Lisbon is a great travel escape for tourists wanting a taste of Europe, and a hearty touch of Portuguese urbane living. Radiant skies brighten this monumental city, which has lived through over 20 centuries, with its typical tile covered building façades and narrow Medieval streets - home to many Lisbon hotels. If you happen to be walking down the street, you will still hear the Fado being played and sung at night.
There are many historical and unique places to stay in Lisbon during your holiday. You can use our Lisbon map to help select a place based on its location. Once you are here there is no better way to see the highlights and learn more about the culture than taking a Lisbon City Tour. You should also read up on the countless things to see and do in Lisbon! A tour or activity in Lisbon is the perfect way to get acqainted with this historically rich city.
The Alfama is one of the oldest quarters in Lisboa. Since it largely survived the earthquake of 1755, the area still retains much of its original layout. Adjacent to the Alfama are the similar old quarters of Castelo and Mouraria, on the western and northern slopes of the hill that is crowned by St. George's Castle. This is a great area to keep in mind when selecting your Lisbon Hotel in our Lisbon Accommodation Guide.
Every year in June, the streets of all three quarters come alive with the feasts in honour of the popular saints. The Graça quarter and the churches of São Vicente de Fora and Santa Engrácia are within walking distance of this area. But Lisbon is also the stage for popular festivities, the place for exquisite shopping, exciting nightlife, and interesting museums, a place from where motorways branch off in different directions. Be sure to book your Hotel in Lisbon early during these busy times! We have many Lisbon tours and activities to help you discover some of Lisbon's historical beauty!
Nearby, Sintra's lush wooded heights and verdant charms invite one to take a ride on a horse-pulled carriage, and gaze at the marvelous manor-houses, located within the grounds of century old farms. As one drives up to Pena Palace, built by Fernando Cobourg Gothas on the ruins of a monastery from the 16th century, you'll notice the distinct style of the palace with a blend of Gothic, Manueline, and Roman influences which make for a very explosive combination!
To make it a difficult choice for the curious visitor and only slightly farther afield, lie the impressive Mafra Convent, the cosmopolitan seaside resorts on the way to Cascais, the verdant Serra da Arrábida and picturesque Sesimbra, the Sado estuary and the aristocratic farmhouses of Azeitão. Driving south, the ochre and blue unspoiled beaches on the Alentejo coastline open on to a vast Atlantic horizon. Many Hotels in Lisbon can give you great local advice if you want to get to these places.
There are regular flights to Lisbon from the UK and the rest of Europe, making it a great base to explore the rest of the region. Perhaps you can take a drive from Portugal to Spain along the coastline! Be sure to check out other destinations in Europe and select from a range of Prague Hotels, Bratislava Hotels, or Riga Hotels.
Portugal is also making a strong commitment to addressing the issue of global warming, as well as various other sustainability initiatives, through its hosting of various high level international meetings around these topics. One of the most significant is the recent International Carbon Action Partnership, where world leaders on the topic of climate change met in Lisbon. Lisbon Sustainable Tourism is important to the team at Saga Travel!
This Lisbon Hotel Booking Service is owned by Milu, and run by Virginie and Isabel of Saga Travel. Based in Lisbon, let us organise your stay here in Lisbon and Portugal. Whether you need a special featured hotel, or a typical restaurant to experiment the famous Portuguese pastry, 'Pastel de Belém', or have a drink in a nice local café. Select from our Lisbon Hotels, Lisbon Pensions and Lisbon Accommodation today! In our network of travel sites you can also book Sofia Hotels, Sarajevo Hotels and Cappadocia Hotels!
