There are a few cities, which have touched my heart in a way that has made me want to pack my suitcase at the very moment and move. While it was easy to predict that I will fall in love with Barcelona and Madrid, I never envisaged the effect Lisbon will have on me. And while for most European cities I had a list of places to see, I went to Lisbon completely unprepared. I knew nothing about its places of interest and I had no idea what I am going to do or see while there.
So we just went. We hired a car and drove the 300km from Albufeira to just stroll in the Portuguese capital. And sometimes, this is exactly the thing to do- wander aimlessly to experience and feel the atmosphere of a certain place.
Lisbon is a sunny, colourful place, full of charm and smiling people. The weather is nice, the food is nice, and frankly there is nothing that isn’t nice about Lisbon.
For those, who would like to know a few things before heading to Lisbon, here is what I picked up while there.
As most major capital cities, Lisbon has its own districts (or barrios) with their own living standards, landmarks and culture.
When we entered the city by car, we followed a Parking sign that took us to a central parking area close to Praca Do Comercio, a famous square in central Lisbon. Praca de Comercio is located in the Alfama district. It is situated near the Tagus river and offers really great views. At the centre of the square there is a statue of King Jose I, who was the King of Portugal and the Algarve in the 16th century. The Alfama district is also home to the King Jose castle and the Church of Sao Vicente de Fora. The steep streets of the Alfama district offer some spectacular views to the city.
After we walked up and down the hills of Alfama and after seeing the Castle of King Jose, we ended up in the Baixa district. It is the home of Santa Justa Lift, built in late 19th century. It connects the lower streets of the district with the Carmo Square. There are many lifts in Lisbon to ease accessibility of the many hills the city is built on. Santa Justa is among the oldest and the only remaining vertical one. Baixa is also a home to many traditional coffee shops. Here is where I enjoyed this delicious tarte.
After Baixa district our walk took us to the Chiado district, a famous shopping and cultural area. The centre of the district is the square of Luis de Camoes, a famous Portuguese poet. It is a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee in the middle of the Lisbon vibe.
I do hope fate is going to take me to Lisbon again! I am sure there is a lot more to explore, see and experience in this amazing and very pretty city.
Photos by the lovely and talented Andon Kamenarov
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