Lisbon

Lisbon is a big city and is also the capital of Portugal. Lisbon has been the capital since its conquest from the Moors in 1147. It has plenty of interesting shopping, nightlife, museums and wonderful hills from which you can view the rest of the city.

Starting at the Edward VII park, you proceed to the Marquês de Pombal Circle and then down the Avenida da Liberdade to the Praça dos Restauradores and the Rossio. Straight-ahead the Baixa (Low District) and the shops on the Rua Augusta down to the Praça do Comércio and the Tagus River. To your left is the Alfama -- the old city and St. George's Castle - to the right is the Bairro Alto.

Many people arrive in Lisbon by boat these days. But in the 15^th Century this point was the entrance and exit to the world. There is also a story that Columbus stopped first in Lisbon, on his way back to Spain, after discovering the Americas.

Lisbon has become the top ranking European Atlantic seaport in terms of cruise calls and passenger disembarkation. The investment made to improve the waterfront area is beginning to pay off.

Cais do Sodre Railway station which is shown on the map just to the left of the Baixa is where you catch the local commuter trains to the Estoril and Cascias beach resorts. Trains for Queluz and Sintra operate from the Rossio station just off the Rossio. You might even wish to stop in Queluz and visit the Palace of Queluz, the Portuguese Versailles. You also might consider staying at the Pousada de Dona Maria I located in front of the Palace. They have completed the Metro extension that will connect the Rossio and the Cais do Sodre Railway station be sure to visit the very impressive station in Chiado. The line has also been extended from Alameda Afonso Henriques to the site of where Expo 98 was held. It has a string of new stations that should be definitely checked out.

Bairro Alto

This, high quarter, has become the center of nightlife in downtown Lisbon. It has many fine restaurants, small eating places and Fado houses. Busy at night, but an interesting place for a walk during the day

Over looking the city's downtown Baixa area, the Bairro Alto is without doubt Lisbon's liveliest district during the night. A large concentration of bars, restaurants, Fado houses, discotheques and exclusive nightclubs are crammed into this small section of town

Alfama

This is the oldest part of the city. As you climb up into the Alfama, or ride tram 28, you will pass the Sé Patriarcal of Lisboa as it stands in imposing grander amid the streets and alleys in the picturesque Alfama district. This ancient church is a representative example of the Roman Gothic style dating back over eight centuries. It is also renowned for its association with the founding of the Portuguese nation. This is a very impressive Cathedral.

The area of St. George's Castle and has tortuous narrow streets that spiral down from the Castle to the Baixa below. I don't recommend walking up, but you should definitely walk down. You will enjoy the traces of medieval architecture, the colorful houses, and the narrow cobblestone streets. This area is as old as Lisbon itself. The Alfama by night is the best place to go for a taste of ancient Lisbon. You might also try the, A Parreirinha de Alfama

Baixa

This is the main shopping and commercial district of Lisbon. It stretches from the river, Praça do Comércio, to the top of the Rossio. It contains many of Lisbon's finer and fashionable shops. It is also dotted with coffeehouses and outdoor cafés. The street names when translated appropriately turn into such names as Silver, Gold, etc. Lisbon's most popular shopping district revolves around the parallel streets of Rua Augusta, Rua da Prata and Rua do Ouro, which link the squares of the Rossio with the Praça do Comércio

Walking up Rua do Carmo will take you to the fashionable Chiado district of Lisbon. There are also some very fashionable stores along the Avendia da Liberdade, Lisbon's main avenue which stretches from the Rossio to the Praça do Marquês de Pombal

Riverside Rendez-vous

A 15-kilometer stretch of north bank of the Tagus is being transformed into a pleasure zone consisting of bars, restaurants, cafés, discotheques, music venues, parks, marinas, recreational facilities and public areas. It is very relaxing to sit in the outside tables and view the river by night. You enjoy the lights of the ships and boats making their way up and down the Tagus and the automobiles crossing the majestic 25 of April suspension bridge. Later that night a friend would drive us over the new Vasco da Gama Bridge. This 12-mile span is truly spectacular at night. The lights shining on the bridge's cables remind you of a ship's sail from the Golden days of the Portuguese Discoveries.

