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_City Overview Long gone are the days when Lisbon was simply regarded as the unfortunate capital of Portugal, the ‘Poor Man of Europe’. Today, this proud Portuguese capital is buzzing, after reinventing itself as one of Europe’s most captivating city-break destinations and a key business hub, with the famous seven hills and the sweeping River Tagus once again full of life. Lisbon overflows with confidence, from its funky new avant-garde buildings and its ever growing number of tourist attractions, through to its trendy bars and world-class nightclubs. Things have not looked so good since the halcyon days of the ‘Great Age of the Discoveries’ in the 15th and 16th centuries, when Lisbon was at the helm of a grand empire that ruled over numerous territories across the globe. Voluminous sailing ships and their brave adventurers set sail from this city west coast of Portugal and waved goodbye to Lisbon, not knowing whether they would ever make it home again or if they would return in triumph, having discovered new lands. Remnants of this golden age remain both in the city centre and also further out, in the suburb of Belém, where visitors can immerse themselves in Portugal’s epic past. This rich and eclectic history complements the new face of Lisbon, which is most dramatically showcased at the Parque das Nações, the futuristic playground built for the wildly successful Expo 98. The Parque has now become a Mecca for both visitors and locals alike and is a shining example of urban regeneration, having transformed one of the city’s most rundown areas. New businesses are also springing up on the city outskirts, to complement those already prospering in the city centre. If Lisbon constantly shifts between old and new it also fluctuates between work and play, formal and informal, trendy and tacky. It is very much an living city, with the oldest streets not given over to museums but to old women who harangue passers-by with their wares in a scene more 15th century than 21st. If Lisbon impresses families as a playground for children, it is also something of a playground for adults, a giant theme park where even getting around – via the clanking old trams, the gravity defying funiculars and the bobbing boats – is immense fun and the next meal or mellow coffee in a pavement café is only a step away. This sense of carnival fun reaches its zenith as the sun comes down, with the melancholy of traditional fado contrasting with the rave clubs now brightening up the night. In summer, Lisbon boils through the hot, humid days, which are mercifully often cooled by afternoon sea breezes, while even in the colder months, tables often spill out of the cafés. Lisbon’s renaissance will be complete in 2004, when the city will boast the two biggest stadiums as it hosts the final of the European Football Championships, an event, like Expo 98, which looks certain to reinforce the local belief that Lisbon is now one of the great European capitals. Language The national language is Portuguese, however, English is spoken by many in business circles and the tourism industry. Portuguese developed, along with all the Romance languages, from Latin when the Romans conquered the area. It evolved into a distinct language after successive waves of invasion by Germanic tribes and Arabs, as well as those returning from Portugal’s overseas colonies and during the periods of Spanish and French rule; all of which have contributed to the vocabulary. By 1572, when Luís de Camões wrote Os Lusíadas, the language had reached a point of development that was close to the structure and syntax in use today. The dialect in Lisbon differs from that in the north of Portugal, principally in the pronunciation of sibilants. Phrases Yes - Sim No - Não Hello - Olá Goodbye - Adeus / Tchau Please - Por favor Thank you - Obrigado / Obrigada My name is … - Chamo-me … How are you? - Como está? I’m very well - Estou bem I feel ill - Sinto-me doente How much does it cost? - Quanto custa? Do you speak English? - Você fala inglês? I don’t understand - Não percebo Where is …? - Onde é …? / Onde está …? Entrance - Entrada Exit - Saída Danger - Perigo Open - Aberto / Aberta Closed - Fechado / Fechada Toilets - Casa-de-banho / WC / Toilette / Quarto de banho Doctor - Medico Hotel - Hotel Restaurant - Restaurante Beer - Cerveja Wine - Vinho Menu - Menú / Ementa Today - Hoje Tomorrow - Amanhã Monday - Segunda-feira / Segunda Tuesday - Terça-feira / Terça Wednesday - Quarta-feira / Quarta Thursday - Quinta-feira / Quinta Friday - Sexta-feira / Sexta Saturday - Sábado Sunday - Domingo One - Um / uma Two - Dois / Duas Three - Três Four - Quatro Five - Cinco Six - Seis Seven - Sete Eight - Oito Nine - Nove Ten - Dez Twenty - Vinte Thirty - Trinta Forty - Quarenta Fifty - Cinquenta Sixty - Sessenta Seventy - Setenta Eighty - Oitenta Ninety - Noventa One Hundred - Cem One Thousand - Mil Getting There By Air Aeroporto de Lisboa (LIS) Tel: (21) 841 3700 or 3500. Fax: (21) 840 1837. Website: www.lisbon-airport.com The airport, which has undergone a recent and impressive renovation, is located seven kilometres (four miles) north of the city. Portugal’s most vital airport, Aeroporto de Lisboa served over 9 million passengers in 2001. Major airlines: The national airline is TAP Air Portugal (tel: (21) 843 7701; website: www.tap-airportugal.pt). PGA – Portugália Airlines (tel: (21) 843 7019; website: www.pga.pt) is also a Portuguese-based airline. Other airlines include Air France, British Airways, Go, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa and TWA. Approximate flight times to Lisbon: From London is 2 hours 20 minutes; from New York is 6 hours 45 minutes; from Los Angeles is 12 hours; from Toronto is 9 hours 30 minutes and from Sydney is 22 hours 30 minutes. Airport facilities: First aid, bureaux de change, post office, left-luggage, mobile phone shop, restaurant and bar are all open 24-hours. There are also duty-free (and other) shops, tourist information (0600-2400) and a bank. Car hire is available from A Castanheira, Auto Jardim, Avis, Eurodollar, Europcar, Guerin and Hertz. Business facilities: There are CIP (Commercially Important Persons) lounges available to first and business class travellers on Air France, British Airways, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, Portugália, TWA, Varig and Viasa. Arrival/departure tax: None. Transport to the city: The Carris AeroBus (tel: (21) 358 2334; website: www.carris.pt) departs every 20 minutes 0700-2100 to the city centre (journey time – 20 minutes) and the Cais do Sodré rail station. A one-day ticket costs Esc450/EUR2 and includes further transport for that day on all trams and buses. The AeroBus is free for TAP passengers, on presentation of used boarding passes when arriving and flight tickets when travelling to the airport. Carris’ local buses 5, 22, 44, 45 and 83 operate 0600-2130, while bus 45 runs until 0115 (journey time – 20-30 minutes). Taxis are available 24-hours a day. The average taxi fare to the city centre is Esc1400-1700/EUR7-8.50 (journey time – 15-30 minutes). Getting There By Water International cruise ships stop at Alcântara, Rocha do Conde de Óbidos and Santa Apolónia. There are five marinas that receive private boats and provide mooring – Bom Sucesso, Belém, Santo Amaro, Alcântara and Olivais. Information is