19 interesting facts about Lisbon

Heard about Lisbon and you'll have heard about the hills. There are seven of the them on which the city is built, and they're invariably steep and narrow in the old town.

But worry not, as that doesn't mean you have to climb them. That's what the city's wonderfully clanky and rattling old yellow trams and municipal elevators are there for, to do to the hard work for you.

Tram number 28 is the most famous tram in Lisbon and one of the city’s best rides. Built in England in the early 20th century, from polished wood and chrome, they clunk up and down the steepest streets almost brushing the sides of buildings on the way.

Starting at sea level in the city centre, the tram heads up steep hills through a veritable maze via the tourist-friendly Alfama district, reaching St Georges Church at the top for wonderful views – especially at sunset.

And speaking of sunset, in the hours before sunset, locals often wait and watch the ferries go between the Estação Fluvial and Barreiro on the other side of the Reiver Tejo – it's tradition. Thanks to its waterfront setting and surrounding hills Lisbon has some of the best sunset spots in Europe.

The Livraria Bertrand bookshop in Chiado first opened its doors in 1732. Thanks to its recognition in the Guinness World Record the shop has become a popular tourist spot, with shoppers popping by to buy international newspapers and magazines or browse the shop's floor to ceiling wooden shelves for classic literature and the latest bestsellers. The shop even includes an English-language section featuring some of the best Portuguese authors, and there's a literary themed cafe at the back of the shop if you fancy some refreshments.

The Great Earthquake of 1755 almost destroyed this important European port. The destruction of the city and the death of 40,000 people led to the end of Lisbon’s golden age.

The Marques de Pombal was the minister responsible for rebuilding the city and there is reference to him in many places – usually just “Pombal”.

It's not just the Tower of London that has an association with ravens, these birds are one of the city’s symbols. The story goes that when the remains of Saint Vincent were brought to Lisbon in 1173 by sea, the boat was piloted by ravens.

Thereafter ravens were kept in the cloisters of the Baroque Treasury until the last one died in 1978 – but the symbol remains.

The São Vicente de Fora church is a reminder of the sixteenth-century city and is open to visitors. Among the tombs is that of Catherine de Bragança, the widow of Charles II of England – and she is said to have introduced tea-time to the British.

Once a meat warehouse on the docks, Lux is now one of Europe’s top clubs. First openened in 1998, past visitors have included Prince, Cameron Diaz and Madonna. The rooftop terrace has amazing views with several bars. But be warned – nobody arrives before midnight.

Lisbon has fado bars (fado means fate) ...and lots of them. Fado is thought to have derived from music from the 18th century when immigrants from Portugal’s colonies settled in the Alfama district. Think love, death and fate.

Spellbinding and mournful Fado melodies wafting out of small bars onto the higgledy-piggledy streets of the old town capture so much of the essence of traditional Lisbon.

The haunting folk sounds of Fado were born in Lisbon's Alfama district. Hear it live - which you must - and you will detect echoes of elements of its disparate roots in Moorish and flamenco styles.

But while the genre's fame has rightfully spread beyond Portuguese shores as one of the authentic greats of what's still sometimes called world music, Fado is at heart all Lisbon's.

There are several classic funicular lifts including the Elevador da Bica up to the hillside district of Bica, and the Elevadir Panoramico da Boca that lifts you 30 metres up a cliff face to the old part of Almada for fabulous views across the city and the river.

In addition to the beaches of Sintra, Cascais and Estoril which are easily reached, Lisbon has her very own city beaches at Carcavelos and Guincho – both an easy bus ride. The most popular for a beach day out is Praia de Carcavelos, which has sweeping sands and plenty of facilities for visitors including refreshments and sea sports. Guincho, meanwhile, is popular with surfers and offers a wilder, more windswept coastline with sand dunes, cliffs and coastal walks.

There are 24 excellent golf courses close to Lisbon with a couple of them just a 15 minute drive from the centre – something special for a capital. In fact, the city has won the Golf Destination of the Year (Europe) award multiple times. One of the most loved golf courses is Praia D'el Ray, an 18 hole championship course with incredible views of the Atlantic. It was voted third best golf course in Portugal by Golf World magazine in 2004 and has hosted the European Cup twice.

Don't be fooled by the gin-based name of Lisbon's favourite drink. Ginjinha, the city's signature grog usually served in shot form, isn't an off-the-wall relative of mother's ruin.

