If Lisbon by itself already conquers our hearts, at Christmas it makes them melt. The lights hanging on the street, people strolling and wishing “Boas festas!” to whoever they meet and the chants you often hear sneaking out of someone’s house – they just make you feel at home.

The weather might be tricky. I mean, this is pure winter. If it should be tricky, it should be now. Nevertheless it never gets unbearable. Lisbon has the tradition not to let its guests down.

Here follows a list of activities you should consider, if you’re thinking about having a magical season in Lisbon.

Go ice skating. Though it has not been around forever, Lisbon has adopted the perks of some other colder cities, and now offers some ice skating rings around the district. Some Portuguese people are really good! But most… I wouldn’t even say good. Sounds like it could be a funny day, right? To say the least…

Bake cookies. Please do. Portuguese families tend to gather and cook together on this season, and chocolate chip cookies are the best idea I’ve heard since ever. Also, go for hot chocolate.

Go shopping. Yup, I know Christmas is not about shopping or gifts or capitalism. But it has become a bit. And even if you don’t want to buy anything, don’t lose your chance to visit some of the best shopping centers in Portugal’s capital. Try Amoreiras Shopping Center. This one should leave you breathless. It is big, it is beautiful, it is good and it is Portuguese.

Be kind. This holiday season is not the time to be mad or angry. Be kind. Be forgiving and be solidary. Consider giving a gift to charity or some food to the homeless. This is the coldest time in Portuguese streets, but the warmest in the Portuguese’s hearts. Be part of the city, be part of the movement.

And have a lovely holiday.

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These are the words of the one and only Paddy Cosgrove, CEO of the company that runs Web Summit – one of the most important technologic conferences in the world, if not the most – and other events.

“Lisbon is emerging as a genuinely new tech ecosystem in Europe, with Berlin-levels of cheapness but with Southern European weather.” – continues Mike Butcher, a real specialist on startup communities of technology blog TechCrunch.

And these tech experts’ compliments just keep coming… Our guess is that these guys love Lisbon almost as much as their technological projects – if that is even possible.

“Lisbon is a great city with a thriving startup community. What’s more, it has great transport and hotel infrastructure and a state-of-the-art venue with capacity for more than 80,000 attendees.”

The fact is that Portugal’s capital has been making headlines on some of the most respected newspapers in The World, and hoarding some very strong titles – “The place to be” or “The coolest city in Europe” are two of the most common.

And anyone who comes to visit really doesn’t leave disappointed. If everyone agrees on this, why wouldn’t you?

This is the time to travel to this amazing city before everyone one else actually realizes that everything they read about Lisbon is true and that this is the moment to go. Don’t wait in line.

Lisbon’s tourism has been increasing day after day. It wouldn’t be surprising if in some years from now it became as packed with tourists as other great European capitals are. And we’re not even addressing the thousands of foreigners who plan to move in to Portugal in the next few years – especially for retirements. You’ll never regret buying your plane ticket. And you’ll most certainly never regret taking the trip.

Visit Lisbon. Portugal is waiting. But not for long.

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O conteúdo Tech Giants in Lisbon | Web Summit Lisbon 2017 aparece primeiro em Almaria | Edifícios com História.

During the day you can easily come across with the friendly Portuguese people and the city’s great lookout points. Turning the corner, you’ll smell the marvelous Portuguese cuisine. If you’re feeling good just treat yourself with a nice glass of wine. Go for red, white or even the fresh sangria.

At night time, prepare for Bohemia. You can choose between having a very nice dinner in a fancy restaurant or walk for about 2 minutes and go to (very) cheap bar to have some drinks. That’s another great point of Lisbon: it offers experiences for all shapes and sizes.

What about the language?

Yes, Portuguese is pretty hard. But it is also pretty beautiful. The Portuguese language is very treasured by those who speak it and has given proofs of being one of the most romantic across the globe. I mean, the proofs are written. Portugal counts with some of the best poets and writers in Europe, and the world. The small 7 million people country has even had a Literature Nobel Prize; José Saramago.

And let’s not forget to talk about football. I mean, the Portuguese team has had an incredible journey in France, having brought home the European Championship Cup. That’s the best way to break the ice with a Portuguese citizen I guess – reminding them of Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal’s odd defying win against France in the final. (Long live king Éder!)

And last but not least: the prices. They always come in when planning a trip to Europe. And most of the times they’re a bit (to say the least) forbidding. But not in Lisbon, at least comparing them to the other great European capitals: Madrid, London, Paris, Rome… This secret capital is always a cheap one. Oh and that might also be why people try to keep it a secret, I guess…

O conteúdo Life in Lisbon – Yet again talking about the Europe’s hidden capital aparece primeiro em Almaria | Edifícios com História.