available from the Gestão da Náutica de Recreio (tel: (21) 392 2011; fax: (21) 392 2038). Ferry services: There are no long-distance ferries; (see Getting Around for cross-river services). Transport to the city: Tram, bus and rail services all run along the riverfront. Getting There By Road Traffic drives on the right in Portugal and international traffic signs are used. The minimum age for driving is 18 years. Speed limits are 120kph (74mph) on motorways, 90kph (56mph) outside built-up areas and 50kph (30mph) in towns. Tolls are charged on most motorways. Motorways are indicated by the prefix ‘A’; minor roads by the prefix ‘N’ and European routes by the letter ‘E’. Both International Driving Permits and national driving licences are accepted. A Green Card and third-party insurance are compulsory, as is a warning triangle. Seatbelts must be worn and children should travel in the rear seat. The legal maximum alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.05%. The Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP) is the national motoring association, Rua Rosa Araujo 24 (tel: (21) 318 0100; website: www.acp.pt), and will assist motorists whose automobile club has a reciprocal agreement. Emergency breakdown service: ACP (21) 942 9103 Routes to the city: The A1 Auto-estrada do Norte extends from Porto to Lisbon and the A8 arrives from destinations to the north and west of the city. The A9 bypasses Lisbon, connecting the A1, A8 and the A5, which links Lisbon with Cascais and the beaches. The A2 Auto-estrada do Sul arrives from Faro and the Algarve via Almada and the Ponte 25 de Abril. The A2 also links to the A6, which continues on for connections to Madrid. The A12 crosses the Ponte Vasco da Gama, offering a less congested route into the city. Driving times to Lisbon: From Porto – 3 hours 15 minutes; Faro and the Algarve – 4 hours 20 minutes (longer on summer weekends); and Madrid – 8 hours 55 minutes. Coach services: The main bus terminal (especially for international destinations) is near Saldanha metro station, Avenida Casal Ribeiro. Inter-Centro (tel: (21) 357 1745), operates international services from destinations in France, Spain and the United Kingdom. Rede Nacional de Expressos (tel: (21) 354 5439 or 310 3111; website: www.rede-expressos.pt) provides coach services from hundreds of Portuguese destinations. The main Rede ticket office and terminal is Terminal do Arco do Cego, Avenida Duque D’Ávila 12 (tel: (21) 354 5439). Travellers can call the National Express Coach Service (tel: (707) 223 344) for further information. Getting There By Rail Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses – CP (tel: (21) 888 4025; website: www.cp.pt) is Portuguese national rail service provider. Over the last decade, CP’s reputation has improved, with more efficient services and a modernisation programme, which has especially benefited the Porto–Lisbon service. Travellers should contact CP direct for all national rail enquiries. Lisbon is served by five major railway stations, as well as a number of suburban stations. Santa Apolónia, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, serves long-distance and international routes, as well as suburban routes heading north and west. The gleaming new Oriente station, at the Parque das Nações on the city’s eastern approach, is becoming an increasingly important long-distance train station. Rossio, between Praça dos Restauradores and Rossio, serves Sintra, while Cais do Sodré, near the Praça Duque da Terceira, serves Cascais and Estoril. The Barreiro station, on the south bank of the River Tagus, serves the south. Facilities at the stations vary from refreshment amenities at Oriente station to a complete shopping centre at the somewhat unique Rossio station. Rail services: Intercity trains connect all of Portugal’s major cities to either Lisbon or Porto. Both the comfortable Alfa Service from Porto and the InterCity train from Faro take 3 hours 30 minutes to reach Lisbon. There are overnight trains from Madrid (journey time – 10 hours) and Paris (journey time –18 hours 30 minutes). Transport to the city: Rossio is connected to the Restauradores metro station. Cais do Sodré has its own metro station. Santa Apolónia is linked to the centre by bus. From Barreiro, CP operates a ferry to the Terreiro do Paço port near Praça do Comércio. The Oriente station is connected to the city by its own metro station. Getting Around Public Transport Lisbon’s metro system, the Metropolitano de Lisboa (tel: (21) 798 0600; website: www.metrolisboa.pt/index_uk.htm), is an efficient way to get around the city and features works by prominent artists. There are four lines (A-D) and trains run every three to ten minutes 0630-0100. There are plans to further extend two of the lines in the near future. A single ticket is Esc100/EUR0.50, while a carnet of ten costs Esc850/EUR4. Both one-day and seven-day passes are available for Esc270/EUR1.50 and Esc940/EUR4.50, respectively. A 30-day pass costs Esc2160/EUR11. Single tickets and carnets are available for purchase from station ticket office and self-service machines 0630-0100 and passes can be purchased weekdays 0830-1800 (until 2100 on the last workday of the month) from the special offices at certain stations – including Cais do Sodré, Campo Grande, Marquês de Pombal, Oriente and Restauradores. Complementing this is the city’s network of buses, trams and elevadors (funiculars/street lifts), which are run by the Companhia Carris de Ferro de Lisboa, Praca do Comercio (tel: (21) 358 2334; website: www.carris.pt). Most bus and tram services operate 0600-0100. There are also eight night bus routes, which converge at the Cais do Sodré. Tickets can be purchased on board for Esc160/EUR0.80, or at kiosks for Esc80/EUR0.40. Passes are available for one day or three days, for Esc450/EUR2 and Esc1050/EUR5 respectively. Funicular tickets cost Esc60/EUR0.30-Esc180/EUR0.90. Passes valid for bus, tram and metro are available for four days (Esc1760/EUR9) and seven days (Esc2490/EUR12.50). These can all be purchased at Carris kiosks. The Lisboa Card tourist pass offers unlimited travel on public transport, except tram 15 and 18 and the Elevador de Santa Justa (see Sightseeing section). For travel by water, most cross-Tagus ferries are operated by Transtejo (tel: (21) 322 4000; website: www.transtejo.pt) and arrive at Belém, Cais do Sodré and Terreiro do Paço. CP (Portuguese Railways) runs the ferry link from Barreiro (where the CP trains terminate) to Praça do Comércio –the fare is included in the ticket price for rail travellers. Depending on the route, ferry services operate roughly 0700-2200. Tickets are purchased at the ferry pier. Taxis Taxis are beige – the older ones are black with a green roof – and have small green lights on top, indicating availability. Taxis can easily be hailed on the street, at ranks or by phone (Esc150/EUR0.75 surcharge) from Radiotaxis (tel: (21) 793 2756 or 811 1290 or 1100). Taxis are metered and the minimum charge is Esc250/EUR1. The fare increases by 20% after 2200, with the flag fare Esc320/EUR1.50 during the day and Esc380/EUR2 at night. A supplement of Esc300/EUR1.50 is payable for luggage carried in the boot or on the roof. There are also 24-hour water taxis, operated by Taxitour (tel: (21) 397 2783), which depart from a number of clearly marked points along the river. A