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Visit Portugal: Five must-visits in Lisbon

26 April 2018 at 11:00 CEST
Praça do Comércio, also known as Terreiro do Paço, will host the Eurovision Village during the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon. Deensel
If you're traveling to Lisbon in the coming weeks your Eurovision schedule may already be packed. But if you have a few spare hours you may want to check what Lisbon's cultural scene has to offer. In collaboration with Visit Portugal, Official Partner of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest, we have listed five must-visits you should clear your schedule for.

In the first two episodes of Visit Portugal we told you everything about Portuguese history and we taught you a bit of Portuguese language. In today's episode, we are focusing on five things to do in Lisbon during your visit.

1. Castelo de São Jorge

The castle is the highest point in the city, set amongst the most typical of neighbourhoods. Visiting the site provides a unique opportunity to feel and understand the city’s relationship with the river Tagus. Simply said; anyone coming to Lisbon and not going to the Castle of São Jorge will have missed out on a great experience. 

Terreiro do Paço

The largest square in Lisbon is also one of the most iconic symbols of the city, established during the city's rebuilt after the great earthquake of 1755. The quare offers a pleasant walk along the river in the late afternoon, especially ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest!

Terreiro do Paço will host this year's Eurovision Village from the 4th of May until the 12th of May. The Eurovision Village programme includes concerts by Portuguese artists, performances by this year's contestants, tributes to the great icons of Portuguese music as well as live broadcasts of the Semi-Finals and the Grand Final on the 8th, 10th and 12th of May. The area will also offer you the opportunity to enjoy some of Lisbon's finest street food, relax at the lounge area and enjoy partner and sponsor activities. Read more..

Take a tram ride

The tram, with its characteristic sound, is a common way of transport for Lisbonites, but also one of the best ways to travel through the historic neighbourhoods of the capital. Take tram 28, which offers the most interesting route through town. The iconic tram looks good on every Instagram post. 

MAAT

The Museu de Arte, Arquitetura e Tecnologia, also known at MAAT, profiles itself as Lisbon's new cultural centre. Their ambition is to host national and international exhibitions with contributions by contemporary artists, architects and thinkers. MAAT is a space for debate, critical thinking and international dialogue, which offers an intense and diverse programme conceived for all audiences and ages.

Because the Blue Carpet event ahead of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest will take place right in front of MAAT on the 6th of May, the museum will be closed on the 4th, 5th and 6th of May.

Join us on Sunday 6th of May at 18:00 CEST for the Blue Carpet of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest, live on YouTube.com/Eurovision.

Dine in Bairro Alto, party at Cais do Sodré

Lisbon is known for its very lively and busy nightlife. After an afternoon of sightseeing, there’s nothing like a late afternoon at one of the viewpoints of Santa Catarina or São Pedro de Alcântar, you may want to stick around in the Bairro Alto area to enjoy dinner.

After dinner, find your way to Cais do Sodré, an area formerly littered with brothels and gambling houses where sailors went for a night of delight and a pair of arms in which to lose themselves after the hard months at sea. But no worries — the area has been completely transformed into one of the most vibrant spots in Lisbon.

The epicentre of the former red light district is Rua Nova do Carvalho, with its provocative garish pink-painted asphalt. It is home to a variety of unusual places where you can watch a burlesque show, drink a cocktail of which the name would shock our mothers, eat some Portuguese tapas between drinks or watch an innovative live concert.

This story is brought to you in collaboration with Visit Portugal, Official Partner of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest.