Public terrace and suntrap with a spectacular view across the River Tejo to the 25 de Abril bridge and the Rio imitation Cristo-Rei.

The little kiosk does good, cheap bica's of coffee and imperial glasses of beer. If you take exception with young bohemian types playing percussion stay away. Otherwise, take a book, people watch and easily while away a few hours.

Rua de Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina/Bairro Alto; Metro: Baixa-Chiado

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The loveliest - and probably steepest - of Lisbon's funiculars, the Bica hauls itself up and down from the Bairro Alto to the Rua de São Paulo (look out for the arch with the inscription 'Ascensor da Bica'), through a neighbourhood all its own, situated in a steep-sided chasm. At the bottom, the Mercado de Ribeira has a lively fish and flower market in the mornings.

Between Rua do Loreto and Rua de São Paolo;
Metro: Chiado

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Nothing defines Lisbon better than its miradouros, the lovely belvederes from which to sit and gaze at the view. The Castelo de São Jorge is the best-known, but there are many more.

Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara:
At the top of the Elevador da Gloria, looking out across to Graça and the Castelo, it has a tiled panel detailing the view.

Miradouro de Santa Catarina:
Near the Bica funicular, this hidden-away viewpoint is worth seeking out: it has a little cafe, popular with late-night clubbers. Wonderful views over the Tagus.

Miradouro das Portas do Sol:
The 28 tram sweeps past here before plunging away towards Graça. Probably the best view over the Alfama.

Miradouro Santa Luzia:
Perhaps the loveliest one of all, round the back of the Igreja de Santa Luzia, just before you get to Largo das Portas do Sol. A pretty terrace of azulejos, hung with flowers, you'll want to sit here and gaze across the Tagus for hours.

Wherever there's a hill, go up it and you'll come to one.

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Zip across the bay to this small town for great views, lots of cheap restaurants and welcoming people.

Take the catamaran from the ferry terminal to the left of Praca de Commercio facing the sea.

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The many ferries crossing the mouth of the Tagus are very relaxing and offer both excellent views and great tanning possibilities. I tried the one from Praça do Comércio to the South bank and back and the one from Belém which is a convenient way of getting to the Caparica beach just round the corner from landing.

Along the waterfront - various places.

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Ruined church right in Chiado in Lisbon's centre. Wonderful, relaxing and quiet place to escape the heat. Great museum also inside with some weird and wonderful exhibits. In a nice shady square too. Go in early spring to get the jacarandas in bloom. Closed on Sundays (whereas most museums close on a Monday). You can get a look in if you go up the Elevador da Santa Justa - which also has fabulous views over Baixa.

Largo do Carmo;
tel: 21 346 0473
Come out of the top exit of Baixa-Chiado metro, walk down the hill (past cafe Brasileira) and turn left up any street – which will be steep. It's at the top in the shade.

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This restaurant/bar at the top of the Sheraton Hotel offers an excellent view of the city by night and the cocktails are fairly inexpensive (in comparison to other European capital cities).

Rua Latino Coelho, 1;
tel: 21 312 0000;
www.sheratonlisboa.com/eng/restaurante/bar_panorama/

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take a trip to the castle - the view from the top is outstanding and is well worth the climb up the streets to reach it. Take plenty of water though, as you will need it on a hot day!

Largo do Chão da Feira, in the Alfama district;
tel: 21 887 7244

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A brilliant restaurant which is part of the Chapito artists' complex. Located near the castle, the outside terrace has stunning views over Lisbon and the River Tejo. Food is excellent, has vegetarian options and is reasonably priced.

Costa do Castelo 7;
tel: 21-888 18 34

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Between the Baixa and Castelo is the sloping maze of Mouraria - the Alfama without the tourists and the chi-chi boutiques. Mainly African, it hums with life day and night. Walk up through the narrow streets and wind up in Graca - Lisbon's highest hill - then head for the rooftop bar of the Albergaria Senhora do Monte. It has the finest view over the Castelo and the city.

Metro: Martim Moniz, then head uphill. Albergaria Senhora do Monte is at Calçada do Monte, 39.