In this article we’ll introduce you to some more of this hidden capital of Europe treasures…

Like the tradition. Portugal has one of the oldest borders of the European countries, so their culture comes a long way. Fado is the word to remember. Visit Alfama and let yourself fall into the temptation of staying for dinner. Drink some wine, try some chorizo, have the caldo verde and ask for other traditional Portuguese food. And very important: don’t check your phone or look at your watch. Lose yourself in time and get immersed when the voice of the singer starts with the Fado music coming on. This is probably the best way to get to know the Portuguese roots of Lisbon.

Or the fish. Codfish! Or grilled sardines! And clams. The Portuguese coastline is not only beautiful but it also has some of the best fish in the world. Fishing is an old activity in this country and Portugal has been a big friend of the seas since its conquerors faced storm after storm around the world sailing to find Brasil, Africa and India. The Age of Discoveries is still really present in the minds of the Portuguese people, and in their food.

The bohemia. Cais do Sodré and Bairro Alto are the place to be if you want to go out for drinks and have a nice time. Many of the Portuguese great artists surrendered themselves (and still do) to the night pleasures. And depending on what you’re into, you can stroll around the streets. Lisbon offers a great variety of bars and nightclubs. The odds are that if you take a good look around, you’ll choose the one you like and find yourself as amused as you ever wished to be.

Have a nice stay.

O conteúdo Why spend the end of the summer in Lisbon? – Part2 aparece primeiro em Almaria | Edifícios com História.

Why? We’ll give you some reasons in this article.

First of all, the people! Portuguese are known for being great hosts and most of them do master the English language, so if you do choose to visit their capital, the odds are you’ll easily get around. Just ask anyone on the street. Even if you have the bad luck to run into someone who doesn’t speak English, that person will probably sign language you into someone who can help.

In second place, the weather. October does not surprise Portuguese people anymore when the clear skies and hot weather make their appearance. Of course there are some rainy and windy days, especially during the winter, but they are so few comparing to the good ones, they tend to be forgotten. Also, the Tagus River and the easy access to beachy and more peaceful areas like Costa da Caparica and Estoril or Cascais are a big plus worth the easy half an hour trip!

The Triumphal Arch and the Commerce Square, the Jerónimos Monastery, the Monument of Discoveries and Belém Tower. Portuguese monuments are just breathtaking and very inviting to come again. Also, the entrance fees are usually really cheap, so in the end of the day you’ll have a great cultural program for almost nothing. Another pro: all these places have had tourists in their mind for a while now, so they do have their written content translated to English.

Pastries! Everyone loves the famous Portuguese “Pastel de Nata” (custard tart)! Be sure to try it out in Belém. If you don’t have the time, give an opportunity to one of the homemade pastries you’ll run into while strolling through Lisbon. We promise you’ll find it a nice surprise…

O conteúdo Why spend the end of the summer in Lisbon? – Part 1 aparece primeiro em Almaria | Edifícios com História.

Shopping

Lisbon is one of the western Europe’s most inexpensive capitals. Go to Chiado or Bairro Alto and you can find vintage clothes and glassware, exotic soaps or some leather gloves. If you like more expensive designer boutiques, head to Avenida da Liberdade and you will have plenty of choices!

Weather

We know it’s spring, so you’ll expect some cold and rain right? Wrong! During spring Lisbon maintains mild high temperatures and sunny for the sun worshipers. Take advantage of our good weather to go to Estoril Coastline.

Pastries

As you know, we have so many pastries and it will be very hard to taste all of them. Here are some examples for you – the famous Pastéis de Nata (custard tart) and Queijadinhas de Sintra (small cake made with cheese).

Fado

In the winter you will rather stay in a cosy warm place right? So you have to go to listen to the nostalgic folk laments of Fado.

Hit the streets of Bairro Alto and Alfama and we promise you’ll have an unforgettable night!

Restaurants

If you’re in Lisbon and you are not concerned to try every restaurant you see, you haven’t done your research!

But you don’t have to. Just leave with us!

If you like seafood and cold beer, Cervejaria Ramiro is the place to go.

Rooftops

As we said before the weather in Lisbon during the spring is quite amazing so we though in one of the nicest things Lisbon has to offer – our beautiful rooftops. Regarding to rooftops, Park is one of the favorites places for the locals. Situated on the top of a car parking in Calçada do Combro near Bairro Alto, here you can find a really cool atmosphere, surrounded with wooden tables and small potted trees. If you stop and look around, it almost fells like you are in a garden suspended above the city, with a great view to Tejo river and the Tejo Bridge.

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