The Portuguese capital is a must to visit if you like a more bohemian vibe, good seafood, a rich wine, vibrant nightlife, and all this at great prices. From historical places such as the Jeronimos Monastery, to its typical cream cakes, and its entertaining Chiado neighborhood, a small guide if you escape a couple of days to the city of the seven hills and tiles.
Plaza de Comercio
We enter the square passing under the imposing Arco Triunfal of the commercial Via Augusta. There was located the Royal Palace, destroyed by the terrible earthquake of 1755; after this, the Marquis de Pombal decided to rebuild it in the form of a “U”, with three large porticated buildings that house some government agencies, Lisbon’s main tourist office (Ask Me Lisboa) and some restaurants and cafes, such as Martinho da Arcada, the oldest in the city and in the past.
Belém Tower
It is a work of Francisco de Arruda and Diego de Boitaca that was of great importance in the era of discoveries of Europe, since it served as a fortress and as a port from which Portuguese explorers departed to establish what would be the first European trade in history with China and India.
When he stopped serving as an invader’s defense in the Tagus River estuary, he was used as a prison, as a lighthouse and also as a tax collection center to enter the city. In 1983 it was declared a World Heritage Site, and can now be visited as a museum. They also sell the best Belem pastures in the city, typical Portuguese cake, cream/pastry filling.
Jeronimos Monastery
With striking architecture both inside and out, with a handy style, this jewel of Lisbon is an ancient monastery of the Order of St. Jerome and located in the neighborhood of Bethlehem. It was commissioned by King Manuel I of Portugal to commemorate the lucky return of India from Vasco de Gama.
Chiado Quarter
It is an area full of cafes and shops, but the Chiado is also linked to the intellectual life of Lisbon, as it has several museums and many other places of cultural interest.
Avenida Liberdade
It is the luxury area par excellence of Lisbon, with theatres, luxury shops and five-star hotels. At the end of Avenida da Liberdade we find the Plaza del Marqués de Pombal, (which is one of the great landmarks of this economic and most modern center of the city of Lisbon) and the Eduardo VII Park. From its highest part we have fantastic views of the Plaza del Marqués de Pombal, Avenida da Liberdade and the entire Tagus River. It’s worth getting there because of your amazing view.
Mirador San Pedro de Alcántara
In the Bairro Alto de Lisboa we can look at one of the best viewpoints of the city, where you can admire towards the Baixa, Alfama and the Castle of San Jorge, among others.
St George’s Castle
With more than eight centuries of history, St. George’s Castle stands out among the messy streets of Lisbon’s highest hill. The castle is accessed under the Arch of St. George. Once inside, you can walk freely among its eleven towers, the courtyard of arms, the dungeons and the Moniz Gate in Praca Nova. However, you can only walk outside the castle, its entrance is not allowed, but it is worth its gardens and above all its views to the whole city.
Sintra
Even though it is on the outskirts of Lisbon, and you have to take a 40-minute train, it deserves a lot of effort and time to go. One of its most typical attractions is El Palacio Nacional da Pena: one of the most striking in Europe, with a facade painted in bright colors and an interior restored to its original appearance in 1910. The palace itself is impressive, and is surrounded by a wonderful botanical garden. Although Sintra is small, there is a lot to visit, if you have little time, this palace is a must.
Baixa
Its main street is Rua Augusta, which takes us from the Rossio to the Monumental Arch, which leads to the Plaza del Comercio. It is this pedestrian street that makes us know the traditional commercial flavor of Baixa. On the way, on the right, we can find the picturesque Elevador de Santa Justa, which used to communicate the Baixa and chiado and today has been left as one of the most visited viewpoints in Lisbon.
A city that invites you to enjoy its streets with bright colors, its typical tiles that deserve more than a photo, its exquisite gastronomic offer and its moderate prices. And if you plan to stay longer in Portugal, we recommend visiting Porto, and also the southern beaches, in Algarve, which are really shocking.
