The prices of bus or tram tickets in Lisbon have always been the same, but that will change in the new year.
Buses will have an increase of five cents (to €1.50), while riding one of the city’s famous trams will now cost you €2.50.
The landmark funiculars (Santa Justa, Glória, Bica, and Lavra) will cost 3 euros, but those tickets will allow you to go on two rides (even if you just ride once, it will still be €3 euros).
This is yet another reason to acquire the Lisboa Card during a visit to the city, since you’ll be able to ride all public transportation (with the exception of the airport bus) for free.
Lisbon’s metro will also increase the price of its tickets to 90 cents, but it is also free with the Lisboa Card.
Better news was the recent announcement by Carris (the local bus company) that several of its buses will offer free Wi-Fi internet service. Right now it’s only available in buses number 36 and 745, but it will expand to other routes.
To use this service, simply select “CARRIS-TMN” on your computer or smartphone.
However, most tourists never ride the city’s buses, as the metro and the trams take you to all of the city’s attractions.

The Best Food Year Ever
The year 2010 will stand out in Lisbon for the quality of the city’s new restaurants and promising new chefs. The year started with the New York Times highlighting those chefs, and a number of notable restaurants opened throughout the months that followed.
The first one was Largo, with its beautiful interior and refined cuisine, and later came a trio that already rank among the best in the city: Assinatura, Pedro e o Lobo, and Bistro 100 Maneiras.
Also making news was the opening of two restaurants related to the local fashion world, Opaq and Unique which surprised by paying as much attention to the quality of the menu as they did to the décor and ambience.
Another trendy new restaurant opened later in the year, D’Oliva, which arrived from Porto.
Lisbon’s rise as a gastronomic destination also led to a major article focusing on the city’s best restaurants in Bell’Europa magazine.

The Discovery of Americans
Although the travel industry around the world is complaining of a not-so-positive year, Lisbon can’t really do that because it had at least one emerging market: Americans. The city reportedly received 12.6% more travelers from the United States, perhaps helped by its recent exposure in American media: First it was its selection as the backdrop for the new J. Crew catalogue, and days later as a featured destination in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Later came an exhibition of Portuguese design at the MoMA in New York, and over the summer, ABC’s “The Bachelorette” found romance in the city.
Throughout the year Portugal was also featured in several articles in the New York Times’ travel sections, from its “Great Plains”, to the wine country in the north, to advice on spending Christmas in Lisbon, in an article with the collaboration of GoLisbon.com.
Finally, a slice of Lisbon (literraly) is now also available every day in New York, via the best chocolate cake in the world.

More Tourist Satisfaction
2010 also confirmed that Lisbon is a rewarding place to visit. A tourist survey showed strong tourist satisfaction, and the city won “Best Destination” at the European Consumers Choice Awards — and for the second consecutive year, Europe’s Leading City Break Destination at the World Travel Awards.

Cheers with a Glass of Wine
Lisbon has many reasons to celebrate 2010 and to look forward to an even more positive 2011 (despite all the pessimistic reports of economic crisis on the news), and for that it may celebrate with a glass of wine. This year the bars that opened in the city seemed to all focus on local wines, from the renovated Artis to the recent Grapes & Bites, and new restaurants serving traditional Portuguese food accompanied by wine by the glass such as Taberna Tosca.

Lisbon’s Christmas lights were switched on this weekend. Budget cuts cancelled the annual gigantic Christmas tree but the streets downtown and in major commercial areas are now lit up and decorated with the spirit of the holiday season.
The biggest attraction is Rossio Square, where an ice skating rink and a merry-go-round have been placed. Perhaps this funfair atmosphere was not the best choice for the city’s most historical square, but it did attract hundreds of people this weekend, and will continue to do so until January 9th.

