Travel & Hospitality Awards - Europe 2022

Things To Do & See
Lisbon is an ancient city that has seen everyone from
the Romans to the Moors feature in its more than 2,000
years of history. Strategically placed at the mouth of the
river Tagus, it circles an enormous natural harbour that
has provided most of its wealth over the centuries.
One of the most exciting districts of Lisbon is Alfama.
Built on a steep hill, it’s a warren of narrow alleyways,
stone steps, and whitewashed buildings. Once a
haven for cutthroats and world-weary sailors, it’s now
a trendy artisan area that still retains a strong sense of
community.
If you head down to the water’s edge at Belém, you’ll
be met by the impressive bulk of the Torre de Belém,
a 15th century fortress that was built to guard the
city harbour from marauding pirates and other
undesirables. Sit and admire it from the shore or
pay a few Euros to climb the spiral staircase for
an unforgettable view.
And if you want to party, we recommend a visit to
the Bairro Alto neighbourhood. Packed with bars
and places to eat, it’s the place where Lisboans
and visitors alike come to catch up with friends and
let their hair down.
Dining
It won’t take you long to work out that the Portuguese
love their fish. The national favourite dish of grilled
sardines and bacalhau, or salted cod, can be found
almost everywhere. A trip to the Mercado de
Arroios, a huge fresh food market, will show off
the abundance of delicious produce that Lisboans
have at their fingertips.
The national obsession with pastéis de nata, a type
of egg custard tart, and other sweet pastry treats
is another delight not to be missed. We think there’s
nothing better than starting the day with a café com
leite and one of the gooey indulgences from Pastéis de
Belém in the Ajuda district.
Accommodation
Set in an 18 th century Pombaline-style building, the
AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado hotel is right in the heart
of downtown. Just a few streets away from Lisbon
Cathedral and flanked by two of Lisbon’s best
museums, the Money Museum and the National
Museum of Contemporary Art, it’s perfectly placed
to explore the city. This boutique hotel features
stunning rooms with original features throughout.
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