Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal is our eighth travel destination during our Europe Trip - January 2017.
Full of bleached white limestone buildings and Lisbon's mix of traditional architecture and
contemporary culture makes it the perfect place for a holiday.
A bargain city to visit compared to other European capitals and it's just over two hours away from London.
We started exploring Praca do Comercio which is a good central place, in Baxia where our hotel is located and then Rossio,
the city's main square which has a sort of Trafalgar Square feel to it.
We took the Tram 28 which is the most charming way to tick off a few sights.
This vintage carriage trundles through Lisbon's prettiest and most historic streets...
First stop is Torre de Belem, a symbol of maritime Lisbon, this Byzantine and Gothic tower stands out over the mouth of the Tejo, guarding the entrance to the city's harbour.
At the imperial Belem waterfront, Portugal's "Age of Discoveries" is celebrated in the form of a lavish monastery and dazzling river-facing statues, built with the coin of one of the most ostentatious colonial empire in history.
Then we walked all the way to Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, a 15th-century Manueline monastery. The main attraction is the delicate Gothic chapel that opens up on to a grand monastery, in which some of Portugal's greatest historical figures are entombed.
Praca do Comercio
Se de Lisboa, Lisbon's ancient cathedral was built by Portugal's first King on the site of an old mosque. From outside (with two bell towers and a splendid rose window) it resembles
a medieval fortress, while inside it appears predominantly Romanesque,
with a Gothic choir and ambulatory.
Panoramic view of Lisbon at the top of Castelo de Sao Jorge
We have been travelling from the City Centre to the other tourist attractions with this century-old wooden trams and iron funiculars that still lurch and rumble their way among the seven steep hills over which this city lies. Isn't it amazing?!
Stunning sunset in Lisbon...
Smart new restaurants offering traditional Portuguese dishes, old-style establishments serving classics and plenty of bars and food markets, Lisbon is the perfect foodie destination as well. Don't leave the city without trying their specialties. I had Bacalhau Grelhado a Lagareiro (Slated Cod Fish) and Gio ordered Polvo a Lagareiro (Octopus tentacles in olive oil). 'A lagareiro' means 'in the style of olive oil producer' Octopus tentacles are roasted in lashings of olive oil, with plenty of garlic and salt, and served with 'batatas a murro' (punched potatoes) which are boiled, then finished off alongside the octopus in its oil, having first been punched to break the skin. This is also a common way of cooking Bacalhau.
Gio and I both enjoyed our sumptuous lunch...
We have also tried other famous traditional Portuguese dishes and they're all good.
Of course, no trip to Lisbon will ever be complete without eating a pastel de nata.
They can be found in most cafes in the city, including a handful which specialise in these world-famous custard tarts. The best are the ones with the most buttery pastry and the wobbliest custard which can be bought in Pasteis de Belem.
The queue is quiet long but I don't mind coz it's worth it!
Here's a video to wrap up our Lisbon Trip. Obrigada!
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