The cidade das sete colinas (city of the seven hills - nickname for Lisbon) is one of the most picturesque capitals of Europe. It has strong links to the past, reflected in the old buildings and narrow cobblestone streets. Lisbon is a mosaic of neighborhoods. Alfama is the oldest, with traces back to the Moors. Go to the commercial area of Baixa to see one of Europe's oldest examples of planned neighborhoods. Bairro Alto for nightlife with a personal touch. Head out to Belém to see grand architecture from the time of the discoveries. When you need a break from the city the nearby mountain village of Sintra makes for an excellent excursion, with its famous castles.
Escalating the hills west of Rossio the commercial neighborhood of Baixa gives way to the shopping district of Chiado. After night falls follow the streets further up and you're in Bairro Alto, one of Lisbon's undisputed nightlife areas. After midnight crowds gather around storefronts that open up to reveal small bars. The crowd is a mix of local and tourist, straight and gay, and almost anything else you can imagine. When night surrenders to day head further up the hill to the neighborhood of Principe Real, and some nice views of the city.
Lisbon's old center (or the districts of Alfama and Bairro Alto) is mostly made up of narrow cobblestone alleys and pastel-colored houses. Many of those houses are now begging for a fresh coat of paint but there's a certain decadent charm in that, as you will find out, passing under their victorian lamps, wrought-iron balconies filled with flowerpots, the occasional dog or cat breathing in the fresh air, or laundry flapping in the wind... Browse the shop windows, sit at a cafe table, enjoy the aroma of coffee, watch the world go by...
That is the life and soul of Lisbon.