The NATO and United States-European Union summits just took place in Lisbon, bringing most of the European leaders and President of the United States Barack Obama to the city. With all the eyes of the political world turned to the Portuguese capital, CNN presented a photo gallery which shows many of the city’s main attractions and provides brief information about each one of them. GoLisbon.com was a source for this report which you may see here: Discovering Lisbon, Portugal

A couple of years ago, in a post about unusual or strange things in Lisbon (“Weird Lisbon“), we told you about a gentleman who had become a local celebrity by simply waving hello on the street, at night, in the center of the city. He originally did it in Saldanha Square uptown, but in recent years he was mostly seen in his neighborhood, Restelo, by the Belém district. Although known as “Mr. Good-Bye,” he said he prefered to be called “Mr. Hello.”
His real name was Mr. João Serra, and today we’re sad to report that he passed away yesterday at the age of 80. In print and television interviews he recognized that what he did was unusual and that he understood if everyone thought he was crazy. However, that doesn’t seem to be the opinion of the thousands of people who waved back at him over the years, many of whom will today be standing in his honor at 10PM on his spot in Saldanha Square, doing what he did for years — saying hello and hearing the cars honk back and cheer in return.
Mr. Serra was born into a wealthy family, never really worked, but was a well-traveled and cultured man. He went to the movies every week and there was even a blog created with his insights. His reason for standing in the middle of the city was to “connect with people,” something that arose from solitude at home, and the need to bring “life” to a city deserted at night ever since “television took people away from the theaters and the streets.”
Despite his celebrity status, Mr. Serra said his actions were not for exhibitionism, and that was the reason why he refused so many invitations to appear on television. His actions, he said, were purely “therapeutical.” It wasn’t clear if he meant that for himself or for the people of Lisbon, as for a couple of seconds those who saw him would at least crack a smile.
Mr. Serra preferred “hello” to “good-bye,” so in this case we’ll only say “Cheers!” to him and the hours he dedicated to brightening Lisbon’s nights.

The beautiful Art Deco space left behind from one of Lisbon’s classic restaurants that closed some time ago is now the second home to one of the city’s most creative contemporary restaurants. The former “Bachus” is now “Bistro 100 Maneiras,” an extension of the acclaimed 100 Maneiras that opened last year by a Bosnian who’s now very much Portuguese with an international outlook.
This second spot is much larger than the original “100 Maneiras”, and although the menu is essentially the same (blending Portuguese and international inspirations), it will include a late-night version. That’s because it stays open until 2AM to serve the night owls that make the Bairro Alto neighborhood next door their favorite bar-hopping destination.
So the décor may be classic, even historic, but the cuisine is contemporary and with a personal twist. It’s spread over two floors, offering views of the river in the distance, and with a smoking and non-smoking section (quite rare these days since the anti-smoking-in-public-spaces law). There is also a lounge and bar area for cocktails.
The grand opening was yesterday and even better news is that it’s one of the selected restaurants for Lisbon’s Restaurant Week, happening right now until October 2nd, offering a special lower-cost menu.

Address: Largo da Trindade, 9 (Rua da Misericordia)
Phone: 210 990 475
Closed Sundays

The July 2010 issue of Lonely Planet magazine dedicates eleven of its pages to Lisbon in an article titled “Rediscover Lisbon.”

In its introduction it states that the city “is quietly becoming Europe’s most intriguing capital” and in the following pages it explores its most famous cafés, its new “top-class eating establishments,” and highlights the new Design and Fashion Museum together with an overview of the attractions seen on a ride on tram 28.

The entire article is illustrated with several colorful photographs of the city’s streets, landmarks, and close-ups of the most mouth-watering pastries, drinks, and dishes.

In the end, it provides one tip on what to see, where to sleep, where to eat, and where to drink for each budget: inexpensive, mid-range, and luxury.

The magazine is on newsstands around the world right now, so it may be something you want to pick up at the airport on your way to Lisbon this month.

