The trendiest city in Europe	290 days of sunshine per year	Bathed by  the enchanting river Tagus	Cool and  safe city
Cultural and historical landmarks	The door to Europe	Vibrant and  affordable nightlife	Easy access to beaches and mountains

The City

Lisbon is a mild-weathered city, with an average of 290 days of sunshine per year. Also known as the ‘city of the seven hills’, it extends over hillsides and down to the Tejo river, offering great scenery from its many viewpoints. The main tourist attractions include monuments such as the Castle of São Jorge, Lisbon’s Se Cathedral, the Tower of Belém, the Jerónimos Monastery, the Terreiro do Paço Square and the Baixa downtown area.

Among other activities, Lisbon offers water sports, both on the Tejo river and on the beaches of its South bank and the Estoril coastline. Its gastronomy will delight the most demanding of foodies, with its pastéis de nata, in particular, being renowned worldwide. The city has an energetic nightlife, in the bars of Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré, or in its numerous nightclubs, many of which are situated along the banks of the Tejo. For a quieter, more traditional evening, attending a performance of Fado, which was added to UNESCO’s list of the World’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011, is highly recommended.

Lisbon is also one of Europe’s main economic hubs. It is the ninth city in the world in terms of the number of international conferences hosted and, in recent years, it has collected numerous distinctions, such as ‘Best European Destination’, ‘Best City Destination’ in Europe, ‘Best European Cruise Port’, and ‘European Green Capital’.

Living Costs

Like in other cities, rent is likely to be your biggest expense in Lisbon. Monthly rental prices for a one-bedroom apartment (referred to as a T1) start at around €650-700. If you prefer to share an apartment, a room typically starts at around €350.

When it comes to dining out, you can enjoy a 3-course lunch menu for about €10 at a Portuguese tasca, with campus cafeteria prices being even lower. However, the average cost of a main course at a contemporary restaurant serving international food is generally higher.

Groceries are quite affordable in Portugal. Living close to a supermarket can significantly reduce your living expenses, so it’s worth looking for a decent-sized supermarket (such as Lidl, Auchan, Pingo Doce, Minipreço, or Continente) when searching for a place to live.

Events

There are numerous noteworthy events in town, especially in the summer season:

• Music Festivals, between April and August:
  The warm weather ushers in numerous outdoor music festivals, with options for all tastes, from festivals headlined by world-famous artists, such as NOS Alive, Super Bock Super Rock, and Rock in Rio, to thematic festivals such as Sónar Lisboa, Sumol Summer Fest, and Musa.
   
• Feasts of the Patron Saints, between May and June:
  In the traditional neighbourhoods of Lisbon, from the Castle area to the Mouraria, the evenings are enlivened during this festival, with plenty of music and dancing to the refrains of traditional Lisbon songs. The streets are adorned with garlands and the air is filled with the aromas of grilled sardines and basil. The feast day of Santo António, 13 June, is a municipal holiday, and the evening of 12 June is host to lively and crowded festivities in these neighbourhoods.

For more information about what is happening in Lisbon, you can find the city’s cultural agenda here.