Planning your trip to Lisbon

THE BEST WAY TO LISBON

From LAX, connecting service (change of planes) to Lisbon is offered on Continental, KLM, Air France and Lufthansa. Restricted round-trip fares begin at $525.

TELEPHONES

To call the numbers below from the U.S., dial 011 (the international dialing code), 351 (country code for Portugal), 21 (city code for Lisbon) and the local number.

WHERE TO STAY

Bairro Alto, Praça Luís de Camões; 340-8288, www.bairroaltohotel.com, is the first boutique hotel in Lisbon and boasts stunning views of the Tagus River from its rooftop; superior rooms start at around $400.

Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade; 127 Avenida da Liberdade, 322-8300, www.sofitel.com, in the city’s center, offers doubles that start at $200.

WHERE TO EAT

The most happening cafes in the Chiado district at sunset are Vertigo, 4 Travessa do Carmo, 343-3112; Café a Brasileira, 120 Rua Garrett, 346-9541; and Café No Chiado, 10-12 Largo do Picadeiro; 346-0501.

Pap’ Açorda, 57 Rua da Atalaia; 346-4811, known for its lobster and bread stew; about $130 for two courses, with wine.

Try the steamed partridge with chestnuts at Gambrinus, 23 Rua das Portas de Santo Antão; 342-1466, www.gambrinuslisboa.com.

At boisterous Solmar, 106 Rua das Portas de Santo Antão; 342-3371, you can wash down a seafood platter with the local beer.

WHERE TO REVEL

Capela, 45 Rua da Atalaia, in the rowdy Bairro Alto district, is a favorite hip lounge for local red wine, cheese and marinated olives; cash only and open until 4 a.m.

ZDB, 59 Rua da Barroca; 343-0205, is a great space for catching live music and Lisbon’s best young DJs; open until 2 a.m.

The most plaintive fado can be heard in the Alfama neighborhood at Mesa de Frades, 139A Rua dos Remédios; 702-9436, www.mesadefrades.com, where the music is free if you eat dinner; reservations are a must.

Parreirinha d’Alfama, 1 Beco do Espírito Santo; 886-8209, and Clube de Fado, 92-94 Rua da São João da Praça; 885-2704, www.clube-de-fado.com are also great bets for fado.

Lux, Avenida Infante Dom Henrique; 882-0890, www.luxfragil.com, has two dance floors and gets going after 2 a.m.; admission of about $20 can be used toward drinks.

TO LEARN MORE

Lisbon Tourism, www.visitlisboa.com