In its August 2009 issue, the American “Travel & Leisure” magazine has chosen Lisbon for its regular “Where To Go Next” feature. It’s a 4-page article highlighting the best of the city, from classic sights to the latest attractions.
It points out Lisbon’s “provocative mix of forward-thinking design and centuries-old architecture” that is making the Portuguese capital move “into the spotlight.” The article then goes on to list examples of how the city is “embellishing its inimitable, gilded history with world-class venues for contemporary culture, art, and dining,” choosing to highlight Santos, the so-called “Design District.” It recommends the area’s best shops and eateries, and when it comes to accommodation it suggests stays at stylish hotels for all budgets, from the reasonably priced Vincci Baixa to the hip Fontana Park Hotel.
As for dining out, among the interesting choices it lists Sommer (already reviewed here), and Verde Perto, one of GoLisbon’s favorite but still relatively unknown cafés by the Castle of St. George (great toasted sandwiches served with salad!).
The well-researched article is filled with excellent choices, which you may discover by picking up a copy of the magazine (it’s on newsstands in the U.S. and will soon be available internationally), or by reading it online at the magazine’s website: Where To Go Next: Lisbon.

GoLisbon.com offers the most Lisbon accommodation choices online, including hotels, hostels, and apartments. Most of those apartments are found in the most central and historical neighborhoods, but now we’ve just added a few in the former Expo site, Parque Das Nações. That district was born in the last decade and that’s where you’ll find the most modern and futuristic architecture in the city. Many of those buildings offer apartments using the latest technology and many have fantastic river views. Some of them are available for tourists to enjoy, and range from 55 to 125 euros on low season. The center of the city is just a metro ride away, and the airport is reached in about 10 minutes. Check our Lisbon apartments page and click on “Near the Expo/Parque das Nações” on the menu you’ll see on the left: Lisbon Apartments

It’s been over 30 degrees celsius (around 90F) here in Lisbon in the last few days, and with July and August approaching many travelers are already looking to head to the shores of Algarve. We suggest you consider heading in the opposite direction and explore the north of Portugal instead this year. It will be less crowded, it will be cheaper, and there are plenty of attractions to discover, including beaches for sunbathing. After a stop in Porto, continue north and you’ll soon be in the Minho region. The greenest of all Portuguese provinces is home to some of the country’s most elegant and best-preserved cities, and one of them is Viana do Castelo. That city has just opened a brand new hotel, a contemporary, slightly futuristic space that’s already been mentioned in Wallpaper magazine. That is the Axis Viana Hotel (which you may book through GoLisbon), the city’s best accommodation for both business and leisure travelers. It’s also a SPA hotel, and has quickly become a city landmark. You can walk to the beautiful historical center in just a few minutes and the beach is not too far away, although you can always stay at the pool in the outdoor terrace. The price is also incredibly reasonable, and for those staying some extra time in the area can also stay at the pousada nearby which offers wonderful views.

Now there’s no excuse why you shouldn’t come to Lisbon. LisbonApartments.com and CasaMadragoa.com are collaborating to give you a chance to experience the city for free, and even giving you some cash to spend it wherever you want. All you have to do is provide your name and email address, and wait to see if you’re the lucky winner.
The complete free package is a 2-nights stay at an apartment in the center of Lisbon’s historical neighborhoods, a city tour on the charming Carristur tram, a ride on the Red Tours‘ segways or buggies, a trip around town on the fun 3-wheel Go Cars, two 24-hour Lisboa Cards giving you free entrance to Lisbon’s most famous sights, and dinner for two at the Espalha Brasas restaurant, beautifully sited on the riverfront and with postcard views of the landmark 25 de Abril Bridge.
Get the complete information and enter your details on the entry form here.

