LISBON AND ALMADA

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Perfect for a weekend , Lisbon is an amazing old city, with nice buildings , colourful tiles and amazing food. Here you will find my journey (Lisbon and Almada) . The city can definitely convince everyone who loves to travel for culture, good weather and delicious food.

October 2018 - 3 Days

WHY GO

If you’re dreaming about your next trip to Europe, come and discover Lisbon, a historical city full of stories to tell. A city where you feel safe wandering around day or night, where the cuisine is dedicated to creating over a thousand ways to cook the beloved bacalhau (salted cod). Lisbon is famous for its hospitality and the family-like way it welcomes visitors.

WHEN TO GO

Here the sun shines 290 days a year and the temperature rarely drops below 15oC. The best time to visit Lisbon is from March to May or September to October, because the weather is still warm and there are fewer crowds than in summer. In those seasons, you might also be able to squeeze in a few beach days. Winters in Lisbon are warm for Europe.

Day 1 Alfama , Bairro Alto & Baixa

For the morning, it is suggested to explore the two central, but vastly different districts of Baixa and Alfama. Both districts are steeped in history and contain many of the iconic monuments of Lisbon.

The Baixa district (completely destroyed by the devastating 1755 earthquake) is the heart of Lisbon and comprises of magnificent plazas, grand avenues and grand Pombaline architecture.

My itinerary:

• Praça do Comércio, Lisbon’s most impressive plaza and its historic centre for trade (Nicolau for brunch)

• The panoramic view from the top of the Arco da Rua Augusta

• The Elevador de Santa Justa, a neo-Gothic styled wrought iron elevator (lift)

• A glass of Ginjia, a sweet cherry liqueur, drunk at the A Ginjinha bar, the traditional home of the drink

Alfama (originally situated outside of the city walls and home to the poor and desperate) is the oldest district of Lisbon.

Alfama is a labyrinth of streets which follow the ancient mediwval layout of the city.

Today the area has been transformed into one of the most stylish section of the city!

What to see:

– The Castelo de Sao Jorge (stands high above the city)

– The Sé de Lisboa cathedral, with its Gothic towers and massive fortifications

– The Igreja de Santo António, constructed on the birthplace of Lisbon’s patron saint

– The maze of medieval streets that criss-cross Alfama

In the afternoon if you are not tired (parts of Lisbon are VERY hilly and what passes for sidewalks in the older areas can be be very roughly surfaced, sensible shoes essential) visit the districts of Cais do Sodre, Chiado and Bairro Alto.

Baixa is connected to Cais do Sodre by a riverside walk along the Ribeira das Naus, close to the Timeout Market, (old Mercado da Ribeira highly recommended for lunch).

Cais do Sodre was a red-light district, but today is a trendy nightlife district:there is a ferry terminal where it is possible to cross the Tejo Estuary to Cacilhas (€2.50 return), and this provides fantastic riverside views of Lisbon and the suspension bridge.

Chiado district was historically the artisan district of Lisbon : today it is Lisbon’s theatre district, and the central square is dedicated to Portugal’s’ most famous poet, Luís de Camões.

Bairro Alto is the nightlife hub of Lisbon; by day it may appear a little shabby, but at night it comes alive with numerous small bars and the sound of Fado music wafting out of the live music venues.

Day 2 The Belem District - Ride on the number 28 tram

For this day is suggested to get the 24-hour unlimited public transport ticket, so you can have unlimited use of the trams (Tram 15 to Belem and Tram 28 for the afternoon)

Belem is the picturesque district to the west of Lisbon that lines the northern banks of the Tejo Estuary Belem is closely associated with the great Portuguese explorers, and it was here that Vasco da Gama spent his last night before discovering the sea route to India

This Portuguese seafaring history is commemorated by the imposing Padrao dos Descobrimentos, and from the viewing platform on the top of the monument are outstanding views over Belem and the Tejo Estuary.

In 10min you will find the Torre de Belem (16th-century fort) which protected Lisbon against seaward attack and the icon of Lisbon. The Centro Cultural de Belém was constructed to house the 1992 European Union Presidency, and is now houses the Museu Coleção Berardo, the best free art gallery in Lisbon.

In Belem you can visit the Aos Combatentes do Ultramar war memorial, the MAAT museum, the Museu de Marinha, the Museu Nacional dos Coches and the president’s residence.

Where to eat the famous Belem Pastires? -> Pasteis de Belem

Back to the centre, I really recommend to ride the number 28 tram and visit the sights and districts along the route:

• The Basílica da Estrela – A grand basilica with an impressive domed roof

• The Jardim da Estrela

• The Estrela district

• The Palácio da Assembleia da República – The neo-classical Portuguese parliament building

• The Graca district

• Miradouro da Graça – The best viewpoint of Lisbon but it is a steep walk up to the summit of the hill

Day 3 Almada

The best way to get from Lisbon to Almada without a car is to ferry which takes 10 min and costs 2€ (the ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas takes 10 min including transfers and departs every 20 minutes).

I was curious to see the Cristo Rei statue, which was modelled on Christ the Redeemer in Rio and completed in 1959.

On a hill 85 metres above the south bank of the Tagus Estuary , this monumental statue is slightly smaller than the Rio landmark that inspired it.

On the statue’s pedestal, which you’ll scale by an elevator and then a flight of steps, you can see the entire Tagus Estuary, Lisbon’s historic quarters and the 25 de Abril Bridge (amazing view!) – you might also spot a resemblance to the bridges in San Francisco, and this isn’t a coincidence as it was built by the same company that made the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

PARIS

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