For me, Lisbon is a fascinating place – on the one hand, it is very modern with high new buildings, wide streets and beautiful houses, but on the other hand, it is traditional, monumental, trying to bring back its former greatness and glory. I liked this city during my first visit – its little wide streets, squares and yellow trams. My second visit increased this feeling due to the new experience with fado music, the taste of roasted chestnuts and night strolls. In Lisbon I was captivated by the sunny weather and greenery around as the blue sky, flowers, green grass and sunny weather helped me to forget that it was November.
This
time we used underground to get to our hotel – it is the fastest and the
cheapest way to get from the airport to the city center. The Airport underground station is brand new
– it was opened in October 2012.
We
stayed at The Grande Pensao Residencial Alcobia Hotel, the same one that we chose
two years ago. It is very nice, but a little noise from the street might be a
slight inconvenience if you are accommodated in a room overlooking St. George's Castle :) The
rooms were clean, the breakfast edible with bargain prices and a very
good location – close to Figueira square (with a bronze equestrian statue of
King João I) and a Rossio underground station.
First day
Belem.
From Figueira square there
is an opportunity to go to Belem by tram nr 15. The first step - The
Hieronymites Monastery with The Church of Santa Maria (you can find there the stone
tomb of Vasco da Gama).
Next targets - the
Discoveries Monument and a lazy stroll along The Tag River to the Belem Tower
(the tower was built in the early 16th century, originally on a small island in
the Tagus River near Lisbon shore).
Near Museu dos
Combatente (military museum located near The Belem Tower) you can watch the shift of the Guard in front
of the Monument dedicated to the veterans of Portuguese Colonial War (between
Portugal’s military forces and the emerging nationalist movements in Portugal's
African colonies –Mozambique, Angola and Guine – taking place between 1961 and
1974).
Being
in Belem you absolutely must taste the famous cookies known as Pastéis de Belém (Portuguese egg tart pastry)
- http://www.pasteisdebelem.pt/en.html.
Baixa
Strolling down Rua
Augusta street - the city's main
shopping street – we went to The Design Museum . MUDE – The Design and Fashion
Museum (http://www.mude.pt/). In total its 1000 design objects and over
1200 pieces of fashion by household names such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne
Westwood or Yves Saint Laurent.
Next point - Santa
Justa Elevator - an Eiffel Tower-like landmark with views on the whole city. A
short queue in front of the elevator and after a while we are on top – from
here there is a splendid view on Lisbon.
The
elevator is
used to quickly get to the Bairro Alto district. A short rest for
espresso at a local bar around the corner and a slow
return to the hotel.
Alfama.
I have returned to
Lisbon mainly to listen to fado. Thanks to the recommendation of Krzysztof
Gierak (www.krzysztofgierak.pl) we also visited an interesting place – Tasca
do Chico Alfama – a local restaurant.
At 9.30 pm began the first
out of four fado concerts – dim light, fado songs and the sound of the guitar –
the atmosphere was amazing. The room was full of people, nice music and wine
Coming back to the
hotel from Alfama at midnight also
leaves an unforgettable memories.
