Lisbon, a city of history

One of the oldest cities in the world, Lisbon has a captivating history. Reborn in recent years through European funding, it still has enough magic on its streets to leave Brian Canty enchanted.

THE guide from the Lisbon Tourism Board was delivering a masterclass in showcasing the very best of what she termed ‘her’ city had to offer. A five-second pause was too awkward so she’d start up a new conversation on a new chapter about this most marvellous of off-the-beaten-track cities.

Not out of insecurity, mind, but on a three-day trip, she knew her window to sell this place would close all too soon and boy was she determined to impress.