tip of 10% is expected and appreciated. Limousines UNILIS, Rua Actor Vale 25b (tel: (21) 816 0000), offers a limousine service with multi-lingual drivers. The cost for a full day (0900-1800) is Esc50,000/EUR249.50, with extra charges for tolls, extra hours or mileage above 150km (93 miles) and the driver’s meal. Driving in the City Driving in Lisbon can be more than a little nerve-wracking – not only do cars speed around but road signs are also often inadequate. The A9 outer ring road, known as the CREL (Cintura Regional Exterior de Lisboa) and inner ring road, CRIL (Cintura Regional Interior de Lisboa) move traffic efficiently around the city, except during the extended nightmare of rush hour from 1700-1900. Despite the new Vasco Da Gama bridge across the River Tagus, the Ponte 25 de Abril can still take an hour to cross during rush hour and summer weekends. Pay-and-display parking is in effect Monday to Friday 0800-2000 in many areas of central Lisbon (costing Esc55/EUR0.30 for half an hour and Esc490/EUR2.50 for the four-hour maximum). Parking is also available at the larger shopping centres. A network of underground car parks is currently being built – these are indicated by large blue ‘P’ signs and are far more expensive than street meter parking. Car Hire Drivers must be at least 21 years old to hire a car and a valid national drivers license is required. Insurance is mandatory in Portugal and lack thereof can lead to a heavy fine. Third party liability is often included in the hire price, although visitors should always check this and ask for an International Insurance Certificate. Accident rates are high in Portugal, so extra insurance would not go amiss. Car hire company Autocerro (tel: (21) 940 0555; website: www.autocerro.pt) is located at Quinta de Francelha de Baixo, Bloco 1. A week’s rental costs an average of Esc54,800/EUR273.50 in high season. Other car hire firms include Avis, Estação de Santa Apolónia (tel: (21) 881 0469; website: www.avis.com), Europcar, Estação de Santa Apolónia: (tel: (21) 886 1573; website: www.europcar.pt) and Hertz, Avenida da Republica 64A (tel: (21) 793 3647; website: www.hertz.com). Rates average around Esc90,000/EUR449 per day. Bicycle Hire Bicycles are a good way to get around the large former Expo98 site but are not very practical for the steep streets of much of Lisbon. These can be hired at Adrenalina Gravidade Zero (tel: (21) 892 2300), at the north end of the Parque das Nações, for Esc750/EUR3.50 per hour. A passport or other ID must be left as a deposit. Business Business Profile Not so long ago, Portugal was lambasted as the ‘Poor Man of Europe’. However, over the last few decades, Portugal and Lisbon have successfully turned things around. Portugal now boasts one of Western Europe’s fastest climbing economies, with an annual growth rate of over 3% during the last few years. Lisbon is also one of the fastest growing European cities, in economic terms, with and employment rate of 68.3%. Portugal also has one of the lowest unemployment figures in Europe, stated at 4.2% in the first quarter of 2001, less than the EU average. Lisbon’s unemployment is lower than the national average, standing at 3.9%. In 1999, Portugal joined the EMU and tight fiscal policies have ensured that it has continued to meet the EMU criteria. In December 1997, Portugal’s stock market was added to the Morgan Stanley ‘Developed indexes. The introduction of the Euro in 2002 has finally sealed Portugal’s place in the developed Western European economy. Being part of the EMU has strengthened Portugal’s trading bonds with the other European countries – almost half the country’s trade is with Spain, Germany and France. Membership of the EU has also brought with it a massive investment in infrastructure, which has boosted the domestic construction industry and also made it easier to transport goods and generally do business. The successful staging of Expo 98 was a sign that Lisbon is now a progressive European city and silenced many of the critics who had predicted that it would be a disaster. The main industries in Lisbon are tourism, followed by finance, insurance, consulting and telecommunications. The Baixa district is the location of many of the banks and major financial services. Many multinationals, including KPMG, Arthur Anderson and Barclays Bank, have a presence in the city and their base of operations for the entire country is usually located here. The city has its own convention centre – The Lisbon Convention Centre (tel: (21) 361 0350, fax (21) 361 0359). The Portuguese Investment, Trade and Tourism Institute, Avenida 5 de Outubro 101 (tel: (21) 790 9500), offers English language assistance on doing business in Lisbon. The British Council Translation Unit, Rua de Sao Marcal 174 (tel: (21) 347 6141; fax: (21) 347 6152), provides translation services. There are a number of Internet cafes located all over the city, with Ponto Net, Rua do Arsenal, Praca do Comercio, conveniently located in the centre of town. Business Etiquette Doing business is Lisbon is far less bureaucratic than it used to be but can still require a lot of patience, even though a reasonably good level of English is spoken in business circles. Appointments may stretch on for longer than anticipated, with long lunches common. Even the most rudimentary of business transactions and dealings seem to take longer in Lisbon than in most European capitals. Shaking hands is customary when meeting and taking leave and business cards are exchanged after introduction. When addressing someone, it is customary to use their title – especially if they have a profession (eg Engenheiro) or university degree – followed by their full name. Regardless of their degree, university graduates are usually referred to as ‘Doctor(a)’. Mr, Ms and Mrs translate to Sr, Sra and D (for ‘Dona’). Co-workers often refer to each other as ‘colleague’. Business suits are standard office attire for both men and women. It is advisable to enquire whether the same attire should be worn for social functions. It is considered very rude to write anything official in red ink. Normal business hours are Monday to Friday 0900-1300 and 1500-1800. Business socialising generally focuses on eating and drinking in bars and restaurants, with this seldom extending to people’s homes. Alcohol will usually be drunk with all meals, although local business people hardly ever overindulge during business meetings. Sightseeing Sightseeing Overview Lisbon may have seven rugged hills and a major river but the city is still easily navigable with a combination of the impressive public transport system and walking around. Indeed the trams, ferries, funiculars and elevadors are all part of the fun of exploring the city and are something of an attraction in themselves (particularly tram 28). A good starting point is Sao Jorge Castelo, which offers sweeping views of the city, opening up its rambling layout. Below the ramparts lurks the old town warren of the Alfama, with its local restaurants and raffish bars. Further to the west is the Praça do Comercio, the city’s impressive main square, which is soon to be pedestrianised. At one end of the square is the Baixa, a grid-like set of streets that breaks away towards another important square, the Rossio. At the other end of Praça do Comercio is the Rio Tejo, the city’s aquatic lifeblood, without