📖 About Lisboa

Lisboa (Lisbon), Portugal's capital and largest city, is home to a metropolitan population of 3,028,000 as of 2025. The city boasts a GDP per capita exceeding €42,000 and generates an impressive 31% of Portugal's entire national GDP, making it the wealthiest region in the country. Lisboa has experienced consistent population growth, reaching its all-time high population since the 1991 census, reflecting its economic vitality and attractiveness as a place to live and work.

The city's rich Age of Discovery maritime heritage is evident throughout its architecture and culture. UNESCO World Heritage Sites featuring magnificent Manueline architecture—such as the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery—stand as guardians of Portugal's seafaring history. Built on seven hills, Lisboa is famous for its iconic yellow trams, especially Tram 28, which winds through historic neighborhoods offering spectacular views. Today, Lisboa has transformed into a modern hub for tech startups and international tourism, while preserving its historical character and traditional charm.

🏛️ Top Attractions

💼 Economy & Culture

Lisboa's economy is predominantly based on the tertiary sector, with finance, commerce, and tourism serving as the main drivers. The city has emerged as a major European tech startup hub, attracting entrepreneurs and investors from around the world. The annual Lisbon Web Summit has become one of the world's largest technology conferences, bringing together global innovators and thought leaders. The Port of Lisbon handles significant cargo volumes and serves as a major cruise ship destination, welcoming hundreds of thousands of passengers annually.

The city's rich cultural calendar includes the popular Santo António Festival on June 13, when neighborhoods compete with elaborate street decorations and sardine grills. Fado music, Lisboa's soulful musical tradition, has been recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, with performances echoing through Alfama and Bairro Alto. Traditional Portuguese azulejo tiles adorn buildings throughout the city, telling stories through intricate blue-and-white ceramic art. The iconic Pastéis de Nata custard tarts from Belém have become a symbol of Portuguese gastronomy. Lisboa's vibrant nightlife centers on Bairro Alto, where narrow streets fill with bars, restaurants, and music venues creating an electric atmosphere until dawn.

📜 History

Founded by the Phoenicians as Olissipo, Lisboa later became the Roman city of Felicitas Julia, an important administrative center. Moorish rule from 711 to 1147 left a lasting architectural and cultural legacy, particularly in the Alfama district. Lisboa became Portugal's capital in 1255 and emerged as the epicenter of the Age of Discovery during the 15th and 16th centuries, from which explorers like Vasco da Gama departed to chart new routes to India and beyond. The devastating 1755 earthquake destroyed much of the city, but it was systematically rebuilt by the Marquês de Pombal with earthquake-resistant Pombaline architecture still visible today. The peaceful Revolution of Carnations in 1974 ended decades of dictatorship, ushering in democracy. Portugal joined the European Union in 1986, and Lisboa successfully hosted the UEFA Euro 2004 tournament, cementing its status as a modern European capital.