My wife and I are planning our next trip and this time, we’re considering Europe (Portugal, in particula) as our new destination, Lisbon, to be more precise. Lisbon, Portugal’s capital and also the largest city in the country, is a very sought-after destination thanks to its myriad attractions and top-class resort accommodations for travelers (and excellent rental places).

With a population of over half a million people, Lisbon is a harmonic blend of many cultures and heritage that brings us a variety of interesting traditions, ensuring that that there’s something in store for everyone looking to spend a vacation in Lisbon.

Lisbon has 3 main areas: the Baix, Bairro Alto and Chiado, which are easily reachable from any of the hotels in Lisbon so you don’t have to travel far to get there. This, coupled with the many worldwide hotel bookings agencies that can help you find the right hotel for your stay, make Lisbon a real paradise for your next vacations.

The first district, the Baixo, Lisbon’s downtown area, is full of historical places. If you’re a history buff, this is the part of Lisbon you want to go, because you’ll be able to see Lisbon’s finest historical monuments such as the Commerce Square and Rossio Square. For those who like churches and cathedrals, you’ll also find several astonishing churches in the Baixa such as the Church of São Domingos of the Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição Velha.

Bairro Alto, located in central Lisbon, is the shopping and entertainment point in the city. If you’re interested in the younger sub-culture of the city or its nightlife than this is the area of Lisbon you’ll want to go to. The bars and clubs in Bairro Alto will provide you and your friends a nice mix of cultures as well as a collection of tourists and locals alike, in addition to the best Portuguese food and some really cool drinks.

Chiado is where you’ll find Lisbon’s best cafes and art galleries. For anyone interested in ancient architecture, Chiado has fine examples of Portuguese buildings. The local art galleries in Chiado also contain some fine examples of Portuguese art. The best place to find that would be at the Museu do Chiado.

Since Lisbon is very near Spain, you should not miss the Iberian peninsula, making it an unforgettable two-country trip. You can easily start your vacation in Spain by staying in one of the fine hotels Madrid Norte has to offer and then move to Lisbon or start in Portugal and spend some days in Madrid. In any case, it’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip unless, of course, you go there every year