The city of Lisbon is home to around 547,000 people, and takes up nearly 85 square kilometres. However, the metropolitan area is somewhat more sizeable weighing in at 958 square kilometres and a population of over 3 million people. It is located on the western Iberian Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean, and also the Tagus River.
The city is also the capital and largest city in all of Portugal. Not only is it the westernmost capital city in all of Europe, but it is the only capital city on the entire Atlantic coastline.
Lisbon has certainly become synonymous globally playing an important role in commerce, media, international trade, the arts, tourism, education, entertainment and finance. It is also home to one of the largest shipping ports on the Atlantic coast of Europe. The city is also extremely well accessed via a network of the motorways, and the high speed Alfa Pendular rail, which links all of the major cities of Portugal together.
Lisbon is the 7th most visited location in all of southern Europe, seeing almost 1.8 million tourists annually. The city is also the home of the government, and the Head of State.
Predating other European capitals such as Rome, London and Paris by centuries, Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world, and certainly the oldest in all of Western Europe. It was actually Julius Caesar who made it a municipium called Felicitas Julia. Then under rule by a number or Germanic tribes, the city was taken by the Moors in the 8th century. It wasn't until 1147 when the city was reconquered by the Crusaders, and it began to flourish into the capital it is today.
The climate in Lisbon can only be described as beautifully Mediterranean, with warm winters in the 15 degrees Celsius range, and delightful summers in the 25 degrees Celsius range.
Lisbon certainly won't disappoint in the tourist attraction stakes. Many of the more frequented attractions include the Lisbon Zoo and Oceanarium, Jeronimos Monastery, the Sao Jorge Castle, Igreja de Sao Roque, the 25 de Abril Bridge, the Sant Justa Lift, Belem Tower, Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, the Rua Augusta Arch, the Chiado Museum, Carmo Convent, the Church of Santa Engracia, the Lisbon Cathedral, the National Coach Museum, the Aguas Livres Aquaduct, the Belem Palace, the D Maria II National Theatre, the Quelez National Palace, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceicao Velha, the Ajuda National Palace, Seteais Palace, the Santo Antonio Church, the Navy Museum, the Museum of the Orient, the Castle of Almourol, the Palace of Necessidades, the Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro Museum and the National Archaeology Museum.
For the food lovers, you will find some of the best seafood and tapas that you have ever indulged in. Plus Portugal make some damn fine beers and is home to some amazing wines as well.