It’s now June which means that from now until October, Lisbon will be sunny about 90% of the time. When visiting the city at this time, touring museums feels less appealing and you’ll likely be drawn to the great outdoors. Lisbon is perfect for that, with a marvelous setting: It has a river that many mistaken for the ocean, hills creating an amphitheater-like landscape best admired from the top of its castle, and terraces scattered around offering panoramic vistas. In between you’ll discover charming gardens, monuments offering views, and the approaching breeze of the Atlantic. Here are 10 ideas for what to do in the open air this summer in Lisbon:

1. RELAX IN PRINCIPE REAL’S GARDENS
The Principe Real neighborhood is one of Lisbon’s most charming residential areas, and its main square has just reopened last week after months of renovation. That square is actually a garden and you can sit under a gigantic “umbrella tree,” try one of the city’s traditional drinks at a kiosk café, and admire the architectural details of the colorful buildings of the surroundings. Go down the hill and you reach Praça das Flores, perhaps Lisbon’s most romantic corner. It’s never mentioned in guidebooks, but this small, shaded square has a couple of the city’s most inviting cafés with outdoor tables, including the new “Novamesa Snack Bar,” an extention of the recent Nova Mesa restaurant. Back up the hill is the enchanting Botanical Garden.

2. STROLL DOWN THE BOULEVARD
Avenida da Liberdade is Lisbon’s mile-long “Champs Elysées,” a boulevard know for its luxury shops, theaters, and cafés. A new Prada store is opening this week in one of its most beautiful buildings, and you can do some window-shopping as you go down the avenue admiring the city’s trademark mosaic pavements and stop to take a look at the many scattered statues, all the way to the city’s biggest park. Edward VII Park goes up a hill and once you reach the top you’re rewarded with a postcard-view of the city.

3. STAND IN THE RENOVATED RIVERFRONT COMÉRCIO SQUARE
As GoLisbon reported, Lisbon’s biggest and most monumental square has just been renovated. The planned cafés will only be open in September or October, but you can sit by the river, at Cais das Colunas, a quayside area with two large columns marking the entrance to the city from the Tagus. From here you can admire the square and its triumphal arch, and sit as you watch the ferries cross the river, and see the landmark 25 de Abril Bridge and the Monument to Christ in the distance.

4. CATCH SOME SUN FROM THE ROOFTOPS OF ALFAMA’S MAIN MONUMENTS
The National Pantheon and St. Vincent’s Monastery are both located in Alfama just steps from each other, and besides both being painted in shining white, they both offer rooftop terraces for city views. You can stop to check your guidebook or simply stay admiring the city as you work on your tan.

5. GO MIRADOURO-HOPPING IN ALFAMA
Alfama is Lisbon’s most picturesque neighborhood and it’s always best enjoyed outdoors. It forces even the laziest walkers to go up and down its cobbled streets, and the reward are its terrace viewpoints. Three of the most beautiful viewpoints in the city are located within walking distance from each other, and they allow you to do some sightseeing as you enjoy your sunny summer days. Start in Miradouro de Santa Luzia, go up to Miradouro das Portas do Sol (stop for a drink at its fantastic terrace café), and continue up the hill to Miradouro da Graça where you won’t be able to put your camera down.

6. STAND BY THE LAUNCH PAD OF THE DISCOVERIES
Florida’s Cape Canaveral is the launch pad for the exploration of space today, but five centuries ago the launch pad for the exploration of planet Earth was Lisbon’s Belém district. That’s where you’ll find the city’s three biggest landmarks, the Discoveries Monument, the Belém Tower, and Jerónimos Monastery. Starting at the monastery, walk west along the waterfront to admire the architecture and stone work of the other two monuments, and picture Vasco da Gama departing on his way to discovering the maritime route to the East or Pedro Alvares Cabral on his way to discoverig South America.

