Go Portugal

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, as well as its largest city. Known for its thrilling nightlife, the city has recently been recognized as an important European gambling center, due to its two huge casinos. However, Lisbon has much to offer visitors of all ages in terms of culture, natural features and man-made buildings and monuments.

The heart of the city is the Baixa (Downtown) or city center; this area is being considered for UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The Castle of São Jorge and the Lisbon Cathedral are located on one of the seven hills of Lisbon, to the east of the Baixa.

Other popular sights include Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square), the richly-decorated Church of São Roque, the Belém neighborhood and the Elevador de Santa Justa, an elevator in Gothic revival style that offers great views of the city. Lisbon is also home to the largest oceanarium in Europe and several world-class museums.

Overlooking the entire city is Cristo Rei, a huge white statue of Christ with open arms. It is a replica of the Corcovado monument in Rio de Janeiro, and offers breathtaking views of the city (at a cost of 3 euros to ride the elevator up).

The Centro Cultural de Belém is a majestic building that rises up in the heart of the Belém district. The building was designed by Vitorio Gregotti and Manuel Salgado, and the interior was created by Daciano Costa. The centre is divided into four large areas, the meeting area, the show area, the exhibition area, and an area which focuses on the art of animation and the teaching of art. There are numerous exhibitons all year round, and to get the latest news and dates, it's a good idea to check the CCB's official website.