Lisbon is a compact, cosmopolitan city, combining the modern and historic. With pretty cobbled streets, vast squares and panoramic sea views, as well as a range of excellent hotels, restaurants and bars, the Portuguese capital provides the perfect mix for the discerning business traveller.
This city is very well-connected: you can fly daily from Dublin to Lisbon and transfer to almost anywhere in the world from there. Lisbon Portela airport is close to the city, and there are plenty of transport links to the centre, including a metro.
With a small population of only 600,000, Lisbon can still get extremely busy, with bustling streets filled with tourists and locals alike, especially during the summer months. However, there are ample accommodation options as well as a diverse range of eateries catering for every culinary taste that will satisfy both those who are conscious of their financial controller and the premium business executive who may not be under such constraints. This, combined with an incredibly vibrant nightlife, makes Lisbon the perfect city to unwind and entertain in.
Lisbon offers excellent conferencing facilities and the Altice Arena, which has hosted the Web Summit since 2016, is one of the largest indoor conferencing centres in the EU, and is the largest in Portugal, with a capacity of 20,000 people. It is located on the right bank of the Tagus river, at the heart of the Nations Park, one of the most affluent areas of Lisbon.
The Portuguese hotel industry has also established a fine reputation due to the high standard of services offered, with top-quality symposium facilities combined with great accommodation.
Meeting facilities
While world-class conferencing and meeting facilities will most likely be your top priorities when it comes to making a good impression on clients, entertainment and culture are also key, and there is plenty to do and see in this easily navigated city, with the tram a good option for getting around.
One of the best neighbourhoods to visit is Belém, a riverside spot that is home to two of the most interesting sites in Lisbon – the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower. Both were created at a time when the Portuguese exploration was just beginning and sailors would set off from Belém at the turn of the 16th century, in a bid to discover and colonise.
Belém also has a great range of bars and restaurants to choose from, and Portugal’s speciality custard tart is a must at Antiga Confeitaria de Belém.
It will be worth your while heading to the Praça do Comércio (Commerce Square), which is situated near the Tagus, for a coffee or a port. It’s still known as Terreiro do Paço (Palace Yard) because it was the location of the Royal Ribeira Palace until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1755.
Lisbon is a very reasonably priced city, with a good mix of quality modern and traditional cuisine and wines on offer. It’s also a city that likes to party and evenings can continue into the very small hours in Barrio Alto – Lisbon’s equivalent of Temple Bar. Young people spill out onto the streets, hopping between bars, drinks in hand, and the area is also home to some excellent restaurants.
So while business will be top of the agenda in Lisbon, you will most definitely want to find time to mix business with pleasure in this jewel along the Atlantic coastline.
Getting there:
Ryanair and Aer Lingus run a total of 20 flights to Lisbon each week. TAP Portugal has recently announced it will start flying to Dublin from April 2019
Best for food:
Eleven
Rua Marquês da Fronteira Jardim Amália Rodrigues
www.restauranteleven.comKais Restaurante - Bar
Cais da Viscondessa
Rua da Cintura do Porto
www.kais-k.comSud Lisboa Terrazza
Avenida Brasília, Pavilhão Poente
[ www.sudlisboa.comOpens in new window ]
Best for drinks:
Havana
de Armz 5, Doca Alcântara
[ grupodoubleh.comOpens in new window ]
Matiz Pombalina Cocktail Bar
Rua das Trinas 25
[ matiz-pombalina.ptOpens in new window ]
Silk Club
Rua da Misericórdia N14
[ www.silk-club.comOpens in new window ]
Best to stay:
Altis Belém Hotel & Spa
Doca do Bom Sucesso
altishotels.comCorinthia Hotel Lisbon
Av. Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, 105
www.corinthia.comEpic Sana Lisboa Hotel
Av. Eng. Duarte Pacheco 15