No matter if you choose Lonely Planet, DK Eyewitness Guide or Fodor’s, you won’t be told about these great attractions. But we say you should consider them for your Lisbon itinerary.

MEDEIROS E ALMEIDA MUSEUM
It’s been open for ten years but apparently no travel writer has found out about it. It’s one of Lisbon’s most important art collections which includes a Rembrandt portrait, a Tiepolo painting, magnificent decorative art and sculpting such as a fountain that once stood in the gardens of Versailles.

NECESSIDADES PARK
The former royal palace of Necessidades is now the ministry of foreign affairs and therefore closed to the public, but apparently very few people know that its garden/park is open to everyone. It’s actually undergoing some renovation to turn it into a more popular attraction, and right now you’ll likely have it all for yourself, with a view of 25 de Abril Bridge and rare plants from all over the world.

TOREL GARDEN
Another green space unknown to many is the small garden-viewpoint of Torel. It stands on a hilltop, reached by the landmark Lavra funicular, and offers views of downtown and a terrace café.

PENA CHURCH
Just a short walk down the street from Torel is this apparently ordinary church that hides a surprisingly opulent interior. Its altar and side chapels covered with gold were models for countless other churches in Lisbon and throughout Portugal.

MOINHOS DE SANTANA PARK
Way off the beaten path, this park is found northwest of Ajuda Palace on Rua Tristão Vaz in a residential neighborhood. Still, it’s a place worth finding, as it offers plenty of green space to rest and have a picnic, do some exercise, or simply to take a look at the centuries-old windmills recalling a time when this was not part of a capital city but a rural land.

SANTA CATARINA CHURCH
It’s a mystery why one of the city’s most beautiful and artistic interiors is overlooked by guidebooks, especially when it’s located just steps from Chiado and Bairro Alto. With its monumental gilding, rococo ceiling and organ, it’s actually a Lisbon must-see.

CARDAES CONVENT
With such a nondescript exterior, it’s understandable how it goes unnoticed. It’s a convent still inhabited by Dominican nuns, but a guided tour tells you about its fascinating history dating back to the 17th century and shows you its rich decorative features which includes rare Dutch tiles and a masterpiece baroque altar.

CINEMATECA
Many cities have a museum dedicated to cinema and this is Lisbon’s. But “Cinemateca” is much more than an institution that preserves the art of filmmaking, it’s also a movie theater with daily showing of classic features. They’re presented in their original language, most often with Portuguese subtitles (sometimes in English), and is a great attraction on a rainy day or for a special movie night.

PASSEIO DAS TÁGIDES
One of the best places for a stroll is the Parque das Nações waterfront. This boardwalk over the river that goes from the Oceanarium to close to the Atlantic Pavilion offers the most picture-perfect views of Lisbon’s most modern landmarks and is one of the city’s most pleasant walks.

ELECTRICITY MUSEUM
With so many museums in the city, very few people would dedicate much time to one about electricity. However, this museum is actually one of Lisbon’s most visited attractions due to its high-profile temporary exhibitions usually related to contemporary art and photography. So although you won’t see it listed on your guidebook, pass by to check out what is happening when you’re in town. It’s located just down the road from the Discoveries Monument.

MONSTRA FESTIVAL
Bringing some color to the first days of spring will be Lisbon’s annual animated film festival. March 19 to 25 with productions from around the world.

PEIXE EM LISBOA
The city’s main gastronomic festival, naturally dedicated to seafood, takes place from April 12 to the 22nd.

INDIE LISBOA
For almost a decade the best independent films have been shown in Lisbon in what is now the city’s biggest film festival. This year it’s happening from April 26 to May 6.

WORLD PRESS PHOTO
The large temporary exhibition space of the Electricity Museum will once again reunite the best of the world’s photography and photographers. It takes place in April and May.

ROCK IN RIO-LISBOA
The self-dubbed “biggest musical festival in the world” returns to Lisbon in late May and early June with dozens of musical acts. Bruce Springsteen, Lenny Kravitz and Metallica have been confirmed. Ticket information here.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON RALLY
If you’re a fan or motorcycles, and particularly of Harley-Davidson, head to Lisbon’s coast in June for Europe’s biggest concentration of Harleys. You’ll see them from June 14 to the 17th by the sea in Cascais.

VOLVO OCEAN RACE
The beginning of summer will call you closer towards the beach with this sailing event on the coast of Lisbon.

OPTIMUS FESTIVAL
It’s one of the city’s biggest musical events every year, this time in mid-July. Confirmed so far are Radiohead and Mazzy Star. Ticket information here.

TALL SHIPS RACES
The world’s greatest ships will sail the waters of Lisbon July 19th to the 22nd.

OCEANS FESTIVAL
Lisbon’s award-winning citywide summer festival returns with sea-themed activities throughout the month of August.

100 YEARS OF INTERIOR DESIGN
The Portuguese architect recently selected to become the contemporary architecture curator of New York’s MoMA will also be responsible for a major exhibition in Lisbon this year. It will happen in September in the Design Museum and will focus on 100 years of interior design/architecture in the country.

QUEER LISBOA
Said to be Europe’s biggest gay and lesbian film festival, it’s showing gay-themed productions from September 21st to the 29th.

There’s a reason why Spain is one of the world’s five most-popular destinations. Not only is it one of Europe’s biggest countries, it’s also one of the world’s most breathtaking in terms of natural beauty and cultural attractions. For that reason, after a tour of Portugal’s neighbor, most travelers conclude that they have seen enough of Iberia and overlook Portugal, figuring it’s just another version of Spain. Those who know Portugal know that despite the many similarities, the smaller Iberian nation has quite a different essence and temperament, not to mention its own individual character and culture. Portugal usually ranks between the world’s top 15 or 20 most-visited countries, but living in the tourism shadow of Spain means that it could actually be higher on that list. So if you’re not sure if you should visit Portugal or Spain (or both) on your next trip, here are ten reasons why you should choose Portugal now:

LOCATION
If you’re in the United States or anywhere in North America or South America, Portugal is the closest European country to you. If you’re in the British Isles, Portugal is the only country in mainland Europe that shares your time zone, and you’ll reach Lisbon or Porto before you reach Madrid or Barcelona. Portugal is therefore perfect if you prefer shorter flights.
Also, Portugal’s location on the Atlantic means that its coastline is quite different from Spain’s which is for the most part on the Mediterranean. Portugal’s coast is therefore a different experience, with mystical capes that includes the westernmost point in Europe, making it a unique, unforgettable experience.

IT’S MORE AFFORDABLE
Prices in Portugal are the lowest of all Western European countries, and that of course includes Spain. Even 5-star hotels in major tourism areas can be anywhere from 25% to 50% lower than in the neighbor country, and even more affordable are the restaurants which even in Lisbon can be quite inexpensive.

THE FOOD
Spanish tapas are now a worldwide trend and Spanish paella is more famous than any Portuguese dish, but even many Spaniards will agree that Portuguese food is simply better. And we emphasize the word “simply,” as Portuguese food stands out for its freshness and simplicity. It’s also more varied and quite frankly better prepared than the typical meat-heavy Spanish cuisine (we’re not talking about the new wave of innovative Catalan cuisine here, but the traditional Spanish food).

LANGUAGE
If you feel more comfortable going to a country where you can communicate in English, choose Portugal. You’ll find more (young) people speaking at least some basic English than in Spain, and with quite a better accent to be understood. English in Portugal is learned not just in school but also through TV and movies, as they are not dubbed but subtitled. In Spain and throughout much of Europe everything is dubbed so it’s difficult to develop a good accent and learn English. It’s for that reason that Portugal has more English speakers than any other southern European country, which is always good news for travelers.

SIZE
Good things do come in small packages. Being a varied, compact country like Portugal has its advantages, proving that size does matter.
Spain is probably Europe’s most diverse country, being for example quite different in the south (Andalusia) and in the north (Galicia or Basque Country). Considering it’s four times larger than Portugal, you won’t be able to experience all of its regions unless you spend a few weeks in the country. But you can in Portugal. You’ll also find a variety of landscapes and cultural attractions, and there’s also a great north-south contrast, but here you’ll easily travel between the different regions and are able to leave with a greater sense of the country. You can wake up in the peaceful Douro Valley wine country, and fall asleep by the relaxing beaches of Algarve.

