Lisbon is the Portuguese capital and the largest city in the country. Lisbon has 300 days of sunshine throughout the year and temperatures around 30° Celsius and 37º Celsius during the summer and 14° Celsius and 18° Celsius during the winter.
It was the epicenter of the discoveries and the epicenter of a vast empire since the XV century; Lisbon has become the meeting point of many different cultures and started to be one of Europe's most cosmopolitan cities. Lisbon is a city with an exciting cultural life, becoming the European Capital in 1994. Lisbon has received many international events such as Expo 98 and the Summit Europe - Africa held in November 2007.In 2005, Lisbon was considered by the International Congress & Convention Association, as the eighth city in the world most wanted for the holding of international events and conferences. Lisbon has been the scene of constant events in the area of music and sports such as the MTV Europe Music Awards 2005, the Rock in Rio Lisbon, the 2006 and 2007 Rally Dakar, the EURO 2004 and the 50 years of Tall Ships' Races.
Thus, with the turn of the century, Lisbon has seen being multiplied their theater rooms, their cinemas, their exhibitions centers, their museums and their sports areas. 13th of June, the population leaves their homes to celebrate St. Anthony - patron of Lisbon and wedding saint- and held parties in the more typical neighborhoods of the city such as Alfama, Madragoa, Mouraria, the Lisbon Cathedral and St. George Castle. During this day, groups of residents and entertainment associations arm bunkers where they sell soft drinks, sangria, beer, wine, "bifanas", traditional sweets and the famous "sardines". Everywhere, the national music animates the millions of people that joins for the festivities, making them dancing and singing until the sun rise. The Liberty Avenue, receives the popular parade of Lisbon, with each district competes against each other for the best typical choreography, known as "Marchas Populares".
Fado is the traditional music of Lisbon which is a kind of melancholic and sad music accompanied by a portuguese guitar and has an obscure origin believed to have emerged at the beginning of the 19th century. The artists of Fado well best known are the great Amália Rodrigues, Carlos do Carmo and more recently Mariza.
Lisbon is full of historical sites, museums and churches which date from the 12th century. The streets of Lisbon are true milestones in the history of Lisbon, streets that were the scene of wars, earthquakes, victories and sorrows. Every street and every historical site by which you will pass by will tell you a story that you will certainly never forget.
Discovering Lisbon
Visit the Belem Cultural Centre, the Ancient Art Museum, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the Oceanarium. There are must-visit cultural sites in the capital.
Evening entertainment is guaranteed at Docas, Bairro Alto, Lisbon Casino and Lux.
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