Lisbon’s Vasco da Gama Tower is being turned into a Dubai-like landmark. It was built as a viewing tower for the World Expo that took place in the city in 1998 but is now becoming a luxury hotel. When it was first being planned there was a rather nouveau riche idea of it being marketed as a 6-star service much like Dubai’s famous Burj Al Arab which it somewhat resembles, but the group behind it seems to have settled for a “traditional” 5-star rating. That group is Sana, and the hotel will be called Sana Torre Vasco da Gama Royal Hotel, opening in 2010 with 178 rooms (10 of them being suites) on 20 floors. The original observation deck will be maintained, and it will continue to offer a panoramic restaurant. Its base is being rebuilt and at the moment we can already see some of the floors going up. The final design is pictured on the right and was created by Portuguese architect Nuno Leónidas.  It looks a little less like a sailing ship as it was originally projected, and will be a “green hotel” making as much use of natural lighting and natural materials as possible.

For other projects planned for Lisbon in the future, come back to Go Lisbon Blog throughout the upcoming weeks.

Traveller's House, Lisbon

We always knew that Lisbon had the coolest, most chic and all-round best hostels. But this was officially confirmed back in January with the announcement of the Hoscars for 2008.

Mario mentioned this in passing while he announced our very own GoLisbon Oscars (Goscars?) for the Top 5 Hostels for 2008.

But the official Hoscars really give you a good idea of which cities around the world are home to the best hostels, because more than 800,000 travellers voted in last year’s edition, with more than 20,000 establishments competing and being judged on 6 criteria: character, security, location, staff, fun and cleanliness.

And Lisbon took the first 3 places in the Hoscars Top 10 list, with Traveller’s House Hostel winning first prize. 800,000 travellers can’t be wrong, and visitors to GoLisbon.com can’t be either, since they voted with their bookings and also made this marvellous hostel Number 1 on our very own Top 5 list mentioned previously.

The Rossio Hostel came second in the voting, with Lisbon Lounge third, and a very respectable eighth place for the Goodnight Backpackers Hostel.

And the prizes for Lisbon didn’t stop there: Lisbon Lounge also took 1st Prize in the “Cleanest Hostel” category, and Rossio Hostel came top in the “Most Fun” and “Best Small Hostel” categories

But it’s impossible not to admire the achievement of the Traveller’s Hostel. 1st Prize in the Hoscars, and top also in the “Hostel with Best Location” and “Hostel with Most Character” categories, as well as most booked hostel from GoLisbon.com in 2008.

But if you’re thinking of visiting Lisbon and are looking for cheap, top quality accommodation, don’t limit your search to the hostels mentioned here, however good they are. Try out too, Lisbon’s 5 newest hostels, which haven’t yet had a chance to compete in these prestigious awards but for sure will be in the running next year.

And the fierce competition will be putting the rest of Lisbon’s hostels on their toes, making sure that you, the client, enjoys the prefect stay in the perfect city.

So, the winner is…. Lisbon! And you, the visitors to this sun-filled city, which is now on top of the world for cheap, first-rate accommodation

It’s the second Pousada to open this year, and it’s the most palatial ever. For those who aren’t yet familiar with Portugal’s Pousadas, they’re special hotels in renovated historical buildings (castles, palaces, monasteries, mansions, etc.), and offer a unique experience that adds to a memorable trip to Portugal. In a pousada, guests get a real taste of Portugal, in the refined traditional gastronomy of their restaurants, and in the buildings themselves, in their furnishings or locations of cultural interest. The latest one is found in Estoi, a small town outside the city of Faro that is so close to that capital of the sunny Algarve province, that the hotel is called Pousada de Faro Palácio Estoi.

The Palácio is an elegant 18th century rococco building, a sort of tiny Versailles also surrounded by formal gardens that served as the private residence of nobility for decades. It’s very close to Faro’s international airport, and its location also allows you to see some fascinating Roman ruins nearby, while the famous beaches of Portugal’s southern coastline are also not too far away. If you prefer to spend a day in the confort of your hotel, it offers fifty rooms, a restaurant, a deluxe spa, and both an indoor and outdoor pool. While the building may be historic, the furnishings are mostly contemporary and offer the high-speed internet and LCD flat screen TVs that modern travelers expect to find.

This new pousada opened just in time for the late-spring and early-summer season, when Algarve is already flooded with sun and warm temperatures but not yet invaded with tourists. You can find more information about Pousada de Faro Palácio Estoi, including prices on specific dates here: Pousada de Faro Palácio Estoi.

