LISBON BY NIGHT
The
Fado Houses, where one can savor the excellent local cooking and listen to the emotional music of Lisbon, are unique. And yet, down the hill at the open air cafes, bars and discos reflect their lights in the calm waters of the River Tagus. Usually, a night out lasts until the next morning, given that most bars don't close until 2am and discos are open until 6am or even later. The options and offers for a night out vary according to the individual's taste, but quality and fun are always guaranteed.
There are four major areas you must consider when going out at night: Av. 24 de Julho (Alcantara, mainly bars and discos), Bairro Alto (plenty of restaurants, bars and discos) , Docas (Doca de Alcantara, plenty of restaurants, bars and discos) and Parque das Nacoes (mainly restaurants and bars).
Av. 24 de Julho is a long Avenue with many bars and discos, usually very busy at night and not very far from Docas. Bairro Alto has always been a favorite among nightlife lovers, and it has cultivated its own unique style over the years, which distinguishes it from other nightlife areas around the city especially because it is located in the oldest part of Lisbon. Here you will find restaurants that stay open until quite late, with a huge selection of typical Portuguese and international cuisine.
Docas, is one of the liveliest nightlife areas in Lisbon. The scenario is beautiful and the many restaurants, bars, street cafes and discos by the river make a night out in Lisbon something really special. Finally, Parque das Nacoes, where the Expo 98 has been organized, is the most modern part of the city, with futuristic buildings and a great view to the river. Here you can find many trendy restaurants and bars with portuguese and international cuisine. On this zone of the city there is also one disco.
Bars & Discotheques
Fado Houses
Live Music
Theaters & Concert Halls
Nightlife is another important part of a city to explore . . .
Sporting
SPORTING CLUBE DE PORTUGAL
The Sporting Clube de Portugal will turn 100 years old in 2006. It is one of the major Portuguese clubs and one of the greatest of Europe in terms of the top competition modalities practised as well as to the number of European, World and Olympic titles in its history.
In football, Sporting has been National Champion 22 times, having won 13 Portugal Cups, five Super Cups and one European Cup of Cup Winners. Sporting has participated 43 times in UEFA club competitions, 12 of which were in Champions League.
Sporting is also the greatest Portuguese club in terms of athletics, handball, indoor football and table tennis. After Barcelona, Sporting holds the greatest number of European sports titles.
Sporting has around 90 thousand members and more than 350 associations of fans - Core, Affiliates and Delegations - world wide. According to opinion surveys conducted recently, there are more than three million Sporting followers around the World.
In the last ten years Sporting has been undergoing a profound structural transformation in order to become self-sufficient from a financial standpoint. This transformation has materialised in the incorporation of a Group of Enterprises that manage the Club's various sectors of activity. The Academy, the new Stadium and the new Headquarters are all a part of this modernisation project.
Important links:
http://www.sporting.pt/English/index_eng.asp
Benfica
 CLUB INFORMATION
Club: SL Benfica Inauguration: 28 February 1904 Club colors: Red and White
Palmares:
2 European champions Cup (60/61; 61/62)
1 Latina Cup (1950)
31 National championships of 1st Divisao/1st Liga
24 Portugal Cups
3 championships of Portugal (29/30;30/31;34/35)
4 Supergoblet Candido de Oliveira (79/80; 84/85; 88/89 e 2004/2005)
Official Site:SL Benfica - Official Site
Fansites:SL-Benfica.com
www.benfica-forum.com
ESTADIO DA LUZ
Name: Estadio da Luz (Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica)
Inauguration: 25 October 2003
Capacity: 65,000 seats Address: Av. General Norton De Matos 1500, Lisboa
DIRECTIONS
The Estadio da Luz is situated in the northern part of Lisbon and is well served by the city's road system.
Car: The stadium is best reached from the Segunda Circular ring road, which connects with the national motorway network.
Metro: Take the Blue Line and get out either at Alto dos Moinhos or Colegio Militar/Luz. Both of them are very close to the stadium.
Sports are a big part of any city, and Lisbon is no exception. Benfica and Sporting are the two important clubs in this capital.
 Pasteis de Belem
If you come to Portugal, you must visit Belem and try one of the traditional cakes called Pasteis de Belem. This is one of the best things you will ever taste (custard filled phyllo-pastry) and I promise that you will not regret it.
Castle of St. George
Built over a Visigothic fortification, the Castle of St. George was raised by the Moors to protect the most important building and the population of that time.
In 1147 it was conquered by D. Afonso Henriques, king of Portugal, and it was released of his defensive mission and became a royal residence.
After the big earthquake in 1755 most of it was destroyed and was ababndoned until the Army took it to establish their headquarters till 1930.
Recently the old fortress has been rebuilt. Due to its history and the amazing views, the castle of St. George is definitely a wonderful place to spend some relaxing and fantastic moments.
The Tower of Belem
The Tower of Belem was built to pay homage to the patron saint of Lisbon - St. Vincent construction was started in 1514 and was completed in 1520, under the supervision of the kingdom's Master Builder, Diogo de Boitaca. It was a symbol of the king's prestige, and its decoration displays the Portuguese Manueline style which combined naturalistic and nautical features.
Jeronimos Monastery
The Jeronimos Monastery is usually referred to as the jewel of the Manueline style. This exclusive Portuguese style combines architectural elements from the Gothic and from the Renaissance periods, joining them with a royal and naturalist symbology, that makes it unique and honourable.
In 1496, King D. Manuel I asked the Holy Se for permission to build a large monastery on the banks of the river Tagus. The works started in 1501 and almost a century later everything was done. D. Manuel I and his descendants were buried in marble tombs located in the chancel of the church and in the transept lateral chapels.
Dedicating the monastery to the Belem Virgin was another factor that influenced the royal decision. The Jeronimos Monastery replaced the church of Saint Mary of Belem where monks of the Christ Order gave assistance to sailors passing through. For this reason, D. Manuel I chose the monks of the Saint Jeronimo Order whose functions were to pray for the soul of the king and give spiritual assistance to the sailors that left Praia do Restelo in discovery of new lands.
Because the monastery was built on the sand banks of the river Tagus, the great earthquake of 1755 had little effect on the structure.
In 1907 it was declared a National Monument and in 1984 it was classified Cultural Heritage of all Humanity by UNESCO.
There remains a lot to be said about this monument, but I leave you with one final word - AMAZING!
Carmo Ruins
This amazing gothic monument, or what's left of it, was founded by Nuno Alvares Pereira, the commander that became a member of the Carmelite Order. Its construction was finished in 1423 and at that time was the biggest church in Lisbon.The ruins of the Carmo Church, left by the devastating earthquake in 1755, are best seen from the Baixa (downtown) especially from Rossio, from Graca or from St. George's Castle. They represent centuries of history and is home to the Archaeological Carmo Museum. In this museum there is a historical collection of inestimable value with pieces from prehistory to now. So, make sure you go beyond the external wealth of these ruins and take a look inside for an enriching insight into the past!
We'll give you a few tips about what to visit while here in Lisbon . . .
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