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This octagonal tower is both the national landmark of Lisbon and a World Heritage Site. Inside the tower there is a small expedition about its history as a setting off point for voyages of discovery to the Americas, and you can climb up the top for views of the Tejo river.

Avenida da India;
Tram 15 stops right in front of the tower but you have to cross the busy main road via a footbridge.

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This medieval castle built by St George to defend the city from invading Moors has endless views of Lisbon. It gives a great perspective of the city's gridiron layout and location of the great sights. Beware of slippery stones when it's wet though.

Largo do Chao da Feira, n the centre of the Alfama district. It's clearly signposted from the Praca de Comercio and the Baixa district (n.b: the metro doesn't cover the Alfama district);
tel: 21 887 7244

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Get lost in the Alfama district. It is the real Lisbon, as it is the only district not to have been flattened by the great earthquake of 1850. The maze of confusing cobbled streets leading to the Castelo de São Jorge contain houses showing examples of azulejo tiling. Look out for the viewpoint with a beautiful mosiac of the city and a pond, looking out over the Tejo river and Ponte 25 de Abril.

A 5 minute walk to the east of the Praca de Comercio. The metro doesn't cover the Alfama area, but it's better to walk anyway.

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Take tram no 28, which goes through Lisbon's oldest parts - Estrela, Chiado, Lapa. The trams in Lisbon are cheap and a scenic (but not necessarily fast) way of getting around the city.

tel: 21 361 3000;
www.carris.pt

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A Moorish castle with a beautiful view. It’s only a euro for a superbock beer and it has regular live music. It looks over Lisbon on one side and the sea to the other, it’s outstanding.

Tram 15 - a nice scenic route - or if you have the legs for it a nice steep walk

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Take the commuter ferry for the short trip across the Tejo river to Cacilhas (€0.60). Take a trip up the Elevador Panorâmico da Boca do Vento, a lift built into the cliff face (€1). Go at dusk when it is quiet and you can enjoy views of the sun setting behind the Ponte 25 de Abril and the Cristo Rei (a smaller version of Rio’s Christ statue).

Ferries from Estação Fluvial and Cais do Sodré

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If you go to one stadium in Lisbon, don't go to the preening corporate plastic palaces of the Luz and the Alvalade. Head to the Restelo, home to the perpetually useless Os Belenenses. The view from the West stand is breathtaking: the Bridge, Cristo Rei, the monastery, it's got the lot.

Complexo Desportivo do Belenenses;
tel: 210 341 480

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No visit to Lisbon can possibly be complete without a trip to the Graça. The Graça has the feel of a small town that is separate from the city. It has lots of cheap restaurants and cafes and two patios that offer spectacular views over Lisbon.

Take the 28 tram from the city centre and travel through the narrow winding streets, past the Cathedral and the magnificent Church of São Vicente de Fora and the steep cobbles Rua Voz do Operário, then get off at the Largo da Graça and make your way to the outdoor cafe on the Miradouro da Graça.

If you're feeling a little more energetic, then take the 10-minute walk up to the Miradoura da Nossa Senhora da Monte - the view is reward in itself. Afterwards, take a leisurely stroll down to one of the many cafes and restaurants for an unbelievably cheap meal.

If you go on a Tuesday or a Saturday, then don't miss the Feira da Ladrã flea market that is held behind the Vicente de Fora church - you can even have a meal at the church's cafe, and eat on the roof with stunning views over the Alfama rooftops and the River Tagus.

www.golisbon.com/sight-seeing/graca.html;
To see photos go to flickr.com/photos/lusobrandane/76608466/

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Go to the Stadium of Light or Estadio da Luz (yes, I am a Benfica fan). From there get the underground to the Estacao do Oriente and check out the art at each stop. Upon arrival you can shop, eat, drink or just enjoy the river front. Go to the Sao Jorge castle for incredible views, from the old to the new, and the girls are pretty too.

Catch the metro from Colegio Militar to Estacao do Oriente;
www.metrolisboa.pt

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If you want to stay in the hotel room with the best view in Lisbon book room 712 at the Regency Chiado. It's a 4 star hotel in the centre of Lisbon.

Rua Nova do Almada, Nr. 114;
tel: 291 775936 or 764940;
email:reservations@lisboaregencychiado.com;
www.lisboaregencychiado.com

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