To do in Lisbon

Lisbon, the vibrant capital of Portugal, offers a wealth of activities for CIRSE 2024 attendees to enjoy outside of congress hours. The CIRSE 2024 Local Host Committee has shared some excellent recommendations for exploring the city, highlighting unique aspects of Lisbon’s culture, history, and cuisine.

The MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology with the Joana Vascocelos sculpure.

Belém Tower

Right next door…

Dr. Pedro Marinho Lopes, Dr. José Saraiva, Prof. Tiago Bilhim, and Dr. Ana Isabel Simões Ferreira emphasize the convenience of starting your exploration right from the congress venue. Prof. Tiago Bilhim says, “Just near the Lisbon Congress Centre, delegates can relax and sunbathe nearby the riverside while enjoying a nice walk.” Dr. Marinho Lopes adds, “On the right side of the river, CIRSE attendees can stroll along the river until they reach the MAAT – Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology, as well as the Electricity Museum. Both are worth a visit for their exhibitions. Not to be missed is the sculpture by Joana Vasconcelos at the entrance of MAAT. If there’s more time, a little further ahead, one can find the Belém Tower and on the other side, the Jerónimos Monastery. In the area, I also suggest a stop at the Pastéis de Belém, the birthplace of the Pastel de Nata or egg custard tarts, serving since 1837.”

Says Dr. José Saraiva: ““The congress venue is located in one of the most beautiful spots in Lisbon! Right beside the iconic 25 de Abril bridge, you can find a lot of attractions such as the Belém Tower, the Jerónimos Monastery, museums like the Centro Cultural de Belém and MAAT, many restaurants, and the world-famous Pastel de Belém, all within walking distance of the congress alongside the amazing river bank where a lot of locals love to go for a jog!”

Dr. Simões Ferreira adds, “After a long congress day, go outside and enjoy a fresh breeze coming from the river Tejo, just a few steps away from the congress centre. You can walk along Passeio Carlos do Carmo and appreciate the sunset sky colours as the day winds down.”

View of Lisbon

View from St. George’s Hill

Head to the hills

Dr. Paulo Vilares Morgado suggests exploring Lisbon’s iconic seven hills, each offering its own unique charm and panoramic views. “Each hill has several viewpoints with magnificent views of the city and the Tejo River estuary. St. George’s Hill, the highest, houses Castelo S. Jorge. The hill of São Vicente is home to the Alfama neighbourhood and the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora. Colina de Sant´Ana is the most central and at the top of this hill is the Miradouro do Torel viewpoint. On the hill of Santo André, we have the Miradouro da Graça, one of the most beautiful and romantic spots in Lisbon. On Chagas Hill, there’s the Santa Justa lift, with a splendid view of Rossio and Lisbon’s downtown. At the top of the Santa Catarina hill there is a viewpoint surrounded by a lively atmosphere with musicians and street artists. Lastly, on the hill of São Roque is the famous Bairro Alto neighbourhood and the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint.”

View from Castelo S. Jorge

Castelo S. Jorge

Castle in the sky

Dr. Maria José Martins de Sousa recommends visiting the Castelo S. Jorge, a must-see landmark in Lisbon. “The castle offers several viewpoints that provide excellent views of Lisbon, making it a great option for a relaxed yet enriching experience.” Originally built by the Moors in the 11th century, it has been a royal residence, a fortress, and now serves as a popular tourist attraction showcasing archaeological artifacts and medieval architecture.

After visiting the castle, Dr. Ana Isabel Simoes Ferreira suggests, “Since you have come this far, you might as well head down to the traditional neighbourhood of Alfama and finish the day enjoying a codfish plate, or bacalhau, at a restaurant. I suggest Mesa dos Frades or Tejo Bar, and listening to Fado, a traditional song.”

FX FACTORY

Tram number 28

Neighbourhood explorer

For an alternative impression of Lisbon, Dr. Ana Isabel Simoes Ferreira suggests visiting LX FACTORY, a creative hub with a variety of dining options, “You’ll have delicious food to choose from here, whether it is just an afternoon snack or a proper meal, with a wide range of food from different countries (so, for vegetarians it will be easy to find a suitable option here). There are also plenty of nice nightclubs in this area.”

She also recommends heading to the city’s downtown to explore restaurants, shops, and great views. “It is also great fun exploring downtown, starting at Praça Luis de Camões, and strolling around, although it can get crowded with tourists. There you can find my favourite egg tarts, pastel de nata, in Manteigaria. If you are interested in shopping, head to the streets of Rua do Ouro, Rua da Prata, Rua Garret, and Avenida da Liberdade. Have a meal in Pinoquio (a traditional Portuguese restaurant), right in the middle of the square, Praça Restauradores.”

Prof. Tiago Bilhim shares a quick final tip for those who don’t have time to walk or want a break off their feet, “The Tram 28 journey  takes you around most of the typical sightseeing places. From here you can see the Basílica da Estrela (Estrela Basilica), Assembleia da República (Parliament), Praça de Luís de Camões (landmark), Igreja de Santo António (Church of Saint Anthony), Sé de Lisboa (Lisbon Cathedral), Portas do Sol (viewpoint), Mosteiro São Vicente (Monastery of São Vicente de Fora), and Graça neighbourhood with the Castelo de São Jorge.”