Heading to the Portuguese capital this year? Whether you want rich history or shops galore, these are the best areas to stay in Lisbon according to our expert. Best for the historic centre: Baixa and Chiado Lisbon’s Baixa, or ‘downtown’, is an appealing oblong of handsome buildings flanked by the squares of Rossio, Figueira and the…

ITV’s Broadchurch is back for series two, so we asked Matthew Hancock to take us on a tour of the hit show’s location, West Bay in Dorset. The body is probably male, medium build and partly decomposed. There is no obvious cause of death. I’m standing in West Bay in Dorset, below the iconic landmark for…

On a city tour with a difference, Matthew Hancock explores Portugal’s capital in an old Jeep to find the best things to do in Lisbon. I’ve always been averse to city tours. It’s the cheesy commentaries and obvious itineraries that put me off, but the prospect of taking part in a ‘safari’ in an aged Portuguese…

Just as you should arrive in Venice on a boat, it is best to arrive in Lisbon on a tram, from the point where many people leave it for good: at Prazeres, by the city’s picturesque main cemetery. Get a taxi to the suburban terminus of tram 28 for one of the most atmospheric public-transport…

On Lisbon’s Rua do Arsenal, whole window displays are lined with what looks like crinkly grey cardboard. The smell is far from alluring, but from these humble slabs of cod the Portuguese are able to conjure up an alleged 365 different recipes for bacalhau, one for each day of the year. Reassuringly, none of this mummified fish dates back…

With its stunning setting, sunny climate and an alluring mixture of old world charms and hip nightlife, it is no surprise that Lisbon has moved into the top league of city break destinations. Lisbon has always been one of the most affordable of Europe’s capitals, but its rise in popularity has also seen a hike…

From old forts to former hospital ships, ex convents to renovated theatres, Portugal has countless memorable places to stay. Matthew Hancock picks his favourites.   1) Forte de São João da Barra, Cabanas, Algarve If you thought the Algarve was overdeveloped, this stylishly-renovated seventeenth-century sea fort will make you think again. Sitting in an olive grove, it is just…