TIME
The advantages of the country’s small size mentioned above also mean that you can dedicate more time to each destination. You don’t have to rush from place to place if you have several attractions on your list. You have time for more museums, more meals, more time at the beach. You’ll get more from your trip.

WEATHER
Many of the major Spanish cities located away from the coast such as Madrid suffer from extreme temperatures: They may be scorching hot in the summer, and freezing in winter. In Portugal, weather is never so extreme, even in the colder, rainier north. The country is cooled off by the Atlantic and warmed by the winds of the south, making it a year-round destination, especially Lisbon and the southern coast, the sunniest regions in Europe.

LISBON
Portugal’s capital stands out for being a big city that charms rather than overwhelm. Its old historic center where the tourism attractions are found is quite compact and has a greater sense of history than Madrid or Barcelona which are essentially late-19th and early-20th-century cities. Lisbon is Europe’s oldest capital after Athens and if Iberia became unified as one country it would probably become the capital, as a Spanish king once envisioned. This is one of the world’s greatest natural harbors and as one of the world’s great historic cities, it should not be missed, especially by history buffs. And when we say Lisbon we also say Sintra with its fantastic palaces.

ALGARVE
Those looking for Southern European sunshine and warmth in resort accommodation that maintains some local charm should choose Portugal’s Algarve over Spain’s Costa del Sol. While parts of Algarve have also been stripped of any character by mass tourism’s overdevelopment (ugly concrete hotels and apartment buildings), it fortunately did not reach the proportions of many areas of southern Spain. Also, Algarve is Atlantic and not Mediterranean, yet its culture mixes that of the two. It’s in many ways similar to Costa del Sol but with its own flavor, and you’ll want to stand by the cape of St. Vincent, known as the end of the world to ancient Europeans before the Age of Discovery.

THE ATLANTIC ISLANDS
Spain’s Canary and Balearic islands are great and beautiful, but for something completely different, look for Portugal’s Azores. This archipelago halfway between Europe and the United States is more New Zealand or Ireland than Mediterranean island resorts. There is no mass tourism or beach resorts — instead you’ll find an incredibly magic atmosphere of volcanos, breathtaking landscapes and whales swimming in the Atlantic. Pictures are not capable of illustrating or capturing the natural grandeur of the place, making it a truly unique destination that needs to be lived to be believed.

THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE
The city of Guimarães was Portugal’s capital for a brief period back in the 1100s, and in 2012 it will be European Capital of Culture. This well-preserved medieval city is one of Portugal’s dozen World Heritage Sites for its architectural and cultural treasures, and in the upcoming months it will present a calendar filled with major cultural events, from the classic fine arts to contemporary artistic performances. It will host national and international artists and will target cultured tourists to the north of the country.

THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF YOUTH
Taking advantage of its proximity to Guimarães, the baroque city of Braga will turn into the European Capital of Youth. The European Union selected this Portuguese city for its young population (35% of which is under 26 years old), and it will host the EU-Africa, EU-Latin America and EU-Arab Nations summits together with several events throughout the year with lots of music and festivals.

EUROPE’S NEW HISTORIC CITY
All the attention on Guimarães and Braga will be beneficial to Porto, the capital city of the north of Portugal. Tourists will find a rejuvenated old city which has been tastefully reimagined through careful renovations. Old bookshops and warehouses are now trendy cafés and restaurants, and the once-sleepy downtown is now a vibrant center day and night. This added to its reputation as a major wine destination and its magnificent setting by the Douro River has turned Porto into one of the fastest-growing European destinations. Of course the always-increasing number of low-cost flights has helped, but the number of upscale tourists has also increased, leading to the grand openings of two grand hotels last year — an InterContinental facing the city’s main square and the luxurious Yeatman across the river.

