How to fall in love with Lisbon while you work.
You’ll fall in love with this city at fist sight, as soon as you cross the spectacular 25 de Abril Bridge over the Tagus River. It’s a love that will last forever—and keep growing. Whether you’re here for business or pleasure, there’s always time to get inspired by each and every corner of Lisbon’s charming neighbourhoods.
Acity with history and all the heritage of old Europe, art, gothic monasteries, traditional businesses that retain their pure essence, sun that shines almost all year round (290 days) and a coast that’s the perfect place to take a stroll or practise water sports: this is the calling card of Lisbon, a cosy capital that you don’t need any excuse to visit—even on business.
With its traditional neighbourhoods of steep and cobblestoned streets, pastel facades, rickety trams and monumental squares, Lisbon has always been the kind of romantic and evocative city that makes you dream of another era. But these days it’s also a modern and cosmopolitan hub, which in recent years has carved out a niche in business tourism thanks to its excellent combination of infrastructure, attractions and infinite leisure possibilities.
Gone is the sense of ‘saudade’, that wearisome melancholic decadence that has characterised Lisbon for decades. Today, Portugal’s capital is anything but decrepit. Just take one look at its new identity, as a modern and cosmopolitan city that has not only convinced celebrities—including John Malkovich, Madonna, Harrison Ford and Monica Bellucci—to relocate, but also international companies, whether by moving their headquarters or holding their biggest events here. And it’s no wonder. Lisbon has it all: it’s awe-inspiring and safe, its citizens are quiet and respectful, and it has good infrastructure for meetings and conferences, such as the FIL (International Fair of Lisbon), Lisbon Congress Centre, ‘Prof. Dr. Armando Simões dos Santos’ Auditorium and Lusíada University Convention Centre. Then there’s the Cultural Centre of Belém, Caixa Geral de Depósitos Foundation, Oceanarium and Lisboa e Benfica stadium. Not to mention the exceptional value for money when it comes to accommodation, and fantastic flight connections to cities all over Europe (1-3 hours) and North America (5-8 hours), from an airport that’s only 15 minutes from the city and directly connected to the metro.
HISTORY AND CULTURE
You’ll never get tired of wandering through Lisbon’s most emblematic neighbourhoods—Alfama, Chiado, Baixa and Rossio—no matter how many times you visit.
HOTELS
TRYP Lisboa Caparica Mar
This 354-room hotel is located on Lisbon’s most famous beach, Costa da Caparica, close to both the city and the airport. It’s the ideal headquarters for a couple’s escape, a family holiday or a business trip. The versatile facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, three restaurants and seven conference rooms equipped with the latest technology,
making it the perfect place to hold any kind of meeting. The 30-kilometre Costa da Caparica is the longest beach in all of Europe, extending from the western tip of the Setúbal peninsula
right down to the Fonte da Telha beach. It’s the favourite destination of Lisbon locals looking for a seaside getaway, which helps it retain much of its charm. There are plenty of restaurants, cafés, street markets and an endless landscape of spectacular beauty, featuring nudist beaches, family campsites, surfing spots and places to practise outdoor sports, like the Fun Parque. Caparica itself also has lots to do, from the Convent of the Capuchos—a must-see for lovers of history and nature—to the Miradouro Aldeia dos Capuchos, with stunning views of the city and sea. Don’t miss the Solar dos Zagallos, an old house that’s
been transformed into a local cultural centre.
TRYP Lisboa Oriente
Strategically situated on the seafront right in the middle of the Parque das Nações—the most modern part of the city—is the Lisboa Oriente hotel. It’s just a stone’s throw away from a huge range of leisure, dining and shopping options, and is connected to the city centre by Oriente Station. It’s also very close to the FIL (International Fair of Lisbon) and Humberto Delgado Airport. This is a contemporary and functional hotel, with 207 bright
and spacious rooms and a motto that reflects its goal to make guests’ lives easier. To that end, it offers airport shuttles and electric car charging stations. You can sample the best of Portuguese cuisine at the Bistrô & Tapas restaurant, and various conference rooms are available for conventions and
private events.
TRYP Lisboa Aeroporto
For business travellers in Lisbon, there’s no place quite as comfortable as this four-star hotel, which combines excellent meeting facilities and workspaces with the very best amenities to help guests make the most of their downtime. It also boasts proximity to both the airport and city, of course, and offers free shuttles to and from the airport at almost all hours of the day. The TRYP Lisboa Aeroporto has 167 guest rooms, a convention centre and around 1,500 square metres of meeting rooms. There’s also a spa with indoor and outdoor
swimming pools, a hot tub, a sauna and a Turkish bath, offering beauty treatments to help visitors look their best; relaxing massages for a luxurious treat; and a fully equipped gym where you can maintain your workout routine on the go.
Likewise when it comes to strolling along the shores of the Tagus River, which is increasingly geared towards leisure options for locals and tourists alike, from the Parque das Nações (where the Expo ‘98 was held) to the Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery and MAAT (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology). You can also discover the ancient neighbourhoods of Marvila, Intendente and Príncipe Real, which have acquired a fresh spirit without losing their iconic essence.
Lisbon has an unbeatable cultural offering, with over 50 museums featuring permanent collections and temporary exhibitions: from the Fado Museum, National Tile Museum, National Museum of Ancient Art and National Museum of Contemporary Art, to the José Saramago Foundation, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and MUDE (Design and Fashion Museum).
AND GOOD FOOD TOO
Lisbon’s exceptional, healthy cuisine is another unquestionable selling point, whether it’s a bowl of ‘caldo verde’ (green soup), ‘bacalhau à Brás’ (a traditional salt cod dish), grilled sardines or a gourmet dinner at one of the city’s fine dining options, like Belcanto or Alma. Don’t forget to pair a ‘bica’ (espresso) with a ‘pastel de nata’ (custard tart) in one of the city’s ancient cafés, such as the legendary Café A Brasileira, Pastelaria Benard or Pastelaria Versailles. Or have a snack in the Mercado da Ribeira; there’s always time to sample some tasty ‘petiscos’. That’s Lisbon for you—a city full of flavour that you’ll never tire of exploring.