which none of the city’s glories would ever have been possible. The river today offers cruises, some of which take in the areas of Belem and Parque das Nações (two other tourist hubs). Belem, on the city’s western extremities, is the heart of the old Portuguese Empire, with a string of attractions including the Torre de Belém, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the Centro Cultural de Belém. The Parque das Nações, to the east of the city centre, is at the opposite end of the time scale – an ultra modern playground that is home to Europe’s largest Oceanarium, a huge shopping centre, river walkways and concert venues. Outside the city boundaries the twin resorts of Estoril and Cascais offer a beach escape in the summer months, while the mountain retreat of Sintra is a perennially popular day trip. Tourist Information Associação Turismo de Lisboa Palácio Foz, Praça dos Restauradores Tel: (21) 361 0350 or (800) 296 296. Fax: (21) 361 0359. E-mail: alt@alt-turismolisboa.pt Website: www.atl-turismolisboa.pt Opening hours: Daily 0900-2000. Other offices are located at Santa Apolónia station and at the airport. There are also kiosks near main tourist sites. Passes The Lisboa Card offers unlimited travel and free or discounted entry to more than 27 museums and attractions, as well as a guide to Lisbon. 24-hour (Esc2200/EUR11), 48-hour (Esc3600/EUR18), and 72-hour (Esc4600/EUR23) cards can be purchased (concessions are available) at Associação Turismo de Lisboa offices. Key Attractions Castelo de São Jorge (Castle of St George) The Castle of St George is perched on the highest of Lisbon’s seven hills, high above the Baixa and the Mouraria (the Moorish Quarter). The site was occupied by Romans, Visigoths and Moors and was the royal residence until the late 15th century – it was rebuilt in the 1940s. Within the castle, tourists can visit multimedia presentations or just wander around the walls, towers and gardens. In summer there are frequent festivals in the castle grounds. There is also a small restaurant (summer only). Largo do Chäo da Feira Tel: (21) 887 7244. Fax: (21) 887 5695. Transport: Tram 12 or 28; bus 37. Opening hours: Daily 0900-2100 (Apr-Sep); daily 0900-1800 (Oct-Mar). Admission: Free. Tram 28 The legendary tram 28 is a tourist attraction in itself. Vintage trams still ply the well-worn route from the city centre on sea level, right up through the jumble of streets towards the heights of the Castle of St George. On the way, the tram slices open the city, providing insights into the Lisbon way of life, as well as offering sweeping views back towards the city and out over the Rio Tejo. One word of warning – the tram is increasingly as popular with pickpockets as it is with savvy tourists. Campo Ourique–Martim Moniz Tel: (21) 361 3000 Website: www.carris.pt Opening hours: Daily 0600-0100. Admission: Esc160/EUR0.80. Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) One of the city’s most famous sights is more impressive on the outside than it is on the inside. This white stone tower – built in the early-16th century, to defend the river – was the last thing that the seafaring adventurers saw before setting off on their epic adventures. It is an excellent example of the Manueline style of architecture, with fanciful naval themes. A gangway leads to a very average museum within the tower. Avenida de Brasília Tel: (21) 362 0034. Fax: (21) 363 9145. Transport: Tram 15; bus 27, 28, 29, 43, 49 or 51; train to Belém station. Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1830. Admission: Esc400/EUR1.99. Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Hieronimite Monastery) This 16th-century monastery is one of the few surviving examples of medieval Manueline architecture (named after Manuel I and featuring naval motifs) and is listed (along with the Torre de Belém) as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also the resting place of Vasco da Gama and the nation’s most famous writer, Luís de Camões. Praça do Império Tel: (21) 362 0034. Fax: (21) 363 9145. Transport: Tram 15; bus 27, 28, 29, 43, 49, 51 or 112; train to Belém station. Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1700 (Oct-Apr); Tues-Sun 1000-1830 (May-Sep). Admission: Esc400/EUR2. Parque das Nações (Nations Park) The former Expo98 site has been converted into a leisure oasis, with a shopping centre, a string of attractions, concert halls, bars, restaurants and a walkway along the River Tagus. The Torre Vasco da Gama – the site’s landmark tower and Lisbon’s tallest building – has an observation platform and restaurant, two-thirds of the way up. The Oceanário – one of the largest oceanariums in the world – has huge pools that are home to manta rays, penguins and sharks. Designed for all manner of public events, the Atlântico Pavilion is a highly successful venue for concert, fairs and other functions. The waterside cable car, connecting the tower and oceanarium, offers excellent views over the site. Summer weekends are best avoided, however, as every family in Portugal seems to descend on the site. Parque das Nações Tel: (21) 891 9333. E-mail: info@parquedasnacoes.pt Website: www.parquedasnacoes.pt Transport: Rail or metro to Estação do Oriente station; bus 5, 10, 21, 25, 50, 68 or 114. Opening hours: Daily 24 hours. Admission: Free. Cable Car Between Torre Vasco da Gama and the Marina locks Tel: (21) 896 5823. Transport: Rail or metro to Estação do Oriente station; bus 5, 10, 21, 25, 50, 68 or 114. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1100-1900, Sat-Sun 1000-2000. Admission: Esc300/EUR1.50. Torre Vasco da Gama Cais das Naus Tel: (21) 891 8000. Fax: (21) 891 8005. Transport: Rail or metro to Estação do Oriente station; bus 5, 10, 21, 25, 50, 68 or 114. Opening hours: Daily 1000-2000. Admission: Esc500/EUR2.50. Oceanário Esplanada D. Carlos I–Doca dos Olivais Tel: (21) 891 9898 or 7002. Fax: (21) 891 9003 or 895 5762 Website: www.oceanario.pt Transport: Rail or metro to Estação do Oriente station; bus 5, 10, 21, 25, 50, 68 or 114. Opening hours: Daily 1000-1900 (summer); daily 1000-1800 (winter). Admission: Esc1500/EUR7.50. Atlântico Pavilion Rossio dos Olivais Tel: (21) 891 8409. Fax: (21) 891 8413. E-mail: info@atlantico-multiusos.pt Website: www.atlantico-multiusos.pt Transport: Rail or metro to Estação do Oriente station; bus 5, 10, 21, 25, 50, 68 or 114. Opening hours: Daily 1300-1900 (ticket office). Admission: Free; event prices vary. Museu Calouste Gulbenkian (Calouste Gulbenkian Museum) This is a treasure house of art covering almost every significant epoch. Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Islamic and Oriental art comprise half the exhibition rooms and the remainder is devoted to European art from medieval times to the early 20th century. The sequence continues with the foundation’s Centro de Arte Moderna, which is part of the same complex. Avenida de Berna 45 Tel: (21) 782 3461 Transport: Metro São Sebastião or Praça de Espanha. Opening hours: Tues 1400-1800 and Wed-Sun 1000-1800. Admission: Esc500/EUR2.50; free Sunday; concessions available. Centro Cultural de Belém (Belém Cultural Centre) This modern complex is home to the Museu do Design as well as performance and exhibition spaces. The museum features 20th-century design – divided into ‘Luxury’, ‘Pop’ and ‘Cool’ themes – supplemented by temporary exhibitions. The courtyards and rooftop gardens make a great place to relax in between sightseeing. Praça do Império Tel: (21) 361 2400 or 2444. Fax: (21) 361 2500 or 2560. E-mail: ccb@ccb.pt Website: www.ccb.pt Transport: Tram 15 or 17; bus 27, 28, 29, 43, 49 or 51; train to Belém station. Opening hours: Daily 1300-1930. Admission: Esc500/EUR2.50. Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (National Museum of Ancient Art) Essentially Portugal’s national gallery, the museum’s collections of painting and sculpture date from the 12th century and include a wide range of works by Portuguese and international artists. Rua das Janelas Verdes 9 Tel: (21) 391 2800. Fax: (21) 397 3703. Website: www.ipmuseus.pt E-mail: mnarteantiga@ipmuseus.pt Transport: Tram 15 or 18; bus 27, 40, 49, 51 or 60. Opening hours: Tues 1400-1800, Wed-Sun 1000-1800. Admission: Esc600/EUR3. Sé (Cathedral) Built in the 12th century by Dom Alfonso Henriques, Portugal’s first king, Lisbon’s cathedral is primarily Romanesque in style, although later styles were incorporated when earthquake damage was repaired. The cloister dates from the 13th century, while the Baroque sacristy houses the remains of St Anthony (Lisbon’s patron saint) and other treasures. The cathedral also houses a small museum. Largo da Sé Tel: (21) 886 6752. Transport: Tram 28; bus 37. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0830-1800 (cathedral); Mon-Sun 1000-1300 and 1400-1700 (museum/treasury). Admission: Free (cathedral); Esc400/EUR2 (museum/treasury). Fragata D Fernando Il e Gloria (The D Fernando Il e Gloria Frigate) This new attraction harks back to Lisbon’s long and grand maritime past. The old sailing frigate is moored along the quayside, east of the city centre. Today, the three-mast ship functions as a living museum, shedding light on life on the high seas centuries ago. Doca da Marinha Tel: (21) 325 5508. Website: www.museumarinha.pt/fragata Transport: Tram 15. Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1800. Admission: Esc500/EUR2.50. Further Distractions Museu Nacional do Azulejo (National Tile Museum) Located in the Convent of Madre de Deus (built in 1509), this museum catalogues the history of the decoration that makes Lisbon so unique, with examples of azulejos (glazed tiles) from the 15th century to the present. Rua de Madre de Deus 4 Tel: (21) 814 7747. Fax: (21) 814 9534. Website: www.ipmuseus.pt Transport: Bus 18, 42, 104 or 105. Opening hours: Tues 1400-1800 and Wed-Sun 1000-1800. Admission: Esc350/EUR1.50. Miradouros (Viewing Points) With its seven hills, Lisbon has a number of places to see and see from. The Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara, at the top of the Elevador de Glória funicular, offers views over the Baixa and across to the Castelo de São Jorge. It is worth getting off tram 28 to see the view over the Alfama and the Rio Tejo from the Miradouro Santa Luzia and Miradouro das Portas do Sol. Further along tram 28’s route, up the hill, is the Miradouro da Graça, which overlooks the Mouraria and the Castelo. The Elevador de Santa Justa is another great vantage point. Located at the end of Rua Santa Justa, it costs the same as other forms of public transit and is free with travel passes; although not with the Lisboa Card. Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara Rua São Pedro de Alcântara Transport: Elevador da Glória; bus 58 or 100. Opening hours: Daily 24 hours. Admission: Free. Miradouro Santa Luzia Largo Santa Luzia Transport: Tram 28; bus 37. Opening hours: Daily 24 hours. Admission: Free. Miradouro das Portas do Sol Largo Portas do Sol Transport: Tram 28 or 12; bus 37. Opening hours: Daily 24 hours. Admission: Free. Miradouro da Graça Largo Graça Transport: Tram 28. Opening hours: Daily 24 hours. Admission: Free. Tours of the City Walking Tours Lisbon is a city that demands a stroll around its unique neighbourhoods – notably Chiado, Bairro Alto, Mouraria and Alfama. Many of Turismo de Lisboa’s publications include self-guided walking tours, although there are currently no guided walking tours available. Bus Tours Standard bus tours are offered by Cityrama (tel: (21) 319 1090; website: www.cityrama.pt), for Esc5500/EUR27.50 (half-day) and Esc13,000/EUR65 (full day), including Sintra, Cascais and Estoril. Tours depart from Marquês de Pombal, although pick-up can be organised from a number of hotels. Similar tours are offered by Portugal Tours (tel: (21) 351 1220, website: www.portugaltours.pt). Carris (tel: (21) 361 3000, website: www.carris.pt) offers two open-top bus routes, costing Esc2500/EUR12.50 (concessions are available). Being a hop-on-hop-off bus service, the length of the tour can be self-determined and the ticket is valid for the whole day. The tour departs from the Praça do Comércio Tram Tours A tour in a restored tramcar costs Esc3000/EUR15 (concessions are available) and takes an hour and a half to travel through the historical sights of Lisbon. The tour departs from the Praça do Comércio and passes the cathedral and castle. Boat Tours Transtejo (tel: (21) 347 9277; website: www.transtejo.pt) offers a variety of tours, including two-hour tours of the Rio Tejo, from the docks east of Praça do Comércio and travelling as far west as the Belém Tower. Tours cost Esc3000/EUR15 (concessions are available) and depart daily at 1100 and 1500 from the Terreiro do Paço river station, April to October. Excursions For a Half Day Estoril and Cascais: The resort of Estoril, approximately 30km (19 miles) west of Lisbon, has long attracted the wealthy, who have built villas in the green hills above the beaches. A little further west from Estoril, Cascais has had a somewhat more humble history, operating more as a working fishing town than as a hideaway for the rich. Both attract crowds of tourists from Lisbon and abroad to their wide Atlantic beaches and watersports. Cascais is renowned for its seafood restaurants and Estoril has one of Europe’s largest casinos. Trains to both destinations depart from Cais do Sodré station. Further information on Estoril and Cascais is available from Estoril Tourist Board, Arcadas do Parque (tel: (21) 466 3813; fax: (21) 467 2280). For a Whole Day Sintra: The many palaces, villas and gardens around Sintra, in the mountains west of Lisbon, have earned it a place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sintra is dominated by the Palácio Nacional de Sintra (tel: (21) 910 6840; fax: (21) 923 4118), a royal summer palace that was largely developed in the 15th and 16th centuries and now houses the world’s most important collection of Mudejar azulejos (glazed tiles). The palace is open 1000-1700 (closed Wednesday) and can be reached by train from Rossio station. The Sintra Tourism Office, Praça da República 23 (tel: (21) 923 1157; fax: (21) 923 5176; website: www.cm-sintra.pt), provides further information. Sport Lisboetas are mad about football and support either of the two major clubs, Sport Lisboa e Benfica (website: www.slbenfica.pt), known as the ‘red devils’, and Sporting Clube de Portugal (website: www.sporting.pt), known as the ‘lizards’, for their green stripes. Both are strong first-division contenders. Benfica play at the enormous Estádio da Luz, Avenida General Norton de Matos (tel: (21) 760 2127; website: www.slbenfica.pt), although they are set to move to a new home in time for Euro 2004. Sporting play at the Estádio