Thetownend.com

Booked up for a weekend away in Feb with the missus.

Done the old google and it looks like a reasonably smallish place with a castle and a waterfront, and looks quite nice to wander about etc.

Anyone been and provide any feedback? Bars and restaurants advice appreciated also.

Been there regularly for work. There is a great fish restaurant on the top of the hill over Benfica called the Mercado do Peix, and a load of life, bars and good eateries down at the new Expo quarter on the riverfront. Unfortunately can't remember the name of one or two very good tables in the old town centre. Typically choose seafood over meat, which is often very oily. Some very good red and white wines - try the "green" Vinho Verde, and lovely cheese which is often on the table for a starter. Kind people, the Portuguese. I'm very fond of going, though I like Porto even more.

Oh, I nearly forgot the legendary Pasteis de Belem, an old pastry bakery down near the water by some museums and the president's residence, which is an institution famous for its Natas, local custard-type tarts best eaten warm with cinnamon. Absolutely delicious.

We both love sea food and wine so the Expo area sounds ideal for food and drink!

I love custard tarts! Will have to look out that place as well!

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated!

The Expo site has a cable car and aquarium if you're into that sort of thing (I am and loved it). Get the bus/tram to Belem and see the cultural bit. Walks through the hilly bit of town by the botanical gardens are fun, loads of exploring but hard work on the steep hills. The food is great and loads of restaurants to choose from but not really very cheap. I didn't get to Estadio de Luz but looked good on the plane in, in fact some great views when coming in to land. I wanted to get to the beach but never got around to sorting the train out and I guess in February that's the last place you'd want to go.

I think Lisbon is great, buckets of history and a bit edgy and run down, give me that over gentrified city centre any day of the week.  

The Lisbon earthquake of 1755, pretty much destroyed the entire city as well as decimating the population...it's estimated strength on the Richter Scale, makes it Europe's most powerful seismic event. Apparently the subsequent tsunami washed up on the British Isles.

Great place for weekend  / week visit.
Some good ideas already mentioned, I'd add Biarro Alto and Rossio areas for food / drink and atmospheric night life.
Cristo Rei Statue (ferry and short bus ride) and St Georges castle for views. If you have time (i.e. having a  long weekend) Sintra (castle plus scenic views) and Cascais are worth a visit (Cascais probably more in the summer as sea side resort).

Thanks everyone.

TEF > Trip Adviser!

My parents saw the ghost of a boy in their Lisbon hotel room.