If we already told you about the wonderful Portuguese city of Porto, now it is the turn of the capital, Lisbon. The oldest capital in Western Europe hides many corners to see, with old streets and modern spaces to enjoy. If you like cities with history, this is undoubtedly one of them.
Una city overlooking the sea, where we will find museums full of people, picturesque streets with a lot of history, cafes with beautiful terraces and its famous trams to move from one place to another. This city has many things to offer and here we tell you the most interesting.
1-Castle of San Jorge
Dominating the entire city is this castle, standing from the 6th century. It has survived wars and even an earthquake, and is undoubtedly one of the best places to enjoy views of the entire city and the history of Lisbon. It is one of the essential things to see in Lisbon, and inside it houses a museum and also a camera obscura in the Ulysses Tower to see all the corners of the city in real time.
2-Tower of Belem
The Torre de Belem is a defensive structure built in the XNUMXth century on the banks of the Tagus River. Its great beauty is well known, and it has become one of the symbols of the city. It was also a tower to welcome those returning home from faraway destinations. Next to it is the Monument to the Discoveries.
3-Santa Justa Elevator
It is one of the fastest ways to get from La Baixa to Barrio Alto. A neo-gothic style elevator that is 45 meters high and whose structure was inspired by the Eiffel Tower. It admits 20 people to go up but only 15 to go down. When you reach the top, it is recommended to walk through the bohemian neighborhood of Chiado.
4-alpha
This is a old fishermen's quarter, cradle of fado, that melancholy of the Portuguese people. An old neighborhood with narrow streets, one of the most authentic that you can visit, with churches and houses with the typical tiles that are seen all over Portugal. It can be reached by taking the nostalgic tram 28.
5-Take a tram
This is one of the most typical ways of getting around Lisbon, taking one of those historic trams yellow. They go through the most interesting and picturesque places, and even make the steepest streets. The aforementioned tram 28 is an institution, not to be missed, and tram 15 leads to Belem. Not all of them are old and nostalgic, some of them are modern, but it is always a new experience for those who have never taken one.
6-La Baixa neighborhood
By its name we will have already realized that this neighborhood is located in the lower part of the city. It's the neighborhood more central and important from the city, so it will be an essential visit. The Restauradores Square has a beautiful obelisk, the Commerce Square is one of the most beautiful, and in the Rossio Square we will find a lively atmosphere. In this neighborhood we just have to go walking from one place to another enjoying everything it offers.
7-Jerónimos Monastery
This monastery is another of the most interesting visits in the city. It was completed in the XNUMXth century and it is a very interesting monument. It has a church with six endless columns that are its main attraction. The cloister is also very beautiful, perfectly preserved and cared for, with beautiful gardens. Another must-see is the tomb of Vasco de Gama.
8-Park of Nations
In this park we will find the most contemporary architecture in the entire city. If there is an essential visit in this area, it is the Lisbon Oceanarium. It is the second largest aquarium in Europe, and in its two-story structure everything revolves around a large central aquarium. The marine species of the different oceans will be visited, with a guided tour.
9-Upper Quarter
If La Baixa is the most popular and commercial area of the city, the Barrio Alto is a very more alternative and bohemian, especially if we refer to the Chiado neighborhood, which they say is the Montmartre of Lisbon. Some neighborhoods with graffiti and where it is more likely that we can hear the famous fados. One of the most popular places to stop is Cafe A Brasileira.
10- Pastries from Belem
If you are going to take a trip, something necessary is to try those dishes and sweets. In Lisbon, no one leaves without having tasted the delicious pasteis de Belem, which are cream candies covered in sugar and cinnamon powder. If there is a typical place to buy them, it is in the pastry shop that is named after the cakes, Pasteis de Belem, near the Jerónimos Monastery.