“Life is what we make of it. Travel is the traveller. What we see isn’t what we see but what we are”.
Lisbon, getting lost in Portugal
I went to Lisbon and fell madly in love with it, as if two people were always destined for each other! I don’t know why, but I did . Let’s start with the way I loved the enchanting capital of Portugal!
With seven hills that overlook the river Tejo, Lisbon has a stunning location and an amazing light that immediately captivates you. It’s one of the most rewarding destination in Europe, because there are lot of things to do and to see. In addition to this, Lisbon ’s geographic position means great weather all year round. Summers are sunny and warm and winters are mild.
I spent three days traversing the city, which are good enough to have a general idea of one of the trendiest city in Europe visiting it for the first time. I’ve only picked the attractions which are truly worth it. But my trip tips requires a lot of walking around, as it’ s the best way to explore a place! My first suggestion for you is to wear the most comfortable shoes you can have in Lisbon, because it’s very hilly!
First day in Lisbon
In the first week of April I arrived at the ‘Portela Airport of Lisbon’. It is well organized and close to the city centre and well connected by both metro and bus services.
- Metro: it can get you from the Airport to Saldanha station– just 25 minutes ;
- Aerobus 1,2 & 3: just 25 minutes ;
- Taxi: is a very quick means of transportation. The average fare of a taxi is about €15 although it may increase in the night.
Lisbon, a fascinating city of contrasts
Lisbon is a city full of contrasts, where history lives side by side with modernity. Influenced by diverse cultures and styles, It manages to be modern and sophisticated while preserving its traditional and more reserved spirit, which conveys the desire to discover it!
At the beginning as I made my way up to my apartment in the bohemien neighborhood of ‘Alfama’, I noticed how in Lisbon decadence and the avant-garde come together to create a place where contrasts materialise on every corner! I liked this particular atmosphere, which was everywhere as I took the popular and vintage old yellow tram 28 for a tour!
Lisbon and the ‘saudade’!
In Lisbon, it is hard not to want to absorb all the details, to look everywhere. Bursting with treasures, secrets and particulars, Lisbon is the city of the ‘saudade’ , which is the feeling of melancholy that is characteristic of the Portuguese temperament. If you want to understand this kind of sensation:
- Visit Lisbon;
- Go back home;
- Miss it!
That’s all!
‘Alfama’ district and the magic music of Fado
‘Alfama’ is the oldest neighborhood of Lisbon, spreading on the slope between the ‘São Jorge Castle’ and the Tagus river. Its name comes from the Arabic , meaning ‘hot fountains’. It’s winding, tiled streets survived the earthquake, fire and Tsunami of 1755 and they remain in the same format as before the disaster until this day. With its cobblestone alleyways, hilltop panoramas and backstreet restaurants, ‘Alfama is one of the most wonderful and much-visited area of Lisbon.
6 things to do in ‘Alfama’!
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- Experienced a ‘Fado’ dinner in ‘ArcazVelho’, in Calçada do Forte, 56. ‘Fado’means ‘fate’ , and is the traditional folk music popular in the Lisbon . The music includes instruments like guitars and mandolins with poetic songs related to darker elements of love, death and sadness. Hundreds of ‘fadista’ singers perform every night in the city’s Alfama‘Alfama’ and ‘Bairro Alto’neighborhoods. ‘Fado’ is the expression of the Portuguese people, of their identity, culture, and history. You won’t hear it anywhere else!
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Take in the view from ‘Miradouro das Portas do Sol’, in Largo Portas do Sol, 1100-411. With stunning views over red roofs out to the Tagus river, and a convenient kiosk serving beer, wine, and snacks, there’s no better place to watch the sun go down and relax after a long day of sightseeing;
- Go to the ‘Castelo Sao Jorge’ , in R. de Santa Cruz do Castelo, 1100-129. It’s one of Lisbon’s most emblematic landmarks. The silhouette of this castle stands out both by day and when illuminated at night, located on the summit of ‘São Jorge’ hill, the highest in Lisbon;
- Admire the ‘Cathedral of Lisbon’, in Largo da Sé, 1100-585 . The oldest church in the city, it is the seat of the ‘Patriarchate of Lisbon’. Built in 1147, the cathedral has survived many earthquakes and has been modified, renovated and restored several times. It is nowadays a mix of different architectural styles. It has been classified as a ‘national monument’ since 1910;
- Visit the ‘Santa Engracia National Pantheon’, in Santa Engracia. This great monument dates back to the 17th-century . It’s where important Portuguese personalities are buried;
- Enter the ‘ National Tile Museum’ , in R. Me. Deus 4, 1900-312. Appealing blue and white azulejo tiles can be found on buildings throughout Portugal, and this fantastic museum does a great job of displaying and explaining their five centuries of history. 15th century till present days !
