultural events of the city and the entire country.
Unique atmospheres can be experienced in the historic quarters; colourful houses and UNESCO World Heritage monuments, winding alleys and cobbled streets opening onto enchanting squares, an up and down path of the iconic trams; Chiado, Bairro Alto, Alfama and Belém hold the capital's architectural and cultural treasures: São Jorge Castle, the Monastero dos Jerónimos, the Monument to the Discoveries, the Tower of Belém, the Sé of Lisbon (Cathedral and the National Museum of Archaeology) are the must-see sights.
The Baixa district reveals the modern and cosmopolitan face of the city: Avenida da Liberdade, the main artery of commerce and shopping, Praça dos Restauradores, Plaça do Rossio, Praça do Comércio the landmarks of this vast city area.
A museum facility of absolute value, the Parque das Nações, inaugurated on the occasion of EXPO 1998 with its famous Oceanarium, the Vasco da Gama and 25 Abril Bridges that characterise the city skyline, a lively nightlife, the Mercado da Ribeira, which pays homage to the typical products of the national cuisine, are further highlights of the Lusitanian capital.
In the immediate vicinity we point out: Cascais and its peninsula, only 30 km from the city centre, with its famous beaches and an enchanting, cosmopolitan old town, Sintra, a beautiful town at the foot of the Serra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its monuments, palaces and gardens: Palácio Nacional da Pena, Castelo dos Mouros, Quinta da Regaleira and the Park and Palace of Monserrate, Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in Europe and looking out over the infinite Ocean, the Setubal Peninsula and the Arrábida Natural Park, about 50 km from the centre of the capital; an enchanting landscape nestled between the surrounding heights and the Atlantic beaches, with the town of Setubal at its centre.
