Lisbon is the westernmost capital city in Europe, sitting on the Atlantic coast of Portugal, on the north bank of the mouth of the river Tagus. The population of 'Greater Lisbon' is around 2.8 million inhabitants.
Much of the city was rebuilt after an earthquake in 1755 that killed up to 40,000 residents and destroyed up to 85% of the city, which explains the more modern layout of the downtown area (Baixa) rather than the medieval sprawl that is found in many European capitals.
The Lisbon metro system is a great way to get around the city - it's reliable, convenient and most of all it's cheap. A single ticket just about anywhere in the city will set you back only €0.80, with a 10 trip card costing only €6.50 or an all-day ticket available for just €4. The all day card is also valid on buses and trams.
If you're staying centrally, a good number of the sights, main squares and neighbourhoods are within walking distance, so you won't need to bother much with public transport.
Getting Around By Car
We wouldn't recommend driving around the centre of Lisbon - traffic can be an absolute nightmare, and parking in certain areas is nigh on impossible. Best to leave the car at home (or at the hotel) and travel on foot, or by public transport. Taxis are relatively inexpensive if you want to travel long distances fairly quickly, although this depends on the time of day. If you get caught up in the rush-hour (or in heavy traffic going to/from the match), the meter can quickly tot up a hefty bill.
