Lisboa

In May 2022, we enjoyed 10 extensive days in Lisbon. The Portuguese capital on the Tejo river has its own charm that you simply can't escape.
Tramway at Miradouros Sao Pedro

Thanks to the location of our hotel at the central Avenida Liberdade, many sights were within walking distance. We relaxed wonderfully in the adjacent Praca da Alegria park and the exotic Jardim Botanico is just next door. The uphill stairs or the cable-drawn tram take you to the charming Bairro Alto neighborhood with its labyrinth of alleyways, countless bars and restaurants that serve outside in the street in the evenings. From the Mirodouro Sao Pedro, you have a marvelous view over the opposite district of Alfama with the Castelo de Sao Jorge, the place where Lisbon was founded. Walk downhill to the vibrant Alfama with its many fado bars and the Se Cathedral, before taking a look at the mighty Rio Tejo and the mighty Ponte 24 Abril.

During the day, life in Lisbon pulsates in the squares of Restauradores, Rossio and in the shopping streets of the Baixa district. The undulating paved Rossio is home of the Teatro Nacional Dona Maria II, the equestrian statue of King Dom Pedro and countless bars and restaurants. Continue along the Rua Augusta promenade and through the triumphal arch to the spacious Praca do Comercio square with the statue of Jose I. Here you have already reached the Tejo river.

In the Musu Nacional de Arte Antigua, the iconic painting "The Temptation of St Anthony" by Hieronymus Bosch charms visitors with its mischievous details. In the well-kept Parque Eduardo VII, we were impressed by the wide promenades and the nearby Café Versailles. Just outside the centre, on the Rio Tejo, are the Moorish fortified tower Torre de Belem, Lisbon's flagship, and the Mosteiro dos Jenonimos monastery, an artistic marvel from the 16th century with countless sandstone elements and a huge cloister. Halfway between the two, you will pass the discovery monument. An insider tip is to take tram no. 28, which passes through narrow streets and ever-changing perspectives to the Prazeres Cemetery, an unusual necropolis of monumental tombs. The Palacio Fronteira, a country house with a hunting pavilion and gardens from the 17th century, is located just outside in the greenery. The allegorical illustrations of mythical creatures on the blue-colored azulejos are sometimes amusing.

The new Oceanario complex in the east of the city is huge, with all kinds of aquatic animals and a themed presentation of different biotopes. As Lisbon is situated on the water, we of course visited the rugged cliff face with the lighthouse in Cabo da Roca, the most westerly place in Europe. The Costa da Caparica is a long sandy beach on the southern side of the Tejo river. This natural open-air bathing area for the people of Lisbon can be reached via the large Ponte 24 Abril from the 1970s, passing the omnipresent monument of Cristo Rei. Finally, we visited nearby Sintra with the summer residence of the kings and the Palacio Nacional, which is characterized by two chimney-like towers and a combination of elements from the Moorish and Renaissance periods.