Lisboa Menina e Moça

It is without a doubt here that many adventures begin. By the river, with the warm air hovering and the light in the eye. Capital of Portugal after a long history, this city that is so dear to many is the beating heart and a open door to Europe.

Some essential points that make this city what we see and feel today, date back to the 1755 earthquake, when the Pombaline Cage was installed. An anti-seismic construction system used in downtown. Baixa Pombalina or Lisboa Pombalina, is located between Terreiro do Paço, next to the Tagus river, Rossio and Praça da Figueira, and longitudinally between Cais do Sodré, Chiado and Carmo, on one side, and the Cathedral and the hill of Castelo de São Jorge, on the other.

Whoever walks through Terreiro do Paço to Praça da Figueira, can see the perpendicular streets administered in what is one of the greatest architectural perfections. But not everything is art.

Popular and romantic legend says that the city of Lisbon was founded just like Rome, in a town surrounded by seven hills. The seven giants - Colina de São Jorge, São Vicente, São Roque, Santo André, Santa Catarina, Sant'Ana and Colina das Chagas - all visible when arriving in Lisbon by the Tagus river. This, being the longest river in the Iberian Peninsula, started one of the greatest adventures of the Portuguese and flows into the beautiful Tagus estuary, after covering 1,007 km, from the Sierra de Albarracín, in Spain.

His reflection, the subject of paintings, poems and praise in tourist guides, brings a light to the peculiar portuguese capital, which contains a large number of hours of sunshine, a privilege of the geographical location on the southern Atlantic coast of Europe. The houses painted in light and warm colors, reflect the light, making it the mythical and much talked about Lisbon light. The tiled surfaces and the portuguese sidewalk also make a mirror effect, which, combined with the Tagus water, makes a beautiful reflection of sunlight or stars, giving the city more life.

Lisbon has a unique location. It’s 20 minutes from the city of Sintra, a place full of magic and mystery where nature and man come together in a perfect symbiosis. It is an imposing mountain range dotted with palaces, churches and stately farms, extending in waves of green to the ocean, which is also 20 minutes from the Portuguese capital.

The city increasingly has a young, bohemian, multicultural soul and, above all, with options for all tastes and budgets. Nowadays, for those looking for more exciting options, it is easy to have fun in the capital of Portugal. We Lisboners are particularly excited, we speak loudly and we love a good beer at any time of the day.

Any lisboner feels the magic of Baixa every weekend. The entire Cais do Sodré and Bairro Alto are filled with people regardless of age, sex, race or ethnicity, it is as if we were all one, on a night that we all know will be unforgettable.

It is also incredible the feeling of strolling the streets of Alfama at the end of the afternoon and listening to the famous Portuguese fado in every corner. Being a Portuguese musical style, it is usually sung by one person and accompanied by a classical guitar and a portuguese guitar. Born in the popular contexts of 19th century, in Lisbon, Fado was present in moments of conviviality and leisure.

As for leisure, we cannot fail to refer to the Festas de Lisboa, which are the most typical event in the Portuguese capital – Santos Populares - the festivals, the roasted sardines, the smells and the colors. Throughout the month of June, there is a whole journey to explore through the typical neighborhoods where there were festivals every night. The tasty roasted sardine is queen at these balls, accompanied by the green broth, bread with chorizo ​​and red wine. Another tradition is the famous “manjericos”, which also brings a carnation made of paper and a small flag with messages, which must be offered to girlfriends.

The high point of the festivities arrives with the Popular Marches, on the night of June 12th. Each neighborhood in the city parades along Avenida da Liberdade, with dozens of people dressed up, lots of music and color, competing for the annual victory. But the entertainment continues all night, singing, dancing and eating, through the festivals that take place in the typical neighborhoods of Lisbon: Alfama, Graça, Bica, Mouraria or Madragoa. That same day, the most important moments take place at the Sé Patriarcal de Lisboa, the Procession and the Santo António Weddings, which have been taking place since 1958.

With regard to food pleasures, we also have the famous Pastéis de Belém. For those who go to Belém, they must eat the original custard tart recipe. The pastries whose recipe has remained unchanged since the time they were made in the convent of the Jerónimos Monastery in 1837 are one of the most popular specialties of Portuguese sweets.

Lisbon is not only romantic because of the arts around the corner or even on the sidewalk in Lisbon. It is also for the people who live in it and who make it their home in the heart. The people of Lisbon. Hardworking people, always friendly, even. Rare lisboners leave Lisbon, and even when they do, they always carry it in their hearts. From the streets, the smells, the light, the food, the busy people and the tourists exchanging glances between the buildings and the maps, everything remains in the memory. You could say that Lisbon never sleeps.

The romanticism is the power of the city that always brings visitors back. It is possible to feel this power when walking through the narrow streets of Graça or Bairro Alto. A power that wonders and delights, and like the people of Lisbon, is always present.