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Since the 1990s Lisbon (Lisboa) became one of the new hot-spots for travellers in Europe. Vivid, small and steep historical streets, modernised areas, extensive nightlife till early morning, a fresh breeze from the sea even in hot summers make Lisbon a pleasant place for relaxing, sight-seeing and going out all altogether.

Lisbon's gay scene also became very European. While some of the gay clubs and bars in the Príncipe Real area still remind a bit of the years of hiding behind doors with bells, the old Bairro Alto district has a very visible gay life at night. In Bairro Alto it is pleasantly difficult to say which bar, cafe, restaurant and club is gay or gay-friendly or hetero-friendly or whatever.
Close to Lisbon you can also spend your time at the beach, whether you like
your beaches busy or quiet. South of Lisbon there is a long, popular beach at Costa da Caparica.
Coming from Lisbon by car or bus
(take the metro to Praça de Espanha, then the bus to Costa da Caparica)
first there are the family and conventional beaches. The further south you go the
trendier and more nudist the beaches and the clientele become. In summer,
the beaches are connected by a small train – for the gay beach get off
at beach 17 or at beach 19
which also has a gay-frequented bar and some cruising in the dunes.
After sunset the beach and the dunes are rather unsafe and empty.
The last train back goes at 7 p.m.
More info and photos...