Apart from history and architecture, Lisbon – the capital and the largest city of Portugal – has much more to offer. For football fans, it’s a city that truly vibrates with football fever, and it’s hard to find a place that doesn’t have a reference to football. If you plan a football trip to Lisbon, you are in for a treat.
However, it means that you have to attend to your passion for football while at the same time taking some time to enjoy the other beautiful aspects that Lisbon has to offer.
Planning Your Football Trip: Lisbon Travel Guide: What to See in Lisbon?
First things first – if you’re going to start following football in Lisbon, you need to check out what Lisbon has to offer – that is “que visitar em lisboa.” This Portuguese phrase means ‘what to do in Lisbon?’ and it is a question that every visitor should ask so as to be in a position to visit some of the best places in the city.
Start your journey in the Belém district which gives a perfect insight of Lisbon as a maritime city. It includes such landmarks as the Belém Tower and the monastery of Jerónimos – both of them are included into the UNESCO list of World Heritage. These landmarks will help you to get acquainted with the Age of Discovery in Portugal and are great for starting your Lisbon journey.
After that, visit the Alfama district, which is the oldest part of Lisbon and has lots of history. Its streets are not very wide and twist and turn, and the main attraction of the city is the São Jorge Castle. Alfama is also known as the place of origin of Fado, a musical style that is very much associated with the Portuguese character. To feel this tradition, one has to go to a local fado house.
Another place which is a must visit is the downtown area of Lisbon called Baixa. It is a great place for nightlife and for the observation of the typical street life in Lisbon and its fine squares, Praça do Comércio, and Rossio Square. Dine at one of the restaurants then shop and have a cup of coffee at Rua Augusta and visit the Santa Justa Lift for a panoramic view of the city.
Football in Lisbon: Two Giants: A Story in the Making
Lisbon is home to two of Portugal’s most successful football clubs: Sl Benfica and Sporting Lisbon, which are the two most popular football clubs in Lisbon. As for both the clubs have a long history of formation and have fans who are loyal to their teams, their games are always interesting to watch.
The “As Águias” or The Eagles, is one of the most famous football clubs of Portugal, with its home ground at the Estádio da Luz. This stadium is relatively new having been used to host the UEFA Champions League final in the year 2014. It has a capacity of over 65,000 and creates a charged up environment during the match days. Supporters traveling to a Benfica game is an exciting experience as the spectators produce a red and white tide in the stadium.
Sporting, or “Os Leões” (The Lions) home stadium is the Estádio José Alvalade. This stadium is also very beautiful with bright colored seats and a rather strange design of the building. Sporting’s fans are loyal and passionate and the crowd at Alvalade is always passionate, particularly in derbies against Benfica.
When in Lisbon, it is recommended to watch a Lisbon Derby between Benfica and Sporting to get the best out of your football experience. These matches are very keenly fought and the whole city comes alive with the excitement of the event. The animosity between these two clubs is rather intense and seeing them go head to head on the field is something that a football lover should not miss.
Game Day Essentials
When it comes to match day ensure that you get to the stadium very early in order to be able to experience the environment. Football is one of the most popular sports in Lisbon, and the city has its own football history, from the fans’ chants before the game to their emotional celebrations. Buy a bifana (traditional Portuguese pork sandwich) from one of the street vendors opposite the stadium – it will help to whet your appetite before the match.
In the stadium, do not only sit around, take time and move around. Each of the two stadiums – Estádio da Luz and Estádio José Alvalade – has a guided tour on non-match days, which enables the fans to learn more about the history of the clubs, see the cups and other champions’ items, and step onto the playing field. For the fan, make your way to the club shops where you can purchase official memorabilia to take home.
Beyond Football: Exploring the Nightlife in Lisbon
After the match keep on with your wanderlust and check out the nightlife in Lisbon. The Bairro Alto is known for its nightlife, and there are many bars and restaurants which open up onto the streets. Here you can taste the traditional portuguesa cuisine and other parts of the world, besides this you can also enjoy the alive environment.
To get a more classy evening, visit the Cais Do Sodre region of Lisbon. Formerly infamous for being the red-light district of Lisbon, the Cais do Sodré has emerged as one of the cities’ most fashionable areas. Pink Street (Rua Nova do Carvalho) is one of the most famous streets that contains bars and clubs with modern design.
For the more laid-back, the Miradouros or view points are fantastic to look at the city at night. Lisbon at night can be enjoyed at Miradouro de Santa Catarina and Miradouro da Senhora do Monte where people enjoy having a drink while watching the skyline.
Conclusion: A Guide to the Ultimate Lisbon Footballing Experience
Of course, a football trip to Lisbon is not only about the match but about the atmosphere of the city, its history, and traditions. This shall be a combination of football and the discovery of the best of Lisbon and its attractions. So, when coming to Lisbon soon, do not forget to ask yourself, “Que visitar em Lisboa,” and try to find some time to watch the football matches and visit the unique places of interest in the city. In Lisbon, you can watch football at two of the biggest stadiums belonging to Portugal’s greatest football clubs: Benfica at Estádio da Luz and Sporting at Alvalade.