LISBON’S NEW ATTRACTIONS
Despite all the budget cutbacks, Lisbon will go on. The José Saramago Foundation will finally open in the landmark Casa dos Bicos after countless delays, presenting literary events and the Nobel Prize author’s library. Nearby, on Comercio Square, you’ll find a new museum related to the city’s post-1755-earthquake years with the fascinating story of how it rose from the ashes as a then-state-of-the-art city. Across the triumphal arch, you’ll find the ever-expanding Design and Fashion Museum with several new exhibitions, and in the Belém district there will be a new home for magnificent royal carriages.

LISBON’S MUSIC FESTIVALS
2012 is a year of Rock in Rio-Lisboa, the festival that takes place every two years with lots of major international stars. So far Lenny Kravitz, Maroon 5, Metallica and Bruce Springsteen have been confirmed but other big names will be announced soon and until the event which lasts for several days in late May and early June.
And let’s not forget the annual Optimus Alive festival on July 13, 14 and 15. This year it will bring bands like Radiohead and Snow Patrol among others to be announced.

THE EVENTS BY THE SEA
The Lisbon coast will host major international events in 2012. The Volvo Ocean Race will pass by the Portuguese capital in June before heading back into the Atlantic towards the Portuguese island of São Miguel in the Azores, eventually reaching the Brittany coast in France. A few weeks later the Tall Ships Races will be in town (July 19th-22nd), with a fleet of major ships moored by the historic center of Lisbon for a unique and magnificent sight.
Also happening on the Lisbon coast is the Estoril Open, the tennis tournament that will bring major players and lots of excitement in April and May.

MORE ACCESSIBILITY
EasyJet will have a new base in Lisbon starting in April, bringing thousands of extra tourists to the city. But that doesn’t mean that you’ll find Lisbon overrun with tourists, as it still doesn’t get the mass tourism of Rome or Paris. It simply means that you’ll have more flight choices and price ranges to bring you to Portugal. Also, starting in the summer, your hotel or apartment in the center of Lisbon will be even easier to reach, as the airport will finally have a metro station. Of course, if you prefer, you may still choose a private transfer.

LISBON’S NEW HOTELS
After a hostels boom, Lisbon’s accommodation choices expanded with central apartments that have become popular choices among tourists looking for extra privacy and lower prices. But there are also new hotels, starting with Fontecruz, a luxury boutique hotel right on the main avenue scheduled to open on the first days of the year. Then, later in the year we’ll see the conclusion of the landmark Sana Vasco da Gama Royal Hotel on the Vasco da Gama Tower.

ALGARVE HAS IT ALL
In the last few years Portugal’s southern province added an extra “L” to its name when promoting its tourist attractions. It became “Allgarve,” reminding tourists that this is not just a destination for beach resorts, but really a place that’s got it all, including cultural events and a variety of activities. While it’s been reported that it will no longer use the name “Allgarve”, the Algarve will continue to offer some of the best of Portugal together with all the tacky/mass-tourism-targeting attractions many know it for. Those who get away from the tourist path will find the best restaurants in the country (it has more Michelin stars than Lisbon) and some of the finest hotels which together with a rich calendar of events and sunny weather throughout the year, making it a perfect destination for a few days of leisure and relaxation.

AFFORDABILITY
The euro crisis is not good news for Europeans and especially for the Portuguese during these austerity days, but it’s great news for tourists! Portugal is hoping tourism will help its bank accounts, and to attract visitors it’s been lowering prices. In doing so it also hopes that the Portuguese will travel within their own country instead of going abroad, and for that reason 2012 will be a year of bargains. Even luxury accommodation is at a third of the price of elsewhere in Western Europe, so even if you’re used to mid-range accommodation in your European travels, you’ll be able to have an upgraded experience in Portugal for the same price!

News of bailouts and austerity measures would make you think that 2011 was quite a bad year for Lisbon, but despite all the negative reports, this was actually a good year for the Portuguese capital. Here’s why:

MULTIPLE AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS
Lisbon was singled out as the best-value city in the Sunday Times’ Value for Money Awards and was awarded “European city of the year” by the Academy of Urbanism. It also ranked among the best shopping cities in Europe, and later in the year its Fado music was declared World Heritage by UNESCO. Another curious distinction came from Guinness which recognized the Bertrand bookshop in Chiado as the oldest in the world.

