Lisbon – One city, two faces
- ILLUSTRATION CRISTÓBAL SCHMAL
Lisbon usually smacks of salt: The wind blowing off the Atlantic and the melancholy strains of fado bring tears to your eyes. But Lufthansa’s city of the month has a sweet side, too – we show you both
Ladies’ choice
Fátima Lopes, Portugal’s most illustrious fashion designer, sells skimpy, sassy, sexy pieces at her boutique. Guaranteed to turn heads!
Sweet nothings
Pastéis de Belém – delicious flaky pasty tarts filled with vanilla cream – are a Portuguese delicacy. The confectioner of the same name bakes 20 000 every day.
A drop by the Douro
Sweet, quaffable, potent: The Solar do Vinho do Port bar has 200 kinds of port – in fact, there’s hardly a port producer not represented here.
Handsome bunch
Heartthrob Cristiano Ronaldo no longer plays in Lisbon, but the current Sporting Lisbon squad (Ronaldo’s former club) are both athletic and good looking.
Lover’s lookout
Need a spot for a romantic rendezvous? The Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara vantage point is a classic place for a passionate clinch.
LIS
Fish forever
Once upon a time, no Portuguese ship set sail without its store of bacalhau (salted cod) on board. The dried fish remains a national specialty to this day.
Vibrations of the heart
Fiery guitar music and singing that will make you want to cry: Fado is infused with longing and melancholy, and reveals Lisbon’s very soul.
Ships ahoy!
The Maritime Museum houses 17 000 exhibits. Many famous navigators set off to explore the world from the Portuguese capital in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Surfers’ delight
Lisbon has some magnificent beaches practically on its doorstep, but Ericeira, just 50 kilometers to the north, is also a spectacular surf spot.
Take to the hills!
Prepare to perspire when you explore this city, which is said to have been built on seven hills. In fact, it straddles eight, and some are very steep.