Is Lisbon, Portugal a good destination for a weekend break

Asks danmiller103

A. Lisbon is a great place to go and visit - it has loads to see and do - and it is one of the cheapest cities in Europe. It is also very relaxed, unpretentious and friendly and, therefore, popular with holidaymakers. It is a very cosmopolitan city with large African and Asian communities and old and new architecture standing side by side. It also has remarkable tile mosaics on the pavements and walls, loads of cafes and huge hills. It was the European City of Culture in 1994. Once you've visited Lisbon it is likely that you'll make a return visit before long.

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Q. Is it good for sight seeing

A. It has a lot of very interesting sights, the most popular is probably the Mosteiro (monastery) dos Jeronimos. It was initially built in 1502 and survived an earthquake in 1755. It is one of the only remaining buildings left in the city that demonstrates the intricacies of Manueline architecture. (Manueline is highly decorative and is characterised by nautical themes and lots of twists, turns and spirals). The monastery was built in Belem to thank the Virgin Mary for the safe return of the explorer Vasco de Gama.

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The Torre (tower) de Belem is probably the most photographed landmark in Lisbon and is another example of Manueline architecture. It used to guard the entrance to the port and is located only 500m from the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos.

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Museums figure highly in any sightseeing tour and Lisbon has three major ones that are worth visiting. The Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, houses works by Portuguese painters; the Museu Nacional do Azulejo is full of decorative tiles and the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, considered by many to be the finest museum in Portugal, contains paintings, sculptures and ceramics from around the world. It is divided into two halfs one containing European paintings the other devoted to Egyptian, Islamic and Oriental arts. This museum was established by its namesake the Armenian oil baron Calouste Gulbenkian and is housed within the massive Fonda��o Calouste Gulbenkian complex. The complex also contains concert halls and art galleries.

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Other museums include the Museu de Arte Popular which houses Portugal's folk arts and the Museu dos Coches full�of 18th Century royal coaches. That may sound boring to you and me, but it is Lisbon's most visited tourist attraction!

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Alfama is Lisbon's oldest district and has retained its Moorish character over the years. It is full of very steep, winding cobbled streets and quaint squares. Today it is very much the home of Lisbon's fishing community although recent commercialisation has opened some shops in the area. It used to be the most affluent area of the city and is the site of the Castelo de S�o Jorge (castle). You will probably find yourself here on a Saturday morning as the Feira da Ladra (flea market) fills the streets near the castle and is very popular.

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The Baixa district is also full of cobbles, but unlike the Alfama, which has seen better days, the Baixa is the commercial heart of the city. You will find all the banks, offices and government buildings here, plus lots of traditional craftsmen working on their designated streets e.g. Silversmiths Street (Rua da Prata). Within the Baixa you will find Lisbon's grandest and most popular square - the Rossio. This square is full of cafes and is really the best place to sit and soak up the atmoshpere and is home to the national theatre - Teatro Nacional built in 1842.

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The Se (Cathedral) dates back to 1150 and is also found in the Baixa district, it is an understated, if somewhat regal building.

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Q. Is it easy to get around the city

A. Most places of interest can be found within walking distance, but a trip to Lisbon would be lacking without a journey on the old wood and brass tram system. You can even catch a tourist tram that takes you past all the big tourist attractions, and save you the effort of climbing the steep hills. You can also get around on the bus or the metro. One of the most economical ways to get around is to buy a tourist pass (Passe Turistico) for the tram at booths scattered around the city and it lasts for�four days. Alternatively, you can buy a Lisboa Card, which gives unlimited travel on all city transport and free entry to all 28 of the city's museums.

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Q. When is the best time to visit

A. Lisbon, and Portugal generally, is warm all year round and has really pleasant temperatures in the winter months. June-September is the peak tourist season, but from March everything is open, so it would be best to visit Lisbon in the spring - but anytime of year is good.

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Q. What it the currency in Portugal

A. The escudo, and increasingly the euro.

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Q. Is there anything I shouldn't miss when visiting Lisbon

A. Fado is Lisbon's version of the Blues and it is played all over the city, with a high concentration of bars and fado houses in the Bairro Alto area. If you can sample some fado before you leave, it is very easy to become hooked. One of the best places to hear fado is at A Severa (on Rua das Gaveas).

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By Karen Anderson