NEW ATTRACTIONS
The big Oceanarium got bigger, the Patio da Galé courtyard became a stage for cultural events, the beautiful greenhouse was cleaned up and reopened, there’s a new alternative theater in Bairro Alto, and a new casino by the Troia resort south of the city.

LOTS OF EATING & DRINKING
The city’s main avenue gained new outdoor kiosk cafés, Comercio Square opened new restaurants, and the city’s top chefs created new hotspots: there’s Michelin star José Avillez’s Cantinho do Avillez, Vitor Sobral’s Cervejaria da Esquina, Olivier’s Guilty, and Paulo Morais’ Momo.
For drinks and lighter meals there are the trendy new cafés Le Chat (which won an architectural award for its glassed building), Poison D’Amour with its mouth-watering French pastries, Liquid for healthy smoothies, Naturalliving with its veggie meals, and the renovated Cultura do Chá tea house. These are just a few of the many new restaurants and cafés that opened in 2011, most of them reported here on GoLisbon.

IN THE MEDIA
Lisbon continues to attract media attention as an alternative to the beaten-track cities of Paris, Rome or Barcelona, especially from the United States. The New York Times alone dedicated about a handful of articles to the city, including a 36-hour itinerary, a report on its “culinary golden age” (with GoLisbon as a reference), the “reinvigoration of Fado“, and a suggested trip from Lisbon to Evora.

NEW LIFE IN NIGHTLIFE
There’s a new rooftop bar and a series of new riverfront clubs, including Jimmy’z, Vintage Club, Happy and the Absolut Club. Also, the not-so-former red light district of Cais do Sodré continued its process of renovation as a new mecca of alternative music clubs and retro bars such as the recent Bar da Velha Senhora.

It already has a museum presenting its history and cultural heritage (the City Museum), but in 2012 Lisbon will have another space dedicated to the celebration of its life as we know it. It will be called “Lisboa Story Center” and will be found in the city’s largest square, Praça do Comercio. It will be just one of several new attractions on that riverfront plaza, which this year already renovated and opened one of its courtyards with new cafés, restaurants and a tourist shop.
The new establishments should be in business by next summer, and will include yet another restaurant, two cafés, a bar, a beer hall, a florist shop, and space for special events.
It will cost a total of 10 million euros and is part of the ongoing riverfront renovation works which is taking longer than expected due to budget cuts and institutional reforms.
As for the “Lisboa Story Center,” it will be ready in October, but no information has been given on how it will complement the exhibits already found in the City Museum. However, previous reports indicated it should be related to “Pombaline Lisbon,” the time when Lisbon rose from the ashes of the 1755 earthquake and built a state-of-the-art downtown. It will focus on the architectural innovation of the area and the rebuilding of the city’s most monumental square.

This is GoLisbon’s 500th blog post. Go Lisbon Blog has become the most widely-read English-language blog about Lisbon (and Portugal in general) on the web. Published since 2006, it’s been a reference for The New York Times and London’s The Times, as well as a recommended source for Lisbon information in newspapers and magazines like Paris’ Metro and New York Magazine. The insider’s scoop on all that’s new and relevant in Lisbon has also led to a recommendation in the Lonely Planet guidebooks, as well as a selected blog with posts featured on that publication’s website. Our information has also been a reference for countless other blogs and websites, often republished or translated into other languages.
More than just reporting on what’s new or noteworthy in Lisbon and/or Portugal, this blog also presents a perspective and detailed information not found anywhere else. That’s a knowledgeable local perspective but from a “foreign” eye, offering insights and up-do-date stories.
It’s the result of a passion for everything Lisbon, making it more than just another Lisbon blog. It’s a window to Lisbon culture for an international audience, bringing to the city a more informed and more curious traveler who then leaves with a real and more profound appreciation for all of Lisbon’s unique and seductive charms.

Fado has just been given World Heritage status by UNESCO, meaning it’s protected as “intangible cultural heritage of humanity,” joining other unique cultural expressions such as the tango and flamenco. This musical style (which is actually more like a poetic recital) is strongly connected to the streets of Lisbon where it was born and has come to be symbolic of the Portuguese soul. Those interested in listening to Fado should look for the greatest Fado diva of all time, Amalia Rodrigues. She defined the style of the genre and has influenced an entire generation of young singers. The album to get is “The Art of Amalia Rodrigues” which should be available wherever World Music is sold. The queen of the new generation of “fadistas” is Grammy-nominated Mariza, and her album “Fado em Mim” is a great introduction to the singer and Fado music itself.