Second day in Lisbon
From ‘Alfama’ I walked 20 minutes to the central ‘Praça de Comercio’. It’s the main square of Lisbon , and for visitors it is both an appealing tourist sight and an important transport hub. The southern end of this plaza looks out onto the ‘Tagus River‘ . There are two things to see here:
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- ‘Rua Augusta Arch’: It gives way to the boulevard Rua Augusta, the most prominent boulevard in the ‘Baixa’ district. This triumphal arch was designed to celebrate the reconstruction of Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake;
- ‘Equestrian statue in bronze of Joseph I of Portugal’ : This huge monument is an icon in Lisbon. It is dedicated to Joseph I (1750 – 1777), who was king of the country during the great earthquake. It was made by Machado de Castro.
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‘Ribeira das Naus’
‘Bairro Alto’
Food in Lisbon
‘Torre de Belèm’
No trip to Lisbon is complete without stopping in the district of ‘Belem’. It’s a residential area full of gardens and parks. It was from here, in 1497, that Vasco da Gama embarked on his historic expedition that led to the opening of a sea route to India.
Third day in Sintra
I visited Sintra , a wonder of Portugal , which you fall in love with. It is 30 minutes far away from Lisbon by train. Sintra is a nearby town that has been a beloved destination for kings and now is a favorite place for numerous tourists. No surprise as this little gem makes a perfect day trip from Lisbon!
A day trip to Sintra is a magical voyage into the birthplace of Romanticism. It was originally an ancient monastery on a hill, which was converted into a massive and stunning summer palace by King Ferdinand II. His mix of Gothic, Moorish and Renaissance influences created an amazing mix of decorative styles. Moreover, the king inaugurated a big park full of exotic species of trees. In 1995 the uniqueness of Sintra was added to the ‘List of Unesco’
3 things to see in Sintra
- ‘Pena Palace’: you can’t visit Sintra without visiting the most famous castle , which stands on the top of a hill in the Sintra Mountains . However, I suggest seeing only the palace’s exterior. Take some pictures and walk along the walls for the stunning views and one of the best viewpoints for photographing the ‘Moorish Castle’ ;
- ‘Quinta da Regaleira’ : It consists of a Romantic palace and chapel, and a luxurious park that features lakes, grottoes, wells, benches, fountains, and a vast array of exquisite constructions. The palace is also known as ‘The Palace of Monteiro the Millionaire’ , which is based on the nickname of its best known former owner, António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro. The palace was designed by the Italian architect Luigi Manini;
- ‘Monserrate Palace’: You must visit this majestic and unique summer resort of the Portuguese court . It’s surrounded by beautiful garden, and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean north of the capital, Lisbon.
If you stay in Sintra more than one day, try to visit these two incredible attractions:
Wines in Portugal
After a day trip in Sintra I went back to Lisbon . I had an amazing dinner in Bairro Alto in a little restaurant called :
The gentle owner ‘a senhora Anna’ offered to my palat and to my spirit a great wine tasting. She also explained that most grape varietals for wine grown in Portugal are native. Here a list of the most important vineyards:
Blending is very common in Portugal, although you can find single varietal wines. Each wine region in the country is known for a particular blend.
Fourth day in ‘Villa Nova de Gaia’
My last day was dedicated to and ‘Villa Nova de Gaia’with its famous porto . This delicious product was created in Portugal. as a way to preserve the country’s red wines during their long, hot journey down the river from the vineyards in the Douro Valley to the town of Porto, where they are stored in warehouses and then shipped around the world
I cannot describe only in words all that which is beautiful seen only through one’s eyes . That’s here some stunning photos that give better the feeling I had inside about these other charming places in Portugal. ‘Villa Nova de Gaia’ was love at first sight. This is a hub of the port wine industry located opposite Porto on the river Douro .
Where to taste the port wine in ‘Villa Nova de Gaia’
If you want to taste port in Portugal this is the only place to go and it’s a city full of cellars. There are more than 60 caves in ‘Villa Nova de Gaia’, at least 20 of which are open for visitors where you’ll get to know about the different types of Port (tawny, white, crusted, vintage).
Até breve Lisbon!
My holiday in Lisbon was a life experience. I’ll never forget the charme of Lisbon, its nice buildings with cute colourful tiles and the blu of its ocean! I booked my trip to Lisbon on a whim and it was on my list of places to see.
All I can say about Portugal is wow, wow, wow! Portugal is so extraordinary : history, culture, landscapes, wine, food and friendly people. I wish I could come back here again and for much more time1