This sour cherry liqueur (the name comes from the ginja berries used to make it) is, however, available for sensible sampling from innumerable hole-in-the-wall joints in old town Lisbon, and in bespoke ginjinha shops.

Ginjinha bars are usually tiny affairs of no more than a few square feet. Join Lisbon locals as they stop on the street for swift shot of ginjinha which customarily has a bit of fruit at the bottom of the glass or cup. And don't forget to spit out the pips. It'd be rude not to.

Lisbon’s oldest restaurant is all gilt and mirrors and boasts fantastic modern Portuguese cuisine and a Michelin star. The restaurant was first opened in 1784, and taken over by the Tavares brothers in 1823.

Choose from a tasting menu or à la carte, where the options reflect the history of the famed restaurant.

We're talking the famous Portuguese custard tarts, pastel de nata. The Casa Pastéis de Belém is where they were first made in 1837, based on a recipe from Jeronimos Monastery, and they continue to make them fresh every day with their secret recipe. You must try one while you're there.

Other baked goods to try in Lisbon include bolo de bolacha, a biscuit cake made from layered Marie biscuits soaked in coffee and layered with buttercream, and over the festive season try Kings cake (bolo rei) and (Queens Cake (bolo rainha), delightfully sweet specialties stuffed with fruit and nuts.

Guests at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz (one of Lisbon’s best hotels) can see the sights in an unusual way. You get a personal driver-guide and are whizzed around in your own sidecar. And if you aren't staying at the Ritz, independent sidecar tours are also available.

Striking a remarkable resemblance to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the 25th of April (Ponte 25 de Abril) Bridge opened in 1966 to link Lisbon with the south banks of the Tagus (Tejo) river. It's often referred to as the Tagus River Bridge (Ponte sobre o Tejo).

It's over 2km long and the main pillars are almost 200m tall. One lane is made of wire mesh – allowing the bridge to expand as necessary. The upper deck carries six lanes of traffic while the lower deck carries a double railway track.

Tagus River is also crossed by another notable bridge - the Vasco de Gama Bridge. It was the longest bridge in Europe when it was first completed in 1998, measuring in at 17.2km. It remains the longest bridge in the EU, although it has lost its longest bridge in Europe crown to the 18km Crimea Bridge.

Lisbon is one of Europe's oldest capital cities, second only to Athens in Greece. Lisbon predates other cities by centuries, with a history dating back to 1,200 BCE, and has seen many rulers including the Romans, Visigoths and Moors, before being conquered by Alfonso I, first king of Portugal, in 1147. Alfonso I achieved independence for Portugal, and Lisbon became its capital in 1255, replacing Coimbra.

This rich history can be seen in the Roman, Visigoth and Moorish architecture throughout the city. Romans knew it by the name Olissipo, or Felicitas Julia Olissipo, and in Latin it was sometimes written Ulyssippo, perhaps due to the popular legend that the city had been founded by Ulysses (Odysseus).

Lisbon was also at one point in antiquity written as Lixbõa, and while that spelling has completely dropped out of usage the abbreviation LX or Lx remains and is still commonly seen today.

Hidden serenely in the mists of the mountains in the greater Lisbon region is the village of Sintra, a location which retains a mystical place in Portuguese culture.

Sintra is home to royal palaces, ornate chalets and mysterious gardens, perched in a location which, through the centuries, has been a source of inspiration for writers and poets, including Lord Byron.

The seclusion of Sintra has had an irresistible lure for royalty, and its hilltop, multicoloured Pena Palace is a breathtaking gem of 19th century romanticism which has been given UNESCO World Heritage status.

In parkland below the palace, the Quinta da Regaleira estate had a rich history linked to the rituals and secrets of freemasonry.

The estate's secret gardens and wild woods are home to symbolic structures, initiation wells, tunnels, fountains and lakes which give the place a pervading air of mystery.

Portugal is famed for its ceramic tiles (azulejos) and Lisbon is no exception. Visitors to Fronteira Palace are habitually thrilled by the beauty of its rooms and gardens. The so-called 'Room of Battles' is famed for some of the most exquisite tilework you will see anywhere, in a country feted for its beautiful tiles.

There are also superb 17th and 18th century frescoed panels and paintings to enjoy, while Fronteira's formal gardens, replete with statues, fountains and, yes, more beautiful tilework are a particular delight.

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