José Alvalade, just north of the Campo Grande (tel: (21) 751 4030; website: www.scp.pt). Sport can get bloodthirsty in Portugal and Lisbon is no exception. Bullfighting can be seen at the Campo Pequeno (tel: (21) 793 2442) during the summer months on Thursday. Surrounding the city are beaches, sailing clubs and watersports facilities – the Estoril Tennis Open, Portuguese Golf Open and the World Windsurfing Championships all take place along the coast. Tickets to sporting events can be purchased at the Agência de Billetes para Espectáculos Públicos (ABEP). There is a kiosk located in the southeast corner of Praça dos Restauradores. Ticket Line (tel: (21) 712 0300) also offers tickets to many popular events. Fitness centres: The Health Club Soleil (tel: (21) 383 2908), in the Amoreiras Shopping Centre, has a leisure centre with squash courts. Golf: There are over a dozen 18-hole courses in the area, notably the Clube de Golf do Estoril, Avenida da República, in Estoril (tel: (21) 468 0176), and Lisboa Sports Club, near Queluz at Casal da Carregueira, in Belas (tel: (21) 432 1474). Fees are around Esc3500/EUR17.50 and membership is not required. Swimming: The beaches to the west of Lisbon, notably at Estoril and Cascais, are popular, although can become very crowded during the height of summer. At the Cabo da Roca, the water is rougher. Many Lisboetas prefer the beaches south of the Rio Tejo – there are dunes and sandy beaches south of Caparica. The Piscina do Ateneu, Rua das Portas de Santo Antão 102 (tel: (21) 343 0947), is a convenient swimming pool near the Rossio, which is open Monday to Friday 1310-1630 and 2100-2200 and Saturday 1530-1900. Tennis: Courts are located in the Jardim do Campo Grande, Campo Grande (tel: (21) 758 5192), and at the coastal resorts. Shopping Out-of-town mega malls may be gradually strangling many of Lisbon’s smaller shops but the Baixa quarter still thrives. Pricier shops can be found on Avenida da Liberadade and in the attractive Chiado district, to the west above Baixa. Local handicrafts include baskets and other objects made of wicker, copper utensils, embroideries and lace, pottery and other ceramics. Shops are generally open Monday to Friday 0900-1300 and 1500-1900 and Saturday 0900-1300. Shopping centres are open daily 1000-2300/2400. Centro Colombo is the largest shopping centre on the Iberian Peninsula. Competitors include the Amoreiras Shopping Centre, Rua Carlos Alberta da Mota Pinto, and the new Centro Comercial Vasco da Gama, at the Parque das Nações. Lisbon has always been renowned for conservative dress but the renaissance of the city has also translated into a wave of new funky fashion stores. Pick of the bunch are Agencia, Rua do Norte 117, a seventies-style shop with a hairdresser and a bar, Fashion Gallery Atelier, Rua do Salitre 169, with its outrageous designs and Godzilla, Rua dos Douradores 120, with its cutting edge club gear. Lisbon’s most famous market is the Feira da Ladra (Thieves’ Market), which springs up 0900-1900 Monday to Saturday on the Campo de Santa Clara, packed with all sorts of bric-a-brac – yet another excuse for visitors to take tram 28. The Lisboa Shopping Card, available from tourist offices for Esc550/EUR2.50 for 24 hours and Esc990/EUR5 for 72 hours, offers discounts at more than two hundred stores. There is a sales tax of 17% included in prices. Part of this may be reclaimed by visitors who are leaving the EU. Travellers wishing to take advantage of this must ask for a refund cheque for purchases over Esc11,700/EUR58.50 (at participating stores only). The cheque must be stamped by customs and a refund claimed before passing through passport control. Culture The cultural scene in Lisbon today is a vibrant collage of old and new, as the ghosts of Lisbon’s grand past echo evocatively around the city’s contemporary venues. Lisbon offers a formidable number of venues and companies can often be found performing in a wide variety of sites, such as outdoor parks and national palaces. The fortnightly Follow me Lisboa publishes cultural listings. For visitors who want to try their hand at Portuguese, the municipal government publishes the monthly Agenda Cultural (website: www.hpv.pt/lisboa/agenda/outras.html), which has a comprehensive set of listings (there is an English summary during the summer months). Event tickets can be purchased at the Agência de Billetes para Espectáculos Públicos (ABEP) – there is a kiosk in the southeast corner of Praça dos Restauradores. Ticket Line (tel: (21) 712 0300) also offers tickets to many popular shows. Music: The Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa (Portuguese Symphony Orchestra) is now based at the Teatro Camões (tel: (21) 891 7753), at the former Expo98 site in the Parque das Nações. The Gulbenkian Orchestra and Gulbenkian Choir are among those whose concerts are held at one of the concert halls and open-air amphitheatre of the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Avenida de Berna 45A (tel: (21) 793 5131), adjacent to the museum. The Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, Rua Serpa Pinto 9 (tel: (21) 346 8408), is where opera productions are staged during the September to June season. Classical concerts are also held here. Other classical music ensembles include the Sinfonietta de Lisboa (based at the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos) and the Orquestra Metropolitana de Lisboa. Another major venue is the Coliseu dos Recreios, Rua das Portas Santo Antão 92 (tel: (21) 343 1677). Theatre: Among Lisbon’s attractive theatres, the Teatro Nacional de Dona Maria II, Praça de Dom Pedro IV, Rossio (tel: (21) 325 0800), is the most striking. Theatre and opera productions are also hosted in the Pequeno and Grande Auditório (Small and Large Auditoria) of the Centro Cultural de Belém, Praça do Império (tel: (21) 361 2400 or 2444; website: www.ccb.pt). Most theatre performances in Lisbon are, naturally, in Portuguese, although there are also some in English. The classics are still well liked, despite the fact that contemporary Portuguese and political work is becoming increasingly popular. The Artistas Unidos is an alternative company that specialises in political theatre, often using the Teatro Municipal de São Luís, Rua António Maria Cardoso 40 (tel: (21) 346 1260 or 5358). Dance: The Portuguese National Ballet, Companhia Nacional de Bailado (website: www.cnb.pt), is based at the Teatro Camões, Parque das Nações. Other venues that host dance performances are the Centro Cultural de Belém, Praça do Império (tel: (21) 361 2400 or 2444; website: www.ccb.pt) and the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Avenida de Berna 45A (tel: (21) 793 5131). Film: Films are almost always shown in the original language, with subtitles in Portuguese. For English-language films, the best bets are the multiplexes in the larger shopping centres. The Diário de Notícias newspaper has film listings. Mainstream theatres are Amoreiras, Avenida Engengeiro Duarte Pacheco (tel: (21) 387 8752) and Colombo, Centro Colombo, Avenida Luisada (tel:(21) 711 3200. There is a drive-in theatre at the north end of Parque das Nações, with films showing at 2200, at a cost of Esc1500/EUR7.50 per car. Arthouse film fans are also catered for at the Londres, Avenida de Roma 7A (tel: (21) 840 1313). The world’s oldest taxi driver and his 1928 Oldsmobile are the stars of the film, Lisboa Taxi (1996), which premiered in January 1997. Cultural events: Since the 16th century, the Procissão do Senhor dos Passos, a procession of violet-covered litters has passed through the Graça district on the second Sunday of Lent, in honour of Senhor dos Passos. The month of June sees some of Lisbon’s most popular festivals, honouring a number of saints, with parades and parties. Similar processions take place on saints’ days in many of the surrounding villages. Literary Notes Portugal’s most famous writer was Luís de Camões, whose 16th-century poem, Os Lusíadas (1572), captured the spirit of the Portuguese Empire. The other famous name is the poet Fernando Pessoa, born in Lisbon in 1888. In addition to his poems, Pessoa was involved with Orpheu magazine (founded in 1914), which made a significant contribution to the cultural discourse of the time. José Saramago, the Portuguese native who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998, is the author of the 1989 tome, História de cerco de Lisboa (The History of the Siege of Lisbon), a fanciful retelling of the 1147 siege of the city. Lisbon appears in other nation’s works of literature as well. The 1755 earthquake, for example, appears as an important symbol in Voltaire’s Candide (1759). Henry Fielding moved to Lisbon for health reasons and died here after completing the Journal of a Voyage to Lisbon (1755). Other more recent works include Mario de Sa-Carneiro’s The Great Shadow (circa 1915), a collection of short stories set in Lisbon, and Cees Nooteboom’s The Following Story (1991), a surreal tale of a teacher who falls asleep in Amsterdam and awakes in Lisbon. Nightlife With whole areas of the city being turned over to the pursuit of pleasure and traffic jams at 0400-0500 at the weekend, it is obvious that Lisbon is a city that takes its nightlife seriously. Traditionally the nightlife centre has been Bairro Alto, with its fado clubs, traditional, canteen-style bars and upscale discos. The simplest thing is to walk in and out of a number of them, ordering an imperial (half pint), or a caneca (pint) if the place looks especially inviting. The bars are open until 0400, often with lock-ins. The average price of a beer in Lisbon is Esc325/EUR1.50 and the minimum age for purchasing alcohol is 16 years. Much of the action has moved on to the Docas (Docks) district, just to the east of Ponte 25 de Abril. One bar after another occupies a row of converted warehouses at the Doca de Santo Amaro, with a crowded promenade and tables out front. Back towards the city, the Doca de Alcântara has emerged over the last few years as the new place of choice for Lisbon’s moneyed professionals and the ‘in’ crowd. At around 0200, many locals head to the multitude of Lisbon discos, which rock until 0600 or later. Some Lisbon clubs leave the cover charge to the doorman’s discretion and can be anything from zero to Esc1000-2000/EUR5-10 (often including one or two drinks). The Time Out website (www.timeout.com) is a good source of information on new bars, clubs and restaurants in Lisbon. Bars: Along the row of buildings east of Ponte 25 de Abril, you can take your pick of the competing bars, including nightlife delights such as the popular Celtas Iberos Irish Bar, Doca de Santo Amaro. Finding a place in Bairro Alto is a bit more complicated – the best thing to do is to walk uphill from the Praça Luís de Camões, just to the west of the Chiado metro station. Clube da Esquina, Rua Barroca 30, is a trendy, minimalist bar that is popular with the local cool crowd. Rua da Atalaia is one of the more lively streets and the welcoming Portas Largas, at number 105, is a good place to start. Arroz Doce, number 117-119, is a traditional canteen-style bar and a good place to order a pontapé na cona. Fátima Lopes, number 36, is a swish bar with funky sofas and dancefloor. Punters can also shop for the eponymous designer’s fashions until 0400. Work in Progress (WIP), Rua da Bica Duarte Belo 47-49, is a more laid-back place with exposed brick walls and ambient music. Casinos: Casino Estoril, Praça Jose Teodoro dos Santos, Estoril (website: www.casino-estoril.pt), is one of the largest and best known casinos in Europe. There is a charge of Esc500/EUR2.50 for the gaming rooms (excluding slot machines). Visitors must be over 18 years, wear smart-casual attire and provide ID. Clubs: There are a number of clubs around Doca de Alcântara. There is not a huge difference music-wise between them, although Kings and Queens, Doca de Alcântara, attracts boys and girls of all persuasions. Kremlin, Rua Escadinhas da Praia 5, and nearby Kapital, Avenida 24 de Julho 68, are both popular – the former plays techno in Egyptian-style surroundings, while the latter has three floors, each with a different style. Without doubt the city’s hottest spot is still the ultra stylish Lux, Rua Gustavo Matos Sequeira 42, which has been voted one of the best 35 clubs in the world and offers free entry. Top Portuguese DJs as well as big European names have been attracted by this classy club, which boasts a massive dancefloor and a chill-out area upstairs, with comfy sofas, two-seater bean bags and a terrace overlooking the river. Live music: Fado is a form of music that developed in Lisbon’s sailor bars in the late 18th century. It is a mournful, romantic singing style that fits somewhere between blues and flamenco and bemoans the death of Portugal’s great Golden Age. These traditional sounds are best heard at one of the casa de fado, from about 2100-2200. Hot Clube de Portugal, Praça de Alegria 38-39, is a favourite for jazz sessions. On Thursday, live jazz is also played at Catacumbas Jazz-Bar, Rua da Rosa 154. For African and Brazilian music, try Lontra, Rua de São Bento 157, in Bairro Alto, and Pê Sujo, Rua Madalena 102-8, near the Cathedral in the Alfama district. Large concerts can be seen at the Atlântico Pavilion, Rossio dos Olivais (see Sightseeing section). City Statistics Location: Lisbon region, west coast of Portugal. Country dialling code: 351. Population: 681,063 (city); 2,000,000 (metropolitan area). Ethnic mix: 70% Portuguese, 20% smaller minority communities from Macau, Brazil and other parts of Europe, 10% African. Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic. Time zone: GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin plugs are standard. Average January temp: 12°C (53.5°F). Average July temp: 24°C (75°F). Annual rainfall: 617mm (24.3 inches). Special Events Fado Festival, Feb, throughout the city Lisbon Carnival, street parties and parades, Feb, focal point is Parque Nações Procissão do Senhor dos Passos (Procession of the Gentleman of the Steps), religious procession, mid-Mar, Graça district ModaLisboa Fashion Show, Apr, Mercado da Ribeira Estoril Open, tennis tournament, Apr, Estoril Half Marathon, early Apr, starts Almada and ends Belém Bullfights, May-Sep, Campo Pequeno Estoril Jazz Festival, Jun-Jul, Estoril Portugal’s National Day, 10 Jun, throughout the city Festas dos Santos Populares, saints’ festivals, mid-late Jun, throughout the city, particularly Avenida de Liberdade on the opening day Sintra Music Festival, classical concerts and dance, mid-Jun-early Sep, Sintra Sintra Ballet Festivals, Jul-Aug, Sintra Festival of the Oceans, literary tours, multimedia shows, sailing regattas and concerts, mid-Aug-early