We left Coimbra to catch a train which took a few hours….smooth travel though. We had allocated seats and watch the countryside whiz by as we headed south to Lisbon. On arrival at the main train station, we changed to the Metro and arrived at the square near our Hotel. We had been warned to keep our wits about us in crowds and on the metro….at one stage I found myself completely surrounded by some young men and separated from the main group. The group was worried about me but the lads were fine..the biggest problem was the BO as they put their hands up to hold onto the handrails!
We arrived at the hotel only to find that we could not have our rooms for a few hours, so we stored our bags and had a free few hours to explore before meeting the group again for a walking tour of the city.
Fi and I had a lovely lunch in a cafe that Fi had found on Google (which is just invaluable for travelling). We then walked down towards the water find the neat grid system of this part of the city very easy to navigate! We found our way to Avenida da Liberdade which leads to the arch and water you see below. It was a Friday and the city is chock-a-block as June is Festas dos Santos Populares (Festival of the popular Saints); Partly to do with it being the beginning of the summer holidays (ie School) and there is on the weekend we are here is a specific festival for Saint Anthony (Santo Antonio) who is a patron saint of the city!
After our lunch and walk, we headed back to the hotel to meet the group and begin a proper walking tour. We headed up the hill - to Castelo de Sao Jorge - the first fortifications date back to 1st Century BC, and it is believed the castle began to be built 48 BC when the area was considered a Roman Municipality.
It is is reasonably good condition, has an informative small museum and the most spectacular views from the walls. We had had our share of climbing towers and turrets of a variety of palaces and castles recently, so opted to enjoy the view while we waited for the group for 30 minutes….it was indeed spectacular in the gardens…century old Olive trees, fountains, and more peacocks!
After the Castle, we wandered downhill through the Alfamo - the oldest neighbourhood in Lisbon full of winding alleys, steep hills and steps! We passed the Church of San Antonio, Lisbon Cathedral and the Carmo Convent ruins.
Fi and I opted out of the last section of the tour as we had already visited the Praco do Commercio (the gateway earlier) and the statue of King Jose. We opted to hot foot it back to our hotel and stoped for a wee drink and tapas before having an early night…after some 15000 steps our feet were a little sore!
Day 2 Lisboa
Today was a free day so we were left to our own devices. After such a huge day yesterday, we have a very leisurely start - having breakfast at the hotel and not leaving until well near 10 am.
We couldn’t decide what to do, there was a 28 Tram that is written up in all the tourist guides that looks fantastic, however when we got to the square to board, the que at that time was over 2 hours…neither of us felt like standing around for that long to be on a crowded rattle tram - as quant as it might be - so we walked to another square and found the Yellow Hop on Hop Off bus and took a tour out to Belem - through some of the more contemporary parts of Lisbon. It was very enjoyable and it was nice to be out of the crowded hustle and see a little more of every day Lisbon. This bit is best left to pictures…not brilliant as taken from the Bus in many cases, but mementos of lovely sights!
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| Corridor Verde de Monsanto - Jardim Amalia Rodrigues |
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| Tower of Belem |
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| Jeronimos Monastery |
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Tagus River
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Padrao dos Descobrimentos (Monument to Discoveries)
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| 25 de April Bridge |
When we arrived back into town, we searched out some lunch….portugese chicken and salad - before finding a Funicular de Gloria and heading up to the hill to Jardim Antonio Nobre. To our surprise (although we should have expected it) the garden and lookout were decorated and filled with small food and bar stalls, playing music and a general festival vibe at one end, at the other there were buskers where we sat, enjoying a Pina Colada and took in the view.
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| Portugese Chicken |
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| Funicular de Gloria |
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| The local artiste decorations |
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| Jardim Antonio Notre |
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