Visit my city, 里斯本 Part-1

I've been talking about my country too many times but i don't get to talk much about the city i live, Lisbon, or as we say in Portuguese Lisboa 里斯本.
Since there is too much to talk about this city, i'm going to divide this post into parts. I just think is too much information to write about in just one entry, besides i think it would get boring and tiring for anyone to fully read it.



Usually Portugal ( Lisbon more precisely ) is a sought destination when combined with Spain travelling packages, but when it comes to visit Portugal isolatedly...i guess i won't need to talk much about it. Oftenly, people compare three cities that make up the iberian peninsula: Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon. Usually there are two types of comments concerning Lisbon when it comes the moment to talk about the three forementioned cities:
1) Don't like Lisbon. Compared to Barcelona or Madrid, Lisbon seems like a slum house and not tourist friendly. But the people and the weather are nice.
2) Love Lisbon. Charming old city with lovely pastries compared to Paris and interesting architecture, a mixture of Paris and San Francisco.




But why there isn't a third option. An option that says, all of those cities are different and unique in their own way, and let's be frank, comparing Lisbon, Madrid and Barcelona, is comparing oranges, apples and bananas. What do these fruits have in common? Nothing, except being fruits, .




Lisbon is the oldest of the three cities, so it's not fair to compare which city is the best. Madrid is also not an ancient city like Lisbon. It was born in the 16th century to become the nation’s capital in the middle of the Spanish territory.
Lisbon on the other hand, is a city that was formed over the centuries, with several incarnations, first as a Phoenician trading port, then as a Moorish city, then the capital of the first great modern empire, to a city isolated by dictatorship for much of the 20th century. It is a city that has been destroyed by battles, by one of the greatest earthquakes ever recorded in human history, by tragic fires.




In short, Lisbon was not “made” but rather a city that has adapted for better or for worse, to its turbulent and remarkable history.  It is a city that is not meant to be imposing, but a place that is truly seductive, again in my own opinion. I love both Barcelona and Madrid, but i don't consider any of them better than Lisbon, or vice-versa. They all have good and bad points like everything else. Sure, Lisbon might not be as well organized as Paris or cleaned-up-for-the-tourist-to-see cities of Spain, but it's still a great authentic city.



Lisbon is a port city located on the banks of the Tagus River. Its charm and attraction for many tourists has a deep connection to Lisbon's strong links to the past. As someone walks down the city's streets, it is difficult not to notice the cultural richness of its heritage in all of the churches, castles and palaces. Lisbon is also knows as the " city of the seven hills ", mainly because it was originally built over seven hills, and so the best is to come prepared and bring with you a pair of good walking shoes. Although you are visiting a European city and not a trek in the jungle, it is best to keep in mind about that facet of Lisbon.



Another interesting thing about Lisbon ( and perhaps maybe Portugal too ) is the coffee culture found at every corner in the streets of Lisbon. Could actually might be compared to the attraction found by Italians and their coffee. As you'll be able to see, there's only two Starbucks coffee shops in Lisbon. Why?? Because competition is pretty high here when it comes to coffee.
And the same thing about pastries, usually France comes up in mind but Lisbon also has its own share of some of the best pastries found in Europe. To top all of that, Portugal is also ridiculously cheap when compared to other european cities and the weather is awesome, being one of the warmest capitals of Europe.



For the next article, i'm going to prepare something about what are the must-to-see-and-do attractions and things to be experienced in Lisbon. And just for the record, i'm not a good tourist guide, i get lost in Lisbon occasionally, sometimes more than just occasionally, haha.



Some interesting links about Lisbon:
- Go Lisbon
- Lisbon connection
- In love with Lisbon