Spending a weekend in Lisbon means visiting one of the most fascinating and sparkling European capitals. Lisbon is the perfect solution for a city break, because easily reachable from Italy – in a couple of hours of flight you arrive – and why easy to visit in a convenient and affordable way.
Lisbon, you will immediately notice, it must be "explored" on foot: then wear a pair of comfortable shoes from the first day and let yourself be seduced by the thousand faces of this city characterized by streets and alleys that climb on seven hills.
Walking through the alleyways of the historic districts of the city, starting from Bairro Alto, passing through Chiado to get to Baixa, you will have the opportunity to get to know the most true Lisbon, the multicultural one, made of people so different and interesting; the one full of history, architecture and culture. You will also have the opportunity to discover one of the peculiarities of the city: the Portuguese calçada, the typical pavement made of black and white porphyry, an absolute work of local art!
Walking through the city will be impossible not to yield to shopping temptations, that here can be declined in many different ways: from cosmopolitan and fashionable shops overlooking the Avenida da Liberdade, to shopping centers scattered for the city, to the typical Feira da Ladra, that every Tuesday and Saturday attracts thousands of people, curious by the myriad of extravagant exhibits: in fact, you can find everything, from junk to collectors. 
A valid alternative to walks is the tram, the middle of most typical transport of Lisbon: the famous Tram 28 will make you discover the most hidden corners of the city, while climbing through narrow streets and rich in history, staying comfortably seated. When all this turns out to be hungry, choose one of the many locals that overlook the Tagus River, where you can taste the typical dishes of the Portuguese tradition and spend an unforgettable evening enjoying the best of the lively lisboeta until dawn.
To spend a Sunday of cultureOn the other hand, go to Belém, a neighborhood full of attractions and historical monuments, especially those linked to the great geographical discoveries. Start with a visit to the Discovery Monument, a tribute to the great Portuguese navigators, built to commemorate the fifth centenary of the death of Enrico the navigator, who discovers the Azores, Madeira and Cape Verde.
Tower of Belém
Other stage at Tower of Belém, one of the most famous and representative monuments of the capital, declared by UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It was built in 1521 on a small island near the banks of the Tagus River. Initially it was conceived as a defence system to protect the city from sea invaders. Today, this beautiful limestone building is a gateway to the city, also known as the Torre di San Vincenzo, which is the patron saint of the city.
The neighborhood around the tower is full of old buildings that will make you jump over time, at the golden age of the discoveries of Prince Henry the Navigator, Vasco de Gama and Ferdinando Magellano.
Monasteiro dos Jerónimos
Don't miss the Monasteiro dos Jerónimos, another UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its manueline architecture. It was built in the 16th century by Prince Henry the Navigator as a hermitage for sea explorers, who came here to pray before embarking on their journey of discoveries. Vasco de Gama also went in search of a spiritual guide before leaving for the navigation of 1497 towards India.
The monastery houses the Church of Santa Maria, with tombs and sarcophagi of the royal family and Vasco de Gama. In addition, in the monastery there is also the Maritime Museum which boasts 17,000 objects including models and replicas of ancient ships and boats used by the famous Portuguese explorers and a beautiful collection of maps of the 16th century that were drafted by these explorers during their travels.
Staying in the neighborhood, don't miss the famous pastéis de Belém, the incomparable pastries known worldwide, considered among the best ambassadors of the tradition of Lisbon. If you want to enjoy a Sunday of absolute relaxation, then choose one of the many parks of the city, where you can walk surrounded by greenery or have a quiet picnic in the shade of the trees: explore the Parque Eduardo VII or the Parque Florestal de Monsanto an immense park of 900 hectares, the green lung of the city, equipped with areas for the leisure of the little ones.