This weekend’s New York Times travel section has a special report about visiting Europe on both a low and high budget. Entitled “Europe for Every Budget,” it tells you where to save or splurge in ten European capitals, including Lisbon.

According to the article, a good reasonably-priced option when it comes to hotels is Hotel Florida, while those looking for an extra-special place should check Fontana Park Hotel and its award-winning interior design.

For eating and drinking, it suggests the very traditional O Cantinho do Bem Estar for seafood lovers, while admirers of haute cuisine should choose Olivier Avenida.

When looking to buy something from Lisbon, it suggests visitors get some chocolates at the inexpensive Claudio Corallo Cacau & Café chocolate shop or world-class wines found at Garrafeira Nacional.

Those who enjoy a good night out don’t have to spend a lot to dance at Music Box, but those who must sip a good Moët & Chandon Champagne after dinner should chill out at Silk.

The article also recommends visiting Lisbon’s main sights on Sunday morning when they’re free, and those who still have some money left in their wallet can spend it at the sleek LA Spa.

You can read the entire article here.

If you’ve been searching for a hostel in Lisbon, you probably have already read that the city has the world’s best hostels. The Lisbon hostel phenomenon started a couple of years ago and doesn’t seem to be ending any time soon, judging from the number of new choices opening practically every couple of months. Below are the five latest ones to be added to the GoLisbon.com list:

1. SHIADO HOSTEL
Not only is this the best one of the five new choices, but also one of the best in the city. The location alone (in the middle of Chiado) makes it one of the best options, but then there are the excellent facilities and services. It’s been furnished in a simple, comfortable, modern style, and offers free internet, breakfast, and a kitchen. In case you’re wondering, yes, that’s Shiado with “S.”

2. KITSCH HOSTEL
You’ll understand the name when you step inside. You’ll see a fun, colorful kitsch décor at this hostel facing Restauradores Square, meaning a unique place in an excellent location. You’ll be in a cool, relaxed space within walking distance to most of the city’s attractions and public transport, and can take advantage of the hostel’s internet and laundry services.

3. BAIRRO ALTO TRAVELLERS
Young travelers who do their research before they arrive in Lisbon, know that the place to be in Lisbon at night is Bairro Alto. If you don’t want to have to worry about how to get back to your hotel after a night of drinking, the choice is Bairro Alto Travellers, a hostel located in quiet(er) Rua da Rosa. And here’s a special offer: You won’t find this hostel cheaper at any other hostel booking service online.

4. RITUALS BACKPACKERS
The interior of a 17th century building has been renovated to become this hostel decorated in a style that combines contemporary furnishings and classic details, supposedly to create the “ambiance of the modern Fado movement.” It’s an attractive place to lounge after a day of sight-seeing, with internet and laundry service.

5. LISBON DREAMS GUESTHOUSE
Located uptown but in an excellent location with easy access to the center down Avenida da Liberdade, this guesthouse is for those budget travelers who still demand some level of quality service. So here they find a bright, tastefully-decorated space, a fully equipped kitchen, a TV lounge, and two cozy patios to start your day with a refreshing breakfast. And of course, there is free internet and wireless service.

SEARCH FOR YOUR LISBON HOSTEL HERE.

The American edition of the international daily Metro newspaper has just published a “2-Minute Guide to Lisbon.” It highlights the obvious attractions (the monastery, Belem Tower, and the Oceanarium), but also recommends to trip across the river for the views of the city, and a tour on a GoCar. Although one of the reasons it recommends Lisbon is for its affordability, the suggested restaurant is “A Travessa,” which is not exactly cheap. It also recommends a stay at the more sophisticated Fontana Park Design Hotel, or for those looking for budget prices, the recently-named #1 hostel in the world, Travellers House. At night, the authors seem to have done their research well — the “cool neighborhood” depends on your age, with teenagers preferring Santos, 20 and 30-somethings choosing Bairro Alto, and the trendiest crowds of any age heading to Lux, the well-known club by the river.

Read the entire article here.