Not Fado but greatly representative of the sound of Lisbon is Madredeus, a band that received great acclaim and worldwide success in the 1990s. Their “Best Of” collection is called “Antologia” where you’ll hear their now-classic hits mixing the influences of Fado and modern folk. A former member has gone solo to great success, with his album “Cinema” having been considered one of the albums of the year by Billboard magazine in 2004. That’s Rodrigo Leão, a musician/composer with an obvious passion for Lisbon reflected in his music.
Also mixing Lisbon’s Fado with folk and pop is Dulce Pontes, a well-known name in World Music. Her biggest hit is “Canção do Mar,” first performed by Amália Rodrigues. You’ve heard that song if you watched the movie “Primal Fear” (starring Richard Gere) or the NBC/TNT drama “Southland” (it’s the theme song). Pontes’ “Best Of” CD is one of the top-selling Portuguese albums of all time.

To understand the relevance of Fado in Lisbon and on Portuguese culture in general, visit the Fado Museum whenever you’re in the city.

NAUGHTY NUNS
Archaeological excavations in an old convent have found a piece considered to be unique in the world for its rare erotic images on a Chinese ceramic bowl from the 1600s. It seems to have been painted to “teach” several sexual practices, and these types of explicit images were thought to have only been used in similar pieces in the late 1800s. How would such a thing end up in a convent, of all places? Well, for one thing, Lisbon’s convents weren’t always the most sacred places on Earth. Their male and female residents were actually known to live with bigger freedoms than those on the “outside world.” Inquisition documents show that love affairs and homosexuality were actually frequent. Many nuns were even lovers of the Portuguese kings. One of them even had to build a palace just for his bastard children born of those relationships (that palace is now the Spanish Embassy). These nuns were also quite rich, receiving precious gifts which may explain the origin of this well-kept treasure.

THE SICK MUMMY
Recent research has found that one of the mummies in Lisbon’s Archaeology Museum died of the first known case of prostate cancer in an Egyptian mummy. Using scans and X-ray technology, they came to the conclusion that this is a unique specimen and the second oldest case of cancer found to date, dating from 305 to 30 BC. This is even more special for Lisbon’s museum, since it only has a few mummies on display, as most of its collection is finds from around Portugal, dating from the Celtic, Germanic, Roman and Moorish occupations of the country.

CANNIBALS
Investigators looking into a burial site of the victims of Lisbon’s 1755 earthquake have come to a macabre conclusion. During the apocalyptic days after the catastrophe, the city was a living hell, where even cannibalism took place. Some survivors were actually murdered for food, judging from the evidence found on many skulls. Many of the victims were shot or simply hit on the head, which in itself would not prove cannibalism if a bone hadn’t also been found to have had careful cuts made with a big knife used to help peel off the meat.

When you think of shopping in Europe, the cities of Paris, London and Milan automatically come to mind. Lisbon, still completely undiscovered in every aspect, doesn’t even enter a top 10 list in that category. But a recent study says otherwise. The Economist Intelligence Unit analyzed shopping in 33 European cities and Lisbon ranked in seventh place behind London (not surprisingly at number one), Madrid (a surprising number 2), Barcelona, Paris, Rome and Berlin. The Portuguese capital actually ranked better than other cities that receive much bigger buzz such as Amsterdam, Milan and Vienna. The Globe Shopper City Index says Lisbon has competitive prices, affordable hotels and a wide selection of restaurants. Naturally, it also points out the sunniest weather in Europe, ranking number one in climate. Another category in which it ranked at the top was international cuisine (the number and variety of restaurants), and also scored high in safety and quality hotels. Unsurprisingly, it was also found to be Western Europe’s most affordable city.
In terms of culture it ranked sixth behind Paris, Rome, Berlin, Barcelona and London. However it did poorly in accessibility for the number of available flights.