Seeing the City

You could spend hours strolling down the Rua Augusta and the side streets enjoying window shopping in all the fashionable shops, especially the newly restored Chiado District. Which by the way is on the hill behind the Elevador Santa Justa. You really can spend hours looking in the store windows. You can stop at one of the open-air cafés for a cup of coffee and some pastry

Elevador Santa Justa an imposing gray iron structure that looks a little like the Eiffel Tower. You catch an elevator inside it that takes you up to a balcony from which you get a panoramic view of the city. If you walk up the spiral staircase from here, you emerge at a higher level that has a small café where you can get a cup of coffee and enjoy the view even more. This is also a great spot to take photos of Lisbon

Rather than take the elevator down, exited out the rear to the Largo do Carmo in the Chiado area. You will then come upon Lisbon's best ruin, the Carmo Church, also near by is the National Archeology Museum. The Carmo Ruins consist of a 14^th century church, which was seriously damaged, in the earthquake of 1755. Since then its roof has remained open to the heavens

The Trams are quaint little electric trolleys that sort of remind you of the cable cars in San Francisco. Lisbon's trams are not only vintage vehicles and picturesque in themselves, but many go through the historic parts of the city, providing an inexpensive way to take a tour. These unique trams climb and descend the city's hills along 72 kilometers of track. These romantic vehicles have remained in service far beyond their time. They are now more than just a symbol they represent the city's soul

It was in August of 1901 that the city of Lisbon awoke to see that the new trams had arrived. The "Americanos" and "omnibuses" - slow mule drawn vehicles that had carried the majority of passenger traffic were relegated to history. The trams themselves are originally of American origin, and were built in the company's own workshops from the 1920's onwards. Today, the trams are considered part of Lisbon's heritage.

Belém

At the Praça do Comércio caught the number 15 tram. This was one of the new modern air-conditioned models. The old trams are still around and for one certainly hope that they keep them running. It is a short ride to Belém and it only cost 150$ Escudos. Got off the tram and walked around the huge public park that is a few blocks down from the tramline to the Discovers monument

UNESCO classified Belém Tower (shown left) as a world heritage site in 1983. It was originally built in 1520 to defend Lisbon against the threats of invaders. It used to reside somewhere near the middle of the River Tagus at Belém, but now it can be found clinging to the northern bank

take a guided tour of the Monastery of Jerónimos. The Jerónimos Monastery took almost a century to be built and reflects the prosperity of the Portuguese Empire during the Golden Age of Discoveries. It was built as a tribute to the courageous navigators who helped establish Lisbon as the hub of a thriving empire. Vasco da Gama is buried here. The Monastery is an outstanding example of Manueline architecture and was classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO

Praça do Comércio

The Praça do Comércio is a magnificent square. It is also known as Terreiro do Paço which means Ground of the Palace, after the royal palace that stood here in pre-earthquake days 1755. Eighteen-century buildings that house the Portuguese Government bound it on one side. On another side is the Monumental Arch leading to the Rua Augusta. ( Trams on the Rua Augusta), before they turned the Rua into a beautiful tiled pedestrian walkway. On the final side there is the City Hall well worth visiting for it many art treasures.

Where are all the Ferries going?

People getting on ferryboats that were going across the river. Well, if you wonder where the Ferries are going, you get on one and find out , it was going to Barreiro. Got on the Ferry and after a 30 minute scenic trip across the Tagus arrived a Barreiro. It is a nice little town.
At the Southeast ferry dock -- near the St. Apolónia Railway station. This ferry went to Montijo. This trip is really nice. It took about an hour and really gave you a chance to enjoy the river and the views of Lisbon and the surrounding areas. Later you can take the trip to Cacilhas e Seixal.

Located near the Southeast ferry is the St. Apolónia Railway station, where you can catch trains to other points in Portugal and Europe

The ferries really provide an economical means to enjoy the sites of Lisbon from the river and acquaint you with the towns on the other side.

The Elevator Bug

The Portuguese refer to these as elevators, but they are really Trams permanently built at an angle that take passengers up steep routes. The ride is short, but the hill is steep, and it's an experience to ride on one and there is a reward at the end of the line

The Elevador da Glória, runs from the Calçada da Glória on the west side of the Praça dos Restauradores and takes you up to the Bairro Alto. Once you arrive at the top, walk to the right to a park. From this park you have an excellent view of the Baixa, the lower part of town, and a good view of St. George's Castle and the Alfama

On the east side of the Praça dos Restauradores is another Elevador, the Elevador do Lavra. This elevator takes you up to an area of the city called Anjos. There was another Small Park here -- the Jardim do Torel. This park provides you with a magnificent view of the Baixa and the Bairro Alto.

Fado, which means "fate" or "destiny" is the name given to the anecdotal, satirical, sentimental, or occasionally happy songs performed by the singers. Throughout the centuries the Fado has kept it's olden characteristics. The Fado Cancào (song-fado of Coimbra), Fado Descritivo (descriptive fado) and Fado Triste (sad fado) of Lisbon. The sea was also the profoundest inspirer of Fado

If you would like to know more about Fado houses and maybe listen to a little Fado music, visit the Fado Section below. (You definitely should)

Visit Fado

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