In honor of our anniversary today, I wanted to reflect back on one of my favorite trips Matt and I have taken together. Before I became pregnant with Claire, we took a trip to Spain and Portugal. We rented a car and drove all around the cities. One of our favorite places was sightseeing in Lisbon, Portugal. What attractions awaits in Lisbon? Castles and observatories on its seven hills. Old neighborhoods with colorful azulejos and “fado” sound echoing on the cobbled streets. Monuments that remind us that Europeans started from here to explore the rest of the world, where the city’s river meets the Atlantic. Fishing villages and cosmopolitan beaches, old trams and hip bars. Lisbon has its own unique personality, its beautiful contrasts, its own way of charming you.
However, she does not exercise her charm with individual buildings or museums. Sightseeing in Lisbon is not about specific addresses but entire neighborhoods. The Portuguese capital is worth exploring by walking through district discovering their highlights. Put on some comfortable shoes (cobblestones can be tricky!) and get lost in beautiful neighborhoods.
Alfama
Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood is unique and beautiful. The old buildings are lined with azulejos, the tiles with the ethnic designs. There is even an “Azulejos Museum” in the city. The narrow cobbled streets are suitable for picturesque walks under flowered balconies, colorful laundry and iron lanterns. The cobbled streets often lead to small cool squares with Portuguese taverns. At the “heights” of the neighborhood, between the Alfama and the Castle, is the imposing Lisbon Cathedral. The locals call it the laconic “Sé” – an impressive building a la Notre Dame in Paris with a great view. We made sure to do a walking tour through this neighborhood when there. It was a wonderful way to learn about the history.
Photo by Thomas Peham on Unsplash
Castle of St. George
At the top of the hill above, Alfama dominates the castle of the city. You can get lost here in the cobbled streets, gardens, and temples. Then you will end up at the edge of the fortifications used by the Romans and the Visigoth. Extra points if you get this far with the picturesque yellow tram that starts from the centre.
Photo by André Lergier on Unsplash
The central neighborhood of Baixa and Chiado
Modern but also unique, Baixa is the current centre of the city, here where you can find shops for shopping therapy on the big avenidas (boulevards) of Lisbon. Make sure you have a chance to stop and relax in large squares with the outdoor bistros. In neighboring Chiado, you can wander through the bookstores, climb upstairs between theatres and expensive restaurants, and sit down for coffee at the legendary Café Brasileira. The renown Portuguese poet Pessoa frequented that same cafe and you can sit near a statue of him.
Atlantic villages
We move slightly away from the centre of Lisbon, following the road to the Atlantic coast. Here is where the Lisbon residents seek the ocean during the summer months. One of the closest options, Cascais, is less than half an hour by local train from the city centre. It is considered a cosmopolitan resort with a well-organized (but very expensive) beach and a great shopping centre for shopping or dining.
Photo by Jeroen den Otter on Unsplash
To get to the beautiful Cascais, you must use a car or other means of transportation. A car is truly the best option if coming from the centre of Lisbon to Cascais, because the route is truly unique. Ensure you choose a rental car which will provide you with all the comforts of a means of transportation. That way you can use it for your navigating the city, saving valuable time from the use of public transport, and giving your legs a rest from cobblestones! There are dozens of car hire options in Portugal, but the one that really stands out is the company Enjoy Travel. It covers you through special vehicle insurance and the use of the most modern car models, so you do not have to worry about anything, apart from exploring the city.
Sintra
Infinitely more picturesque, the famous Sintra is the most classic day trip made by all visitors to Lisbon. You can admire the dolly historic center, the colorful houses, the impressive Pena Palace and Castelo dos Mouros. You can also enjoy the view of the Atlantic from the mountains and the National Park of the area. Do not miss the opportunity to try fresh fish in the local restaurants – the city is famous for its impressive cod recipes.
Photo by Thewonderalice on Unsplash
If you ever decide to head to Portugal and visit Lisbon, which I highly recommend, I hope these attractions help you plan your visit!