Lisbon Travel Guide

Hi guys,

As promised a while ago, I am finally publishing the Lisbon travel guide. In this post, I will share with you some of my favourite pictures from my trip to Lisbon and the places I consider as a must-see when visiting.

 

Lisbon is a very old city full of history and charming places. There are lots of nice things to see and do in the city, but or me the absolute must-see places are:

Belem Tower:

It is a fortified tower, commissioned by King John II to be part of a defence system at the mouth of the Tagus river and a ceremonial gateway to Lisbon. The tower was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and included in the registry of the Seven Wonders of Portugal in 2007.

Jerominos Monastery:

The monastery is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated 10 minutes away from the Belem Tower. The Jerominos Monastery is one of the most prominent examples of the Portuguese Late Gothic Manueline style architecture, which is truly magnificent. The monastery is also the most impressive symbol of Portugal’s power and wealth during the Age of Discovery. King Manuel I built it in 1502 on the site of a hermitage founded by Prince Henry the Navigator, where Vasco da Gama and his crew spent their last night in Portugal in prayer before leaving for India. It was built to commemorate Vasco Da Gama’s voyage and to give thanks to the Virgin Mary for its success.

Barrio Alto:

It is the most vibrant part of the city, especially on an evening, full of bars and restaurants and charming little squares. Barrio Alto is also a place where you can see the typical for Lisbon tramps, passing through the numerous hills of the city.

Ajuda national palace:

Located at the top of the Ajuda hill, and with a superb view of the Tejo River, the palace’s construction began in 1796. After the 1755 earthquake, the royal family moved to the Ajuda area, where the land was safer. The idea of the king was to build there one of the largest palaces in Europe, but the project did not materialize because the royal family left for Brazil in 1807 following the Napoleonic Wars. Although it is an unfinished project, the Ajuda National Palace is a majestic and dignified monument that is definitely worth a visit. Spread out over two floors, the ground floor and the noble floor, it is easy to see how the royal family’s daily affairs unfolded.

Praça do Comércio:

Known as the main square in Lisbon, it represents a beautiful view over the river and magnificent architecture around it. The square leads to one of the main shopping streets and is walking distance to Castelo de S.Jorge, another historical site, which has magnificent views over the city.

Viewpoints:

The fact that Lisbon is situated on 7 hills, suggests that there are lots of places with amazing views! That is absolutely right, there are great viewpoints throughout the whole city. One that I would certainly recommend is the viewpoint of Santa Catarina.

Fado night:

One experience that I would certainly recommend is a dinner with Fado music. There are lots of restaurants throughout the whole city, especially in Barrio Alto, which offer Fado program. Fado is a type of popular Portuguese song, usually with a melancholy theme and accompanied by mandolins or guitars. It is truly beautiful music and something extremely traditional in Portugal.

Time Out Market Lisbon:

A place that previously housed the city’s best vendors now houses its best restaurants and artists. The market has 24 restaurants, 8 bars, a dozen shops and a high-end music venue. You can try a lot of typical Portuguese dishes and wines. I dish, which I would highly recommend you to try is the typical Bacalao fish.

 

Hope you have enjoyed this travel guide!

 

Best, 

Tina J xx