Sep, throughout the city Estoril Open, golf tournament, Oct, Estoril ModaLisboa Fashion Show, late Oct, venue to be confirmed Lisboa Marathon, Nov, starts Almada and ends Belém Bolsa de Natal, Christmas market, early Dec, throughout the city New Year’s Eve, 31 Dec, various sites along the Tagus Cost of Living On 1 January 2002, the Escudo was replaced by the Euro in Portugal. The Euro prices given throughout have been converted from the prices in the original currency. They are rounded to the nearest €0.50 and will therefore be approximations of the current correct Euro price, especially as many establishments will have used the changeover as an excuse to increase their prices. One-litre bottle of mineral water: Esc160/€0.80 33cl bottle of beer: Esc100/€0.50 Financial Times newspaper: Esc400/€2 36-exposure colour film: Esc1000/€5 City-centre bus ticket: Esc80-160/€0.40-0.80 Adult football ticket: Esc3000-5000/€15-25 Three-course meal with wine/beer: Esc1400-3200/€7-16 1 Euro (€1) = £0.68; US$1.07; C$1.62; A$1.80; Esc200.48 100 Escudos (Esc100) = €0.50 Currency conversion rates as of February 2003 Business Services Business Contacts: Câmara de Comércio e Indústria Portuguesa (Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry) Rua das Portas de Santo Antão 89, 1194 Lisbon Tel: (21) 322 4050. Fax: (21) 322 4051. E-mail: info@port-chambers.com Website: www.port-chambers.com Portuguese-UK Chamber of Commerce (UK) 4th Floor, 22-25a Sackville Street, London W1X 1DE Tel: (020) 7494 1844. Fax: (020) 7494 1822. E-mail: info@portuguese-chamber.org.uk Website: www.portuguese-chamber.org.uk Portugal-US Chamber of Commerce (USA) 3rd Floor, 590 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036 Tel: (212) 354 4627. Fax: (212) 575 4737. E-mail: anaosori@ix.netcom.com Website: www.portugal-us.com Portuguese Trade and Tourism Commission (Canada) Suite 1005, 60 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3B8 Tel: (416) 921 4925. Fax: (416) 921 1353. E-mail: iceptor@idirect.com Website: www.icep.pt There is no Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in Australia; the Commercial department of the Portugese Embassy can provide information instead: Embassy of the Portuguese Republic (Australia) Street address: 23 Culgoa Circuit, O’Malley, ACT 2606 Postal address: PO Box 9092, ACT 2600 Deakin, Canberra Tel: (02) 6290 1733. Fax: (02) 6290 1957. E-mail: sab@mail2me.com.au Business centre Centro Escritórios das Laranjeiras Praça Nuno Rodrigues Santos 7, 1600-171 Lisbon Tel: (021) 726 9011. Fax: (021) 726 9985. Office space and conference rooms for hire, with extensive facilities and equipment. Convention and meeting planners Certame Travessa do Forte de São Pedro 1, 2780 Paço de Arcos Tel: (21) 440 6200. Fax: (21) 440 6209. E-mail: certame@certame.pt Website: www.certame.pt Eurocongressos Rua Francisco de Andrade 4, 1700-198 Lisbon Tel: (21) 847 2577. Fax: (21) 847 3746. E-mail: eurocongressos@mail.telepac.pt Website: www.eurocongressos.pt Convention and meeting venues Feira Internacional de Lisboa (FIL) (International Fair of Lisbon) Parque das Nações, Rua do Bojador, 1998-010 Lisbon Tel: (21) 892 1300. Fax: (21) 892 1555. E-mail: fil@aip.pt Website: www.aip.pt The city’s newest venue has three auditoria (capacity 500 people) and four meeting rooms, in addition to the four exhibition halls (10,200 sq metres / 110,000 sq ft each) at the Expo ’98 site. Atlântico – Pavilhão Multiusos de Lisboa (Atlantic Multipurpose Pavilion) Rossio dos Olivais, Lote 2.13.01A, 1990-231 Lisbon Tel: (21) 891 8409. Fax: (01) 891 8413. Website: www.atlantico-multiusos.pt Auditorium, meeting rooms and exhibition spaces adjacent to the FIL. Centro de Congressos de Lisboa (Lisbon Congress Centre) Praça das Indústrias, 1300-307 Lisbon Tel: (21) 360 1400. Fax: (21) 363 9450. E-mail: lisboacc@aip.pt Website: www.aip.pt/congressos Located at Parque Junqueira, the centre offers six auditoria (maximum capacity 1500 people), meeting rooms and five halls, the largest of which is 3500 sq metres (37,600 sq ft). Office equipment hire Alfasom Audiovisuais Rua Tomas Figueredo 14B, 1500 Lisbon Tel: (021) 764 7007. Fax: (021) 760 3290. E-mail: alfasom@mail.telepac.pt Website: www.alfasom.com Hires audiovisual equipment for meetings and conferences of any size. Secretarial service Intess 1st Floor (Left), Rua S. Julião 62, 1100-526 Lisbon Tel: (021) 888 2506. Fax: (021) 887 1820. E-mail: intess@ip.pt Provides temporary staff for all office work. Translation service Traducta 1st Floor (Right), Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca 127, 1070-240 Lisbon Tel: (21) 388 3384. Fax: (21) 385 7886. E-mail: traducta@mail.telepac.pt Website: www.traducta.pt Also organises conferences and events. Unusual conference venues There are a dozen historic palaces in Lisbon and the surrounding area that are available for hire. For further information, contact: Associação Turismo de Lisboa Street address: Rua do Arsenal 15, 1100-038 Lisbon Postal address: Apartado 3326, 1301 Lisbon Tel: (21) 031 2700 or 361 0350. Fax: (21) 031 2899. E-mail: atl@atl-turismolisboa.pt Website: www.atl-turismolisboa.pt History 60BC Julius Caesar makes Olisipo (present-day Lisbon) the western capital of the Roman Empire AD711-16 Moors invade the Iberian peninsula, eventually capturing Lisbon; under their rule, ‘Lishbuna’ gradually becomes an important town 1147 Afonso Henriques expels the Moors with help from the crusaders after the Siege of Lisbon 1150 The Sé (Cathedral) is founded 1260 Alfonso III moves Portugal’s capital from Coimbra to Lisbon 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas is signed, dividing the ‘new world’ between Spain and Portugal 1495-1521 Reign of Manuel I – Portugal’s Golden Age of wealth and power 1496 Jews are expelled by Manuel I 1497 Vasco da Gama discovers sea route to India 1500 Portugal discovers Brazil 1580 Spanish take possession of Portugal; Philip II of Spain is crowned Felipe I of Portugal 1 Dec 1640 Portuguese nobles revolt against the Spanish 1640-56 King João IV, first of the Bragança dynasty, rules Portugal 1668 Spain accepts Portugal’s independence under the Treaty of Lisbon 1 Nov 1755 The Great Earthquake; subsequent fires and tidal wave destroy most of the city centre 1755-56 Marquês de Pombal sets about rebuilding Lisbon and modernising the Government 1807 Napoleon’s army enters Lisbon; the royal family escapes to Brazil, leaving Portugal under the protection of Wellington and Beresford 1811 Napoleon’s forces are driven out of Lisbon 1821 King João VI returns from Brazil 1901 Lisbon’s trams begin operating 1908 Dictatorial king Dom Carlos is assassinated, but the Republican coup fails 1910 The monarchy is overthrown and King Manuel II takes exile in Britain 1932-68 Dr António de Oliveira Salazar rules what is essentially a police state as prime minister Apr 1974 Major Otelo Saraiva de Carvalho leads the Movimento das Forças Armadas in a bloodless coup 1974 New government gives colonies independence; a partial result is a huge influx of refugees 1986 Portugal joins the European Community 1988 Fire destroys much of the Chiado district 1994 Lisbon is elected European City of Culture 1998 Lisbon hosts Expo98 (The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future) 1 Jan 1999 Portugal joins the European Monetary Union Copyright © 2003 Columbus Travel Publishing Ltd.