7. GO BACK TO THE FUTURE IN PARQUE DAS NAÇÕES
Lisbon’s waterfront is not just about the voyages of the past. At the former site of 1998′s World Fair you now find a modern residential and business district with futuristic architecture. You may see all of it from a bird’s-eye perspective on a cable car ride, or walking along the riverfront from one of the world’s biggest aquariums all the way to a Dubai-like tower, Torre Vasco da Gama. In between you’ll see lawns and gardens inviting you for a picnic.

8. CRUISE DOWN THE TAGUS
With so many walks by the river you’ll probably end up wishing you were in it. You may do that by taking a sightseeing cruise which departs every afternoon from the center of the city and goes all the way to Belém and Parque das Nações. Be sure to take your camera, especially when you pass under 25 de Abril Bridge and see Vasco da Gama Bridge at the end of the journey. Get complete cruise details here: Tagus River Cruise

9. GO ON A PHOTOGRAPHY WALKING TOUR
By now you probably already know that Lisbon is one of Europe’s most picturesque cities which is why it’s so loved by photographers. Even if you have very little talent and don’t aspire to become one, you’ll enjoy a walking tour where photographing the city is the theme. Your attention will be guided to all the details that make Lisbon so special, from the tiled façaded to the cobbled mosaics, to the surprising views along the way.
Complete tour details here: Lisbon Photography Walking Tour

10. TAKE THE CASCAIS-ESTORIL BOARDWALK
Lisbon may have a Mediterranean look and feel, but this is actually a very Atlantic city. Its river opens to the ocean from the Belém district to the seaside towns of Cascais and Estoril. Known as “the Portuguese Riviera,” these are two chic resorts which are connected by a beachfront boardwalk. You’ll find pretty villas, marinas, small coves, and Europe’s largest casino but on a sunny day nothing will make you leave the boardwalk with occasional stops for a drink at a beachfront café or some sunbathing on the sand.

While most people are familiar with World Heritage Sites — the places and monuments around the world of great cultural significance (Lisbon has two: Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery) — many don’t yet know that UNESCO is now also protecting “intangible heritage,” meaning cultural traditions of international importance. The tango has already been singled out for that honor a few months ago, and come 2011 the same may happen to Lisbon’s Fado. UNESCO will be studying that possibility this upcoming August and Lisbon’s music may be on the list late next year. Lisbon is one of the few cities in the world with its own musical style, one that has come to symbolize the soul of the entire country. While its origins are unknown, historians claim it is the blending of songs sung by homesick sailors at sea, combined with the slave dances of Brazil, and the Moorish chants heard in Lisbon’s Mouraria throughout the centuries. Fado (meaning “fate”) was originally singled out as a musical genre in the 18th century when it was heard in the brothels of Lisbon, usually sung by the lower classes. With the emergence of famous Fado singers over the years (first Maria Severa and then Amália Rodrigues in the 20th century), Fado went slightly upmarket and spread throughout Portugal and the world. Today’s young Fado singers such as Mariza top world music charts and perform all over the globe. Unlike tango, it is not a dance, but more like dramatic, poetic singing. For more information on Fado, see GoLisbon’s Fado page.

The ABC network (American Broadcasting Company) is coming to Lisbon to film one of its highest-rated shows. That’s “The Bachelorette” which has aired on the network since 2003 where 25 men compete for the love of an attractive young woman, with one bachelor being eliminated in every episode until one remains at the end (and who just may or may not be proposed to by the bachelorette).
This sixth season of the reality show will begin airing next month, and filming is going to take place in the upcoming weeks in Lisbon, bringing a crew of eighty people to the city. Because the show is all about love and romance, the chosen sites to be featured on the show will be the romantic ramparts of the Castle of St. George and of course Sintra which is recognized as one of the most fairytale places in the world.
This season’s bachelorette is a 25 year-old from San Francisco, so considering the similarities between Lisbon and that Californian city, she just may feel right at home, and perhaps even fall for “the one” in the Portuguese capital. To see whether or not that happens, you must watch “The Bachelorette” every Monday night on ABC if you live in the United States.